Development of a high-level light-activated disinfectant for hard surfaces and medical devices
•Bacterial spores contribute to cross-transmission of infection within health care.•Current sporicidal agents possess several drawbacks such as user toxicity.•Photosensitizers supplemented with spore germinants provide rapid spore eradication.•Photosensitizer–QAC–germinant mixtures maintain activity...
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| Published in: | International journal of antimicrobial agents 2021-07, Vol.58 (1), p.106360-106360, Article 106360 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | eng |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | •Bacterial spores contribute to cross-transmission of infection within health care.•Current sporicidal agents possess several drawbacks such as user toxicity.•Photosensitizers supplemented with spore germinants provide rapid spore eradication.•Photosensitizer–QAC–germinant mixtures maintain activity in low light conditions.
Bacterial spores are an important consideration in healthcare decontamination, with cross-contamination highlighted as a major route of transmission due to their persistent nature. Their containment is extremely difficult due to the toxicity and cost of first-line sporicides.
Susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli to phenothiazinium photosensitizers and cationic surfactants under white- or red-light irradiation was assessed by determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations, minimum bactericidal concentrations and time-kill assays. B. subtilis spore eradication was assessed via time-kill assays, with and without nutrient and non-nutrient germinant supplementation of photosensitizer, surfactant and photosensitizer–surfactant solutions in the presence and absence of light.
Under red-light irradiation, >5-log10 colony-forming units/mL reduction of vegetative bacteria was achieved within 10 min with toluidine blue O (TBO) and methylene blue (MB). Cationic surfactant addition did not significantly enhance spore eradication by photosensitizers (P>0.05). However, addition of a nutrient germinant mixture to TBO achieved a 6-log10 reduction after 20 min of irradiation, while providing 1–2 log10 improvement in spore eradication for MB and pyronin Y.
Light-activated photosensitizer solutions in the presence of surfactants and germination-promoting agents provide a highly effective method to eradicate dormant and vegetative bacteria. These solutions could provide a useful alternative to traditional chemical agents used for high-level decontamination and infection control within health care.
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| ISSN: | 0924-8579 1872-7913 |