Major Classes of Disinfectants

MAJOR CLASSES OF
DISINFECTANTS
• Disinfectants and antiseptics are generally used to destroy or inhibit growth of
pathogenic microorganism in the non-sporing or vegetative state. Some also
have the capacity to destroy bacterial spores
ALCOHOL
bactericidal antiseptic and disinfectant with little activity with bacterial spores.
Uses
disinfectant for skin and hard surfaces,
used in sclerotheraphy,
severe and chronic pain and spasticity
Adverse Effect
Mental impairment, GI disturbance, respiratory depression, coma and death
BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE
• quarternary ammonium antiseptic with properties and uses similar to those of other cationic surfactants
Uses
for cleansing skin, mucous membranes and wounds, vaginal douche
 irrigation for bladder and urethra and retention lavage of the bladder
CHLORHEXIDINE
• biguanide antiseptic disinfectant which is bactericidal or bacteriostatic against a wide range of G+ than
G- bacteria.
• Inactive against bacterial spores at room temperature and is most active at neutral or acidic pH.
Uses
preoperative skin disinfection and hand washing, for disinfection of wounds, burns or other skin damage
CHLORINE
• disinfectant with rapid potent brief bactericidal action.
• Kills most bacteria and some fungi, yeasts, viruses and protozoa.
Use
 for treatment of water

ETHYLENE OXIDE
• Bacterial and fungicidal gaseous disinfectant which is effective against most microorganisms, including
viruses
• Also sporicidal
Uses:
• Use as a fungistant for foodstuffs and textiles and as an agent for the gaseous sterilization of heat labile
pharmaceutical and surgical materials that cannot be sterilized by other means
Disadvantage:
• Forms explosive mixtures with air but this may be overcome by using mixtures containing 10% ethylene
oxide in carbon dioxide or halogenated hydrocarbons or by removing atleast 95% of the air from the
apparatus before admitting either ethylene oxide or 90% ethylene oxide in carbon dioxide
FORMALDEHYDE SOLUTION
• Disinfectant against bacteria, fungi and many viruses with a slow action against bacterial spores
USES
• Disinfection of blankets, bedding and membranes in dialysis equipment
• Local treatment of warts on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet and as a scolicide following
surgical removal of hydatid cysts
• Disinfectant
DISADVANTAGES:
• Contact dermatitis
• Sensitiviity reactions
GLUTARALDEHYDE
• bactericidal disinfectant rapidly effective against G+, G- Bacteria, mycobacterium tubercolosis, viruses
and fungi.
• Slowly effective against bacterial spores
HEXACHLORPHENE
• chlorinated bisphenol antiseptic more active against G+ than G- bacteria.
Uses
 Disinfection of skin and hands
Adverse Effect
GI and CNS disturbance
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
• used as an antiseptic, disinfectant and deodorant.
• Has weak antibacterial activity, also effective against viruses including HIV
• has a mild haemostatic action.
• Owes its antiseptic action to its ready release of oxygen when applied to tissues (short duration)
• Disinfection of hands, skin and mucous membranes
MACETRONIUM ETHYLSULPHATE
• quaternary ammonium with properties and uses similar to those of other cationic surfactants. Active
against bacteria, fungi and viruses, and is used in alcohol solution for disinfection of hands.
ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL
• Antiseptic with bactericidal properties similar to those of alcohol
USES
• Preoperative skin cleansing in concentrations of about 60-70%
• Ingredient of preparations used in disinfection of hands and surfaces
• Solvent in cosmetics and perfumes
PHENOL
• antiseptic and disinfectant effective against vegetative G+ and – bacteria, some fungi and viruses but
slowly effective in spores. Used as bacteriostatic, bactericidal, anaesthetic and for disinfection
• More active in acid solution
• Aquaeous solutions upto 1% are bacteriostatic, stronger solutions are bactericidal
• 0.5-1% local anesthetic effect to relieve itching
• Weak concentrations used topically for disinfections
• 5% -disinfect excreta
PROPYL ALCOHOL
• antiseptic with bactericidal properties similar to those of alcohol. Used for preoperative skin cleansing,
disinfection of hands and surfaces, as a solvent and as an antiseptic
POVINE-IODINE
• iodophore used as a disinfectant and antiseptic for treatment of contaminated wounds, preoperative care
and equipment disinfection.
• Effective against bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa, cyst and spores.

Major Classes of Disinfectants

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Major Classes of Disinfectants

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Major Classes of Disinfectants

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

MAJOR CLASSES OF

 for treatment of water

You might also like