Antimicrobial products in the home: the evolving problem of antibiotic resistance Flashcards
What is a biocide?
Synthetic or semi-synthetic molecules that, above certain concentrations and under defined conditions, will kill living cells within specific time intervals
What are sterilants?
Biocides that destroy all forms of microbial life
What are disinfectants?
Biocides that eliminate infectious pathogenic bacteria
What are sanitizers?
Biocides that reduce microbial contaminants
What are fungicides?
Biocides that destroy fungi on inanimate surfaces that are pathogenic to humans and animals
What are examples of mechanical devices used to control microrganisms?
- indoor air
- electronic air cleaners
- ion generators
- mechanical filters
- pleated filters
- activated charcoal impregnated filters
- ozone generators
- UV light
- thermal mechanisms
What are alcohols mechanism of action?
Denaturation of proteins
What do alcohols have less activity against?
- bacterial spores
- some non-enveloped (non-lipophilic) viruses e.g. hepatitis A
- protozoan oocytes
What non-enveloped viruses do alcohol-based hand rubs have activity against?
- rotavirus
- adenovirus
- rhinovirus
- hepatitis A
- poliovirus
What is chlorhexidine’s mechanism of action?
Disruption of cytoplasmic membranes with subsequent precipitation of cellular material
What agents do chlorhexidine have activity against?
- Gram positive
2. Enveloped viruses e.g. HSV, HIV, CMV, influenza, RSV
What agents does chlorhexidine have limited or no activity against?
- Gram negative bacteria
- Fungi
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Spirocetes
- Non-enveloped viruses e.g. rotavrius, adenovirus, and enterovirus
What is triclosan’s mechanism of action?
Enters bacterial cells and affects the cytoplasmic membrane and synthesis of RNA, fatty acids, and proteins
What is triclosan’s activity?
Antimicrobial activity 0.2-2%, bacteriostatic
Gram positive > gram negative bacilli.
Reasonable activity against mycobacterium and Candida
Limited activity against filamentous fungi
What is a quaternary ammonium compounds mechanism of action?
Absorption onto the cytoplasmic membrane, with subsequent leakage of low molecular weight cytoplasmic components