Surface cleaners and sanitizers

Question 1

What is a surfactant?

Answer 1

reduces surface tension and adherence of dirt and organic matter

Question 2

What is sanitizing?

Answer 2

remove dirt and organic debris via two steps of dry and wet cleaning

Question 3

What is disinfection?

Answer 3

reducing or killing pathogens to low levels

Question 4

What is contact time?

Answer 4

important to efficacy of chemical

Question 5

What is sporicidal?

Answer 5

capable of killing endospores

Question 6

What is static?

Answer 6

slows/inhibits

Question 7

What is antisepsis?

Answer 7

reduction of bacteria in biological setting

Question 8

What is sterilization?

Answer 8

complete absence of life

Question 9

Disinfection follows?

Answer 9

sanitizing

Question 10

What is a disinfection agent?

Answer 10

halogens

Question 11

What are types of halogen?

Answer 11

hypochlorites

“tamed” iodide (iodorphors)

Question 12

What is an example of hypochlorites?

Answer 12

bleach for parvocide and ringworm control at 1:10

Question 13

What are pros and cons of hypochlorites?

Answer 13

cheap and effective
irritating and corrosive
limited useful life once diluted

Question 14

What are “tamed” iodide (iodorphors)?

Answer 14

topical antiseptics - usual application

Question 15

What are some disinfection agents?

Answer 15

soaps and detergents - highly necessary to washing/sanitizing but limited disinfection properties

Question 16

What are some disinfection agents?

Answer 16

soaps and detergents
Phenolics
QUATS
Aldehydes
Alcohols
Biguanides
Oxidizers

Question 17

What are phenolics?

Answer 17

intermediate level disinfection with best action against Gram+

Question 18

What are some pros and cons of phenolics?

Answer 18

pros - not as corrosive as chlorine bleach
- retain some action in organic matter
cons - not an effective cidal for parvo
- can’t use as a skin antiseptic - some
dilute versions ok (dilute Thymol in
mouthwash

Question 19

What are QUATS?

Answer 19

• an intermediate level efficacy and non effective against the hard to kill
• a biocide and surfactant with rapid action and activity in 5% organic matter - used to clean kennel floors, cages, counter tops
• 3rd generation have become broader spectrum (Roccal D plus)
• Benzalkonium chloride is prototype - not for cold sterilization - renders vaccine ineffective
  (no such thing as cold sterilization - use heat

Question 20

What are aldehydes?

Answer 20

• denature microbial proteins - broad spectrum + quick acting, usually alkalinized, can be added to a “quat”
• an aqueous aldehyde is formalin - extreme toxicity, buffered glutaraldehyde and o-Phthalic aldehyde, the agents of choice

Question 21

Aldehyde disinfects?

Answer 21

endoscopes and fiberoptiscopes, vinyl, rubber, glass, optical lenses

functional sterilization after 10 hours of immersion
- instruments need to be rinsed before use

Question 22

What are alcohols?

Answer 22

isoprophyl at 70% - immediate disinfectant

Question 23

What is MOA (mechanism of action) of alcohols?

Answer 23

coagulation of bacterial proteins - not recommended for intact skin
also used as surgical final prep - flammable, explosive agent

Question 24

What are biguanides?

Answer 24

disinfects all bacterial + FeLV: not sporicidial - mild + very good residual activity
- fairly broad spectrum + fast acting

Question 25

What is an example of biguanides?

Answer 25

chlorhexidine gluconate (1-4%) is surgical prep

Question 26

What are oxidizers?

Answer 26

hydrogen peroxide - effective against bacteria, viruses, spores, and fungi

Question 27

What are pros and cons of oxidizers?

Answer 27

pros - ok on surface wounds and mucosal surfaces
cons - controversial for use in deep tissue wound and for debridement of an abscess - may provide hydraulic debridement as it foams
appears to nether decrease the wound rate or the bacterial load