Sodium dichloroisocyanurate: a promising candidate for the disinfection of resilient drain biofilm

Summary: Background: Biofilms are complex multicellular communities of microorganisms embedded within a protective matrix which confers resistance to various antimicrobials, including biocides. Biofilms can cause a range of human diseases and are responsible for 1.7 million hospital-acquired infect...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Abbie Martin, Natasha Doyle, Tom F. O'Mahony
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Infection Prevention in Practice
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590088925000101
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Summary:Summary: Background: Biofilms are complex multicellular communities of microorganisms embedded within a protective matrix which confers resistance to various antimicrobials, including biocides. Biofilms can cause a range of human diseases and are responsible for 1.7 million hospital-acquired infections in the US annually, providing an economic burden of $11.5 billion in treatment costs. Biofilm contained within drain and plumbing systems may contain pathogenic viruses and bacteria which pose a significant risk to patient safety within healthcare environments. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine if three hospital-grade disinfectants (sodium dichloroisocyanurate, peracetic acid and sodium hypochlorite) were capable of killing microorganisms within biofilm, and thus, determining their potential as candidates for drain biofilm disinfection. Methods: Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms were cultivated using the CDC biofilm reactor, a standardised method for determining disinfectant efficacy against biofilm within the United States of America. Each disinfectant was tested using a one-minute contact time, using the highest concentration available on the product label. Findings: The sodium dichloroisocyanurate product was successful in killing biofilm microorganisms, resulting in a log reduction of ≥ 8.70. Peracetic acid reduced biofilm by 3.82 log10 units, followed by sodium hypochlorite, which produced a reduction of 3.78 log10 units. Conclusions: The use of a highly effective disinfectant with proven biofilm efficacy can help ensure patient safety and reduce infection levels. Drains and plumbing systems provide a reservoir for potential pathogens and biofilm; thus, drain disinfection is critical in reducing the instance of hospital-acquired infections. Sodium dichloroisocyanurate may provide a reliable solution for drain applications and subsequently, patient wellbeing and safety.
ISSN:2590-0889