Residual Effect of Hospital-Use Disinfectants against Acinetobacter baumannii

Abstract

Introduction. Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is a multidrug-resistant pathogen responsible for nosocomial infections, in the intensive care unit (ICU) and immunocompromised patients. As a measure to prevent the spread of the bacteria, it is necessary to disinfect patient care areas and instruments. Therefore, evaluating the residual effect of the disinfectants recommended by the Ministry of Public Health in hospital environments is essential. Objetive. To verify the residual efficacy of iodopovidone, hydrogen peroxide, glutaraldehyde, chlorhexidine, sodium hypochlorite, quaternary ammonium, and potassium monopersulfate used as hospital disinfectants against A. baumannii. Methodology. This was a quantitative, descriptive, and longitudinal study using the strain A. baumanni ATCC 19606 on which the residual effect of chlorhexidine, sodium hypochlorite, quaternary ammonium, and potassium monopersulfate was evaluated at different periods: 20 minutes, one, three, six, 12 and 24 hours. Results. Glutaraldehyde and chlorhexidine were the disinfectants with the best residual effect, remaining effective for up to 24 hours; however, their inhibition halos were small in diameter, suggesting a potential resistance to these desinfectants. Conclusion. The disinfectants with the best residual effect on A. baumannii were glutaraldehyde and chlorhexidine, inhibiting the bacteria up to 24 hours after application. Similarly, hydrogen peroxide obtained this effect up to 12 hours. The sodium hypochlorite, iodopovidone and quaternary ammonium concentrations showed no residual effect.