Ebonwu, Joy Ikechi2011-02-142011-02-142011-02-14http://hdl.handle.net/10539/9036MSc (Med), Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the WitwatersrandThe goal of infection control is to minimize the risk of exposure to potential pathogens and to create a safe working environment in which patients can be treated. Use of disinfectants in is an integral part of infection control. The rate of killing of microorganisms depends upon the type, concentration and time of exposure of the killing agent (disinfectant). Chlorinated compounds are frequently used in healthcare settings but chlorine dioxide has only been used in industries on a large scale. Aseptrol® is newly developed slow release chlorine dioxide and noncorrosive formula which can be used on a smaller scale basis. This study assessed the antimicrobial properties of Aseptrol® (48ppm and 24ppm) in comparison with previously used sodium dichloroisocyanurate containing formula, Presept® (10 000ppm). Both disinfectants killed more susceptible bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas. aeruginosa and Streptococcus mutans within 30 seconds and proved to be fungicidal by killing Candida albicans within 30 seconds. Aseptrol® and Presept® killed less susceptible mycobacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium and blood borne organism Hepatitis B virus within 30 seconds. Highly resistant B. subtilis spores were killed in 2 and 2.5 minutes by Aseptrol® and Presept® respectively. Although manufacturers recommend that the disinfectant solutions should be prepared daily, when the shelf-life of prepared solutions stored in screw cap bottles was studied, the results showed that Aseptrol® can be effectively used for 27 day and Presept® for more than 37 days. The goal of infection control is to minimize the risk of exposure to potential pathogens and to create a safe working environment in which patients can be treated. Use of disinfectants in is an integral part of infection control. The rate of killing of microorganisms depends upon the type, concentration and time of exposure of the killing agent (disinfectant). Chlorinated compounds are frequently used in healthcare settings but chlorine dioxide has only been used in industries on a large scale. Aseptrol® is newly developed slow release chlorine dioxide and noncorrosive formula which can be used on a smaller scale basis. This study assessed the antimicrobial properties of Aseptrol® (48ppm and 24ppm) in comparison with previously used sodium dichloroisocyanurate containing formula, Presept® (10 000ppm). Both disinfectants killed more susceptible bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas. aeruginosa and Streptococcus mutans within 30 seconds and proved to be fungicidal by killing Candida albicans within 30 seconds. Aseptrol® and Presept® killed less susceptible mycobacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium and blood borne organism Hepatitis B virus within 30 seconds. Highly resistant B. subtilis spores were killed in 2 and 2.5 minutes by Aseptrol® and Presept® respectively. Although manufacturers recommend that the disinfectant solutions should be prepared daily, when the shelf-life of prepared solutions stored in screw cap bottles was studied, the results showed that Aseptrol® can be effectively used for 27 day and Presept® for more than 37 days. Chlorinated disinfectants, such as Aseptrol® and Presept®, have potential to be used as intermediate to high level disinfectants in medical and dental settings, where above test organisms are primary contaminants. It is also possible to use them as sterilants, where semicritical conditions are required. Aseptrol® has an additional advantage because it is noncorrosive and can be used on metal instruments.endisinfectantchlorine dioxidesodium dichloroisocyanurateThesis