Disinfection in Veterinary Medicine

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the notes on disinfection in veterinary medicine.

Disinfection

Reduction of the number of pathogenic microorganisms to the point where they pose no danger of disease.

Disinfectant

A chemical agent used on inanimate objects to destroy microorganisms.

Sterilization

The killing or removal of all microorganisms in a material or on an object.

Antiseptic

A chemical agent that can safely be used externally on living tissue to destroy microorganisms or inhibit their growth.

Contact Time

The time that is required for the product to be effective.

Potency

The level of effectiveness a chemical antimicrobial has.

Bactericidal

Kills bacteria.

Bacteriostatic

Inhibits the growth of bacteria.

Organic matter

Feces or dirt that protects microorganisms from disinfectants.

Detergents

Remove organic material by increasing wetting and breaking it into small particles.

Mechanism of action (chemical antimicrobials)

Kill microorganisms by damaging cell components such as proteins and membranes.

Alcohols

A disinfectant class that is bactericidal but not effective against spores or fungi.

Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxides (Rescue)

A disinfectant product that is bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal.

Aldehydes (glutaraldehyde)

An antimicrobial agent commonly used in chemical sterilization.

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) / benzalkonium chloride

Bactericidal disinfectants not effective against spores or fungi.

Sodium hypochlorite (bleach)

A disinfectant that is bactericidal and virucidal.

Chlorhexidine

A 2% solution used as an antiseptic or disinfectant that controls a wide range of microorganisms.

Iodine / iodophors

Can be used as an antiseptic or disinfectant; antimicrobial activity limited against spores.

Factors affecting disinfectant effectiveness

Number of organisms present; temperature; pH; and concentration.

Clean area prerequisite

Disinfection begins with cleaning; a dirty surface with organic matter reduces disinfectant effectiveness.

Organic matter (revisited)

Feces or dirt that protect microbes from disinfectants.

Detergents (revisited)

Remove organic material and improve disinfectant action.

Properties of an ideal disinfectant: broad antimicrobial activity

Broad spectrum activity against many microorganisms.

Properties of an ideal disinfectant: rapid bactericidal action

Kills bacteria quickly.

Properties of an ideal disinfectant: solubility in water

Dissolves in water for easy use.

Properties of an ideal disinfectant: non-toxic at used concentrations

Low toxicity at the concentrations used.

Properties of an ideal disinfectant: no poisonous residues

Leaves no harmful residues.

Properties of an ideal disinfectant: no colour

Colorless.

Properties of an ideal disinfectant: no staining

Does not stain surfaces.

Properties of an ideal disinfectant: low cost

Inexpensive to obtain and use.

Properties of an ideal disinfectant: ready availability

Widely available for purchase and use.