Examining the Activity of Four Disinfectants together with Lactic Acid verses Bacterial Growths on High-touch Surfaces/ objects in a Referral Hospital of Jhelum. A Clinical Dermatology Study with Hospital Lab
Bacterial contamination and efficacy of lactic acid as a new disinfectant
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66344/jpad.v36i3.3307Keywords:
Bacterial contamination, Lactic acid, Disinfectant efficacyAbstract
Background The contamination by microorganisms on the worktops of hospitals is a potential reservoir for hospital-acquired infections. Disinfectants based on lactic acid have emerged as the safer choice.
Objective The objective of the study was to compare the in vitro activity of a lactic acid +2% sodium lauryl sulfate (4%), distilled water-based disinfectant and other commonly used disinfectants on isolated bacteria.
Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was done in a tertiary-level hospital from April to September 2020. Samples of micro flora of environmental surfaces were collected. The disinfectants were tested by adding 50 µl of test solutions on culture plates, determining the diameter of zones of inhibition. The WHO formula for single-proportion trials calculated power and sample size. At 95% confidence coefficient and accuracy of ±5%, the following sample size was calculated as 363.
Results Out of 363 samples, bacterial contamination was detected on 244 (67.2%) and not blinked on 119 (32.8%). The prevalence of Gram-positive bacteria (56.1%) was higher than that of Gram-negative bacteria (43.9%). The most prevalent isolates were Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and were highly sensitive to alcohol, phenol and sodium hypochlorite (97%) and equally sensitive to lactic acid (94%). The pattern of susceptibility was also found to be common for all disinfectants to multiple organisms.
Conclusion Lactic acid was found as an equally effective disinfectant as other disinfectants. Lactic acid is safe and can be useful in cleaning and infection control.
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