HOSPITAL INFECTION IN PERSPECTIVE: THE IMPORTANCE OF THE GRAM-NEGATIVE BACILLI

Observations on a new disinfectant

A disinfectant formula (Resiguard) containing picloxydine digluconate, benzalkonium chloride, and a detergent was examined for antibacterial activity. Studies in vitro with simulated organic contamination were followed by realistic in-use tests employing items of anaesthetic and urological equipment heavily infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and contaminated with blood. These showed that a dilution of 1/80 was reliably bactericidal to this resistant organism. It is concluded that Resiguard is a valuable disinfectant which may reliably be employed in the cleaning and disinfection of items of delicate, non-autoclavable, hospital equipment.

The transmission of bacteria and viruses on gummed paper

The possible risks of infection associated with the practice of licking envelopes, stamps and labels were investigated. Although pathogenic bacteria and viruses were not isolated from sample envelopes obtained from various sources, the gums used in manufacture were found to exert a protective effect against death from desiccation on the bacteria and viruses which had been introduced into them.Staph. aureus and Salm. paratyphi Bremained viable for several months in dried films of two out of four gums tested. An echovirus could be recovered from similar films for up to 30 days, and an adenovirus for up to 10 days.

Bacterial multiplication occurred in the gum used for the manufacture of postage stamps. The comparison is drawn between the possible consequences of minimal contamination of this gum and of cans of corned beef in the light of recent studies.