Romel Turner

Microbiology SC2730
Unit 4 Assignment 1:
Modes of Action
Amanda Arceo, Instructor

Modes of Action

The three antiseptics and disinfectants

explored are the following:
Chlorhexidine (antiseptic)
Chlorine (antiseptic and disinfectant)
Hydrogen peroxide (antiseptic and
disinfectant)

Modes of Action
Chlorhexidine
Biguanide:
Chlorhexidine contains a positively charged hydrophobic and lipophilic
molecule which can combine with the molecules of phospholipids and
lipo-polysaccharides on the cell membrane of microorganism.
skin disinfection
less toxic derivative of phenol
may be used in aqueous or isopropanol solution for hand washing
has an immediate effect
it is better against gram-positive bacteria than gram-negative
organisms
has a good margin of safety when used for total body wash and
when applied to mucus membranes, mouthwashes, etc.

Modes of Action
Chlorhexidine Hazards
The following are side effects associated with chlorhexidine:
Change in taste
increase in tartar (calculus) on teeth
staining of teeth, mouth, tooth fillings, and
deafness following direct instillation of chlorhexidine into the
middle ear
ocular toxicity
eye pain, edema of the epithelium, keratitis, inflammation of the
conjunctiva, corneal epithelial cell loss, chronic corneal ulcers,
and opacification
allergic contact dermatitis, pruritus, vesicle formation, urticaria,
dyspnea, and anaphylactic shock

Modes of Action
Chlorine
Halogen:
Chlorine has a strong acid smell and is an irritant to the skin and
mucous membranes.
widely used to disinfect water supplies and inanimate objects
(i.e., utensils, bottles, pipelines)
exerts a potent germicidal effect against most bacteria,
viruses, protozoa, and fungi through formation of
undissociated hypochlorous acid (HOCl) in water at acid to
neutral pH
it is effective against most organisms at a concentration of
0.1 ppm, but much higher concentrations are required in the
presence of organic matter

Modes of Action
Chlorine Hazards
Inhalation:
eye, skin, and airway irritation
sore throat and cough
olfactory fatigue
chest tightness, wheezing, dyspnea, and bronchospasm
noncardiogenic pulmonary edema
Ingestion:
cause corrosive tissue damage of the gastrointestinal tract
Eye Contact:
eye and skin irritation
severe chemical burns or ulcerations
frostbite of the skin and eyes

Modes of Action
Hydrogen Peroxide
Oxidizing Agent:
Hydrogen Peroxides 3% and 20 volume solution
liberates oxygen when in contact with catalase present
on wound surfaces and mucous membranes.
helps remove pus and cellular debris from wounds
valuable for cleaning and deodorizing infected
tissue
increased application as a disinfectant in water
treatment and food processing facilities and for
sterilization of dental and surgical instruments

Modes of Action
Hydrogen Peroxide Hazards
May cause:
extreme irritation of the eyes, nose and throat
possible blindness (if splashed in eyes)
temporary tingling and whitening of the skin
injury to the mouth and throat with possible
bleeding from the esophagus and stomach (if
swallowed)
redness and blisters may occur (if hydrogen
peroxide isnt removed from the skin)

Modes of Action
Effectiveness of Alcohol Sanitizers in Healthcare
Settings

Alcohol has an excellent initial antimicrobial log reduction

activity because of its ability to denature proteins.

Most alcohol hand sanitizer formulations offer log

reduction of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria,
fungi, E. coli, salmonella, and multi-drug resistant
pathogens such as vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus
(VRE) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA).

Modes of Action
Effectiveness of Alcohol Sanitizers in Healthcare
Settings

Alcohol does not have the residual ability to inhibit

microorganisms over the entire patient day. So it
would be important that those in a healthcare
setting use a waterless alcohol hand sanitizer
before and after each patient interaction during
the entire patient handling day to fully utilize the
alcohol's excellent initial log reduction activity.

Modes of Action
Employees Plan of Action

The use of waterless alcohol hand sanitizers

will enhance hand hygiene programs. This
conclusion is due to their ease and
convenience of using in conjunction with
plain or antimicrobial soaps and water,
thereby increasing hand hygiene compliance
levels.
The use of proper disinfectants cant be
stressed enough to clean all areas of the
hospital, because it is pertinent to
decreasing infectious agents that could
spread and killing microorganisms.

Modes of Action
Employees Plan of Action
Report

spillages of any kind to the appropriate

department and wait until the proper signage
has been put in place to contain said area
before walking away.
Report spillages of any kind to the appropriate
department and wait until the proper signage
has been put in place to contain said area
before walking away.
Remember

to always maintain safety

precautions as well as think safety first.

References
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC88911/
http://

www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pharmacology/antiseptics_and_disinfect
ants/oxidizing_agents.html
http://
www.infectioncontroltoday.com/articles/2003/06/choosing-an-alcohol
-hand-sanitizer.aspx
http://
www.infectioncontroltoday.com/articles/2003/06/choosing-an-alcohol
-hand-sanitizer.aspx
http://
www.health.ny.gov/environmental/emergency/chemical_terrorism/ch
lorine_tech.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/81-123/pdfs/0335.pdf