The Ineffectiveness of Bleach Disinfectants Against Clostridioides difficile

Sunday - November 26 2023, 07:23 UTC - 12 months ago

Clostridioides difficile is a healthcare-associated infections which is resistant to numerous environmental factors and is responsible for around 29,000 deaths in the US annually. A new study has found that current methods of disinfection with bleach are not successful in eliminating the superbug's spores. Urgent research into new disinfecting methods is now being advocated for in order to contain the spread of the dangerous superbug.

According to a new study, one of the key chlorine disinfectants presently used to clean hospital scrubs and surfaces did not eliminate the most common cause of antibiotic-associated illness. The University of Plymouth discovered that spores of the dangerous superbug Clostridioides difficile are completely unaffected by high quantities of bleach.

Washing with water .

In fact, the substance did not even produce better results than washing materials with just water.

"With incidence of anti-microbial resistance on the rise, the threat posed by superbugs to human health is increasing. But far from demonstrating that our clinical environments are clean and safe for staff and patients, this study highlights the ability of Clostridioides difficile spores to tolerate disinfection at in-use and recommended active chlorine concentrations," said Dr Tina Joshi, Associate Professor in Molecular Microbiology at the University of Plymouth, adding that .

Clostridioides difficile is a healthcare-associated infection that most commonly affects people who have been taking antibiotics. Its spores are resistant to numerous environmental factors and can survive for long periods of time in a variety of settings. Syndromes, once infected by the superbug, can range from mild diarrhea to severe colitis.

The infection is frequently passed by contact with infected surfaces commonly found in healthcare settings. It presents a major risk for already vulnerable populations and is responsible for around 29,000 deaths annually in the US.

Proper hand cleanliness, especially in hospital settings, and the prudent use of antibiotics are two preventive approaches to containing the spread of Clostridioides difficile. However, if regular disinfectants are not successful in removing the superbug’s spores, other measures need to be adopted.

Urgent research needed .

The researchers are now advocating for urgent research into new methods of disinfecting Clostridioides difficile spores in order to break the chain of transmission present in so many of today’s most common healthcare settings.

"Understanding how these spores and disinfectants interact is integral to practical management of Clostridioides difficile infection and reducing the burden of infection in healthcare settings. However, there are still unanswered questions regarding the extent of biocide tolerance within Clostridioides difficile and whether it is affected by antibiotic co-tolerance," Joshi explained, adding that there is a great need to answer these questions for all kinds of superbugs.

The new research looked at the spore responses of three different strains of Clostridioides difficile to three clinically relevant sodium hypochlorite concentrations. Sodium hypochlorite is the chemical compound that is commonly known as bleach. The spores were then spiked onto surgical scrubs and patient gowns and inspected under scanning electron microscopes to see if the outer spore coat had changed morphologically after exposure to the cleaning substance.

Joshi said the work demonstrates the necessity for disinfectants and guidelines that are fit for purpose and work in accordance with bacteirologic, environmental, and practical conditions.