Researchers analyzed five different C. difficile strains embedded within three types of biofilms grown for 72 or 120 hours. Each strain was exposed to seven different hospital disinfectants.
No disinfectant completely eliminated C. difficile from the biofilms. Overall, Clorox, Cidex OPA and Virex were most effective at killing C. difficile spores. Clorox and Cidex OPA were also effective at killing total vegetative cell growth — the cellular mechanism that causes infections. Clorox and Virex most sucessfully decreased biomass, followed by Nixall, Cidex OPA and Vital oxide.
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No hospital-grade disinfectant can totally eliminate Clostridioides difficile, although some are more effective than others, according to a study published in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.
