Publications

Référence

Wallace RL, Ouellette M, Jean J. (2019). Effect of UV-C light or hydrogen peroxide wipes on the inactivation of methicillin-resistant Staphyloccoccus aureus, Clostridium difficile spores, and norovirus surrogate. J Appl Microbiol. 127(2): 586-597.

Information Complémentaire

Aims: The current study aimed to assess the potential of a new high dose ultraviolet (UV) disinfection device to inactivate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile and a norovirus surrogate on handheld mobile devices, and to compare the efficacy of the UV-C device to hydrogen peroxide disinfection wipes.

Methods and results: Suspensions of MRSA, C. difficile spores and a surrogate for norovirus (MS2) were inoculated onto glass or plastic coupons, with or without organic contamination and were exposed to continuous UV-C light for 15-60 s (165-646 mJ cm^-2 ) in a self-contained UV-C chamber or treated with hydrogen peroxide wipes. Increasing the UV-C dose from 310 to 650 mJ cm^-2 did not result in greater levels of inactivation. UV-C light inactivated all three micro-organisms, in the absence of organic contamination, by >2·9 log. Treatment of MRSA, C. difficile spores or MS2, in the presence of organic contamination, with UV-C light (310-646 mJ cm^-2 ) resulted in 2·3-3·7 log reductions. Treatment of MRSA with UV-C light provided levels of inactivation comparable to treatment with hydrogen peroxide wipes used following the manufacturer's instructions.

Conclusions: UV-C light and hydrogen peroxide wipes had strong antimicrobial activity against MRSA, C. difficile spores and a norovirus surrogate, in the presence or absence of organic contamination.

Significance and impact of the study: Chemical disinfection wipes are widely used in healthcare facilities, but they are not recommended for use on handheld mobile devices which may harbour pathogenic micro-organisms. The powerful bactericidal, sporicidal and virucidal activity of this high dose UV-C light device, shows that this technology is a promising alternative to chemical disinfectants, particularly for control of MRSA.

Mot(s) Clé(s)

NoV Inactivation Virus