Disinfectants are chemicals or physical agents used to eliminate or reduce the number of microorganisms on surfaces, objects, or in the air. They are commonly used in homes, hospitals, and public places to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
Disinfectants work by targeting and destroying the cell wall, cytoplasm, or other vital components of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. In this article, we will discuss the mechanism of action of disinfectants and how they work to kill microorganisms.
The mechanism of action of Disinfectants depends on the type of microorganism they are targeting and the chemical or physical properties of the disinfectant. Generally, disinfectants work by denaturing or destroying the proteins and lipids in the cell membrane or wall of microorganisms, disrupting their metabolism or inhibiting their growth and reproduction.
Examples of oxidizing disinfectants include chlorine compounds, hydrogen peroxide, ozone, and peracetic acid. Chlorine compounds are widely used as disinfectants in water treatment, swimming pools, and food processing industries. When added to water, chlorine forms hypochlorous acid, which is highly reactive and can oxidize and destroy the cell membranes and proteins of microorganisms.
Acinetobacter baumannii, which causes bacteremia, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, meningitis, and wound infections, as well as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium difficile, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis, are just a few pathogens that can spread easily in a hospital setting. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is crucial to clean and disinfect surfaces in healthcare facilities to lower the number of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIS).
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