Term
What is sepsis? What is asepsis? |
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Definition
-Microbial contamination (also known as "septic") -Absence of significant contamination (also known as "aseptic") |
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Term
| Factors which contribute to the effectiveness of antimicrobial treatment are: |
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Definition
-# of microbes -environmental factors(organic matter,biofilm,temp.) -duration of exposure -microbial characteristics |
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Term
| What are some basic mechanisms of microbial control agents? |
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Definition
-Alteration of membrane permeability -Damage to proteins -Damage to nucleic acid |
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Term
| How does heat control microbial growth? What can be used on heat sensitive things? |
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Definition
-Moist heat denatures protein -An autoclave at 15lb/in^2 for 15--20min at 121C kills bacteria and spores -Heat sensitive things are usually treated with ethylene oxide |
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Term
| How does radiation control microbial growth? |
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Definition
| -Radiation (both ionizing and nonionizing) are found in gamma rays & x-rays and damage DNA, making it so bacterium cannot replicate. |
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Term
| List the desirable qualities in a germicide |
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Definition
1) Rapid action in low concentrations 2) Solubility in water or alcohol/long term stability 3) Broad spectrum activity/ non toxic to humans 4)Ability to penetrate inanimate sufaces 5) Resistance to inactivation by organic matter 6) Non corrosive and nonstaining 7) Sanitizing and deodorizing 8) Affodability and readily available |
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Term
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Definition
-Phenolics cause damage to the cell membrane as their main mode of action -Hexachlorophene -Triclosan is widely used butthere are many resistances |
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Term
| Describe chlorhexidine (Hibiclens, Hibitane) |
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Definition
-Similar to hexachlorophene but broad spectrum and effective in presence of organic matter -Disrupts plasma membrane/denatures enzymes -Used for prepping skin for surgery, washing hands, and as a neonatal wash |
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Term
| Descibe halogens (iodine, chlorine, flourine, & bromine) |
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Definition
-Oxidizing agents which denature proteins -2% iodine is a topical antiseptic prior to surgery -iodophors are slow release iodines -Chloramine usd in drinking water |
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Term
| Describe heavy metals (mercury, copper, silver) |
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Definition
-Denatures proteins -Very toxic (ppm) -Merthiolate/mercurochrome are organic mercury compounds used for disinfecting in the apst -Silver nitrate once used in newborns eyes to protect against gonococci. Replaced w erithromycin but resistance strains have developed so some hospitals are going back to silver nitrate. |
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Term
| Describe quats (benzalkonium chloride) |
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Definition
-Disrupts cell membrane -not effective on Pseudomonas, TB, hepatitis, or spores -Surface active agent |
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Term
| What is the difference between an antiseptic and a disinfectant? |
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Definition
| -Disinfectants are used on nonliving things and antispetics are used to destroy organisms on living tissue |
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Term
| Describe organic acids (nitrite, sorbic acid, benzoic acid, calcium propionate - food preservatives) |
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Definition
-Inhibit metabolism -Controls molds and bacteria in foods and makeup -Nitrite prevents endospore germination |
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Term
| Describe aldehydes (glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde) |
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Definition
-Inactivate proteins by cross linking wiht functional groups -Disrupt structure of nucleic acids |
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Term
| Describe gaseous sterilants(ethylene oxide) |
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Definition
-Denatures proteins and blocks DNA replication - Industrial and hospital sterilization of instruments |
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Term
| Describe peroxygens(ozone, hydrogen peroxide) |
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Definition
-Oxidizing agents which form free radicals -Used for skin cleaning/Ac units |
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