Question

Explain the mechanism of action and the potency of various categories antiseptics and disinfectants in medical practice ?

Answer 1

Answers -

Antiseptics- These are chemical agents that are applied on to the body surfaces which kill or inhibit the microorganisms present on skin. how ever, they are generally not as toxic as disinfectants as they must not destroy too much of host tissue.

Disinfectants have three mechanisms of action that are help to kill an organisms

1. Cross-linking, coagulating, clumping

Eg: Alcohol

2. Structure and function disruption

3. Oxidizing

Eg: Chlorine

Note- chlorhexidine-These are used on open wounds and peroxide and permanganate-These are oftenly used as antiseptic mouthwashes.

Disinfectants

These are chemical agents, they are normally used only on inanimate objects, not on body surfaces. The primary goal of disinfection is to destroy potential pathogens, It also reduces the total microbial population.

It results in reduction of at least 10³ log colony forming units of microorganisms, but not spores.

Note- It destroys most pathogens but not bacterial spores

Mechanisms

It also has cross-linking, coagulating, clumping, disruption of structure and membranes, oxidizing

Various categories of antiseptics and disinfectants that are used as medical practices

-Formaldehyde

-Glutaraldehyde

-Ortho- pthalaldehyde

- Sodium hypochlorite- Used as disinfectants.