Question

During the fall of 2012, a multi-state outbreak of meningitis occurred. The source of the infection was traced to contaminated methylprednisolone acetate, a steroid commonly used to treat back pain. Each of the infected people had received an injection of the steroid contaminated with the fungus Exserohilum rostratum. While the investigation is still pending, one current area of focus is the quality-assurance practices of the company responsible for manufacture of the drug. Quality assurance (QA) refers to the examination of the process of manufacturing a drug. QA practices are governed by both federal and local agencies, and they help to ensure that manufacturing practices for products such as drugs guarantee both efficacy and safety of the product. Quality control (QC) is an aspect of QA that focuses on the end-product of the process. During the production of a drug, one facet of a QC technician’s job is to evaluate microbiological safety during the production process. As you answer the following questions, imagine that you are working as a QC technician at a pharmaceutical company.

Part A

During production of a drug, all work area surfaces must be disinfected using sterilized disinfectants. Which of the following statements about disinfectants are true?

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Disinfectants destroy all microbes present on a surface.

Disinfectants are used to inhibit or destroy pathogens.

Disinfection can be used to treat work surfaces as well as workers (i.e., washing hands).

Disinfection can occur by physical or chemical means.

Endospores and viruses can resist disinfectant treatment.

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Part B

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Part C

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Part D

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Part E

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Answer 1

Part A)

Disinfectants do not destroy all the microbes that are present on the surface. There are some organisms that can survive even after applying disinfectants such as bacterial spores, certain viruses.

Yes, disinfectants either kill the pathogenic microorganisms or inhibit their growth and further spread.

Disinfectants are meant only for applying on the surface and not on the skin. Since it contains harmful chemicals such as phenols that can cause damage to the skin cells. Therefore it is strictly advised to not to use disinfectants on skin surfaces such as washing hands. For washing hands, one can use antiseptics.

Disinfection can be done either by physical means or by using chemicals. Physical means include- UV Radiation, Heat, Freeze-drying etc.

While chemical disinfectants include- phenols, surfactants, detergents, chlorine, ionophores etc.

Many disinfectants which are regularly used are proven ineffective against viruses and endospores. However sterilant alkylating agents such as ethylene oxide (ETO), and  10% bleach(CaOCl2) are effective against the endospores