DISINFECTION AND

STERILIZATION

Lecture № 2
Disinfection
It is the killing of most microbial forms. Some
resistant forms of organisms e.g. bacterial spores,
mycobacterium , viruses, fungi may remain viable.
Disinfection can achieved by boiling,
pasteurization ,UV rays and chemical agents.
 Antisepsis (by antiseptics)
Inhibition or elimination of microbial forms on the
skin or living tissue.We can use chemical agents
like ethyl alcohol.It is not suitable for systemic
administration.
Germicides
Germicides are chemical agents.They are used for
Killing of microbial forms but spores may remain
viable.
Cleaning
It is the removal of visible dust, dirt and foreign
material by water and soap.It usually precede
disinfection and sterilization .DecontaminationIt is
a general term applied to any procedure by which
microorganism are reduced to a level where the
equipments is safe for handling.
Sterilization. Methods of
sterilization
Sterilization is the killing of all living forms of
microbes (bacteria, fungi and viruses)
Methods of sterilization
I-Heat sterilization (moist or dry)
II-Low temperature sterilization
III- sterilization by radiation
IV- sterilization by Filtration
I-Heat Sterilization : Moist heat
Is the most practical efficient and inexpensive
method of sterilization, it can be used in two forms:
moist heat and dry heat
Moist heat is much more efficient than dry heat,
because it kills the microbes by coagulation and
denaturing of their enzymes and structural protein.
Dry Heat. Methods of dry heat
It is kill the microorganisms by destructive
oxidation of essential cell constituentsit is less
efficient than moist heat.
Methods of dry heat:
 1-Incineration used for tratment of dead animals,
infectious hospital wastes, surgical dressings,
needles.
 2-Red heat. Exposing wires, loops, points
offorceps to flame until become red.
II-Low temperature sterilization

 1- By GasEthylene oxide mg/L at 56oCTime of

exposure varies from 3-6 hours.Its Advantage is
capability of sterilizing the instruments that cannot be
subjected to steam or hot air oven without any
damage .Disadvantage is :long duration ,High cost and
toxicity.
 2-By liquids 1-PERACETIC ACID % 2-
GLUTARALDEHYDE (Cidex) 2%
Factors Affecting the Efficacy of
Disinfection and Sterilization
Cleaning and disinfecting
medical equipment
https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinf
ection/index.html
Bio-medical waste segregation chart