Disinfection & Sterilization

Prof. Dr. Asem Shehabi

Faculty of Medicine
University of Jordan
Bacteria - Normal flora
 Normal Flora Human-1
A Large variety of microorganisms colonize human
body throughout its entire lives.
Human bodies are actually composed of more
bacterial cells than human cells.. harbor near 1014
bacteria ,few parasites & viruses..
A stable set of Bacteria genera (commensals), mostly
Anaerobes (95%).. Facultative Anaerobes (5%)
colonize and effect humans by:
Competing with pathogens & prevent their effects..
Providing vitamins or eliminating toxins (Bacteroides)
May harm by causing disease (UTI, Wound, Dental
caries..) .. Under certain condition.. Injury, Surgery..
 Normal Flora Human-2
Skin Flora: Staphylococcus spp. and
Propionobacterium sp.
Oral Cavity and Nasopharyngeal Flora: Streptococcus
spp., Neisseria spp., Corynebacter spp. Haemophilus
spp
Intestinal Flora: The colon may contain 109 to 1011
bacteria per gram of feces. Mostly (95 - 99%) are
obligate anaerobes ( Bacteroides,
Fusobacterium,Bifidobacterium,streptococci ,
Clostridia spp.).. Enterobacteracea (E.
coli,Enterbacter, Klebsiella, Proteus ), Yeast..Candida,
Viruses, Parasites.
 Normal Flora Human-3
Urogenital Flora: The urogenital tract is
normally sterile .. the vagina and the
distal 1 cm of the urethra contain:
Lactobacillus predominate in the vagina..
Lower pH 4.5..others.
The lower part urethra may contain
predominantly skin microorganisms
including:Staphylococci,Streptococci,Dipht
heroids.
 Introduction
Definitions: Asepsis .. Sepsis .. Antiseptic ..
Disinfection/ Disinfectant .. Sanitization ..
Sterilization.. Alteration of Cell Membrane
Permeability .. Damage of Proteins & Nucleic
Acids..
Killing Vegetative & Spore Forming Bacteria,
Fungi, Viruses, Parasites
Microbial Contamination .. Pollutions ..
Bacteriostatic .. Bactericidal .. Microbiocidal ..
Refrigeration .. Deep Freezing .. Desiccation ..
Food
 Physical Control of Microbial Growth

Sterilization Methods:
– Direct Flaming ..Incineration ..
– Dry Heat/ Hot-air Oven .. 170-180 C / 2 Hours
– Moist Heat/ Steam Under Pressure .. Autoclave
.. 121C /15 PSI/ 15 Minutes Actual Time
– Ionizing Radiation/ High-Energy Electron
Beams .. Gamma Rays/ Radioactive Cobalt ..10-5
nm.. Disposable Plastic Wares, Pharmaceuticals,
Food
– Filtration.. Liquids .. Using Nitrocellulase
Membrane/ Pore Sizes 0.01-O.2um
Ultraviolet-Autoclave
 Use of Gases
– Alkylating Gases: ..Ethylene Oxide+10%
Co2, N2
4-12 Hours, Fiber Endoscopes, Heart-Lung
Machine, Textiles, Disposable Plastic Wares,

Formaldehyde Gas ..Aqueous Solution 37% ..

Formalin .. 2% Aqueous Glutaraldehyde
..Preservation Tissue biopsies.. Patients room
as gas vapor
Long Exposure Time (10-24 Hours).
Chemical Control of Microbial Growth-1
Disinfection Methods
Influencing Factors: Presence of Organic Materials/
Contaminations.. First Cleaning ..Concentration of
Agent.. pH Medium.. Contact Time
Moist Heat.. Boiling Temperature/ Few Minutes,
Pasteurization 63 C-30 Minutes, 72 C-15 Seconds
UV-Light - 240-280 nm.. 12-24 Hours Exposure
Disinfectant /Antiseptics Agents
– Alcohols: Ethanol.. Isopropanol (70-90%)
– Aqueous Iodine (3-5%) , Tincture Iodine (Alcohol-Iodine)
(70%-90%).. Betadine / Iodophores-
– Chlorhexidine.. Cetrimide.. Savlon..
Skin-Hands.. Surgical Scrub.. Mucous membranes
Water-Disinfection: Chlor Gas.. Hypochlorites..
Hypochlorous Acid.. (Cl2 +H2o +H+ + Cl- + HOCl =
HOCl.. 2-3 PPM.. Kill most pathogens.
E. coli.. Used as indicator of water contamnation
Oxidizing Agents: Ozone (03).. hydrogen Peroxide
– Phenol Compounds.. Hexachlorophene / Dettol.. Lysol
– Organic Acids.. Sorbic-Benzoic Acid.. Food Preservation,
Cosmetic.. For Control Molds/ Fungi, Bacteria
– Detergents.. Surface-Active Agents.. Soaps, Wash-Powder
Hand washing: A simple way to prevent
infection
Hand washing is a simple habit that can
help keep you healthy. Learn about the
benefits of good hand hygiene, as well as
when to wash your hands and how to clean
them properly.