Tuladhar E, Hazeleger WC, Koopmans M, Zwietering MH, Beumer RR and Duizer E. Residual viral and bacterial contamination of surfaces after cleaning and disinfection. Applied and environmental microbiology. 2012; 78: 7769-75.
Cleaning and disinfection are important facets of animal care and critical for multi-cat settings, such as veterinary clinics, breeding catteries, and shelters. These investigators examined the ability of various methods to disinfect surfaces of a multitude of viruses (e.g., norovirus, rotavirus, and others) and bacteria (e.g., Staphylococcus, Salmonella, and others) that vary in environmental stability. A single wipe with water, liquid soap, or free chlorine solution led to reduction in contamination but not total elimination of the pathogens. A second wipe with chlorine solution led to significantly more reduction in contamination. However, a single wipe with liquid soap followed by a single wipe with chlorine solution reduced contaminant levels significantly for most pathogens tested. [MK]