When the essential part of the natural intestinal flora is weakened by antibiosis, the resistant intestinal germ can multiply greatly and, following mutation, form different strains with altered resistance properties, e.g. the ribotype 027.

The intensified growth as well as the increase in virulence and lethality is related to an increased toxin production.
These toxins attack the intestinal mucosa causing anything from severe inflammation to pseudomembranous colitis. In severe cases this can lead to complications such as toxic megacolon, performation or sepsis. The pathogen is excreted via the human stool.

Apart from careful hand hygiene, special attention must be paid to surfaces near the patient and the instruments in use. It is suspected that C. difficile can be transferred via gastroscopes. Therefore, the use of sporicidal products is deemed essential within endoscopy in the event of an outbreak or even suspected cases.

schülke is launching a new peracetic based product for the manual cleaning and disinfection of flexible endoscopes.
gigasept PAA concentrate is effective immediately after preparation and within 5 minutes against ribotype 027.

In addition, the efficacy of the established classic aldehyde compound, thermosept ED, was assessed against C. diff ribotype 027 in the chemo-thermal reprocessing of endoscopes in AERs (Automatic Endoscope Reprocessors, German: RDGE). The potential to be effective within a contact time of 15 minutes has been proven.

gigasept PAA concentrate and thermosept ED are two safe solutions to prevent and inhibit further spreading of spores in endoscopy.

schülke will soon introduce terralin PAA, another peracetic acid based sporicidal solution for targeted surface disinfection.