Benzalkonium Chloride as a Source of Infection

Introduction of biocides into clinical practice and the impact on antibiotic-resistant bacteria

“…pyocyanea (aeruginosa) could contaminate cetrimide and other fluids. This finding has since been amply confirmed by other authors (Keown et al 1957;Anderson and Keynes 1958;Anon 1958a, b;Plotkin and Austrian 1958;Malizia et al 1960;Lee and Fialkow 1961;Mitchell and Hayward 1966;Burdon and Whitby 1967;Adair et al 1969Adair et al , 1971Bassett et al 1970;Hardy et al 1970;Sanford 1970;Bassett 1971;Bruun and Digranes 1971;Parker 1971;Phillips et al 1971;Speller et al 1971;Hoffman et al 1973;Dixon et al 1976;Frank and Schnaffner 1976;Kaslow et al 1976;Morris et al 1976;Ehrenkranz et al 1980;Seal 1983;Jones et al 1989;Joyson et al 1999). In most of these publications, Ps.…”

Secondary Septicaemia from Intravenous Cannulae

“…How easily the blood stream can be infected via an intravenous cannula site is shown by the report by Plotkin and Austrian (1958) of 40 cases of pseudomonal septicaemia originating in this way, the source being a contaminated solution of Zephiran (benzalkonium chloride) used for " disinfecting " the skin. A similar episode is described by Malizia, Gangarosa, and Goley (1960). Among reports of superinfections similar to those in two of our patients are those of Kay, Bernstein, Feinstein, and Biddle (1961), Prinsloo and Pretorius (1966), and Stanton, Lindesmith, and Meyer (1968).…”

Poorly processed reusable surface disinfection tissue dispensers may be a source of infection

“…Different Gram-negative species are known to show different susceptibilities to BAC [19]. Solutions with specific active agents may get contaminated and thereby contribute to the transmission of pathogens – at the worst resulting in an outbreak situation [20,21]. Most outbreaks were reported with solutions based on benzalkonium chloride (BAC) which is the most commonly used QAC in surface disinfection.…”