Abstract

The efficacy of the liquid disinfectant Dettol^â against nosocomial Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans was investigated. Use dilutions of the disinfectant were not immediately lethal to the microorganisms, with the survival curves exhibiting an initial shoulder before exponential order of death. Tap water adversely affected the death rates and the decimal reduction times (DRT). The usefulness of the product and the implications of the adverse effect of tap water on the activity were discussed.

Key words: Disinfectant, Dettol^â, nosocomial infection, survival curves, death rates, decimal reduction times.