Talley Group

Clostridium difficile (C.diff) Research, shows that the disinfectants in the TECare technology antimicrobial product range, developed by Talley Environmental Care, are highly effective at killing C.diff in spore form.

C.diff is a pathogenic anaerobic bacterium found in the digestive system of a variety of animals including humans. Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) symptoms are caused by the toxins it releases and range from diarrhoea to severe life-threatening pseudomembranous colitis. CDAD has been identified as a growing problem in healthcare institutions throughout Europe and North America and is estimated to cost in excess of 3,000 million euro/year to treat and is due to double in the coming decades.

Clostridium difficile can be found in two forms;

Floral, as it is found in the digestive system when the bacteria has optimal conditions for growth.
Spore, the organism creates a tough defensive outer shell for hibernation when conditions are not advantageous for growth. The outer shell makes them highly resistant to most chemicals and intense heat.

In spore form C.diff can survive in the environment for months and possibly years waiting for an opportunity to get back in to the digestive system and grow. Spores can be transported via person to person contact or contamination of equipment and the environment.

The latest robust protocol developed by Leiden University to test the sporicidal properties of disinfectants used to kill C.diff spores has been designed to mimic the environmental conditions where the pathogen can be found. Previously all sporicidal agents have been evaluated using suspension tests which encourage the spores to develop into flora which is much easier to kill.

Using this new EU approved testing method TECare Control disinfectant cleaner was shown to kill 92% of the spores present within 10 minutes.

Using the same testing method TECare Ultra, the new ultra high level disinfectant developed by Talley Environmental Care was shown to kill 100% of the spores.

Commenting on the testing Operations Director, Kevin Mearns, said;
"These are exciting results, both of these products have clearly proved their ability to kill C.diff in spore form. However the results are even more pertinent when you consider that TECare Ultra was shown to be one of only two products tested out of a wide selection to completely eradicate the C.diff spores and has far fewer hazard risks than the other true sporicidal disinfectant. TECare Ultra used in conjunction with the 4 week protective qualities of TECare Control disinfectant /cleaner, as a decontamination system will not only kill pathogens on contact but provide ongoing protection inhibiting the spread of the bacterium that cause healthcare associated infections."

TECare Control and TECare Ultra are designed to compliment one another within a comprehensive environmental infection control and prevention system. Developed to remove and then inhibit the spread of potentially dangerous pathogens such as MRSA, C.diff. (spores) they offer healthcare professionals a viable safer alternative to traditional cleaning and disinfectant agents such as hypochlorite (bleach) and hydrogen peroxide vapour.