Antisepsis, Disinfection, and Sterilization: Types, Action, and Resistance

ISBN: 9781555813925
ISBN-10: 1555813925
Copyright: 2007
Edition: 1st
Author: McDonnell, Gerald E.
Doody's Expert Review    Score: 100
Reviewer: Robert Penn,  MD  (Nebraska Methodist Hospital)
Description
This comprehensive review of the various chemical and physical antisepsis, disinfection, and sterilization methods discusses the current understanding of mechanisms of biocidal action on microorganisms. The last and most lengthy chapter describes the current knowledge of biocide resistance in bacteria, and the less studied mechanisms of resistance in viruses, prions, fungi, and eukaryotes.
Purpose
The book is intended to provide a basic understanding of the various chemical and physical antisepsis, disinfection, and sterilization methods used for infection prevention and contamination control. The author succeeds in providing a comprehensive review of the types, actions, and practical uses of the available biocidal methods.
Audience
It is targeted at healthcare professionals involved in infection control and prevention, application engineers, facilities managers, microbiologists, chemists, and students. The author is an acknowledged expert working in the field.
Features
A general introduction provides a review of terminology, definitions, and a background of pertinent microbiology. An array of physical and chemical agents are described, including specific types, practical uses, spectrum of activity, and variables affecting their safe and effective use. The mechanisms of action of biocides are covered in four general groups: oxidizing agents, cross-linking agents, action by transfer of energy, and other structure-disrupting agents. Current knowledge of the natural and acquired mechanisms that microorganisms employ to resist the biocidal effects of chemical and physical processes is explored.
Assessment
Students and healthcare professionals of infection control, microbiology, and public health will be able to use this as a reliable reference for the various chemical and physical antisepsis, disinfection, and sterilization methods. The book will provide a greater understanding and appreciation of these technologies used in contamination and infection prevention. In return, this will help ensure their long-term safe and effective use.
Review Questionnaire
Range Question Score
1-10 Are the author's objectives met? 10
1-10 Rate the worthiness of those objectives. 10
1-5 Is this written at an appropriate level? 5
1-5 Is there significant duplication? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 5
1-5 Are there significant omissions? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 5
1-5 Rate the authority of the authors. 5
1-5 Are there sufficient illustrations? 5
1-5 Rate the pedagogic value of the illustrations. 5
1-5 Rate the print quality of the illustrations. 5
1-5 Are there sufficient references? 5
1-5 Rate the currency of the references. 5
1-5 Rate the pertinence of the references. 5
1-5 Rate the helpfulness of the index. 5
1-5 If important in this specialty, rate the physical appearance of the book 5
1-10 Is this a worthwhile contribution to the field? 10
1-10 If this is a 2nd or later edition, is this new edition needed? N/A