Activity in vitro of hydrogen peroxide vapour against Clostridium difficile spores.

Clostridium difficile spores are shed in high numbers by infected patients and are resistant to desiccation and some disinfectants. We explored the in vitro activity of hydrogen peroxide vapour (HPV) against several strains of C. difficile spores using a spore-carrier test. Spores were dried on polyvinyl chloride or laminate carriers at mean concentrations of 4.7-6.9 log(10) spores/carrier, which were then decontaminated using HPV. C. difficile was completely eradicated from the exposed carriers regardless of the C. difficile strain or surface used. HPV can be considered for the eradication of C. difficile spores from the hospital environment.