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A-Z Testing
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Disinfectant Efficacy Trials

The Irish Equine Centre has a global reputation for disinfectant efficacy testing within the equine and animal industries. We meet with our clients to understand their testing requirements and develop disinfectant trials specific to the disinfectant product. The application of the product, e.g. fogging, spraying, is taken into consideration when developing the trial. We offer a unique perspective to disinfectant testing with opportunities to test products against our bank of bacterial field strains that have relevance to the industry.

Products destined for the equine industry can be tested against bacteria such as Rhodococcus equi, Streptococcus equi, the causative agent for Strangles, and fungal species such as Aspergillus niger. For the agriculture industry, products can be tested against mastitis-causing bacteria such as Streptococcus uberis, Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. Agricultural disinfectants are also frequently tested against relevant serovars of Salmonella.

Disinfectants can be tested using two categories of tests. The first are suspension tests, where the disinfectant product is tested against the bacteria in solution and these are referred to as Phase 2, Step 1 trials. This type of testing is the most common used product aimed at the equine industry. Testing is based on the following standards:
  • EN 1656 – Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics – Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in the veterinary field t Test method and requirements (Phase 2, Step 1). This standard describes a suspension test for establishing whether a chemical disinfectant has or does not have the bactericidal activity under laboratory conditions which influence the action of the disinfectant in practical use, e.g. organic material. This standard is applicable to “products for use in the veterinary field, i.e. in the breeding, husbandry, production, transport and disposal of all animals except when in the food chain following death and entry to the processing industry.
  • Fungal testing is based on the standard EN 1657 – Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics – Quantitative evaluation of fungicidal and yeasticidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in the veterinary area – Test method and requirements (Phase 2, Step 1). The type and level of the interfering substance, such as bovine albumin, yeast extract mixture or horse serum and the laboratory conditions under which testing is carried out, e.g. contact times, testing temperature, etc. are agreed with the client before testing is commenced.
The second category of test are surface tests where the disinfectant product is added to a surface pre-inoculated with the bacterial strain under test. The surface is then analysed for the number of bacteria that survive after contact with the disinfectant at a specific concentration for a specific contact time.
This type of testing is referred to as Phase 2, Step 2 testing and is based on the following:
  • EN 14349 – Quantitative surface test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in the veterinary area on non-porous surfaces without mechanical action.

  • EN 16438 – Quantitative surface test for the evaluation of fungicidal or yeasticidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in the veterinary area on non-porous surfaces without mechanical action.

For further information please contact the laboratory at: microlab@irishequinecentre.ie