What disinfectant approach is effective against Leptospira?

• A. Detergent and iodophore disinfectant
• B. Only bleach
• C. Alcohol-based sanitizers only
• D. No disinfection is effective

Answer: (A)

Leptospira can be inactivated effectively when you both clean and disinfect. Cleaning with a detergent removes organic matter and debris that can shield the organisms, and then applying an iodophore disinfectant provides proven antimicrobial activity against Leptospira. The detergent plus iodine-based disinfectant approach ensures the organism is reached by the disinfectant and the environment is decontaminated, which is more reliable than using a single method alone. Bleach is also effective, but using it without first cleaning dirty surfaces can reduce its efficacy; alcohol-based sanitizers are not consistently reliable against Leptospira, and saying no disinfection works is incorrect because appropriate disinfectants do inactivate the organism.