In a 2025 laboratory study published in the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (JAAHA), five commonly used veterinary surface disinfectants reached at least a 3-log kill, meaning a reduction of about 99.9%, against carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) in nearly every strain-product pairing tested, when used at the manufacturers’ contact times. The main exception was one Enterobacter hormaechei isolate, where two of the products fell short. The findings support using veterinary disinfectants according to their labels. They do not prove that every disinfectant works against every CPE strain, or that disinfection alone prevents spread in a clinic.
What the study tested
The paper, “Confirmation of Efficacy of Commonly Used Veterinary Surface Disinfectants Against Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterales Isolated from Pets,” was written by Garcia, Dietrich, Watson, Reinhard, and Cole. It appeared in JAAHA volume 61, issue 4, pages 83–89 (2025), with DOI 10.5326/JAAHA-MS-7440. The abstract reports that the researchers tested 10 bacterial strains, nine CPE strains and one control strain, against five disinfectants.
The study used an in-vitro assay, meaning the bacteria and disinfectants were tested in the laboratory rather than on clinic surfaces or in animals. The study defined effective disinfection as at least a 3-log kill at the manufacturer-recommended contact time. Contact time is the length of time a surface must stay visibly wet with the product for the label claim to apply, so a result measured at that time is not the same as a wipe-and-go result.
What the study found
Across the strain-product pairings, the 3-log threshold was met in all but one case. The exception involved E. hormaechei strain 47422-21:
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| Strain and product | Result at manufacturer contact time |
|---|---|
| Most strain-product pairings (nine CPE strains and one control, five products) | At least a 3-log kill |
| E. hormaechei 47422-21, accelerated hydrogen peroxide product | 2-log reduction |
| E. hormaechei 47422-21, quaternary ammonium compound product | 1-log reduction |
The abstract’s overall conclusion is that the five products were effective in vitro against most of the CPE of animal origin that were evaluated, when used according to manufacturer recommendations. In its own words: “When used according to manufacturer recommendations, the five surface disinfectants tested were effective in vitro against the majority of CPE of animal origin that were evaluated.”
AAHA published an overview on July 14, 2025, describing the results as varied but generally effective when the products were used as directed.
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What the result does and does not show
The study supports a cautious conclusion about most of the pairings it tested, under the contact-time conditions it used. Several limits matter for anyone applying it:
- It is a small, laboratory dataset. Ten strains and five products cannot represent all CPE or all products on the market.
- It does not show universal effectiveness. The one E. hormaechei isolate shows that a product can fall short of the threshold against a specific strain.
- It does not measure clinical outcomes. The abstract does not show that using these products reduces transmission between animals, staff, or owners.
- It does not rank products. The abstract does not name the five disinfectants or give a full product-by-product table, so no brand comparison is supported. Readers who need product-level data should consult the full article in JAAHA.
Why surface disinfection matters in veterinary settings
The CDC’s guidance on carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales and veterinarians, dated April 12, 2024, explains that CRE, including carbapenemase-producing strains, can spread through contact with dirty hands, equipment, devices, and surfaces. The same guidance notes that data on how often this spread occurs in veterinary settings are limited, so surface cleaning should be treated as one part of a broader infection-control program.
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The CDC advises cleaning and disinfecting equipment and surfaces between uses and whenever they are dirty. It recommends an EPA-registered disinfectant on frequently touched surfaces such as exam tables, doorknobs, cage latches, faucet handles, and sinks.
How to apply the findings in a clinic
The study’s results are conditional on the product being used as labeled. A practical routine looks like this:
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- Confirm the product is EPA-registered and check its label for the surfaces and settings where you plan to use it.
- Clean visibly soiled surfaces first. Disinfectant labels generally assume a clean surface, so remove dirt and debris before applying the product.
- Apply the product and keep the surface wet for the full labeled contact time. Wiping it off early reduces the effect the study measured.
- Disinfect between uses and whenever surfaces are dirty, following the CDC guidance on equipment and high-touch points.
- Follow your facility’s infection-control procedures alongside the product label, rather than relying on the surface product alone.
Choosing a product
The abstract does not establish that any one product is the best choice, so selection should rest on criteria you can verify:
- A current EPA registration and label directions that cover your intended surfaces.
- Surface compatibility with your exam tables, cages, and equipment.
- Whether your staff can maintain the labeled wet contact time during busy hours.
- Product-specific data from the full JAAHA article, if you want to compare organisms, log reductions, and contact times directly.
In short, the study is reassuring for most tested combinations, but the one exception is a reminder to verify each product against the strains and surfaces that matter in your practice.
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