Mechanisms of action of microbicides commonly used in infection prevention and control

This review focuses on mechanism(s) of action of chemical microbicides commonly used in infection prevention and control. Contrary to typical site-specific mode of action of antibiotics, microbicides often act via multiple targets, causing rapid and irreversible damage. For viruses, the envelope or protein capsid is usually the primary structural target, resulting in loss of envelope integrity or denaturation of proteins in the capsid, causing loss of the receptor-binding domain for host cell receptors, and/or breakdown of other viral proteins or nucleic acids. However, for certain virucidal microbicides, the nucleic acid may be a significant site of action. The region of primary damage to protein or nucleic acid is site-specific and may vary with virus type. Due to greater complexity and metabolism, bacteria and fungi offer more targets. Rapid and irreversible damage to microbes may result from solubilization of lipid components and denaturation of enzymes involved in transport of nutrients. Formulation of microbicidal actives that attack multiple sites on microbes,  control of the pH, addition of preservatives or potentiators, etc can increase the spectrum of action against pathogens and reduce concentrations and times needed to achieve microbicidal activity against target pathogens.

Gerba CP, Boone S, Nims RW, Maillard JY, Sattar SA, Rubino JR, McKinney J, Ijaz MK. Mechanisms of action of microbicides commonly used in infection prevention and control. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews. 2024 Sep 26;88(3):e00205-22.