Which pathogen is known not to be killed by alcohol-based hand sanitizers?

C. difficile can survive alcohol-based hand sanitizers because its spores have a tough outer coating that is resistant to many disinfectants, including alcohol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective against many pathogenic bacteria and viruses; however, they have limited efficacy against spores like those of C. difficile. This is particularly significant in healthcare settings where Clostridium difficile can cause severe gastrointestinal infections, underscoring the importance of using soap and water for hand hygiene when dealing with potential C. difficile contamination or infection.

The other pathogens listed, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, are susceptible to alcohol-based sanitizers. These organisms have structures that are more effectively compromised by the action of alcohol, making such sanitizers a viable option for reducing their presence on hands. Therefore, the presence of C. difficile serves to highlight the limitations of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, making the knowledge of proper hand hygiene practices crucial in preventing its transmission.