Test method development to evaluate hot, humid air decontamination of materials contaminated withBacillus anthracis∆Sterne andB. thuringiensisAl Hakam spores

Autor: E.J. Prokop, A.A. Young, John R. Crigler, C.L. Hooban, C.M. Wells, D.C. McPherson, Z.A. Minter, T.L. Buhr, C.A. Johnson
Rok vydání: 2012
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Applied Microbiology. 113:1037-1051
ISSN: 1364-5072
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2012.05423.x
Popis: Aims To develop test methods and evaluate the survival of Bacillus anthracis ∆Sterne and Bacillus thuringiensis Al Hakam spores after exposure to hot, humid air. Methods and Results Spores (>7 logs) of both strains were dried on six different test materials. Response surface methodology was employed to identify the limits of spore survival at optimal test combinations of temperature (60, 68, 77°C), relative humidity (60, 75, 90%) and time (1, 4, 7 days). No spores survived the harshest test run (77°C, 90% r.h., 7 days), while > 6·5 logs of spores survived the mildest test run (60°C, 60% r.h., 1 day). Spores of both strains inoculated on nylon webbing and polypropylene had greater survival rates at 68°C, 75% r.h., 4 days than spores on other materials. Electron microscopy showed no obvious physical damage to spores using hot, humid air, which contrasted with pH-adjusted bleach decontamination. Conclusions Test methods were developed to show that hot, humid air effectively inactivates B. anthracis ∆Sterne and B. thuringiensis Al Hakam spores with similar kinetics. Significance and Impact of the Study Hot, humid air is a potential alternative to conventional chemical decontamination.
Databáze: OpenAIRE