Decontamination of materials contaminated with Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus thuringiensis Al Hakam spores using PES-Solid, a solid source of peracetic acid

J Appl Microbiol. 2013 Aug;115(2):398-408. doi: 10.1111/jam.12253. Epub 2013 Jun 13.

Abstract

Aims: To develop test methods and evaluate survival of Bacillus anthracis Ames, B. anthracis ∆Sterne and B. thuringiensis Al Hakam spores after exposure to PES-Solid (a solid source of peracetic acid), including PES-Solid formulations with bacteriostatic surfactants.

Methods and results: Spores (≥ 7 logs) were dried on seven different test materials and treated with three different PES-Solid formulations (or preneutralized controls) at room temperature for 15 min. There was either no spore survival or less than 1 log (<10 spores) of spore survival in 56 of 63 test combinations (strain, formulation and substrate). Less than 2.7 logs (<180 spores) survived in the remaining seven test combinations. The highest spore survival rates were seen on water-dispersible chemical agent resistant coating (CARC-W) and Naval ship topcoat (NTC). Electron microscopy and Coulter analysis showed that all spore structures were intact after spore inactivation with PES-Solid.

Conclusions: Three PES-Solid formulations inactivated Bacillus spores that were dried on seven different materials.

Significance and impact of the study: A test method was developed to show that PES-Solid formulations effectively inactivate Bacillus spores on different materials.

Keywords: Bacillus; PES-Solid; decontamination; peracetic acid; spore.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacillus anthracis / drug effects*
  • Bacillus anthracis / ultrastructure
  • Bacillus thuringiensis / drug effects*
  • Bacillus thuringiensis / ultrastructure
  • Decontamination / methods*
  • Disinfectants / chemistry
  • Disinfectants / pharmacology*
  • Peracetic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Spores, Bacterial / drug effects
  • Spores, Bacterial / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Disinfectants
  • Peracetic Acid