Decontamination of a hard surface contaminated with Bacillus anthracisΔSterne and B. anthracis Ames spores using electrochemically generated liquid‐phase chlorine dioxide (eClO2)
2011
Buhr, T.L. | Young, A.A. | Minter, Z.A. | Wells, C.M. | Shegogue, D.A.
Aims: To evaluate the inactivation of Bacillus anthracisΔSterne and Ames spores using electrochemically generated liquid‐phase chlorine dioxide (eClO2) and compare two sporulation and decontamination methods with regard to cost, safety and technical constraints. Methods and Results: Spores were prepared via agar and broth methods and subsequently inoculated and dried onto clean, autoclave‐sterilized glass coupons. Bacillus anthracis spore inactivation efficacy was evaluated using the modified three‐step method (AOAC 2008.05) and a single‐tube extraction method. Spores (7·0 ± 0·5 logs) were inactivated within 1 min at room temperature using freshly prepared eClO2. Bacillus anthracisΔSterne spores decreased in size after eClO2 treatment as measured using a Beckman Coulter Multisizer. Conclusions: eClO2 saturation of a hard surface was an effective B. anthracis sporicide. Broth sporulation and the single‐tube extraction method required less time and fewer steps, yielded a higher percentage of phase‐bright spores and showed higher spore recovery efficiency compared with AOAC 2008.05, making it more amenable to biosafety level 3 (BSL3) testing of virulent spores. Significance and Impact of the Study: Two test methods demonstrated the sporicidal efficacy of eClO2. A new single‐tube extraction test protocol for decontaminants was introduced.
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