Disinfection of Aerosolized Pathogenic Fungi on Laboratory Surfaces

Abstract

of aerosolized pathogenic fungi on laboratory surfaces. I. Tissue phase. Appl. Microbiol. 11:436-445. 1963.-The effect of several fungicides on laboratory surfaces contaminated with the tissue phase of aerosolized Blastomyces dermatitidis, Coccidioides immitis, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Histoplasma capsulatum was ascertained. A statistical analysis of the data shows the correlation between fungi, surfaces, time, and concentration of disinfectant. All fungicides were effective at established times and concentrations, and the type of contaminated surface affected the fungicidal efficacy. By interpolating plotted graphs, laboratory personnel may determine, with a given fungicide, the concentration and time required to disinfect instruments, pipettes, gloves, bench tops, and floors contaminated with a tissue phase of pathogenic fungi. Review of the literature has revealed no report on the efficacy of disinfectants for laboratory surfaces contaminated with aerosolized pathogenic fungi such as Blastomyces, Coccidioides, Cryptococcus, and Histoplasma. There seems to be no universally accepted test for fungal disinfectants. The first well-known method of testing germicides employed silk threads impregnated with spores of Bacillus anthracis (Koch, 1881). An improvement was made by Rideal and Walker (1903). It and other modifications are still in use today. The phenol coefficient test is recommended, but is not an official test of the Food and Drug Administration. Phillips (1960) stated that the phenol co

Sporothrix (Sporotrichum) schenckii in a Nursery Barn Containing Sphagnum: Control of Fungus with a Disinfectant

“…For all experiments except some preliminary work, we decided to use a 2 percent solution of Amphyl (a commercial product with a mild odor, which contains potassium ricinoleate, o-phenylphenol, p-tert-amylphenol, and alcohol, and is produced by Lehn & Fink Corporation). This compound, one of the widely used hospital and laboratory bactericides and fungicides, is similar to other phenolic compounds that have previously been shown, under controlled conditions, to be effective in killing pathogenic fuigi on various surfaces (14,15).…”

“…This disinfectant therefore seems to afford an effective and inexpensive method for the control of S. schenckn. Without doubt many other substances could be used effectively in controlling similar S. schenckii contaminations (14,15). It has been shown that a number of substances which preserve wood also have helped to prevent S. schenckii from growing on support timbers in South African mines (20).…”