Vapour-phase hydrogen peroxide inactivatesYersinia pestisdried on polymers, steel, and glass surfaces

Abstract

Aims: This study evaluated the inactivation of virulent Yersinia pestis dried on polymers, steel, and glass surfaces using vapour‐phase hydrogen peroxide. Methods and Results: A suspension of Y. pestis CO92 (1·70 × 108 CFU) was dried on 10 different types of test surfaces and exposed to vapour‐phase hydrogen peroxide fumigation for a contact time of 2 h. A significant reduction in the log10 CFU of Y. pestis on all 10 materials was observed between the controls evaluated after a 1 h drying time and unexposed controls evaluated after the decontamination run. Qualitative growth assessment showed that vapour‐phase hydrogen peroxide exposure inactivated Y. pestis on all replicates of the 10 test materials as well as biological indicators up to 7 days postexposure. Conclusions: Virulent Y. pestis CO92 is inactivated on polymers, steel, and glass surfaces when exposed to vapour‐phase hydrogen peroxide without observable physical damage to the test materials. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study provides information for using vapour‐phase hydrogen peroxide as a practical process for the decontamination of virulent Y. pestis in circumstances where time‐dependent attenuation/inactivation or liquid/heat decontamination may not be the most suitable approach.

Systematic Evaluation of the Efficacy of Chlorine Dioxide in Decontamination of Building Interior Surfaces Contaminated with Anthrax Spores

“…These steps included the following: (i) use of five replicate coupons per data point as opposed to the three that are typically used (20,21,24); (ii) use of three replicate plates per dilution as opposed to one or two; (iii) analysis of a one-third fraction of the total extracted volume recovered in samples with fewer than 10 viable spores, thus ensuring low (1 to 5 CFU) detection limits; (iv) multiple experimental repeats; and (v) control of key process parameters (i.e., RH, temperature, and fumigant concentration within 10% of the set values). Based on other sporicidal efficacy studies at sublethal treatment levels, standard deviation values of 0.5 to 1.5 log CFU were expected (13,22,24).…”

Clean access, measurement, and sampling of Ellsworth Subglacial Lake: A method for exploring deep Antarctic subglacial lake environments

“…Despite requiring a dedicated machine (to generate the vapor), heat and ventilation for a significant duration (∼2 h in a room‐sized space to enable the peroxide to degrade to harmless water and oxygen), this technique is attractive because systems are available commercially; it enables treatment of engineered structures with complex topography and small recesses; it can be used on a wide range of polymers and all electronic components [ Rogers et al , 2008]; it has high and proven efficacy (typically 10 6 reduction) [ Rogers et al , 2008]; and it does not result in a toxic end product requiring disposal [ Rogers et al , 2005]. HPV is effective against a wide range of organisms including endospore‐forming bacteria, biofilm‐forming bacteria, and prions (proteinaceous infectious particles) [ Fichet et al , 2007].…”

Decontamination of a BSL3 laboratory by hydrogen peroxide fumigation using three different surrogates for Bacillus anthracis spores

“…In addition, most surfaces (except, for example copper and alloys thereof) are not negatively affected by hydrogen peroxide vapour (Jahnke and Lauth ; McDonnell and Russell ; Rogers et al . , ; Grare et al . ).…”