from Kampf et al. 2003
published in J Hosp Infect 55(3):225-31
DOI 10.1016/s0195-6701(03)00298-6

Validity of the four European test strains of prEN 12054 for the determination of comprehensive bactericidal activity of an alcohol-based hand rub

The four test bacteria of the suspension test for the EN 13727 (earlier prEN 12054) cover the entire spectrum of clinically relevant bacterial species

The study examined wether the four test bacteria of the suspension test for the EN 13727 (earlier prEN 12054) indeed cover most of the clinically relevant bacterial species. The ATCC strains of P. aeruginosa, E.coli, S. aureus and E. hirae were used. 9 ml of Sterillium were mixed with 1 ml of the inoculum. After the exposure time of 30 seconds, 1 ml of the mixture was transferred to a solution containing valid neutralising agents and mixed. After five minutes, serial dilution was performed, aliquots were transferred to tryptic soy agar, plates were incubated, and the reduction of viable counts was calculated as the difference before and after the exposure time. Four replicates were performed. In addition, 13 Gram-positive species, 18 Gram-negative species and 14 emerging pathogens were used to determine the efficacy of Sterillium in the Time Kill Test. Among them were species such as MRSA, VRE, S. pneumoniae, A. baumannii and K. pneumoniae. Sterillium killed all four test bacteria by > 5 log10 steps within 30 seconds. In the Time Kill Test, all 13 Gram-positive bacteria, all 18 Gram-negative bacteria and all 14 emerging pathogens were killed by > 5 log10 steps within 30 seconds. Therefore, Sterillium has a comprehensive bactericidal activity including many multi-resistant species.