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Sterilization of Heat-Resistant Instruments With Infrared Radiation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Victor Hugo Mata-Portuguez ,
Leonor Sánchez Pérez  and
Enrique Acosta-Gío
Victor Hugo Mata-Portuguez
Affiliation:
Microbiology and Infection Control Laboratory, Postgraduate Division, National University of Mexico Dental School, Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico
Leonor Sánchez Pérez
Affiliation:
Health Attention Department, Metropolitan Autonomous University, Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico
Enrique Acosta-Gío*
Affiliation:
Microbiology and Infection Control Laboratory, Postgraduate Division, National University of Mexico Dental School, Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico
*
Apdo. 70 – 421, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, MéxicoD.F.
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Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the lethality profile of an infrared radiation (IR) prototype sterilizer.

Method:

Simulated use and D value tests were conducted with Bacillus subtilis spores American Type Culture Collection–9372. A spore suspension (1.06 ± 0.03 × 106) in 5% bovine serum albumin was air dried on stainless steel instruments. IR cycles were completed and the instruments were immersed in tryptic soy broth for 120 hours at 37°C. Direct enumeration of survivors was performed to evaluate IR death. Instrument loads contained carriers laden with spores (1.06 ± 0.3 × 106). The spores were seeded on tryptic soy agar and survivors were counted after 120 hours of incubation at 37°C.

Results:

All instruments exposed to IR (n = 50) were culture negative. In contrast, all unprocessed instruments (n = 30) showed B. subtilis growth. The prototype's D value was 0.56, and the death rate's slope was -1.76 (r = -0.99741; P < .0001). The 10-6 sterility assurance level was reached after 8 minutes and 40 seconds of exposure, from cold start.

Conclusions:

IR destroys B. subtilis spores. Instrument sterilization with IR may provide another technology for infection control.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 23 , Issue 7 , July 2002 , pp. 393 - 396
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2002

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References

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