THE EFFECT OF MICROAEROSOLIZED HYDROGEN-PEROXIDE ON BACTERIAL AND VIRAL POULTRY PATHOGENS

The effect of microaerosolized H2O2 on bacterial and viral poultry pat hogens was investigated. Bacterial cultures and viruses were dried on sterile glass Petri dishes and subjected to direct and indirect 5% (H2 O2) microaerosol mist. In the trials using Escherichia coli and Staphy lococcus aureus, there was complete inactivation following exposure to H2O2. Using Salmonella typhimurium, indirect exposure resulted in onl y partial inactivation whereas direct exposure to H2O2 gave complete i nactivation. For the viruses studied, 5% H2O2 microaerosol mist comple tely inactivated infectious laryngotracheitis virus. Newcastle disease virus, infectious bronchitis virus, and avian influenza virus showed reduced infectivity but were not completely inactivated. Avian reoviru s susceptibility varied with the method of exposure and infectious bur sal disease virus was highly resistant. The use of 10% H2O2 mist, howe ver, resulted in total inactivation of infectious bursal disease virus . The effect of 10% H2O2 on equipment and selected materials represent ative of a hatcher or poultry house was investigated. A solar cell cal culator, a thermostat containing a microswitch, and samples of uncoate d steel, galvanized steel, and uncoated aluminum were subjected to 10 fumigation cycles. No damage was detected in the calculator and the th ermostat. Both the uncoated steel and the galvanized steel showed sign s of oxidation. The aluminum did not show signs of oxidation.