Comparison of a solution of super-oxidized water (Sterilox (R)) with glutaraldehyde for the disinfection of bronchoscopes, contaminated in vitro withMycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare in sputum

The efficacy of Sterilox(R), a super-oxidized water holding a reduction/oxi dation potential of greater than 950 mV was compared with the efficacy of g lutaraldehyde against clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M ycobacterium avium-intracellulare. An in use method using an automated bron choscope washing machine demonstrated that over five cycles, Sterilox(R) wi th a contact time of 5 min gave log(10) reduction factors for M. tuberculos is and M. avium-intracellulare of >6 and >5, respectively. Glutaraldehyde w ith a contact time of 10 min gale log(10) reduction factors for both M. tub erculosis and M. avium-intracellulare of >4, and at a contact time of 20 mi n >5 each. The non-toxic nature of Sterilox(R), together with the reduction in viable counts demonstrated in this study, suggest that the solution is an effective alternative mycobactericidal agent to the established disinfec tants for the disinfection of bronchoscopes and, therefore, justifies furth er investigation. (C) 2000 The Hospital Infection Society.