[Value of the germ-carrier method for testing of the activity of disinfectants against mycobacteria strains]

We investigated bactericidal activity of four disinfectants against mycobacterium smegmatis and others mycobacteria species such as those responsible for respiratory and lymphadenitis diseases. We used the germ carried method according to all the AFNOR requisites changing only the strains culture conditions and for some studies time of contact (15 and 30 minutes). In addition we realized a preliminary essay to control efficacy of washing in order to maximally eliminate the product after the time of contact. Under AFNOR standard conditions (15 minutes) only phenolic complex and glutaraldehyde solution were bactericidal for all strains including M. tuberculosis. Another series of test with contact during 30 minutes showed that with aldehyde and quaternary ammonium compounds bactericidal activity was limited against M. fortuitum and M. chelonei and nearly non existent at usual concentrations against M. kansasii, M. avium and M. tuberculosis.