Survival of bacteria on metal surfaces

Survivor curves were determined for Serratia marcescens, Sarcina lutea, Pasteurella tularensis, and P. pestis deposited from the airborne state onto metallic surfaces and subsequently stored at various humidities and temperatures. Cells of all species tested remained alive longest in a dry atmosphere, except that cells of S. marcescens survived best in a saturated atmosphere. Survival decreased most rapidly at the intermediate humidity level for three of the test organisms, yet P. tularensis died most rapidly in a saturated atmosphere. An increase in temperature decreased survival of P. pestis and P. tularensis.