Factors affecting the survival of Streptococcus suis type 2

The survival of Streptococcus suis type 2 was assessed in experimentally inoculated faeces and dust stored at 0, 9 and 22 to 25 degrees C. The organism survived in faeces for 104 days at 0 degrees C, up to 10 days at 9 degrees C and up to eight days at 22 to 25 degrees C. It survived in dust for up to 54 days at 0 degrees C and up to 25 days at 9 degrees C but could not be isolated from dust stored at room temperature for 24 hours. The organism survived at 4 degrees C in nutrient medium for up to nine months but in distilled water for only one to two weeks. At 50 degrees C it survived in water or broth for up to two hours but at 60 degrees C it only survived for 10 minutes. The organism was rapidly inactivated by disinfectants and cleansers, commonly used on farms and in laboratories, at concentrations less than those recommended for use by the manufacturers.