[Kinetics of the release of testbacteria from the artificially contaminated hand (author's transl)]

It is demonstrated that the release of testbacteria from the finger tips of artificially contaminated hands is influenced to a very small degree only by application of the finger tip method when compared to the effect of ablutions. Therefore, without apprehension of influencing the post-values this method may be employed in order to assess pre-values as required by the test-model of Rotter and Mittermayer (5) for the evaluation of procedures for the hygienic disinfection of hands. In addition, it can be shown directly that it is irrelevant for the number of bacteria released after a germ-reducing procedure, whether the finger tip-method has been used or not, preceedingly. In contrast, all technical variations that aim at the restitution of the supposed loss of testbacteria (like renewed contamination after the assessment of prevalues) change the postvalues measurably and must be avoided, therefore. Drying of bacterial suspensions on the hands, as after artificial contamination, reduces the release of viable testbacteria depending on the time. This effect is stronger on the palms than on the finger tips. The influence of handbrushes on the release of testbacteria with simultaneous useage of detergents compares well with the effect of an alcohol disinfection. However, this method is not suitable to eliminate pathogens safely.