Resistance

RESISTANCE

  • The Mycobacteria are resistance to physical influences and will retain their viability in soil and particles of dried faeces for many months.
  • They are not specifically heat resistant; being killed at 60ÂșC in 15-20 mts .
  • Cultures may be killed by exposure to direct sunlight for two hours.
  • Bacilli in sputum may remain alive for 20-30 hrs and in droplet nuclei for 8-10 days .
  • They are relatively resistant to disinfectants i.e. exposure to 5% phenol, 15% H2SO4, 3% nitric acid, 5% oxalic acid and 4% NaOH.
  • It is destroyed by tincture of iodine in 5mts and by 80% ethanol in 2-10 mts.
Last modified: Monday, 4 June 2012, 5:00 AM