Science Inventory

Inactivation of Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus atrophaeus Spores on Surfaces with Ultraviolet Light Produced Via Either Light Emitting Diodes or a Low-Pressure Mercury Vapor Lamp

Citation:

Wood, J., J. Archer, Michael Calfee, S. Serre, Ronald Mickelsen, A. Mikelonis, L. Oudejans, M. Hu, S. Hurst, AND V. Rastogi. Inactivation of Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus atrophaeus Spores on Surfaces with Ultraviolet Light Produced Via Either Light Emitting Diodes or a Low-Pressure Mercury Vapor Lamp. JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY. Blackwell Publishing, Malden, MA, 131(5):2257-2269, (2021). https://doi.org/10.1111/jam.14791

Impact/Purpose:

This study may be useful in evaluating whether to decontaminate materials with UVC following a contamination incident with B. anthracis spores. These results may also inform the use of UVC for the inactivation of other spore-forming infectious disease agents. Methods and Results: Spores were deposited onto test coupons and positive controls of four different materials, via liquid suspension or aerosol deposition. The test coupons were then exposed to UVC light from either a low-pressure mercury vapor lamp or a lamp comprised of light emitting diodes, with a range of dosages. Following exposure to UVC, spores were recovered from the coupons and efficacy was quantified in terms of log10 reduction (LR) in number of viable spores. Conclusions: Decontamination efficacy varied by material and UVC dosage (efficacy up to 5.7 LR was demonstrated), but there was no statistical difference in efficacy between the two species or between spore inoculation methods. Efficacy improved for the LED lamp at lower relative humidity, but this effect was not observed with the mercury vapor lamp. Significance and Impact of Study: This study may be useful in evaluating whether to decontaminate materials with UVC following a contamination incident with B. anthracis spores. These results may also inform the use of UVC for the inactivation of other spore-forming infectious disease agents.

Description:

Journal article; Aims: To obtain data on the efficacy of two ultraviolet light (UVC) technologies for inactivation of Bacillus anthracis Ames and Bacillus atrophaeus spores on surfaces.