Effects of disinfectants on shiga-like toxin converting phage from enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7

Abstract

Inactivation of free phage carrying slt2 from enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157 : H7 by four kinds of common disinfectants in Japan was examined under conditions with (dirty) and without (clean) interfering substance. Ethanol (EtOH) inactivated the phage within one minute under both conditions. The effect of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on this phage decreased under the dirty condition, but was potentiated by increasing the concentration and contact time to the degree that could be sufficient for practical use. Use of benzalkonium chloride (BAC) at a high concentration: 0.2%, would be effective. Alkyldiaminoethylglycine hydrochloride (DAG) was not effective on this phage.