[The problem of heat activation of bacterial spores after disinfection with regard to an aerosol method of decontaminating equipment and rooms].

This paper describes investigations on disinfection of germ carriers, contaminated with an alcoholic suspension of Bacillus cereus or Bacillus subtilis. Result of disinfection is compared with that of an additional heat treatment (80 degrees C, 60 min) after disinfection. Besides Formalin, Tegodor forte (Th. Goldschmidt, Essen) and P 3 oxonia active (Henkel KG, Düsseldorf) are tested with different concentration and duration. Heat activation was possible with all three disinfectants. For illuminating the conditions of activation, circumstances of heat action after disinfection with formaldehyde-aerosol have been varied. Heat activation in dry air, moist air and distilled water was not successful. Only in Nutrient Broth (Standard I-Bouillon; Merck, Darmstadt) spores were viable again, after activation. Addition of serum as a protective cover had no influence on the result. Consequences of the results on a disinfection method with formaldehyde-aerosol are discussed.