[Resistance of resting cyst-like forms of Bacillus cereus to exposure to high temperature, ultraviolet rays and low-molecular alcohols].

The dormancy cyst-like forms of Bacillus cereus obtained under the action of an autoregulatory factor were shown to be more resistant to the action of such external factors of the medium as high temperatures, ultraviolet irradiation and low molecular weight alcohols comparing to the vegetative cells. Incubation at 80 degrees C for 15 min killed 98,5% vegetative cells and 86,5% of the dormancy refractile forms. U. V.--radiation treatment resulted in a loss of viability in 97% of the vegetative cells and in 75% of the refractile forms. Differences were also found in the resistance of the cyst-like forms and the vegetative cells to the action of ethanol, methanol and butanol. The resistance of the cyst-like forms of B. cereus to the action of the above damaging factors is consistent, in general, with the resistance of cysts, methylotrophic bacterial spores and other dormancy prokaryotic cells differing in the mode of their formation from endospores.