[Preliminary evaluations of the use of dodecyl di-(beta-oxyethyl)-benzylammonium chloride as a routine decontaminant for isolation of mycobacteria].

The percentages of positive cultures of mycobacteria obtained from sputum, bronchial-aspirate and urine treated with 0.2% Bactofen and with 0.5% Desogen were compared. Respiratory materials gave significantly higher values of these percentages when treated with Bactofen. Urine showed opposite results but these were not statistically significant. Isolates of MOTT too were more frequent in specimens decontaminated with Bactofen. Contamination rate showed no modifications.