In-use evaluation of Perasafe® compared with Cidex® in fibreoptic bronchoscope disinfection

The mycobactericidal activity of Perasafe(R) (0.26% peracetic acid) was compared with that of Cidex(R) (2% alkaline glutaraldehyde) by an in-use test. Fibreoptic bronchoscopes were artificially contaminated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare in sputum and, after manual pre-cleaning with a neutral soap, 10 and 20 min disinfection periods were tested. Perasafe(R) was as effective as Cidex(R), thus requiring a 10 min disinfection period against M. tuberculosis and 20 min against M. avium-intracellulare. The results demonstrate that Perasafe(R) is an effective disinfectant for use in reprocessing fibreoptic bronchoscopes. (C) 2003 The Hospital Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.