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Mechanisms of killing of Bacillus subtilis spores by Decon and Oxone, two general decontaminants for biological agents.
- Source :
-
Journal of applied microbiology [J Appl Microbiol] 2004; Vol. 96 (2), pp. 289-301. - Publication Year :
- 2004
-
Abstract
- Aims: To determine the mechanisms of Bacillus subtilis spore killing by and resistance to the general biological decontamination agents, Decon and Oxone.<br />Methods and Results: Spores of B. subtilis treated with Decon or Oxone did not accumulate DNA damage and were not mutagenized. Spore killing by these agents was increased if spores were decoated. Spores prepared at higher temperatures were more resistant to these agents, consistent with a major role for spore coats in this resistance. Neither Decon nor Oxone released the spore core's depot of dipicolinic acid (DPA), but Decon- and Oxone-treated spores more readily released DPA upon a subsequent normally sublethal heat treatment. Decon- and Oxone-killed spores initiated germination with dodecylamine more rapidly than untreated spores, but could not complete germination triggered by nutrients or Ca(2+)-DPA and did not degrade their peptidoglycan cortex. However, lysozyme treatment did not recover these spores.<br />Conclusions: Decon and Oxone do not kill B. subtilis spores by DNA damage, and a major factor in spore resistance to these agents is the spore coat. Spore killing by both agents renders spores defective in germination, possibly because of damage to the inner membrane of spore.<br />Significance and Impact of Study: These results provide information on the mechanisms of the killing of bacterial spores by Decon and Oxone.
- Subjects :
- Amines pharmacology
Cell Membrane drug effects
DNA Damage
DNA, Bacterial analysis
Decontamination
Drug Resistance, Bacterial
Enzyme Inhibitors analysis
Hot Temperature
Mutagenesis physiology
Picolinic Acids analysis
Spores, Bacterial drug effects
Surface-Active Agents pharmacology
Anti-Bacterial Agents pharmacology
Bacillus subtilis drug effects
Fatty Alcohols pharmacology
Hydrogen Peroxide pharmacology
Sulfuric Acids pharmacology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1364-5072
- Volume :
- 96
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of applied microbiology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 14723690
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2672.2004.02159.x