Use and Abuse of Staphylococcus aureus as a Test Organism

Abstract

The value of S. aureus as a test organism in methods of testing disinfectants and antiseptics is discussed. No single standardized laboratory test is sufficient for ascertaining the antiseptic merit possessed by a substance under practical conditions of use. Utilization of S. aureus as a sole test organism for inhibitory action and the lack of a "margin of safety" in conjunction with its utilization as a criterion of germicidal efficiency are criticized. S. aureus may attain a significantly higher resistance than that prescribed by the so-called F. D. A. method. Means are described by which cultures resisting a 1:60 dilution of phenol for over 1 hr. at 20[degree] C may be obtained.