The Bactericidal Effect of Surface-Active Agents on Tubercle Bacilli

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Abstract
142 representative surface-active agents including anionic, cationic and non-ionic groups were tested for bactericidal action against tubercle bacilli. 0.1 ml. of a suspension of virulent human tubercle bacilli containing 0.1 mg. of moist culture was mixed with 10 cc. of each disinfectant dilution. After 10 min. exposure at 20[degree]C, 0.1 ml. portions of the bacillus-disinfectant mixture were planted on each of 2 tubes of Loewenstein''s medium. If there was complete or near-complete suppression of growth, that compound was examined further by means of a dilution test in which the bacillus-disinfectant mixture was diluted 100 times prior to culture. Most of the compounds tested showed relatively poor killing action against tubercle bacillus. Only 1 prepn., Armeen 14D (principally tetradecylamine), showed sufficient activity to be considered for practical disinfection. It appeared to cause complete killing at a dilution of 1:1000. The usefulness of this compound as a disinfectant awaits further study. The present widespread use of surface-active agents, particularly quaternary-ammonium compounds for disinfection and sanitation, cannot be counted upon to prevent tuberculous infection.

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