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The microbiologist is taking an aliquot of the test suspension from the test suspension bottle.

EN 14204:2012

Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of mycobactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics intended for use in the veterinary area.

EN 14204 is a phase 2 step 1 suspension test performed on disinfectants intended for use in the veterinary area to test the efficacy of the product against mycobacteria.

Mycobacteria are more resistant to chemical agents compared to vegetative bacteria and enveloped viruses due to the waxy layer protecting the microbe. Although the microorganism causing tuberculosis is a mycobacterium, tuberculocidal activity can be tested individually using Mycobacterium terrae, the surrogate microbe for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, mycobactericidal activity encompasses activity against all mycobacteria and is superior to tuberculocidal activity.

 

Test Conditions


The standard refers to the parameters to be observed when testing disinfectants including instrument disinfectants intended for use in the medical area. The parameter encompasses the test microorganism, test temperature, contact time and interfering substance. 

Refer to the table below for the minimum requirement of EN 14204.

 

Test Method

 

In EN 14204 phase 2 step 1 suspension test, 8 parts of the test product is added to 1-part test microorganism and 1-part interfering substance. The mixture is allowed to interact for the duration of the contact time. One part of the mixture is added to 8 parts of neutralizer and 1-part water for 5 minutes to halt antimicrobial activity. The final mixture is then acquired and incubated for 21 days to allow surviving mycobacteria (if any) to proliferate. The mycobacterial colony is counted and compared against the original culture size.

Diagram 1: EN 14204 test method

 

Log Reduction

 

Log reduction refers to the extent to which a product is capable of reducing the number of microbes. For example, 4-log reduction means the number of microorganisms on a surface has been reduced by 10 000 times. A product that is 99.9% effective against a certain microbe is said to have achieved 3-log reduction against that microbe.

For a product to pass EN 14204, it must be able to achieve 4-log reduction against the respective test microorganisms listed in Table 1. In other words, the product must be able to kill 99.99% mycobacteria while meeting all the other requirements of the European standard.

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