Abstract
The disinfective effect of hot water against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was examined. A reduction in the count of MRSA on a silicone disc to less than 0.001% was achieved within 15 seconds by exposure to 75°C water, within 30 seconds by exposure to 70°C water and 2 minutes by exposure to 65°C water. 70-75°C water exerted a more rapid bactericidal action against MRSA than did 0.1% benzalkonium chloride, 0.01% sodium hypochlorite or 0.1% alkyldiaminoethyl glycine at 22±2°C. These results indicate that hot water is a useful means of disinfecting instruments and devices contaminated with MRSA.
