Survival of a Pseudomonas fluorescens and Enterococcus faecalis aerosol on inert surfaces.

The aim of the work presented here is to study airborne bacteria survival on three inert supports (glass, polyvinyl chloride, and stainless steel). Two Pasteur Institute bacteria were selected: Enterococcus faecalis 10.30.15 and Pseudomonas fluorescens 56.90. We have observed that bacterial aerosol lethality increased proportionally with the relative humidity of the environment, the gram-negative rod appearing more fragile than the cocci. A significant difference in survival rate is measured dependent on the supports tested, the greatest lethality being observed on the PVCs.