Use of membrane filters for measurement of mycobactericidal activity of alkaline glutaraldehyde solution.

Bactericidal assays of 2% alkaline glutaraldehyde solution were carried out using Millipore membranes, and the rate of kill was compared with that of mycobacteria in suspension and on Penicylinder surfaces when using the methods recommended for the official tuberculocidal test. The rate of inactivation observed on the membrane filter surface was similar to that achieved using Penicylinders. The absence of visible colonies on the treated membranes provided a direct demonstration of sterility. The use of filter membranes in tuberculocidal tests provides a simple quantitative assay.