Ethanol treatment does not inactivate spore-forming bacteria - A cautionary note about the safe transport of bacteria prior to identification by MALDI-TOF MS.

Treatment with 70% ethanol has been proposed as a safe and effective way to inactive bacteria for transport between laboratories prior to identification by MALDI-TOF MS. Ethanol alone does not inactivate spore-forming bacteria and additional chemical or physical treatment is necessary to guarantee inactivation of bacterial spores.