Comparison of Dey and Engley (D/E) neutralizing medium to Letheen medium and standard methods medium for recovery of Staphylococcus aureus from sanitized surfaces.

The ability of Dey and Engley (D/E) Neutralizing Medium to recover Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 from tile surfaces exposed to a commercial phenol (Mikro-Bac) and a quaternary ammonium compound (Mikro-Quat) was compared to recovery with Letheen Medium. Standard Methods Medium was used as a control recovery medium. Organisms were exposed to both antimicrobials for varying time periods, then were recovered by swab and Rodac plate on both test media. The recovery by either procedure was significantly higher with Dey and Engley (D/E) Neutralizing Medium than with Letheen and Standard Methods Medium. The D/E Medium shows promise for evaluating antimicrobial chemicals used in environmental sanitation.