title: Resistance to and killing by the sporicidal microbicide peracetic acid.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To elucidate the mechanisms of spore resistance to and killing by the oxidizing microbicide peracetic acid (PAA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Mutants of Bacillus subtilis lacking specific spore structures were used to identify resistance properties in spores and to understand the mechanism of action of PAA. We also assessed the effect of PAA treatment on a number of spore properties including heat tolerance, membrane integrity and germination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The spore coat is essential for spore PAA resistance as spores with defective coats were greatly sensitized to PAA treatment. Small acid-soluble spore proteins apparently provide no protection against PAA. Defects in spore germination, specifically in germination via the GerB and GerK but not the GerA germination receptors, as well as leakage of internal components suggest that PAA is active at the spore inner membrane. It is therefore likely that the inner membrane is the major site of PAA's sporicidal activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PAA treatment targets the spore membrane, with some of its activity directed specifically against the GerB and GerK germination receptors.
authors.affiliation: Cardiff School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3NB, UK.
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Leggett
authors.affiliation: STERIS Corporation, 7405 Page Ave, St Louis, MO 63133, USA.
authors.forename: J Spencer
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.affiliation: STERIS Corporation, 5960 Heisley Rd, Mentor, OH 44060, USA.
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.affiliation: STERIS Corporation, 5960 Heisley Rd, Mentor, OH 44060, USA.
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mcdonnell
authors.affiliation: Cardiff School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3NB, UK.
authors.forename: Stephen P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Denyer
authors.affiliation: Cardiff School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3NB, UK maillardj@cardiff.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Jean-Yves
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Maillard
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008566:Membranes / Q000187:drug effects; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects*; D016877:Oxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D010463:Peracetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D016877:Oxidants; D010463:Peracetic Acid
keywords: PAA; germination; spores