The methods stated in ASTM D7907 describe two quantitative techniques for assessing the bactericidal activity on the surface of medical examination gloves with bactericidal features. They may be used to determine bactericidal activity on either the outer or the inner surface of the gloves. The methods incorporate bacterial challenges in two different formats: Method (A) a saline or buffered saline solution, and Method (B) a saline or buffered saline solution containing an organic load. All the methods depict one form of microbial exposure that may be anticipated in the healthcare setting.
ASTM D7907 Test Method
| Saline or Buffered Saline Solution | Challenge bacteria are grown in a phosphate buffer saline in test method A. To do this, a sterile coverslip is used to spread the aliquot of the bacterial challenge on a test specimen. |
| Saline or Buffered Saline Solution with Organic components | In test method B, the test surface is exposed to organic loading first before the glove contamination stimulation. The protein in the organic load then proceeds to neutralize several bactericides. After the organic conditioning, the site is exposed to target bacteria with the specific organic load. The reduction of the log from the control specimen as well as from the challenge population recovered from the inoculum is measured per time interval. |
