OBJECTIVE To investigate the bactericidal effect of levulinic acid-sodium dodecyl sulfate (LVA-SDS) on the strains of Mycobacterium abscessus, Mycobacterium chelonae and Mycobacterium fortuitum, and to provide a new method for the prevention of common pathogenic rapidly growing non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease.

METHODS The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of LVA-SDS were detected by microculture method and suspension quantitative bactericidal test, respectively. Using 1000 mg/L chlorine-containing disinfectant (sodium hypochlorite) as the control, the killing effect of LVA-SDS at different times and concentrations on M. abscessus, M. chelonae and M. fortuitum were detected.

RESULTS The MIC values of LVA-SDS against M. abscessus, M. chelonae and M. fortuitum were 0.0625% LVA+0.00625% SDS, 0.03125% LVA+0.003125% SDS and 0.125% LVA+0.0125% SDS, respectively. The MBC values were 0.25% LVA+0.025% SDS, 0.25% LVA+0.025% SDS, and 1% LVA+0.1% SDS, repectively. Within a certain range, with the increase in LVA-SDS concentration and the extension of time (1-30 min), the bactericidal effect on M. abscessus, M. chelonae and M. fortuitum gradually enhanced. The killing rates of the 18% LVA+1.8% SDS for 5 minutes and the 6% LVA+0.6% SDS for 20 minutes to M. abscessus reached 100.00%; the killing rates of the 18% LVA+1.8% SDS for 10 minutes and the 10% LVA+1% SDS for 25 minutes to M. chelonae reached 100.00%; while the killing rates of the 18% LVA+1.8% SDS for 5 minutes and the 6% LVA+0.6% SDS for 30 minutes to M. fortuitum reached 100.00%. Compared with 1000 mg/L chlorine-containing disinfectant (sodium hypochlorite), LVA-SDS has equivalent bactericidal effects against M. abscessus and M. chelonae, and a better bactericidal effect against M. fortuitum.

CONCLUSION LVA-SDS has a good bactericidal effect on M. abscessus, M. chelonae and M. fortuitum, and may be used in the disinfection of NTM in the future.