Tables and Figure: Figure 1

Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008)

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Decreasing order of resistance of microorganisms to disinfection and sterilization and the level of disinfection or sterilization

The most resistant are Prions at a level of prion Prion reprocessing. Followed by Bacterial spores at a level of sterilization. Next followed by Coccidia at a level of disinfection. Of less resistance is Mycobacteria and Nonlipid or small viruses at a high level of disinfection. Followed by Fungi at an intermediae level of disinfection. The most susceptible are Vegetative bacteria and Lipid or medium-sized viruses at a low level of disinfection.
Modified from Russell and Favero.13, 344

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Page last reviewed: September 18, 2016
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP)