Table 3.
Microbial load (CFU/ml) of group A, B and C samples after 21 days of sterilisation
| Bacterial examination | Group A, Ozonated water (n = 9) | Group B, control (n = 9) | Group C, +ve control (n = 9) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OL1 (n = 3) | OL2 (n = 3) | OL3 (n = 3) | OL1 (n = 3) | OL2 (n = 3) | OL3 (n = 3) | OL1 (n = 3) | OL2 (n = 3) | OL3 (n = 3) | |
| Direct ZN-stained film | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Direct Gram-stained film | G+ Bacilli | 0 | 0 | 0 | G+ cocci | 0 | G+ cocci | G+ Bacilli | G+ cocci |
| Average total viable count (Cfu/ml) | 4.4 x 102 | 0 | 0 | 1.7 x 103 | 4 x 103 | 5 x 103 | 2.2 x 103 | 8.4 x 103 | 2 x 104 |
| Bacterial culture results | G+ spore-forming bacilli | 0 | 0 | G+ spore-forming bacilli | G+ diplococci | G+ spore-forming bacilli | G+ diplococci | G+ spore-forming bacilli | G+ diplococci |
| Fungal Culture results | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
G+: Gram positive, G-: Gram negative; group A: ozonated water (Cantoosh); group B: water treated by 1% povidone Iodine; group C: conventional distilled water. OL1: sample collected from 3-way syringe at instrument tray unit outlet; OL2: sample collected from cup filler outlet; OL3: sample collected from 3-way syringe of assistant zone outlet. For directly ZN-stained film: + (1-6 AFB), ++ (7-60 AFB), and +++ (> 60 AFB).