OREANDA-NEWS. December 02, 2015. Tristel plc (AIM: TSTL), the manufacturer of infection prevention, contamination control and hygiene products, announces that a French study conducted at a leading university hospital has demonstrated the superiority of its chlorine dioxide wiping method over France's market leader, a peracetic acid soaking method. The methods are alternative ways to disinfect medical instruments used in the Ear, Nose and Throat ("ENT") department of a hospital.

The study was undertaken jointly by the infection prevention and ENT departments at the University Hospital, Lille.  It focused on the ability of the two disinfectants (Tristel Wipes and Anios Anioxyde 1000) to kill to the requirements of European Standards: a) four different strains of bacteria, and b) a bacterial spore; and the time taken to do so.

The Tristel Wipe killed all four bacterial strains in 30 seconds compared to ten minutes for the French product. The Tristel Wipe killed the far more resistant bacterial spore in two minutes, whereas the French product was unable to so in ten minutes. The ability to kill microbes is the most important feature of an instrument disinfectant, but the time taken to do so is almost as important. The duration of the disinfection process is the rate limiting step for an ENT department - the slower it is the fewer the number of patients that can be seen during a clinic.

This latest study complements previous published research from the UK, Germany, Italy, New Zealand and Russia that substantiates the benefits of the Tristel Wipes System. During its latest financial year ending 30 June 2015, the Company sold ?7.5 million of Wipes worldwide, of which ?4.5 million were generated in the UK and ?3 million in overseas markets. Tristel has a sales presence in all of the major European countries, but France is its least developed market, and the Company expects this study and other initiatives to accelerate its market penetration there.

Paul Swinney, CEO, comments: "We have developed a Wipes business in Germany worth over ?1 million in sales, and significant footholds in Spain, Italy, Benelux, and also Scandinavia. Whilst we have a very capable distribution partner in France, the lack of French originated scientific support for our products has held us back in terms of sales. This study is a very positive step forward for us in the French market."