Which organism must an intermediate level disinfectant be effective against?

An intermediate level disinfectant must be effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is the causative agent of tuberculosis. This requirement is significant because tuberculosis is a highly infectious disease that can spread through the air and is more resistant to standard disinfectants compared to other common pathogens.

By being effective against tuberculosis, intermediate level disinfectants also exhibit efficacy against a broad range of other bacteria and viruses, including some that are more resistant. This makes these disinfectants suitable for use in healthcare settings where there is a higher risk of exposure to infectious diseases. While disinfectants may also have effectiveness against organisms like Staphylococcus, E. coli, and HIV, only the effectiveness against tuberculosis distinguishes intermediate level disinfectants in terms of their ability to tackle particularly resistant and virulent pathogens. Thus, the emphasis on Mycobacterium tuberculosis demonstrates the critical nature of infection control in preventing the spread of serious infectious diseases.