Bactericidal activity of quaternary ammonium in the presence of germinants. Seven log₁₀ colony-forming units (CFUs) of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis type USA300 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and VanA-type vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) on steel disk carriers were exposed to phosphate-buffered saline ([PBS] control), quaternary ammonium, or quaternary ammonium containing germinants. Carriers were incubated for 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes under ambient conditions. Log₁₀ CFU reduction was determined by comparing recovery of spores from PBS-treated carriers and carriers treated with solutions containing quaternary ammonium. The means of data from triplicate experiments are presented. Error bars indicate standard error.