Sterilization ( or sterilisation ) is a
term referring to any process that eliminates (removes) or kills (deactivates)
all forms of life and other biological agents (such as prions,
as well as viruses which some do not
consider to be alive but are biological pathogens nonetheless),
including transmissible agents (such
as fungi, bacteria, viruses, prions, spore forms, unicellular eukaryotic
organisms such as Plasmodium, etc.) present in a specified region, such as a
surface, a volume of fluid, medication, or in a compound such as biological
culture media.
Sterilization can be
achieved with one or more of the following:
Heat, chemicals, irradiation,
high pressure, and filtration. Sterilization is distinct from disinfection,
sanitization, and pasteurization in that sterilization kills, deactivates, or
eliminates all forms of life and other biological agents.