THE INEFFECTIVENESS OF ORGANIC IODINE (WESCODYNE) AS A VIRAL DISINFECTANT

Chemical disinfection of non-porous inanimate surfaces experimentally contaminated with four human pathogenic viruses

The chemical disinfection of virus-contaminated non-porous inanimate surfaces was investigated using coxsackievirus B3, adenovirus type 5, parainfluenza virus type 3 and coronavirus 229E as representatives of important nosocomial viral pathogens. A 10 microliter amount of the test virus, suspended in either faeces or mucin, was placed onto each stainless steel disk (about 1 cm in diameter) and the inoculum allowed to dry for 1 h under ambient conditions. Sixteen disinfectant formulations were selected for this study based on the findings of an earlier investigation with a human rotavirus. After 1 min exposure to 20 microliters of the disinfectant, the virus from the disks was immediately eluted into tryptose phosphate broth and plaque assayed. Using an efficacy criterion of a 3 log10 or greater reduction in virus infectivity titre and irrespective of the virus suspending medium, only the following five disinfectants proved to be effective against all the four viruses tested: (1) 2% glutaraldehyde normally used as an instrument soak, (2) a strongly alkaline mixture of 0.5% sodium o-benzyl-p-chlorophenate and 0.6% sodium lauryl sulphate, generally used as a domestic disinfectant cleaner for hard surfaces, (3) a 0.04% solution of a quaternary ammonium compound containing 7% hydrochloric acid, which is the basis of many toilet bowl cleaners, (4) chloramine T at a minimum free chlorine level of 3000 p.p.m. and (5) sodium hypochlorite at a minimum free chlorine concentration of 5000 p.p.m. Of those chemicals suitable for use as topical antiseptics, 70% ethanol alone or products containing at least 70% ethanol were ineffective only against coxsackievirus B3. These results emphasize the care needed in selecting chemical disinfectants for routine use in infection control.

Quantitative studies on fabrics as disseminators of viruses. II. Persistence of poliomyelitis virus on cotton and wool fabrics

The length of time that poliovirus could be recovered from wool gabardine and blanket, and from cotton sheeting, terry cloth, and knit jersey fabrics was determined under conditions of controlled temperature and humidity (25 C in 35 and 78% relative humidities). Three types of exposure of the fabrics to viruses were used: direct contact, aerosol, and virus-containing household dust having a high content of textile fibers. When held in 35% relative humidity, virus persisted for 20 weeks on wool fabrics, but only 1 to 4 weeks on cotton fabrics. At this relative humidity, virus titers on wool fabrics decreased rapidly to low but detectable levels which persisted for long periods of time, whereas in 78% relative humidity the decrease in virus titer was less rapid, but the period of viral persistence was shorter. Generally, virus titers on cotton fabrics held in both relative humidities decreased exponentially to an undetectable level. The method of exposure to virus had a definite effect on the duration of viral persistence on a given fabric. Virus contained in household dust was least stable.