Evaluation of hypochlorite-releasing disinfectants against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Using a quantitative suspension test method, the antiviral activity of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was investigated. Viral suspensions were prepared containing 10(4)-10(5) syncitial forming units ml-1 in 0.9% saline or 0.9% saline containing 10% v/v plasma to simulate clean and dirty conditions. A syncitial inhibition assay on C8166 lymphoblastoid line was used to determine viral titre. Results indicate that satisfactory disinfection (3-4 log reduction in 2 min) can be achieved using NaDCC and NaOCl at concentrations of 50 ppm and 2500 ppm available chlorine (AvCl2) for clean and soiled conditions respectively. For treatment of blood spillages, the addition of NaDCC and NaOCl solutions (10,000 ppm) to equal volumes of contaminated blood (giving a final AvCl2 concentration of 5000 ppm of blood) was sufficient to produce total kill within 2 min. For treatment of spillage material, chlorine-releasing powder formulations--which produce higher AVCl2 concentrations and achieve containment of spillage material--offer an effective alternative.