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Published on: June 21, 2022
Evaluating the virucidal activity of four disinfectants against SARS-CoV-2
Yi Huang1, Shuqi Xiao2, Donglin Song1
1National Biosafety Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430020, People's Republic of China.
Background:
The recent COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for efficacious virucidal products to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Several studies have suggested that alcohol-based sanitizers and some disinfectants are effective. While virucidal activity data of low-level disinfectants are lacking and some conclusions are not clear yet.
Methods:
We evaluated the virucidal activity of 2 quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC) disinfectants (MICRO-CHEM PLUS and FWD), W30 (an amphoteric surfactant), and Medical EtOH against SARS-CoV-2. Suspension tests covering different concentration and contact time were performed using the integrated cell culture-qPCR method.
Results:
Each of disinfectants was effective at inactivating SARS-CoV-2. MCP and FWD are highly effective within 15 seconds. W30 is also efficient within 2 minutes at concentration of 1%. Consistent with previous report, our results also demonstrated that 38% ethanol was sufficient to completely inactivate virus, which proved the method used in this study is feasible.
Conclusions And Discussion:
QAC disinfectants, MCP and FWD, are highly effective for the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2, which making them practical for use in health care setting and laboratories where prompt disinfection is important. The low-level disinfectant based on amphoteric surfactant, W30, which may present in commonly available household hygiene agents is also able to inactivate SARS-CoV-2.
