Virucidal disinfectants and feline viruses

Thirty-five commonly used commercial disinfectants (disinfectants, antiseptics, sanitizers, and detergents) were evaluated for their virucidal activity against three feline viruses; feline viral rhinotracheitis virus (a herpesvirus), feline calicivirus, and feline panleukopenia virus (a parvovirus). Disinfectants were diluted as recommended by the manufacturer and were reacted with virus for 10 minutes at room temperature. Viruses were separated from disinfectants by gel filtration in special centrifuge tubes, and were assayed for infectivity in feline cell cultures. All 22 products tested were virucidal for feline viral rhinotracheitis virus, 11 of 35 were virucidal for feline calicivirus, but only 3 of 27 tested were effective against feline panleukopenia virus. A 0.175% sodium hypochlorite solution was the most effective and practical broad-spectrum virucidal product used alone or in combination with other disinfectants/detergents.