The effectiveness of six disinfectants in inactivation of reovirus 3

Reovirus 3 in the presence of foetal bovine serum was exposed to six disinfectants for times of 10, 20 and 30 sec. At the end of such exposure times the addition of skim milk terminated disinfectant activity, and residual virus was assayed using the plaque technique. The six disinfectants considered were Javex (a sodium hypochlorite disinfectant), sodium hydroxide, ethanol, Wescodyne, One Stroke Ves-Phene, and Sonacide. Ethanol (95% v/v) and 1/75 Javex (800 ppm chlorine) were the most effective virucides. Both of these agents inactivated 10(5) plaque forming units (PFU) in 30 sec. Undiluted Sonacide, 0.25% (w/v) sodium hydroxide and 1/200 Wescodyne each inactivated between 10(2) and 10(3) PFU in 30 sec. Javex at a dilution of 1/100 (600 ppm chlorine) was next in effectiveness, inactivating 10(1.5) PFU in 30 sec and was more effective than 1/50 Ves-Phene which inactivated 10(1) PFU in 30 sec. Ethanol in 70% (v/v) solution was totally ineffective in inactivating reovirus 3. Ethanol (95% v/v) after dilution in the test system was 76% (v/v) and ethanol (70% v/v) was really 56% (v/v).