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Effect of testing method on apparent activities of antiviral disinfectants and antiseptics
1Department of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, USA.
Abstract:
This study was designed to evaluate the independent effects of various test methods on the activities of antiviral chemical germicides. The activities of germicides against MS2 and phi 6 bacteriophages in a new porcine tissue carrier model were compared to those obtained by four other methods (suspension, glass carrier, tile carrier, and fingerpad tissue carrier tests). After a 1-min contact followed by neutralization (and elution off the carriers), the residual virus in the treated samples was quantified and the amount was compared with that in the saline controls. Antiviral activity was highly dependent on the test method for both viruses and was always greatest in suspension tests and lowest in tissue carrier tests. Results obtained for hydrophilic MS2 with the porcine tissue carrier were comparable to those from fingerpads, but lipophilic phi 6 was subject to spontaneous inactivation on human skin and proved unsuitable for fingerpad testing. These data indicate that the activities of germicides in tests with nonbiological substrates may overestimate antiviral antiseptic activity on skin surfaces. Products intended for use as antiviral antiseptics or hand-washing agents should be evaluated in a tissue carrier system. The porcine tissue carrier model provides a safe, inexpensive, accurate, and reproducible method for testing the activities of antiseptics.
Insights
Antiviral germicide activity varies significantly by testing method. A new porcine tissue carrier model accurately reflects antiviral efficacy on skin, unlike non-biological tests.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Antiviral chemical germicides are crucial for infection control.
- Standardized testing methods are needed to accurately assess germicide efficacy.
- Previous methods may not reliably predict in vivo performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate how different test methods affect antiviral germicide activity.
- To compare a novel porcine tissue carrier model with existing methods.
- To determine the most suitable method for evaluating antiseptics for skin application.
Main Methods:
- Comparing antiviral activity of germicides against MS2 and phi 6 bacteriophages using suspension, glass, tile, fingerpad, and porcine tissue carrier tests.
- Quantifying residual virus after a 1-minute contact time, neutralization, and elution.
- Assessing germicide activity based on viral reduction compared to saline controls.
Main Results:
- Antiviral activity was highly dependent on the test method for both viruses.
- Suspension tests showed the greatest activity, while tissue carrier tests showed the lowest.
- Porcine tissue carrier results for MS2 were similar to fingerpad tests; phi 6 was unsuitable for fingerpad testing due to inactivation.
Conclusions:
- Non-biological test substrates may overestimate antiviral antiseptic activity on skin.
- Tissue carrier systems, particularly the porcine model, are recommended for evaluating antiviral antiseptics and hand-washing agents.
- The porcine tissue carrier model offers a safe, cost-effective, accurate, and reproducible method for antiseptic testing.