Inactivation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 by alcohols

Alcohols are commonly used as disinfectants for skin, surfaces and immersion of some medical instruments. Measurements of the activity of alcohols against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) must take account of the compatibility of neutralizers used to stop the disinfectant reaction, and of toxicity to the cell line used to detect residual virus. We have developed protocols to measure the efficacy of alcohols against HIV in suspension and dried onto surfaces in the presence of high and low protein concentrations. High titres of HIV in suspension were rapidly inactivated by 70% ethanol, independent of the protein load. When virus was dried onto a glass surface, the rate of inactivation decreased when high levels of protein were present. Due to its rapid evaporation, a spray or a wipe with alcohol cannot be guaranteed to disinfect a surface contaminated with blood or other body fluids without preliminary cleaning.