Efficacy of a dish detergent in reducing populations of STI organisms in inoculated female condoms

Abstract

We assessed the efficacy of dish detergent in removing Neisseria gonorrhoeae, HIV-1, herpes simplex virus type 2 and Chlamydia trachomatis organisms from the surface of inoculated female condoms. The reductions achieved in organism counts with dish detergent were compared with those for household bleach and water. New (out-of-package) and pre-washed/re-lubricated female condoms were used. Dish detergent was as efficacious as bleach in reducing organism counts from the surface of inoculated female condoms. Both bleach and dish detergent performed better than water, although >3 log(10) reductions were achieved with water alone. There was little difference in organism reduction between new and pre-washed condoms. Furthermore, 30 seconds of mechanical agitation (washing) had minimal added impact on organism removal. Reduction in organism counts with water alone suggests that dilution effect may have been as important in organism removal as the microbicidal properties of the detergent.

As the world grows: contraception in the 21st century

“…Reuse studies have been done to address the former and, although reuse is not recommended, the WHO has developed a protocol for cleaning female condoms with a bleach solution, permitting reuse five times. Washing with soap and water is also effective (55). Use of synthetic latex should also reduce costs.…”