In vitro inactivation of Chlamydia trachomatis and of a panel of DNA (HSV-2, CMV, adenovirus, BK virus) and RNA (RSV, enterovirus) viruses by the spermicide benzalkonium chloride

Abstract

Kinetics of inactivation by the detergent spermicide benzalkonium chloride (BZK) of Chlamydia trachomatis and of a panel of DNA viruses [herpes simplex virus hominis type 2 (HSV-2), cytomegalovirus (CMV), adenovirus (ADV) and BK virus (BKV)] and RNA [respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and enterovirus (ENV)] were established in accordance with a standardized in vitro protocol. After a 5 min incubation, inactivation of >95% of HSV-2 and CMV was obtained at a concentration of 0.0025% (w/v) (25 Ig/L); concentrations as low as 0.0005%, 0.0050% and 0.0125%, induced a 3.0 log10 reduction in infectivity of HSV-2 and CMV, RSV and ADV, respectively. After a 60 min incubation, concentrations of 0.0125% and 0.050% provided a 3.0 log10 reduction in infectivity of ENV and BKV, respectively. These features indicate that sensitivity to BZK was very high (HSV-2 and CMV) or high (RSV) for enveloped viruses, intermediate (ADV) or low (ENV and BKV) for non-enveloped viruses. Furthermore, BZK had marked antichlamydial activity, showing >99% killing after only a 1 min incubation at a concentration of 0.00125%. BZK demonstrates potent in vitro activity against the majority of microorganisms causing sexually transmitted infectious diseases, including those acting as major genital cofactors of human immunodeficiency virus transmission. These attributes qualify BZK as a particularly attractive candidate for microbicide development.

Inactivation of Human Norovirus Surrogates by Benzalkonium Chloride, Potassium Peroxymonosulfate, Tannic Acid, and Gallic Acid

“…Under the same conditions, BAC at 2 mg/mL also reduced the non-enveloped human coxsackie virus by 5.1 log within 1 min, without any reported effect on poliovirus or human adenovirus (Wood and Payne, 1998). At room temperature, 1.25 lg/mL BAC was reported to reduce the titers of enveloped viruses (HSV-2, cytomegalovirus, respiratory syncytial virus) by 3.0-3.2 log; and the titers of non-enveloped viruses (adenovirus, enterovirus, and BK virus) by 1.3-1.7 log after 1 h (Belec et al, 2000). Thus, enveloped viruses were found to be more sensitive to BAC than non-enveloped viruses.…”

“…BAC has been shown to have antiviral effects against both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses (Belec et al, 2000;Wood and Payne, 1998). At room temperature, BAC at 2 mg/ mL was shown to reduce enveloped viruses, such as herpes simplex virus (HSV) by 4.5 log, and HIV-1 by 1.9 log after 1 min.…”

“…Wood and Payne (1998) found that BAC inactivated HIV-1 and herpes simplex virus viruses by changing the surface components of viruses, making the viruses unable to attach to host cells. Belec et al (2000) proposed that BAC destroys enveloped virus by ionic detergent effects, which alters viral integrity or potentially virus-host cell interaction for non-enveloped viruses.…”

In Vitro Cytotoxic Effects of Benzalkonium Chloride on Adenovirus

“…3 However, its specific killing effect on adenoviral replication has not been extensively studied, and results from certain studies do not necessarily concur. 1,2 Ophthalmic preservatives are an essential component of many ophthalmic preparations in the market today and a main function is their antimicrobial activity while possibly preventing the decomposition of the active drug as well. 4 Clinically, BAK can be mildly toxic to the cornea and conjunctiva after chronic usage, 5 resulting in punctate epithelial erosions.…”

In Vitro Inhibitory Effects of Hinokitiol on Proliferation of Chlamydia trachomatis

“…Considering possible drug resistance (9,14,15), the availability of several approaches such as topical microbicides (2,3,10,11,16) to control chlamydial infections would be useful. Hinokitiol (␤-thujaplicin) is a tropolone-related compound that is present in the heartwood of several cupressaceae, such as Chamaecyparis obtusa Sieb.…”