Role of virucides in controlling virus dissemination by fabrics

Abstract

Vaccinia virus, a lipophilic agent containing deoxyribonucleic acid, and poliovirus, a hydrophilic ribonucleic acid virus, persisted on wool and cotton fabrics for varying periods up to 20 weeks, which was of sufficient duration to be of epidemiological significance. The length of persistence of each virus varied with the type of fabric, humidity and method of exposure to the virus. A group of quaternary ammonium salts and bromosalicylanilides were evaluated quantitatively for virucidal activity against these viruses in a cell culture system. None of the compounds was active against poliovirus, but three of the quaternary ammonium compounds significantly inactivated vaccinia virus. Impregnation of wool and cotton fabrics with one of these compounds resulted in a marked decrease in vaccinia virus persistence. Both polio and vaccinia viruses persisted for less than five days on a cotton fabric finished with a modified triazone resin to impart a wash‐and‐wear property. Cotton fabric contaminated with vaccinia or with poliovirus was laundered with an anionic detergent and a nonionic detergent. This laundering reduced but did not eliminate the virus. Sterile fabric was contaminated with virus when laundered with the virus‐containing fabrics. Drying the fabrics for 20 hr after laundering reduced the virus titers to below detectable limits.

Laundry hygiene-how to get more than clean

“…In terms of the antiviral efficacy of laundering it appears most important whether the viral particle is enveloped or nonenveloped. Several studies suggest that laundering is more effective against enveloped viruses, most probably because the phospholipid envelope can be disrupted by the detergent (Sidwell and Dixon 1969;Gerba 2001;Gerba and Kennedy 2007;Gerhardts et al 2009;Heinzel et al 2010). Again, bleach (AOB or chlorine bleach) does considerably improve the antiviral efficacy during laundering, but only when temperatures of 60°C or higher are used, can the complete inactivation of nonenveloped viruses such as poliovirus or norovirus be assured (Heinzel et al 2010;Lemm et al 2014).…”

“…In terms of the antiviral efficacy of laundering it appears most important whether the viral particle is enveloped or nonenveloped. Several studies suggest that laundering is more effective against enveloped viruses, most probably because the phospholipid envelope can be disrupted by the detergent (Sidwell and Dixon ; Gerba ; Gerba and Kennedy ; Gerhardts et al . ; Heinzel et al .…”

Quantitative Studies on Fabrics as Disseminators of Viruses

“…Virus I Present address: Department of Virology, ICN Nucleic Acid Research Institute, Irvine, Calif. 92664. stock was prepared in HEp-2 cells (9) and stored at -70 C until used. These were the same viruses used in our previously cited virus persistence studies (3,(13)(14)(15).…”

Disinfection and the prevention of infectious disease

“…[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]88, Likewise, the improper use of disinfectants and the limited spectrum of certain germicides have been detailed in various studies. 54,[162][163][164][165] The nature of the surface to be disinfected may influence the degree of disinfection that can be achieved. [166][167][168] The germicide-surfactant system, germicide concentration, and contact time also can significantly affect antimicrobial activity.…”