Virucidal activity of oral, hand, and surface disinfectants against respiratory syncytial virus

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is known as a major cause of respiratory tract infection in adults and children. Human-to-human transmission occurs via droplets as well as direct and indirect contact (e.g. contaminated surfaces or hands of medical staff). Therefore, applicable hygiene measures and knowledge about viral inactivation are of utmost importance.Aim: To elucidate the disinfection profile of RSV.Methods: The study evaluated the virucidal efficacy of oral rinses specifically designed for children, World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended hand-rub formulations, and ethanol, as well as 2-propanol against RSV in a quantitative suspension test (EN14476). The stability of RSV on stainless steel discs was assessed and its inactivation by different surface disinfectants (EN16777) investigated. Findings: All tested oral rinses except one reduced infectious viral titres to the lower limit of quantification. The two WHO-recommended hand-rub formulations as well as 30% ethanol and 2-propanol completely abolished the detection of infectious virus. Infectious RSV was recovered after several days on stainless steel discs. However, RSV was efficiently inactivated by all tested surface disinfectants based on alcohol, aldehyde, or hydrogen peroxide.Conclusion: Oral rinses, all tested hand-rub formulations as well as surface inactivation reagents were sufficient for RSV inactivation in vitro.(c) 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Healthcare Infection Society. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).