WESCODYNE - LACK OF ACTIVITY AGAINST POLIOVIRUS IN PRESENCE OF ORGANIC-MATTER

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 15  (3) , 133-137
Abstract
The National Institute of Health Guidelines for Recombinant DNA Research recommends 2% aqueous Wescodyne, an iodophore that is used in many hospitals and laboratories as a disinfectant, as a decontaminant for biological safety cabinets and 5% for a spill outside a cabinet. A contact time of 10-15 min was given for the 2% solution and 20 min was considered adequate for the 5% concentration. The results indicate aqueous Wescodyne (5%) is ineffective when used for 80 min against poliovirus in a test mixture containing 8.5% bovine serum albumin (a mixture equivalent in protein concentration to the higher range in serum). Wescodyne (10%) employed under the same conditions for 40 min is also ineffective. Wescodyne (10% vol/vol) in 50% ethanol (wt/wt) was effective and this mixture, originally recommended for hand washing, should be considered for use in biohazard situations, particularly for decontamination of work surfaces and biological safety cabinets. These results are of significance for if a virucide cannot inactivate poliovirus one would be concerned about using the virucide against hepatitis B virus or SV-40.

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit: