Inactivation and survival of hepatitis C virus on inanimate surfaces.
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) cross-contamination from inanimate surfaces or objects has been implicated in transmission of HCV in health-care settings and among injection drug users. We established HCV-based carrier and drug transmission assays that simulate practical conditions to study inactivation and survival of HCV on inanimate surfaces.


METHODS
Studies were performed with authentic cell culture derived viruses. HCV was dried on steel discs and biocides were tested for their virucidal efficacy against HCV. Infectivity was determined by a limiting dilution assay. HCV stability was analyzed in a carrier assay for several days or in a drug transmission assay using a spoon as cooker.


RESULTS
HCV can be dried and recovered efficiently in the carrier assay. The most effective alcohol to inactivate the virus was 1-propanol, and commercially available disinfectants reduced infectivity of HCV to undetectable levels. Viral infectivity on inanimate surfaces was detectable in the presence of serum for up to 5 days, and temperatures of about 65-70°C were required to eliminate infectivity in the drug transmission assay.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings are important for assessment of HCV transmission risks and should facilitate the definition of stringent public health interventions to prevent HCV infections.
Division of Experimental Virology, Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical, Infection Research, a joint venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Germany.
Juliane
J
Doerrbecker
Martina
M
Friesland
Sandra
S
Ciesek
Thomas J
TJ
Erichsen
Pedro
P
Mateu-Gelabert
Jörg
J
Steinmann
Jochen
J
Steinmann
Thomas
T
Pietschmann
Eike
E
Steinmann
D000433:1-Propanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D019840:2-Propanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005976:Glutaral / Q000494:pharmacology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects*; D010545:Peroxides / Q000494:pharmacology; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000821:virology; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D038301:Virus Inactivation / Q000187:drug effects*
D004202:Disinfectants; D010545:Peroxides; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D000431:Ethanol; D000433:1-Propanol; D019840:2-Propanol; D005976:Glutaral