Citation:

Hardison, R., S. Nelson, R. Limmer, J. Marx, B. Taylor, R. James, Michael J Stewart, S. Lee, Michael Calfee, S. Ryan, AND M. Howard. Efficacy of Chemical Disinfectants Against SARS-CoV-2 on High-Touch Surface Materials. JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY. Blackwell Publishing, Malden, MA, 134(1):lxac020, (2023). https://doi.org/10.1093/jambio/lxac020

Impact/Purpose:

Research study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of common disinfectants against SARS2, when applied in a realistic of real-world manner. These data are useful for developing effective, real-world disinfection procedures, and informs public health experts on the utility of PCR-based surveillance approaches.

Description:

Aims: This study aimed to provide operationally relevant SARS-CoV-2 surface disinfection efficacy information. Methods and Results: Disinfectants were evaluated against SARS-CoV-2 on material coupons and were tested using Spray (no-touch with contact time) and Spray & Wipe (wipe immediately post-application) methods immediately and 2 hours post-contamination. Disinfectant efficacy was evaluated for infectious virus, with a subset tested for vRNA recovery. Efficacy varied by method, disinfectant and material. Tested disinfectants included Vital Oxide, Peroxide, Clorox Total 360 (C360) and CDC Bleach. CDC Bleach solution was of limited efficacy against SARS-CoV-2, unless applied via Spray & Wipe. Additionally, mechanical wiping increased the efficacy of treatments against SARS-CoV-2. Recovery of vRNA post-disinfection suggested vRNA may overestimate infectious virus remaining. Conclusions: Results show that disinfectant efficacy depends on surface material, chemical, and disinfection procedure, and suggests that mechanical wiping alone has some efficacy at removing SARS-CoV-2 from surfaces.  We observed that disinfectant treatment biased recovery of vRNA over infectious virus, and vRNA was recovered where infectious virus was unrecoverable. Significance and Impact of Study: These data are useful for developing effective, real-world disinfection procedures, and inform public health experts understand the utility of PCR-based surveillance approaches.

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