The relative effectiveness of commonly used disinfectants in inactivation of echovirus 11.

Echovirus 11 in the presence of fetal calf serum was exposed to six commonly used disinfectants for times of 10, 20 and 30 s. At the end of such exposure times, skim milk neutralized disinfectant activity and residual virus was assayed using the plaque technique. The six disinfectants studied were Javex, sodium hydroxide, ethanol, Wescodyne, One Stroke Ves-Phene, and Sonacide. Although 0.25% (w/v) sodium hydroxide and 95% (v/v) ethanol were equally virucidal and significantly more so than the other four disinfectants, causing 10(6) reduction in 20 s, they may not be practical to use in many instances. Javex at a dilution of 1/50 (1200 parts/10(6) chlorine) proved to be virucidal causing 10(3.5) reduction of echovirus 11 in 30 s. Wescodyne (1/50) and undiluted Sonacide were relatively ineffective causing 10 reduction or less of echovirus 11 in 30 s. One Stroke Ves-Phene (1/50) was ineffective causing no significant inactivation in 30 s.