Virucidal Effects of Contact Lens Disinfectants Against Enveloped and Nonenveloped Pathogenic Viruses Causing Conjunctivitis.

OBJECTIVES

Contact lens (CL) contamination carries the risk of viral keratoconjunctivitis transmission, particularly to CL users. Inadequate disinfection and viral stability in CL disinfectants of Human adenovirus (HAdV-D) and Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can contribute to ocular infections. In this study, we evaluated the antiviral efficacy of commercial CL disinfectants against these viruses.

METHODS

Before the experiment, the cytotoxicity of CL disinfectants was assessed in A549 and Vero E6/TMPRSS2 cells to determine the detection limits. Stock viruses and each CL disinfectant were mixed in a 1:9 ratio and incubated according to the manufacturer's protocol. After the reactions, infectious viral titers were determined and compared with those of mock samples without disinfectants.

RESULTS

Sodium hypochlorite- and hydrogen peroxide-based CL disinfectants reduced both enveloped SARS-CoV-2 and nonenveloped HAdV-D56 to below the detection limits. Salicylic acid and some polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB)-based disinfectants effectively inactivated enveloped SARS-CoV-2 but not nonenveloped HAdV-D56. Other kinds of PHMB, ɛ-polylysine, PQ-1, and alexidine hydrochloride did not exhibit efficient inactivation against both viruses.

CONCLUSIONS

Sodium hypochlorite- and hydrogen peroxide-based CL disinfectants have potent virucidal activities against enveloped and nonenveloped viruses. Human adenovirus is the most important causative agent of conjunctivitis. Contact lens disinfectants are recommended to sanitize contact lenses on a daily basis, following the manufacturer's protocol.