Inactivation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 by alcohols.

Alcohols are commonly used as disinfectants for skin, surfaces and immersion of some medical instruments. Measurements of the activity of alcohols against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) must take account of the compatibility of neutralizers used to stop the disinfectant reaction, and of toxicity to the cell line used to detect residual virus. We have developed protocols to measure the efficacy of alcohols against HIV in suspension and dried onto surfaces in the presence of high and low protein concentrations. High titres of HIV in suspension were rapidly inactivated by 70% ethanol, independent of the protein load. When virus was dried onto a glass surface, the rate of inactivation decreased when high levels of protein were present. Due to its rapid evaporation, a spray or a wipe with alcohol cannot be guaranteed to disinfect a surface contaminated with blood or other body fluids without preliminary cleaning.

Control of infection in general practice: a survey and recommendations.

Twenty general practices in four areas in Britain were surveyed to establish their needs for and practices of sterilising and disinfecting equipment. Of the 327 items of equipment and instruments examined in the survey, 190 were satisfactorily decontaminated, 100 were treated in a way judged to result in doubtful decontamination, and in 37 cases treatment was considered unsatisfactory. Decontamination apparatuses (autoclaves, hot air ovens, and hot water disinfectors) were generally in good working order, but the use of chemical disinfectants was often inappropriate. Recommendations were made on appropriate methods of decontamination for various items in common use in general practice. By virtue of the large numbers of patients treated by general practitioners there is a substantial possibility of transmitting infection; having appropriate methods for decontaminating instruments and equipment is therefore imperative.