Science
Background Knowledge
Virucidal activity of disinfectants
Compared to bacteria, viruses still play an inferior role as elicitor of nosocomial infections – but they gain in importance. Hence, disinfectants should possess an appropriate virucidal activity. In 2004, the Robert Koch-Institute (RKI), the German Association for the Control of Virus Diseases (DVV) and the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM) regulated the marking of disinfectants’ virucidal activity with the terms “virucidal against enveloped viruses” and “virucidal”. “virucidal against enveloped viruses” promises the effect against all enveloped viruses, while “virucidal” promises the effect against enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, which are more difficult to inactivate. Test viruses were selected for both claims. If these viruses are inactivated within the limits of the specified tests, disinfectants carry the claim “virucidal against enveloped viruses” or “virucidal”.
In Germany, the nonenveloped adeno, polio, polyoma and vaccinia viruses
were selected as test viruses for “virucidal” marking, and
thus the efficacy against non-enveloped and enveloped viruses. For enveloped
viruses, efficacy against BVDV (bovine viral diarrhea virus) and vaccinia
virus has to be proven. On European level, the evidence of a virucidal
activity is produced via adeno and polio viruses.
However, in practice a comprehensive virucidal activity of hand disinfectants
is only necessary in certain situations, e.g. officially ordered decontaminations
(in accordance with IfSG § 18) and due to proven existence of nonenveloped
viruses.
Further information:
Only available in German