Ocular Microbiology and Immunology Group
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2016 OMIG Abstract 22

Virucidal Activity of Purell Hand Sanitizer Against Adenovirus In Vitro
Hooton JG, Yates KA, Romanowski EG, Kowalski RP
The Charles T. Campbell Ophthalmic Microbiology Laboratory, UPMC Eye Center, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Purpose: Since the H1N1 Influenza Pandemic of 2009, increasing attention has been paid to the use of alcohol based hand sanitizers. Significant research has been conducted regarding the proper formulation and use of these products and their effectiveness against various types of bacteria. Less attention has been paid to their effectiveness against viruses. Adenovirus ocular infections such as epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, follicular conjunctivitis (EKC), and pharyngeal conjunctival fever are common ocular viral infections that present a unique challenge to the ophthalmological community because of their hardiness and lack of effective treatment options once infection has occurred. Prior research on the use of alcohol based hand sanitizers to combat viral strains associated with EKC has either been limited in its scope (only a few viral strains) or suffered from inadequate inactivation of antivirals during the testing phase. The purpose of our experiment is to evaluate virucidal activity of Purell Hand Sanitizer against adenovirus in vitro.

Methods: Log reduction direct incubation antiviral assays were performed with both Purell Gel Hand Sanitizer and PBS control using stocks of Adenovirus 3, 4, 5 7a, 8, 19, and 37. Samples were inactivated and serially diluted at 10 seconds, 2 minutes, and 5 minutes and then plated. Assays were done in duplicate. 

Results: The hand sanitizer reached a 3 log10 decrease in viral titers at 10 seconds of exposure with adenovirus serotypes 3, 5,19, and 37. Two minutes of exposure was required to achieve similar results with 4 and 7a. Sufficient decrease was never achieved with serotype 8 despite 5 minutes of exposure.

Conclusion: Purell Gel Hand Sanitizer effectiveness is inconsistent across viral serotypes typically associated with EKC and can potentially still be transmitted to other vectors.

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2016 Agenda and Abstracts | < Previous | Next >