Inactivation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1, hepatitis A virus, respiratory syncytial virus, vaccinia virus, herpes simplex virus type 1, and poliovirus type 2 by hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization.

BACKGROUND

Studies were conducted to determine the capability of a hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization process to inactivate several types of viruses. Six test agents were used: HIV type 1, human hepatitis A virus, respiratory syncytial virus, vaccinia, herpes simplex virus type 1, and poliovirus type 2.

METHODS

The test viruses were suspended in cell culture medium and dried on the bottom of sterile glass petri dishes. The inoculated dishes were processed in the hydrogen peroxide gas plasma system for half the normal sterilization cycle time. Four inoculated carriers for each virus were used in two separate half cycles. Infectivity of the test viruses and cytotoxicity to the indicator cell lines were assayed.

RESULTS

The hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization process produced inactivation of the six viral test agents under these experimental conditions. The reduction in viral titers ranged from 2.5 log10 to 5.5 log10, a 99.68% to 99.999% decrease.

CONCLUSIONS

These results clearly demonstrate the virucidal effectiveness of the hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization process against both lipid and nonlipid viruses.