Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces and in solution with Virusend (TX-10), a novel disinfectant

Abstract

Until an effective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 is available on a widespread scale, the control of the COVID-19 pandemic is reliant upon effective pandemic control measures. The ability of SARS-CoV-2 to remain viable on surfaces and in aerosols, means indirect contact transmission can occur and there is an opportunity to reduce transmission using effective disinfectants in public and communal spaces. Virusend (TX-10), a novel disinfectant, has been developed as a highly effective disinfectant against a range of microbial agents. Here we investigate the ability of Virusend to inactivate SARS-CoV-2. Using surface and solution inactivation assays, we show that Virusend is able to reduce SARS-CoV-2 viral titre by 4 log₁₀ p.f.u. ml^-1 within 1 min of contact. Ensuring disinfectants are highly effective against SARS-CoV-2 is important in eliminating environmental sources of the virus to control the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; TX-10; Virusend; disinfectant; inactivation.

Fig. 1.

Virusend (TX-10) reduces viral titre on hard surfaces by at least 4.0 log₁₀ p.f.u. ml⁻¹ with high titre (HT) viral inoculum after contact times of 1 min and 10 min. When low titre (LT) inoculum was used, Virusend reduces virus titre by at least a 2.3 log₁₀ p.f.u. ml⁻¹ at both 1 min and 10 min contact time. Diagonal pattern represents cytopathic effect caused by TX-10 and solid black represents the titre of infectious virus following each treatment. Limit of detection (LOD) (3.0 log₁₀ p.f.u. ml⁻¹) is shown across the graph with a dotted red line. All columns represent mean of n=2,±SD.

Fig. 2.

Virusend (TX-10) reduces viral titre in solution by at least 4.0 log₁₀ p.f.u. ml⁻¹ when incubated with high titre (HT) virus inoculum for 1 min and 10 min. When low titre (LT) inoculum was used, both incubation periods reduced the titre by at least 3.6 log₁₀ p.f.u. ml⁻¹, to below the limit of detection. Diagonal pattern represents cytopathic effect caused by Virusend and solid black represents the titre of infectious virus following each treatment. Limit of detection (LOD) (2.0 log₁₀ p.f.u. ml⁻¹) is shown across the graph with a dotted red line. All columns represent mean of n=2,±SD.