SARS-CoV-2 decontamination of skin with disinfectants active during and after application

J Hosp Infect. 2021 May:111:35-39. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.02.004. Epub 2021 Feb 10.

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has resulted in high levels of exposure of medical workers to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Hand decontamination is one of the actions recommended to reduce the risk of infection.

Aim: Two disinfectants - BIAKŌS antimicrobial skin and wound cleanser (AWC) and AWC2 (Sanara MedTech, Fort Worth, TX, USA) - were tested to determine whether they can inactivate SARS-CoV-2 upon contact or as a coating applied before contact with the virus.

Methods: The ability of AWC and AWC2 to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 was tested in liquid and dried form on plastic surfaces and porcine skin.

Findings: AWC and AWC2 were effective in reducing the infectious titre of SARS-CoV-2 in liquid form during application and in dried form 4 h after application. Virus on skin was reduced up to 2 log10-fold and 3.5 log10-fold after treatment with AWC and AWC2, respectively.

Conclusion: Application of AWC and AWC2 to skin reduces the level of SARS-CoV-2 and the risk of infection.

Keywords: COVID-19; Disinfection; SARS-CoV-2; Skin.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage*
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control*
  • Hand Disinfection / methods*
  • Hand Sanitizers / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Microbial Viability / drug effects*
  • Pandemics
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Skin / virology*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Hand Sanitizers