High Environmental Stability of Hepatitis B Virus and Inactivation Requirements for Chemical Biocides

Than, Thoa Thi; Jo, Eunji; Todt, Daniel; Nguyen, Phuong Hong; Steinmann, Jochen; Steinmann, Eike; Windisch, Marc P

Ethanol, 1-propanol, and 2-propanol are common active ingredients of commercial alcohol-based antiseptics and disinfectants used in healthcare systems. To determine the efficacy of these different alcohols on HBV infectivity, HBV was incubated for 1 minute (Figure 2A ) or 5 minutes ( Figure 2B ) with ethanol, 1-propanol, or 2-propanol at concentrations ranging from 0% to 60%. For ethanol, a concentration of >40% was required for HBV inactivation, irrespective of the exposure time. The most effective alcohol to inactivate HBV was 1-propanol, reducing viral titers to undetectable levels at a concentration of 30% after exposure for only 1 minute (Figure 2A ). In the case of 2-propanol, incubation of HBV at 40% alcohol led to a 100-fold reduction of infectivity independent of the incubation period, but to completely abrogate the infectivity of HBV particles 60% 2-propanol was necessary. The longer incubation time of 5 minutes 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 60% did not result in higher inactivation levels ( Figure 2B ). In conclusion, HBV demonstrated the highest susceptibility to 1-propanol, while for ethanol and 2-propanol alcohol concentrations of >40% were required to inactivate HBV particles.