Comparative assessment of the toxicity and virucidal properties of disinfectants used when working with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in isolated virology laboratories

Abstract

The choice of disinfectants and their combinations for the final disinfection of the premises of «infectious» areas of laboratories of biosafety level 3–4, in which work is carried out with viruses with epidemic potential, is important for reducing the toxic effect of these disinfectants on personnel while maintaining 100?% disinfection efficiency. Purpose of the study: to study the toxicity of disinfectants of different groups for cell culture, to select a toxicity neutralizer, to study the virucidal activity of these disinfectants and their combinations against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Materials and methods: experimental studies were carried out using the reference strain of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, namely the hCoV-19/Australia/VIC01/2020 (AUS) strain (Wuhan variant), obtained from the State Collection of Causative Agents of Viral Infectious Diseases and Rickettsial Diseases, functioning on the basis of the Federal Budgetary Institution State Scientific Center for Virology and Biotechnology «Vector» of Rospotrebnadzor. The residual infectious activity of the virus was determined by titrating samples in cell culture. To conduct the research, we used a Vero E6 cell culture obtained from the Collection of Cell Cultures of the Federal Budgetary Institution of Scientific Research Center for Virology and Biochemistry «Vector» of Rospotrebnadzor in the form of a 2-day monolayer with a confluency of 95–100?%. Results. As a result of the studies, experimental data were obtained on the dynamics of the virucidal activity of different groups of disinfectants and their combinations against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The degree of toxicity of disinfectants for Vero E6 cell culture is shown. Optimal combinations of disinfectants and a 40?% aqueous solution of formaldehyde (hereinafter referred to as formalin) have been selected, increasing its disinfection efficiency at an initial concentration halved, which can be used for final disinfection treatment of the premises of isolated virology laboratories conducting work with the SARS-CoV- coronavirus. Conclusion. The results obtained indicate that when using selected combinations of disinfectants to carry out final disinfection with formaldehyde vapors formed during the evaporation of formaldehyde as a result of its heating, a twofold decrease in the initial concentration of formalin is possible, leading to a decrease in its toxic effect on personnel, while maintaining 100?% efficiency disinfection. Keywords: disinfection, disinfectants, formaldehyde, SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, disinfection efficiency, cytotoxicity.