High-level disinfectants effective against HPV
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection affecting both women and men. Recent studies show that the virus can also spread easily through non-sexual contact: towels or other infected objects, transvaginal ultrasound probes, specula, and colposcopes that are not properly sanitized. Virus spread via fomites retains 50% of its infectivity after three days at room temperature.
HPV Virus Transmission
The most favorable conditions for the development of the HPV virus are near the epidermis, between 30 – 40°C. This is also why it is so contagious through direct contact. If it leaves the host body at an external temperature above 60°C, the virus will die. If the temperature is too low, it will temporarily cease to function and will reactivate when conditions are favorable. Therefore, summer or winter ambient temperature is not enough to kill it.
There are over 200 strains of this virus, 40 of which are transmitted through sexual contact and can affect the genitals, mouth, or throat. It is estimated that almost all sexually active people will be infected with at least one HPV strain at some point in their life, but most will not know this, as they will not show symptoms. Most infections clear up without intervention within 2 years, but certain types of HPV can lead to cancer or genital warts.
Preventing HPV Infection
HPV vaccination has a high potential to prevent several types of cancer caused by this virus. Another method of prevention is compliance with the disinfection protocol for used equipment and surfaces. High-level disinfectants are required.
HPV is a highly resistant virus and immune to most disinfectants used in hospitals. Research has shown that (5-9)% sodium hypochlorite is effective, but it cannot be used on certain types of reusable equipment, such as transvaginal, endovaginal, and endorectal transducers. For these, as well as for other potentially contaminated surfaces that cannot be autoclaved, solutions based on hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid can be used.
With excellent material compatibility, hydrogen peroxide is currently one of the most popular high-level disinfectants, having demonstrated its efficacy over time against a wide range of microorganisms, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, various yeasts and fungi.
The Klintensiv portfolio contains a wide range of high-level disinfectants, including products containing the active ingredients mentioned above: Peroklin, Peroklin Wipes, Desogen aero, Peroklin concentrate, Oxoklin, Oxoklin powder, Klintensiv Clor.
- The product PEROKLIN is a ready-to-use solution based on hydrogen peroxide (6% w/w) and didecyldimethylammonium chloride (0.35% w/w), with good cleaning and degreasing capacity, which neutralizes unpleasant odors. It is compatible with a multitude of surfaces.
It is used for disinfecting various types of surfaces by wiping or spraying, and for disinfecting medical instruments and medical devices by immersion, filling, or wiping. It offers high-level disinfection in a maximum of 40 minutes, intermediate-level in a maximum of 5 minutes on surfaces, and in 10 minutes on instruments. It exhibits virucidal effect in 5 minutes and acts on encapsulated viruses in one minute.
- A version of wipes impregnated with Peroklin disinfectant solution is also available: PEROKLIN WIPES
- For airborne surface disinfection, the product DESOGEN AERO (with the same chemical composition as Peroklin) can be used, which offers high-level disinfection in 30 minutes, using 10 ml/m3.
- The product PEROKLIN CONCENTRATE is a concentrated solution based on hydrogen peroxide (30% w/w) and didecyldimethylammonium chloride (1.75% w/w), with good cleaning and degreasing capacity, which does not foam, neutralizes unpleasant odors, and is compatible with a wide range of materials.
It is used for disinfecting various types of hard surfaces by spraying, for medical instruments and medical devices by immersion, and for room disinfection by nebulization. It offers high-level disinfection in a maximum of 40 minutes (30 minutes by nebulization), intermediate-level in a maximum of 5 minutes on surfaces, and in 10 minutes on instruments. It exhibits virucidal effect in 5 minutes and acts on encapsulated viruses in one minute.
- The product OXOKLIN is a concentrated solution based on peracetic acid (5% w/w), hydrogen peroxide (11% w/w), and ethanol (1.50% w/w), which is diluted to 5% for the ready-to-use solution. It is an economical and easy-to-use product, being biodegradable and eco-friendly (after use, it decomposes into acetic acid, water, and oxygen).
It is used for disinfecting hard surfaces by wiping or spraying, and medical instruments and devices by immersion or filling. It also exhibits disinfectant and bleaching effects for textiles at temperatures of 60oC for 20 minutes. It offers high-level disinfection in 15 minutes, intermediate-level in 5 minutes on surfaces, and in 15 minutes on instruments. It exhibits virucidal effect in 5 minutes.
- The product OXOKLIN POWDER is a powder based on peracetic acid (14% w/w) and chlorinated quaternary ammonium compounds, benzyl-C12-C14-alkyldimethyl (2.4% w/w), which is diluted to at least 0.5% w/v for the ready-to-use solution. It is a chemically stable product that acts through a mechanism of cellular oxidation, including at low temperatures.
It is used for disinfecting surfaces and instruments by wiping or spraying, as well as textiles. It offers high-level disinfection in a maximum of 30 minutes. It exhibits virucidal effect in 5 minutes.
Another measure to prevent infection for both medical staff and patients is compliance with hand hygiene protocols. Preventing and minimizing HAIs (Healthcare-Associated Infections, the so-called nosocomial infections) has always been a major objective of medicine, being the best indicator of the safety and quality of medical care. The effectiveness of disinfection depends primarily on its correct execution, but also on the quality of the water, soap, and antiseptics used.
Depending on the risk level (minimal, intermediate, or high), the procedures used for hand disinfection differ (washing, hygienic or surgical disinfection). Klintensiv supports health professionals with a wide range of products necessary for hand and skin disinfection.
Conclusions
Preventing HPV infections and other pathogens in the medical environment is an essential priority for guaranteeing the safety of patients and medical staff. HPV infection is extremely contagious and can be spread both sexually and through non-sexual contact, requiring effective prevention and disinfection measures to limit its transmission.
High-level disinfectants, such as hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid, have demonstrated efficacy in combating the HPV virus and other pathogenic microorganisms. The Klintensiv portfolio offers a wide variety of disinfectant products, such as Peroklin, Oxoklin, and Desogen Aero, which are effective in disinfecting surfaces and medical equipment.
In addition, compliance with the proper hand hygiene protocol is essential for preventing the spread of nosocomial infections. Klintensiv provides specific products for hand and skin hygiene, adapted to different risk levels and disinfection procedures.
In conclusion, the correct use of disinfectants and adherence to the hand hygiene protocol are essential components of safe and quality medical practice. By adopting these preventive measures and using the appropriate products, one can contribute significantly to reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections and ensuring a safe medical environment for all involved.
Bibliography
- Infectious titres of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) in patient lesions, methodological considerations in evaluating HPV infectivity and implications for the efficacy of high-level disinfectants – PMC (nih.gov)
- Providing an (HLD) Solution to the Problem of HPV Probe Transmission | CIVCO
- Full article: A risk for non-sexual transmission of human papillomavirus? (tandfonline.com)
- Caring for Patients with HPV: How to Curb Virus Transmission | Empowered Women’s Health (volusonclub.net)
- Nagayasu Egawa; Aslam Shiraz; Robin Crawford; Taylor Saunders-Wood; Jeremy Yarwood; Marc Rogers; Ankur Sharma; Gary Eichenbaum; John Doorbar – Dynamics of papillomavirus in vivo disease formation & susceptibility to high-level disinfection—Implications for transmission in clinical settings
- Assessing OPA and Hydrogen Peroxide’s Efficacy in Neutralizing Human Papillomavirus From Ultrasound Probes
- Craig Meyers, Janice Milici, Richard Robison – The ability of two chlorine dioxide chemistries to inactivate human papillomavirus‐contaminated endocavitary ultrasound probes and nasendoscopes
