SummaryCoxsackievirus B5 in the presence of fetal calf serum was exposed to six commonly used disinfectants for times of 10, 20 and 30 s. At the end of exposure times skim milk neutralized the disinfectant activity, with residual virus assayed by the plaque technique. The six disinfectants considered were Javex, sodium hydroxide, ethanol, Wescodyne, One Stroke Ves-Phene and Sonacide. Although 95% (v/v) ethanol was significantly more virucidal than dilutions of the other five disinfectants tested causing a 106reduction in 20 s, it may not be practical to use in many instances. Next to 95% (v/v) ethanol, 1/75 (800 parts/b6) Javex, 0·25% (w7/v) sodium hydroxide and 1/200 Wescodyne were the most effective virucides. These disinfectants were equal in effectiveness causing a 105reduction of coxsackievirus B5 in 30 s. Of these three disinfectants Javex is the most practical to use since sodium hydroxide is caustic and Wescodyne is selective in its virucidal action. Undiluted Sonacide was a less effective virucide causing a less than 10-fold reduction of coxsackievirus B5 in 30 s. A 1/50 dilution of One Stroke Ves-Phene was the least effective virucide tested since it did not significantly inactivate coxsackievirus B5 in 30 s.
