HMN 2025: How Few disinfectants are able to inactivating hepatitis A virus

The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is among the most important causes of viral hepatitis and is accountable for an estimated 159,000 infections and 39,000 deaths every year. To stop an infection, it is strongly recommended to disinfect surfaces, particularly when an infection charges are excessive.

Researchers from the Department of Molecular and Medical Virology at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, examined 9 totally different floor disinfectants in opposition to HAV. According to their findings, solely two aldehyde-based merchandise proved efficient at inactivating HAV. The group published their ends in the Journal of Hospital Infection on March 14, 2025.

The researchers utilized HAV particles to metal surfaces to find out the variety of infectious virus particles over 60 days. “We detected infectious particles on the floor for as much as 40 days, which signifies a excessive stability of the virus,” says doctoral pupil Lilli Pottkämper. It took round 18 days for the variety of infectious particles to be decreased by half.

The analysis group then utilized numerous disinfectants to the samples. Among the 9 merchandise examined had been alcohol-based, aldehyde-based, one peracetic acid-based, one oxygen-based and one hydrogen peroxide–based mostly. “With the exception of the 2 aldehyde-based merchandise, not one of the disinfectants decreased the danger of an infection to a enough extent,” factors out Pottkämper.

The extent to which an infection by way of contaminated surfaces contributes to hepatitis A an infection charges shouldn’t be identified. The virus is excreted by way of feces after which ingested orally, typically by way of contaminated meals or consuming water. “As issues stand, efficient floor disinfection may assist to forestall an infection, particularly within the case of excessive an infection charges,” concludes Pottkämper.