IN-VITRO ACTIVITY OF READILY AVAILABLE HOUSEHOLD MATERIALS AGAINST HIV-1 - IS BLEACH ENOUGH

This report describes experiments assessing the effectiveness against HIV of potential disinfecting agents that are commonly available to ID U when they are sharing syringes. We exposed cell-free HIV, HIV-infect ed cells, and HIV-infected blood containing known quantities of HIV to household cleaning agents, alcohols, peroxide, and highly acidic mate rials for I min, in order to examine the effects of these materials on the infectivity of the HIV. Undiluted liquid laundry bleach and dilut e liquid dish detergent reduced the number of culturable HIV to an und etectable level under the experimental conditions used. Diluted bleach was not completely effective. Other potential disinfecting agents, in cluding ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide, were unable to disinfect high numbers of HIV-infected cells or infected blood. Li quid dish detergent warrants further study as a possible acceptable al ternative to bleach. Our data provide support for recommendations to I DU that they disinfect shared syringes every time between users with f ull-strength liquid laundry bleach to reduce their risk of acquiring o r transmitting HIV. When bleach is not available, liquid dish detergen t or other available disinfecting agents such as rubbing alcohol, hydr ogen peroxide, or high alcohol content beverages are more effective th an water at disinfecting HIV, recognizing that these materials are les s effective than bleach. Although these materials are effective, they should not be viewed as a substitute for decreased sharing of injectio n equipment by IDU, or increased availability of sterile needles and s yringes.