Survival of human coronaviruses 229E and OC43 in suspension and after drying on surfaces: a possible source of hospital-acquired infections

Strains OC43 and 229E of human coronaviruses (HCoV) cause one-third of comm on colds and hospital-acquired upper respiratory tract HCoV infections have been reported in premature newborns. To evaluate possible sources of infec tion, virus survival was studied in aqueous suspensions and on absorptive a nd non-absorptive surfaces representative of a hospital environment. Virus susceptibility to chemical disinfection with Standard products was also cha racterized. Virus survived in saline solution for as long as sis days but l ess in culture medium, with or without added cells. After drying, HCoV-229E infectivity was still detectable after 3h on various surfaces (aluminum, s terile latex surgical gloves, sterile sponges) but HCoV-OC43 survived Ih or less. Of the various chemical disinfectants tested, Proviodine(R) reduced the virus infectious titre by at least 50%. This study suggests that surfac es and suspensions can be considered as possible sources of contamination t hat may lead to hospital-acquired infections with HCoV and should be approp riately disinfected. (C) 2000 The Hospital Infection Society.