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Review
. 2020 Mar;104(3):246-251.
doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.01.022. Epub 2020 Feb 6.

Persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents

G Kampf  1 , D Todt  2 , S Pfaender  2 , E Steinmann  2
Affiliations
Review

Persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents

G Kampf et al. J Hosp Infect. 2020 Mar.

Erratum in

Abstract

Currently, the emergence of a novel human coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has become a global health concern causing severe respiratory tract infections in humans. Human-to-human transmissions have been described with incubation times between 2-10 days, facilitating its spread via droplets, contaminated hands or surfaces. We therefore reviewed the literature on all available information about the persistence of human and veterinary coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces as well as inactivation strategies with biocidal agents used for chemical disinfection, e.g. in healthcare facilities. The analysis of 22 studies reveals that human coronaviruses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronavirus, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus or endemic human coronaviruses (HCoV) can persist on inanimate surfaces like metal, glass or plastic for up to 9 days, but can be efficiently inactivated by surface disinfection procedures with 62-71% ethanol, 0.5% hydrogen peroxide or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite within 1 minute. Other biocidal agents such as 0.05-0.2% benzalkonium chloride or 0.02% chlorhexidine digluconate are less effective. As no specific therapies are available for SARS-CoV-2, early containment and prevention of further spread will be crucial to stop the ongoing outbreak and to control this novel infectious thread.

Keywords: Biocidal agents; Chemical inactivation; Coronavirus; Disinfection; Inanimate surfaces; Persistence.

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Comment in

  • Respiratory mucus and persistence of virus on surfaces.
    Eccles R. Eccles R. J Hosp Infect. 2020 Jun;105(2):350. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.03.026. Epub 2020 Mar 31. J Hosp Infect. 2020. PMID: 32243948 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • Back to the basics: Diluted bleach for COVID-19.
    Patel P, Sanghvi S, Malik K, Khachemoune A. Patel P, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020 Jul;83(1):279-280. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2020.04.033. Epub 2020 Apr 10. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020. PMID: 32283240 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • Observations on disinfectant performance.
    Glasbey T, Whiteley G. Glasbey T, et al. J Hosp Infect. 2020 Jun;105(2):379-380. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.04.034. Epub 2020 Apr 28. J Hosp Infect. 2020. PMID: 32360336 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • Is 0.5% hydrogen peroxide effective against SARS-CoV-2?
    Ortega KL, Rech BO, Ferreira Costa AL, Perez Sayans M, Braz-Silva PH. Ortega KL, et al. Oral Dis. 2022 Apr;28 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):937-939. doi: 10.1111/odi.13503. Epub 2020 Jul 6. Oral Dis. 2022. PMID: 32564413 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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