SE466111B - Wet wipes and use of an aqueous solution having a pH of 3 or less in a disinfectant wet wipe - Google Patents

Abstract

Wet wipe which is impregnated with a low-pH disinfectant aqueous solution containing a weak, non-toxic acid, for example citric acid, and at least 35% (w/w) ethanol, and, where appropriate, additives such as glycerol, the solution which has just been mentioned and the use of this solution in wipes for disinfecting viruses and bacteria.

Description

10 15 20 25 30 35 466111 2 It was previously thought that colds spread through the air, for example, when someone sneezes, but recent research has shown that the main route of transmission is via the hands. When one person with a rhinovirus infection pokes in the eyes or nose or sneezing, viruses get stuck on the hands and that can then be transferred to the hands of another person which in turn pokes itself in the eyes or nose. Viruses can be transmitted over via objects that colds take in.

There are many studies that show that rhinovirus is spread through the hands of schools, industries, families and men has also experimentally shown this type of transmission (Gwaltney et al. "Hand to hand transmission of rhinovirus colds ". Ann Intern Med §§, 569- 570 (1978). Because the infectivity is not so high suggested Cate ("Self-control of the common cold?" Ann Intern Med yy, 569-570 | l978 |) that one through improved personal hygiene could prevent the spread of infection. Also influenza virus is spread through the fingers even if it is airborne infection is important. Cytomegalovirus (CMV), which is one herpes virus, is also spread by hand which has importance, for example, for young women who take care of small children. These often excretes cytomegalovirus in the urine and a pregnant woman woman who is infected with cytomegalovirus is at risk of getting a malformed child and for this reason has a good one hand hygiene is recommended for female healthcare professionals.

The spread of bacteria through the hands has a certain significance for colds but is of course more important for the emergence of other types of bacterial infections and for transfer of bacteria to food. The question then is how you must inactivate the microorganisms you get hands and then especially rhinovirus.

Rhinoviruses are quite stable to organic solvents but are sensitive to acidic environment. The lower the pH the faster rhinovirus is inactivated. The rhinovirus group is usually indicated sensitivity to pH 3-5, based on an incubation of 1-3 10 15 20 25 30 35 3 466111 hours (Tyrrell and Chanock, Science 141, 152-153).

The deactivation rate is also greater at higher temperature than at lower. Rhinoviruses are also susceptible to some toxic substances such as iodine.

The skin's pH is about 5, which is not low enough for to quickly inactivate rhinovirus. Had it been low enough we would not have caught a cold so often.

If you want to quickly destroy rhinovirus on your hands, it is necessary to use a liquid with a pH as low as possible without causing skin irritation, or anything else for rhinovirus toxic substance such as iodine.

A dry paper napkin impregnated with iodine has been shown inactivate rhinovirus to 99% in 1 minute and this napkin has been tested for effect on cold frequency in an isolated population in Antarctica (Dick et al. "Possible modification of the normal winter flue - in respiratory disease outbreake at McMurdo Station ". Antarctic Journal of the US lä, 173-174 | l980 |). One was observed significant reduction in the frequency of colds but they the dry napkins with iodine were not stable, stained fingers and smelled bad.

Another type of virucid paper napkin has been impregnated with citric acid, malic acid and sodium laurul sulphate and used dry to cheat with (Dick et al.

"Interruption of transmission of rhinovirus colds among human volunteers using virucidal paper handkerchiefs ". J Inf Dis 153, 352-356 | l986 |). The principle of these dry napkins is that the low pH that citric acid provides inactivates the rhinovirus that is cheated out of the napkin.

The napkins were dry and not immediately suitable for cleaning happens with and was only intended to disable rhinovirus. 10 15 20 25 30 35 466111 4 Wet wipes provide better hand contact and are thus better suited for cleaning the hands, which also causes microorganisms to be mechanically removed from hands.

The wet wipes that are commercially available today all have a pH of 5 or higher, which is not low enough to inactivate rhinovirus.

The ethanol concentration in the commercially available the wet wipes are too low to kill quickly pathogenic microorganisms such as influenza virus, herpes virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and bacteria.

Additives of chemical compounds such as chlorhexidine have made to increase the antibacterial effect. These additives, however, give undesirable disadvantages such as a higher toxicity and increased allergy risk.

Description of the invention The present invention relates to a wet wipe soaked with a disinfectant aqueous solution of pH 3 or less and an ethanol concentration of at least 35% (w / w), containing citric acid and ethanol and possibly customary additives such as humectants, perfumes and dyes. The object of the present invention has been that provide a disinfectant napkin as in the first place destroys rhinovirus, thus reducing the spread of colds, but which also inactivate other pathogens microorganisms that can be transmitted mainly via hands. Natural requirements for such a product also have been that it should be free from toxic substances, that it should have a low risk of causing allergies and that it should be easy to use. 10 15 20 25 30 35 466111 The present wet wipe is soaked with a disinfectant solution which, among other things, contains a weak, non-toxic acid, e.g. citric acid, in an amount sufficient to give the solution a pH of 3 or less, preferably 0.3-3.0% (w / w).

Citric acid gives a low pH, around or below 3, which inactivates rhinovirus to more than 99.9% in 1 min.

Citric acid is also one in human metabolism naturally occurring acid that should have a very low risk to cause allergies. To get a reasonably fast drying solution that does not dry out the skin contains it disinfectant solution of at least 35% (w / w) ethanol, preferably between 35-85% (w / w) ethanol, especially preferably about 50% (w / w) ethanol. Conveniently the disinfectant solution contains a moisture retainer substance, such as glycerol, polyethylene glycol, etc., preferably in an amount between 2-10% (w / w), which prevents dehydration of the skin. The solution may also contain customary additives such as perfume, dye, preservatives and the like.

The presence of the high content of ethanol, preferably about 50% ethanol in the disinfectant solution inactivates influenza virus, herpes virus such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and bacteria such as E. coli and staphylococci e.g. staphylococcal aerus at the same time as it acts as a preservative. Ethanol and the weak, the non-toxic acid interacts both as a preservative and to inactivate microorganisms.

To reduce the risk of allergies, it is disinfectant the wet wipe is suitably free of perfume, dye, and preservatives other than citric acid and ethanol.

The especially preferred constituent components thereof disinfectant solution citric acid, ethanol, glycerol and Water is a natural substance with a low risk of allergies. 10 15 20 25 30 35 466 111 5.

The napkin can be made in both crepe (paper) and in non-woven material (synthetic fiber material). To get one soft napkin despite the high content of ethanol is non-woven materials to be preferred.

Example A napkin in non-woven material (synthetic fiber material) in format 90x140 mm (unfolded) was soaked in one disinfectant solution I to a total content of 2.7 ml solution.

Disinfectant Solution I: citric acid 5 g glycerol 50 g ethanol 500 g water 4454g a total of 1000 g ïâë.

To determine the effect of the disinfectant solution The following tests were performed on viruses and bacteria. 1 part suspension of the microorganisms according to Table I mixed with 9 parts of disinfectant solution, i room temperature. After 1 minute, the amount was determined infectiously virus resp. viable bacteria. The solutions were diluted so that the amount of ethanol or citric acid did not interfere with the test.

Rhinovirus was determined with an endpoint titration where it the cytopathogenic effect of virus on human cells was read, influenza virus with plaque titration where monolayers of cells stained for viral growth, human immunodeficiency virus titrated in lymphocytes stained with fluorescent antibodies to the HIV protein p24 and viable bacteria were counted as colonies on agar plates. 10 15 20 Table I 466111 Effect of Disinfectant Solution I on viruses and bacteria Microorganisms Inactivation of 1 min.

Rhinovirus> 99% Influenza virus> 99% Herpes virus> 99% Human immunodeficiency virus> 99% E coli> 99% Staphylococcus aureus> 99% The conclusion from reported experiments is that of the solution composition has inactivating effect against rhinovirus, others viruses such as influenza virus, herpes virus, human immunodeficiency virus as well as against bacteria such as E. coli and staphylococci, making this solution suitable as a disinfectant solution to be used to reduce spread of infection.

Claims (6)

10 15 20 25 466 111 -8 Patent claims Wet wipe soaked with a disinfectant aqueous solution containing citric acid and ethanol and any customary additives such as a humectant, perfume and dye characterized by a pH of 3 or less and an ethanol concentration of at least 35% (w / w /). A wet wipe according to claim 1 wherein the ethanol concentration is about 50% (w / w). Wet wipe according to claims 1-2, wherein the moisture-retaining additive consists of glycerol. Wet wipe according to claims 1-3, wherein the napkin consists of non-woven material. 5. Non-woven wet wipe soaked with a disinfectant aqueous solution having a pH of about 3 and consisting of citric acid, glycerol and about 50% (w / w) ethanol. Use of an aqueous solution of pH 3 or less, citric acid, and at least 35% (w / w) ethanol, preferably 50% (w / w) ethanol, and optionally customary additives such as a humectant additive, perfume and dye in a disinfectant Wet wipe.