Efficacy of a disinfectant wipe method for the removal of adenovirus 8 from tonometer tips.

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of a disinfectant wipe method in eliminating adenovirus 8 from both Goldmann tonometer and pneumotonometer tips, and to determine the efficacy of 5-minute disinfectant soaks in removing the virus from Goldmann tonometer tips.

Method: Quantification of adenovirus 8 in the ocular secretions of six infected patients was performed. Clinically relevant inocula of adenovirus 8 were then prepared in a serum suspension which was used to contaminate Goldmann tonometer and pneumotonometer tips. Each contaminated tip was subjected to either a dry wipe or a wipe with one of the following: water, isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and iodophor. The tips were than quantitatively assayed for residual adenovirus 8. Disinfectant soaks were similarly assessed using contaminated Goldmann tonometer tips soaked in water, hydrogen peroxide, iodophor, and sodium hypochlorite.

Results: Adenovirus 8 was recovered from both types of tonometer tips after dry wipes, but no viable virus was recovered from tips wiped with water only or with any of the disinfectants tested. Adenovirus 8 also was recovered from Goldmann tonometer tips that were either rinsed or soaked in water; no virus was recovered from tips soaked for 5 minutes in any of the disinfectants tested.

Conclusion: A disinfectant wipe method using isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or iodophor is effective in removing adenovirus 8 from both Goldmann tonometer and pneumotonometer tips. Five-minute disinfectant soaks also are effective for Goldmann tonometer tips.