Abstract
Background: The reprocessing of medical devices has become more complex due to increasing hygiene requirements. Previous studies showed satisfactory bactericidal disinfection effects of UV-C light in rigid and flexible endoscopes. Especially in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, virucidal properties are of high importance. In the present study, the virucidal efficacy of UV-C light surface disinfection was analyzed. Methods: MS-2 bacteriophages were applied to the test samples and irradiated by UV-C light using the UV Smart D25 device; unirradiated test samples were used as controls. A dilution series of the samples was mixed with Escherichia coli and assayed. Results: 8.6 × 1012 pfu could be harvested from the unprocessed test samples. In the control group without UV-C exposure, a remaining contamination of 1.2 × 1012 pfu was detected, resulting in a procedural baseline reduction rate with a LOG10 reduction factor of 0.72. The LOG10 reduction factor was found to be 3.0 after 25 s of UV-C light exposure. After 50 and 75 s of UV-C radiation LOG10 reduction factors 4.2 and 5.9, respectively, were found, with all reductions being statistically significantly different to baseline. Conclusions: The tested UV system seems to provide a significant virucidal effect after a relatively short irradiation time.
Highlights
Throughout the medical sector, a wide variety of medical devices have to be subjected to high-level disinfection before reuse
In otorhinolaryngology (ORL), there is the potential for several viruses to be transmitted through endoscopes, including carcinogenic viruses such as the human papilloma virus (HPV), which plays an important role in the development of head and neck cancer, which has seen increasing incidence in recent years [2]
It is understandable that the use of medical devices that have specific usage in the upper aerodigestive tract pose a particular risk of cross infection with potentially highly pathogenically and carcinogenic viruses to patients
Summary
Throughout the medical sector, a wide variety of medical devices have to be subjected to high-level disinfection before reuse. It is understandable that the use of medical devices that have specific usage in the upper aerodigestive tract pose a particular risk of cross infection with potentially highly pathogenically and carcinogenic viruses to patients These devices include rigid and flexible endoscopes (Figure 1), which are frequently used in ORL for the examination of the aforementioned area. UV light system to high energy output per area, which results in good viruUV light system leadsleads to high energy output per area, which results in good virucidal cidal properties In this context, the present study was designed to test and analyze the actual virucidal effect of the D25 UV light system through the use of MS-2 phages.
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