Inactivation of canine parvovirus by disinfectants and heat

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe resistance of canine parvovirus (CPV) to inactivation by chemical and thermal means was investigated. CPV with and without extraneous protein was tested against 15 commonly used disinfectants at room temperature. The titres of CPV remaining after 5 minutes disinfection time were greater than or equal to those remaining after 30 minutes regardless of the presence or absence of protein. Disinfection of CPV was accomplished more quickly and at lower concentrations of disinfectants when extraneous protein was absent. Halogen compounds, aldehydes and sodium hydroxide were the most acceptable CPV disinfectants. The presence of protein interfered with the two most frequently recommended CPV disinfectants—sodium hypo‐chlorite and formaldehyde. The resistance of CPV to inactivation by heat depended on the temperature and the duration of heating. Boiling (100°C) rapidly inactivated CPV. The virus was more resistant to lower temperatures. Detectable infectivity remained after 7 hours at 80°C and 72 hours at 56°C. At both 37°C and room temperature there was no significant change in infectivity titres over 72 hours.