Antiviral activity of contact lens care solutions and rub-and-rinse regimen against adenovirus

SIGNIFICANCE: Although human adenoviruses are the leading cause of acute viral conjunctivitis, there is a lack of data surrounding the efficacy of contact lens care products against these viruses. PURPOSE: This study investigates the antiviral activity of several commercially available contact lens care solutions against human adenovirus type 5 (Ad5). METHODS: Six contact lens care solutions (Biotrue, Boston Simplus, OPTI-FREE Puremoist, Clear Care, cleadew, and cleadew GP) were investigated. Quantitative suspensions tests were conducted on Ad5 solutions after interaction with the different contact lens care solutions for 4 or 6 hours. For the hydrogen peroxide solution (Clear Care), interaction times of 0, 2, 4, and 6 hours prior to neutralization were also investigated. Finally, the impact of rubbing and rinsing of Ad5 contaminated contact lenses with the solutions was studied. RESULTS: Solutions based on povidone-iodine demonstrated a more than 3-log reduction in virus after 4 and 6 hours of incubation. In contrast, hydrogen peroxide only demonstrated a 0.52-log reduction after 6 hours of incubation. Increasing the contact time with hydrogen peroxide increased Ad5 inactivation, with a 2.18-log reduction after 6 hours of incubation with the solution prior to neutralization. Nonoxidative systems did not demonstrate a significant log reduction after 4 hours of incubation. However, rubbing and rinsing of contact lenses using the nonoxidative systems reduced the virus counts from contaminated contact lenses to below the limit of quantification. CONCLUSIONS: Povidone-iodine solutions have a significant effect on reducing the viability of Ad5. Hydrogen peroxide care solutions are effective only if unneutralized contact time is increased. Nonoxidative systems can be effective in combating contaminated lenses only with the addition of a rub-and-rinse step.