Virucidal Efficacy of Various Lens Cleaning and Disinfecting Solutions on HIV-I Contaminated Contact Lenses

Abstract

The virucidal efficacy of various commercially available contact lens care cleaning regimens on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) contaminated contact lenses using either cursory or meticulous cleaning with a rubber policeman was evaluated. Levels of infectious HIV-1 remaining on individual contact lenses were determined by cultivating the lenses with target HUT-78 cells and subsequently analyzing the cultures for the production of HIV-1 p24 by antigen capture and for HIV-1 gag gene DNA content by the polymerase chain reaction. The data indicate that most of the lens care regimens tested, when coupled with meticulous rubbing, were capable of safely decontaminating the contact lenses, that is, they reduce the amount of infectious HIV-1 on the lenses by greater than a 10 log concentration (10^-10), relative to standard controls. Most tested lens care regimens, if properly followed, would virtually eliminate any chance of the lens serving as a vector for HIV.