Comparing Efficacies of F10 and Virkon S Disinfectants: A Literature Review

Literature review
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(Literature review)
1

Literature review
Table of Contents
Introduction to the literature review.........................................................................3
Comparing efficacies of different disinfectants used by different
laboratories......................................................................................................................... 3
Suitability of these disinfectants in current laboratory operations of
hospitals, animal clinics and research facilities of Singapore............................5
Plan to conduct an efficacy trial of F10 SC veterinary disinfectant..................7
Conclusion and Gaps in the literature........................................................................8
Bibliography....................................................................................................................... 9
2

Literature review
Introduction to the literature review
The literature review involves a detailed study on the potential of different
disinfectants Virkon S and F10. The study involves comparing the efficiencies of
these disinfectants to work on bacterial, fungal and viral infections in the laboratory
conditions and other settings. Further, suitability of these disinfectants in current
laboratories of hospitals, animal clinics and research facilities in Singapore is studied
to establish their usability in the future. Lastly, a plan to conduct an efficacy trial of
F10SC as a veterinary disinfectant is described in the study.
Comparing efficacies of different disinfectants used by different laboratories
According to1 Hyndman and Marschang studies outbreak of threatening
pathogens have increased an all-over dangerous situation for human survival, man-
made system and it’s working. This made a need for safe and effective measures to
control the negative effects of microorganisms. The most effective strategy is taking
precautionary actions to avoid confrontation with harmful pathogens using measures
like using disinfectants both at the commercial and personal level by humans. Further,
some of the most effective disinfectants that overcome infections in most vulnerable
fields like hospitals, clinics, poultry farms etc., are F10, Virkon S, chlorine, phenolics,
alcohols, and chlorhexidine. Out of these disinfectants, Virkon S and F10 are most
popular once at the commercial level2.
There is a protocol for poultry farm provided by Health and Hygiene
Department of South Africa. This protocol involved different measures to maintain
hygiene in poultry farms. One of these measures is using F10SC with drinking water
in 1:1000 ratios to feed birds ensuring biosecurity from dangerous pathogen Avian
influenza3. In contrast, Virkon S is accepted as a complete disinfectant by various
countries involving Australia, New Zealand and United Nations naming it as “Modern
disinfectant”4. According to another comparative study, F10 holds properties to kill
1 Hyndman, T., & Marschang, R. E. (2017). Infectious Diseases and Immunology. Reptile Medicine
and Surgery in Clinical Practice, 197-216.
2 Naguib, M., & Reid, L. (2016). Amphibians: common conditions seen in practice. Companion
Animal, 21(2), 109-117.
3 Tezel, U., & Pavlostathis, S. G. (2015). Quaternary ammonium disinfectants: microbial adaptation,
degradation and ecology. Current opinion in biotechnology, 33, 296-304.
4 Van Rooij, P., Pasmans, F., Coen, Y., & Martel, A. (2017). Efficacy of chemical disinfectants for the
3

Literature review
gram-negative bacteria in 30 seconds and gram-positive bacteria in 60seconds. F10 is
non-corrosive, non-tainting, aldehyde-free, non-irritating and non-toxic. In contrast,
Virkon S is corrosive powder, viricidal and aquatic application. Vrikon S is effective
on more than 500 strains of virus, fungi and bacteria5.
There is a huge difference in advantages and disadvantages of Virkon S and
F10 SC in terms of their functionality. The disinfectant, Virkon S is confirmed to be
active against 19viral families, 100 fungal strains and 400 bacterial strains. Further,
Virkon S is stable at room temperature and even low temperature workable for 7 days.
However, Virkon is not a cost-effective disinfectant as F10SC, it causes irritation on
skin and eyes and is a corrosive powder. Further, F10 SC is active against fungi,
viruses and bacteria along with sporicidal. It is considered as a very fast working
agent killing viruses in almost 15 seconds. Further, it is non-corrosive and
biodegradable. F10 SC is more cost effective when compared to Virkon S. However,
F10 SC requires proper storage conditions keeping it away from sunlight. F10 SC is
more complex in terms of handling when compared to Virkon, it requires proper
dilution concentration management for effective working67.
The species belonging to the same genera are sometimes controlled by
different disinfectants. In certain study, it is mentioned that F10 along with TriGene is
effective to kill 100% Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis whereas Virkon S is
functional to kill Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans but not F10. Virkon S is
generally preferred disinfectants at poultry farms whereas F10 shows more utilization
in hospitals and clinics. However, in general, the functionality of disinfectant varies
based on factors like location, temperature, usability and other circumstances leading
containment of the salamander chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans. PloS one, 12(10),
e0186269.
5 Cheng, A. C. (2015). Laboratory methods to support epidemiological investigations during
outbreaks. Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection, 48(2), S19.
6 Ho, Z. J. M., Vithia, G., Ng, C. G., Maurer-Stroh, S., Tan, C. M., Loh, J., ... & Lee, J. M. V. (2015).
Emergence of norovirus GI. 2 outbreaks in military camps in Singapore. International Journal of
Infectious Diseases, 31, 23-30.
7 Murray, K. A., Skerratt, L. F., Marantelli, G., Berger, L., Hunter, D., Mahony, M., & Hines, H.
(2011). Hygiene protocols for the control of diseases in Australian frogs. Australian Government
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities: Canberra.)
4