Virucidal activity of microbicides

Viruses are important human pathogens causing substantial mortality and morbidity as well as economic damage. The lack of vaccination strategy and viral resistance to antiviral chemotherapy reemphasize the need for microbicides to eliminate or control viral outbreak. The activity and interactions of microbicides with the viral particle has been far less studied than their effects on bacteria. In addition, differences in virus size and structure as well as the diversity of efficacy test protocols used add to the fragmentation of information and the general lack of understanding of virucides. This chapter is focusing on the use of microbicides to destroy or control the transmission of viruses. The test methodologies are reviewed together with the general virucidal efficacy of different microbicides. Finally, the mechanisms of virucidal action of a number of microbicides are described as well as virus survival to microbicidal exposure