5.1 This in vivo procedure is designed to test the ability of hygienic handwash and handrub agents to reduce levels of selected infectious viruses from experimentally contaminated fingerpads of adults. Since the two thumbpads and all eight fingerpads can be contaminated with virus and used in a given test, it allows for the incorporation of a wet inoculum input control, dried virus recovery control, and up to three replicates to assess the virus-eliminating efficiency of a test or control agent, or a vehicle material. No more than 100 μL of the virus suspension are required to complete one test.

5.2 This test method is designed to be performed by a trained individual, who is responsible for choosing the appropriate host system for the test virus and applying the techniques necessary for propagation and maintenance of host and test virus. For a reference text, refer to Lennette et al (12).

5.3 Whereas the method described here relates to testing with viruses of human origin, it can be readily adapted to work with animal pathogenic viruses as well as bacteriophages. Standard methods for working with bacteria (Test Method E2276) and fungi (Test Method E2613) are also available.

5.4 Infectious microorganisms left on hands after washing can be reduced further by drying the washed hands with paper, cloth, or warm air (13). A step for the drying of fingerpads after exposure to the control or test product, therefore, has not been included to avoid virus removal by the drying process itself.

5.5 This test method is not meant for use with surgical hand scrubs or preoperative skin preps.

5.6 The level of viable virus in the dried inocula the control fingerpads should not be less than 10⁴ infectious units which would permit the detection of up to a 4 log₁₀ reduction in the infectivity titer of the virus by the test product under the conditions of this test method.