Commonly used clinical disinfectants may not be effective in killing the human papillomavirus, according to a study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.
Researchers introduced particles of the HPV 16 strain to 11 common clinical disinfectants used as sterilizers in medical facilities. According to the National Cancer Institute, HPV 16 is one of two HPV strains that cause approximately 70 percent of all cervical cancers. Approximately 85 percent of all anal cancers are caused by HPV 16.
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They found the virus to be resistant to glutaraldehyde and ortho-phthalaldehyde.
Researchers suggest disinfectant policy changes are needed to address the highly-resistant virus.
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