The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine

eorgia Veterinary Scholars Program

GVSP Summer 2008 Scholars

Georgia Veterinary Scholar	Faculty Mentor
	No Photo Available
Laura Bryan University of Georgia Class of 2011	Dr. Debra L. Miller

Determining the Efficacy of Chlorhexidine and Sodium Hypochlorite Against Ranavirus

Laura Bryan*. Baldwin, Charles; Gray, Matthew; and Miller, Debra. University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens GA

The genus Ranavirus encompasses several related double-stranded DNA icosahedral viruses of the family Iridoviridae. Ranaviruses, such as Frog virus 3 and Ambystoma tigrinum virus, cause disease in fish, reptiles and amphibians. Because survival time of Ranavirus outside of a host remains uncertain, amphibian biologists, zookeepers and ranaculturalists must thoroughly disinfect equipment to prevent possible transmission of ranaviruses to naïve populations. However, no studies have been performed to determine the efficacy of disinfectants against Ranavirus. Chlorhexidine (Nolvasan) and sodium hypochlorite (bleach) are the most common disinfectants used by field biologists and zoological facilities. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine their efficacy in inactivating Ranavirus. Three concentrations of Nolvasan (0.25, 0.75
and 2.0%) and bleach (0.2, 1.0 and 5.0%) were tested against a Ranavirus isolate at 1 and 5 minute durations. Nolvasan 0.75% at 1 and 5 minutes was effective at killing Ranavirus (99%), as was the 2.0% solution (99.9%). Bleach at 0.20% or 1.0% concentration was not effective for either duration, with inactivation
of only 59% and 98% of the ranavirus, respectively. The experiment for the 5% bleach solution is ongoing. Preliminary results indicate application of 0.75% Nolvasan, the concentration currently recommend for use with amphibians, for 1 minute is effective at inactivating Ranavirus.

Research Support: UGA CVM Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory (VDIL) Student Support: Georgia Veterinary Scholars Program, VDIL, and Merck-Merial