Disinfection of Goldmann tonometers against human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

Goldmann tonometer tips were inoculated with 5 X 10(5) IU of cell-free or cell-associated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (lymphadenopathy virus type 1 isolate) or 10(4) plaque-forming units of herpes simplex virus type 1 (McKrae strain) or type 2 (Hicks strain). In an effort to mimic a "worst case" clinical scenario, each respective virus was allowed to air dry on the tonometer tip for 10 minutes. Inoculated tonometers were then (1) not treated, (2) wiped with a disposable (Kim-wipe) tissue or sterile gauze; (3) wiped with sterile gauze soaked with 3% hydrogen peroxide; or (4) wiped with a 70% isopropyl alcohol swab. The hydrogen peroxide treatment and the alcohol wipes both completely disinfected the tonometer tips for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, whereas wiping with a sterile gauze or tissue was not effective. Wiping the Goldmann tonometer tip with an isopropyl alcohol swab and then allowing the alcohol to evaporate provides a ready and efficient means of inactivating these three enveloped viruses.