The present invention includes a method for reducing viral, bacterial, protozoan, fungal and other parasitic
contamination from a biological solution. Biological solutions include, but are not limited to, solutions comprising blood, a
blood component,
cell culture or a component of a
cell culture. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided, a method of inactivating a
pathogen in blood or
blood product in a container, comprising contacting at least one of said blood,
blood product and container with a composition of the present invention. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided, a
medical device comprising at least a surface treated with an anti-pathogenic composition of the present invention or containing at least an anti-pathogenic composition of present invention. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided, an anti-pathogenic composition for use in disinfecting fluids and biological tissues and surfaces contaminated with fluids and / or biological tissues, which comprises an anti-pathogenic amount of at least one
quaternary ammonium compound in association with an acceptable carrier. A preferred anti-pathogenic composition of the present invention further comprises a bisguanidine compound. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for inhibiting
in vitro or
ex vivo infection or replication of
human immunodeficiency virus in a
biological fluid, comprising treating said
biological fluid with an effective inhibiting amount of a bis-
guanidine compound or a derivative thereof, and at least one
quaternary ammonium compound in combination with a pharmaceutically carrier, such as DMSO.