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.