Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
Ex Vivo Infection of Human Lymphoid Tissue and Female Genital Mucosa with Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 and Histoculture
Published on: October 12, 2018
Contamination of live virus during tissue homogenizing by ultrasonic processor and tissue disperser
Juan Song1, Wei Zhou, Ying Wang
1State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China.
Objective:
To quantitatively evaluate the contamination area and risk of a live pathogen during tissue homogenization by either ultrasonic processor or tissue disperser.
Methods:
A recombinant Herpes Simplex Virus (rHSV) containing GFP gene was used as the index virus, and fresh liver tissue from healthy mice was used as simulated specimen. After 10% liver homogenate was mixed with rHSV (100 TCID50/0.1 mL) in a 5 mL tube, the stability of rHSV in liver homogenate and influences of an ultrasonic processor and a tissue disperser on viral infectivity were determined by GFP expressions in cell cultures. The contaminating areas of live viruses during homogenization were evaluated by a cell culture-based sedimentary. The contamination radii were counted by measurement of the distance between the operator and the farthest GFP positive well.
Results:
The infectivity of rHSV in 10% liver homogenate maintained almost unchanged after it was incubated at room temperature for 30 min. Treatment with an ultrasonic processor clearly dropped down the virus infectivity, while a disperser not. Obvious spills and slashes of live viruses were observed in processes of homogenization with those two apparatuses. The contamination radii are positively related with sample volume, output energy of operator and handling time.
Conclusion:
Homogenizing infectious samples with an ultrasonic processor and a tissue disperser at commonly used conditions caused obvious spills and splashes of live viruses, which possesses high risk to induce Laboratory acquired infections (LAIs).
Insights
Tissue homogenization using ultrasonic processors or dispersers creates significant spills and splashes of live viruses, posing a high risk for laboratory-acquired infections (LAIs). Proper safety precautions are essential when handling infectious samples.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Laboratory Safety
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Tissue homogenization is a common laboratory procedure.
- Accurate assessment of contamination risk during homogenization is crucial for preventing laboratory-acquired infections (LAIs).
- Ultrasonic processors and tissue dispersers are frequently used for tissue homogenization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively evaluate the contamination area and risk associated with live pathogen handling during tissue homogenization.
- To compare the safety of ultrasonic processors versus tissue dispersers in terms of viral contamination spread.
- To assess the impact of homogenization methods on viral infectivity and spread.
Main Methods:
- A recombinant Herpes Simplex Virus (rHSV) expressing GFP was used as a model pathogen.
- Fresh mouse liver homogenate served as the simulated specimen.
- Viral stability, infectivity post-homogenization, and contamination spread (radii) were assessed using cell culture and GFP expression analysis.
Main Results:
- Recombinant Herpes Simplex Virus (rHSV) remained stable in liver homogenate at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Ultrasonic processor treatment significantly reduced viral infectivity, while a tissue disperser did not.
- Both homogenization methods resulted in significant spills and splashes of live virus, with contamination radii positively correlated with sample volume, operator energy, and handling time.
Conclusions:
- Homogenization of infectious samples using ultrasonic processors and tissue dispersers under standard conditions leads to substantial live virus spills and splashes.
- These procedures pose a significant risk for inducing laboratory-acquired infections (LAIs).
- Enhanced safety protocols are necessary to mitigate contamination risks during tissue homogenization with these devices.
