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Ebola Virus and Marburg Virus in Human Milk Are Inactivated by Holder Pasteurization
Erin Hamilton Spence1,2, Monica Huff3, Karen Shattuck3
11 Pediatrix Medical Group, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
Background:
Potential donors of human milk are screened for Ebola virus (EBOV) using standard questions, but testing for EBOV and Marburg virus (MARV) is not part of routine serological testing performed by milk banks. Research aim: This study tested the hypothesis that EBOV would be inactivated in donor human milk (DHM) by standard pasteurization techniques (Holder) used in all North American nonprofit milk banks.
Methods:
Milk samples were obtained from a nonprofit milk bank. They were inoculated with EBOV (Zaire strain) and MARV (Angola strain) and processed by standard Holder pasteurization technique. Plaque assays for EBOV and MARV were performed to detect the presence of virus after pasteurization.
Results:
Neither EBOV nor MARV was detectable by viral plaque assay in DHM or culture media samples, which were pasteurized by the Holder process.
Conclusion:
EBOV and MARV are safely inactivated in human milk by standard Holder pasteurization technique. Screening for EBOV or MARV beyond questionnaire and self-deferral is not needed to ensure safety of DHM for high-risk infants.
Insights
Holder pasteurization effectively inactivates Ebola virus (EBOV) and Marburg virus (MARV) in donor human milk (DHM). Routine viral testing is unnecessary for DHM safety in high-risk infants.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Public Health
- Food Safety
Background:
- Donor human milk (DHM) screening currently excludes Ebola virus (EBOV) and Marburg virus (MARV) testing.
- Standard questionnaires are used for EBOV screening, but not MARV.
- Milk banks do not routinely perform serological testing for EBOV and MARV.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test if standard Holder pasteurization inactivates EBOV and MARV in DHM.
- To assess the safety of DHM for high-risk infants regarding EBOV and MARV contamination.
Main Methods:
- Donor human milk samples were inoculated with EBOV (Zaire strain) and MARV (Angola strain).
- Inoculated milk samples underwent standard Holder pasteurization.
- Viral plaque assays were used to detect EBOV and MARV post-pasteurization.
Main Results:
- EBOV and MARV were undetectable in pasteurized DHM samples.
- No infectious EBOV or MARV was detected in culture media after pasteurization.
Conclusions:
- Standard Holder pasteurization effectively inactivates EBOV and MARV in DHM.
- Additional screening for EBOV and MARV beyond questionnaires is not required for DHM safety.
- DHM processed with Holder pasteurization is safe for high-risk infants regarding these viruses.
