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Method for detecting viruses in aerosols
Abstract:
A simple method with poliovirus as the model was developed for recovering human enteric viruses from aerosols. Filterite filters (pore size, 0.45 micron; Filterite Corp., Timonium, Md.) moistened with glycine buffer (pH 3.5) were used for adsorbing the aerosolized virus. No virus passed the filter, even with air flow rates of 100 liters/min. Virus recovery from the filter was achieved by rapid elution with 800 ml of glycine buffer, pH 10. The virus in the primary eluate was reconcentrated by adjusting the pH to 3.5, adding AlCl3 to 0.0005 M, collecting the virus on a 0.25-micron-pore Filerite disk (diameter, 25 mm) and and eluting with 6 ml of buffer, pH 10. With this method, virus could be detected regularly in aerosols produced by flushing when 3 X 10(8) PFU of poliovirus were present in the toilet bowl. Poliovirus-containing fecal material from two of four infants who had recently received oral polio vaccine also yielded virus in the aerosols when feces containing 2.4 X 10(7) to 4.5 X 10(7) PFU of virus had been added to the toilet bowl. Persons infected with a variety of natural enteric viruses are known to excrete this amount of virus in their daily stools.
Insights
A novel method efficiently recovers human enteric viruses from aerosols using specialized filters. This technique enables virus detection in aerosols generated from flushing toilets with poliovirus contamination.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Virology
- Public Health Microbiology
Background:
- Human enteric viruses pose a significant public health risk.
- Aerosol transmission of enteric viruses is a concern in various settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple and effective method for recovering human enteric viruses from aerosols.
- To assess the potential for virus aerosolization from wastewater sources.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Filterite filters (0.45-micron pore size) moistened with glycine buffer (pH 3.5) for adsorbing aerosolized poliovirus.
- Employed rapid elution with glycine buffer (pH 10) for virus recovery.
- Reconcentrated virus from the eluate using pH adjustment, AlCl3 addition, and collection on a 0.25-micron Filterite disk.
Main Results:
- Achieved complete retention of aerosolized poliovirus on filters, even at high airflow rates (100 L/min).
- Successfully detected poliovirus in aerosols generated from flushing toilets containing 3 x 10^8 PFU.
- Detected poliovirus in aerosols from fecal material of infants vaccinated with oral polio vaccine.
Conclusions:
- The developed method is effective for recovering enteric viruses from aerosols.
- Demonstrated the potential for human enteric virus aerosolization from wastewater, highlighting a transmission route.
- The method's sensitivity is sufficient to detect viruses excreted by infected individuals.