Inactivation Kinetics and Replication Cycle Inhibition of Coxsackievirus B5 by Free Chlorine

Area of Science:

• Environmental microbiology
• Virology
• Water treatment

Background:

• Coxsackievirus serotype B5 (CVB5) poses a risk as a waterborne viral pathogen.
• Effective disinfection strategies are crucial for ensuring drinking water safety.
• Understanding virus inactivation kinetics informs public health regulations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the inactivation kinetics of CVB5 by free chlorine under drinking water relevant conditions.
• To investigate the impact of free chlorine on viral genome integrity, host cell attachment, and replication.
• To provide data for developing waterborne viral pathogen regulations.

Main Methods:

• Free chlorine inactivation experiments conducted across a range of pH and temperatures.
• Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) used for viral genome analysis.
• Assessment of virus attachment to host cells and viral genome replication inhibition.

Main Results:

• CVB5 inactivation kinetics were determined to be similar to or slower than previously reported data, offering a conservative estimate.
• Free chlorine exposure was shown to hinder virus attachment to host cells.
• Inhibition of viral genome replication and potential genome damage were observed.

Conclusions:

• The study provides reliable CVB5 inactivation kinetics for free chlorine, supporting conservative regulatory development.
• Free chlorine impacts multiple stages of the viral life cycle, including attachment and replication.
• Findings contribute to safeguarding public health against waterborne viral pathogens like CVB5.