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Published on: October 29, 2015
Two Commercially Available Blood-Stabilization Reagents Serve as Potent Inactivators of Coronaviruses
Joseph J O'Connor1, Lynden Voth1, Jeremiah Athmer2
1Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
Abstract:
The continued circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and the increasing frequency of coronavirus (CoV) outbreaks over the decades demonstrates the enduring threat that the CoV family poses. There remains a significant need to develop tools to monitor and prevent the spread of these viruses. We tested blood-stabilization reagents from two commercially available blood collection tubes (BCTs) for their ability to inactivate three different coronaviruses (MHV, OC-43, and SARS-CoV-2) and stabilize their RNA. Both Cell-Free DNA BCT® (cfDNA) and Cyto-Chex® BCT (CytoChex) reagents reduced infectious virus in the buffer to below the limit of detection within 18 h of treatment, with some conditions showing this effect in as little as 3 h. CytoChex had more potent activity than cfDNA as in all cases it more rapidly reduced the actively replicating virus to the limit of detection. Despite the rapid inactivation of the virus, both reagents effectively preserved viral RNA for 7 days. Finally, both reagents accelerated viral inactivation in blood compared to the control samples. These results indicate that cfDNA and CytoChex could be used to inactivate and preserve CoV RNA for detection and further testing.
Insights
Two blood collection tube reagents, Cell-Free DNA BCT® (cfDNA) and Cyto-Chex® BCT (CytoChex), effectively inactivated coronaviruses (CoVs) and preserved their RNA for 7 days, aiding in detection and testing.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Biotechnology
- Public Health
Background:
- Coronaviruses (CoVs) pose an ongoing global health threat due to persistent circulation and frequent outbreaks.
- Effective tools are needed for monitoring and preventing the spread of CoVs, including SARS-CoV-2.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of two blood collection tube (BCT) reagents, Cell-Free DNA BCT® (cfDNA) and Cyto-Chex® BCT (CytoChex), in inactivating coronaviruses (CoVs) and stabilizing their RNA.
- To assess the potential of these reagents for use in diagnostic and research applications involving CoVs.
Main Methods:
- Testing the ability of cfDNA and CytoChex reagents to inactivate three distinct coronaviruses: Mouse Hepatitis Virus (MHV), Human Coronavirus OC-43 (OC-43), and SARS-CoV-2.
- Assessing viral RNA stabilization by both reagents over a 7-day period.
- Comparing the viral inactivation rates in buffer and whole blood samples treated with reagents versus control samples.
Main Results:
- Both cfDNA and CytoChex reagents significantly reduced infectious virus levels below the limit of detection within 18 hours, with some instances as early as 3 hours.
- CytoChex demonstrated more potent antiviral activity, achieving faster inactivation compared to cfDNA under tested conditions.
- Despite rapid viral inactivation, both reagents effectively preserved viral RNA integrity for up to 7 days.
- Both reagents accelerated viral inactivation in blood samples compared to untreated controls.
Conclusions:
- cfDNA and CytoChex reagents show significant potential for inactivating infectious coronaviruses while preserving viral RNA.
- These BCT reagents can be valuable tools for sample collection, transport, and storage in diagnostic and research settings for CoV detection and analysis.
- The findings support the use of cfDNA and CytoChex in developing improved strategies for monitoring and managing coronavirus outbreaks.
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