Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 in Serum Using Physical Methods

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Biochemistry
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates extensive research, including serological and biochemical studies.
• Accurate testing requires inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 in serum samples to ensure worker safety and data integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine optimal inactivation conditions for SARS-CoV-2 in serum samples.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of heat, UV, and gamma irradiation for virus inactivation.
• To minimize the impact of inactivation methods on subsequent experimental results.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples containing SARS-CoV-2 were subjected to various inactivation methods.
• Heat treatment (56°C for 1 h or 60°C for 15 min).
• UV-B irradiation (30 min).
• Gamma-ray irradiation (10 kGy using ⁶⁰ Co).

Main Results:

• All tested methods successfully inactivated SARS-CoV-2, reducing viral titers below detection limits.
• Specific effective conditions were identified for each inactivation method.
• The study provides data on the efficacy of different inactivation techniques.

Conclusions:

• Established inactivation protocols ensure the safety of researchers handling infectious serum samples.
• Optimized inactivation methods maintain the integrity of serum samples for reliable serological and biochemical analyses.
• These findings support the safe continuation of critical COVID-19 research.