Evaluating the susceptibility of various common cell lines and assessing inactivation conditions to Mpox virus

Over the past decade, numerous infectious diseases have emerged. In 2022, the World Health Organization declared the Mpox outbreak a global public health emergency, as the virus spread rapidly to over 107 countries. As of May 2023, Taiwan continued to observe sporadic instances of the disease. Understanding host cell susceptibility and viral inactivation conditions is crucial for elucidating viral mechanisms and developing effective antiviral therapies or vaccines. In this study, we evaluated the susceptibility of commonly utilized laboratory cell lines to the Mpox virus by serial passage and assessed various conditions for virus inactivation, such as heat treatment or reacting with multiple reagents. Our results revealed that the Mpox virus could infect multiple cell lines, with the BSC-1 cell line being the most susceptible. Heating at 56°C for 10 min or longer rendered the virus non-infectious, indicating its thermosensitivity. Furthermore, widely used reagents, such as TRIzol, alcohol, Micro-Chem Plus, bleach, and formalin, completely inactivated the virus at recommended concentrations. However, radioimmunoprecipitation assay buffer without SDS should be used with caution, as it may not fully eliminate infectious particles. Our results provide pivotal reference data for future studies and standardization efforts in Mpox virus research, enhancing our understanding and management of this emerging pathogen.IMPORTANCEThe global resurgence of Mpox highlights the urgent need for robust diagnostic, therapeutic, and biosafety strategies. However, critical gaps remain regarding its replication across various cell types and the effectiveness of disinfection methods. This study systematically evaluates the susceptibility of commonly used laboratory and clinical cell lines to Mpox virus, providing key insights to optimize viral isolation in research and diagnostic settings. Additionally, by assessing the effectiveness of standard disinfectants against Mpox, this work strengthens biosafety protocols for healthcare and high-containment laboratories. These findings have direct implications for public health preparedness, guiding both laboratory practices and biosafety measures.