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Mechanism of enteroviral inactivation by ozone

D Roy, P K Wong, R S Engelbrecht

    Applied and Environmental Microbiology
    |March 1, 1981
    PubMed

    Insights

    Ozone inactivates enteroviruses like poliovirus 1 by damaging their RNA. While the viral protein coat is altered, this does not significantly affect virus attachment or particle integrity, indicating RNA damage is key.

    Area of Science:

    • Virology
    • Environmental Science
    • Water Treatment

    Background:

    • Enteroviruses are significant human pathogens.
    • Ozone is a powerful disinfectant used in water treatment.
    • Understanding enteroviral inactivation mechanisms is crucial for public health.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To elucidate the mechanism of enteroviral inactivation by ozone.
    • To identify the specific viral components affected by ozone exposure.
    • To determine the primary cause of poliovirus inactivation.

    Main Methods:

    • Using poliovirus 1 (Mahoney) as a model enterovirus.
    • Analyzing alterations in viral protein coat polypeptides.
    • Assessing virus adsorption efficiency.
    • Evaluating viral particle integrity.
    • Detecting damage to viral RNA via velocity sedimentation.

    Main Results:

    • Ozone exposure altered two of four polypeptide chains in the poliovirus 1 protein coat.
    • Ozone did not significantly impair virus adsorption or particle integrity.
    • Velocity sedimentation analysis demonstrated damage to the viral RNA.
    • Significant correlation between RNA damage and virus inactivation.

    Conclusions:

    • Ozone primarily inactivates enteroviruses by damaging their viral RNA.
    • Alterations to the viral protein coat are secondary to RNA damage in the inactivation process.
    • This study clarifies the disinfection mechanism of ozone against enteroviruses.

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