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Survival of human parainfluenza viruses in the South Polar environment
Abstract:
The survival of human parainfluenza virus types 1, 2, and 3 was measured in both indoor and outdoor environments at South Pole Station, Antarctica, in an effort to determine the long-term survival of these viruses in this environment and to identify the possible source of respiratory tract illnesses which occurred in this isolated population in 1978 after 10 and 27 weeks of total social isolation. Viruses were applied to plastic petri plate surfaces which were then stored in indoor (21.4 degrees C; water vapor density, 1.50 g of water per m3) and outdoor environments (-22.4 to -33.2 degrees C; water vapor density, 0.706 and 0.247 g of water per m3). Parainfluenza virus type 1 at an initial titer of 3.75 log10 50% tissue culture infective doses per ml was inactivated after 4 days at room temperature and after 7 days outside. Parainfluenza virus type 2 and 3 at initial titers of 5.58 and 5.38 log10 50% tissue culture infective doses per ml were inactivated after 7 and 12 days, respectively, at room temperature and after 17 days of storage outside. Results indicate that the long-term survival of parainfluenza virus in either environment for up to 10 weeks is unlikely and probably did not provide the source of infectious virus responsible for the midisolation outbreaks of parainfluenza virus-related respiratory tract illnesses observed in this population during the 1978 winter season.
Insights
Human parainfluenza virus survival was studied in Antarctic conditions. Results suggest these viruses likely did not survive long enough to cause respiratory illness outbreaks during prolonged social isolation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Virology
- Microbial Survival Studies
- Antarctic Research
Background:
- Respiratory tract illnesses occurred in an isolated population at South Pole Station in 1978.
- The source of these illnesses, following periods of social isolation, was investigated.
- Human parainfluenza virus (hPIV) types 1, 2, and 3 were implicated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the long-term survival of hPIV types 1, 2, and 3 in indoor and outdoor Antarctic environments.
- To assess the potential role of environmental virus survival in respiratory illness outbreaks within isolated populations.
Main Methods:
- Virus survival assays were conducted using plastic petri plate surfaces.
- Samples were stored under controlled indoor conditions (21.4°C) and outdoor Antarctic conditions (-22.4 to -33.2°C).
- Virus infectivity was measured over time using 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID50) assays.
Main Results:
- Parainfluenza virus type 1 (initial titer 3.75 log10 TCID50/ml) inactivated within 4 days indoors and 7 days outdoors.
- Parainfluenza virus types 2 and 3 (initial titers 5.58 and 5.38 log10 TCID50/ml) inactivated within 7-12 days indoors and 17 days outdoors.
- Long-term survival (up to 10 weeks) of hPIV in either environment was deemed unlikely.
Conclusions:
- Environmental survival of human parainfluenza viruses is limited under Antarctic conditions.
- The viruses likely did not persist long enough in the environment to be the source of the 1978 respiratory illness outbreaks.
- Alternative sources for the observed illnesses in the isolated population should be considered.