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Inactivation of an agent of human non-A, non-B hepatitis by formalin
Abstract:
Samples of serum (0.1 ml each) containing an agent of human non-A, non-B hepatitis of documented infectivity were incubated with formalin in a concentration of 1:1,000 at 37 C for 96 hr. Three colony-born infant chimpanzees were then inoculated with this formalin-treated serum; one received a single intravenous inoculation, and two received two subcutaneous inoculations one month apart. A fourth uninoculated chimpanzee served as a control. None developed recognizable non-A, non-B hepatitis during seven months of observation, as judged by normal aminotransferase levels in weekly serum samples, normal liver histology in liver biopsy specimens, and the absence of non-A, non-B hepatitis-associated antigen and antibody in their sera. All four chimpanzees were subsequently shown to be susceptible to non-A, non-B hepatitis when challenged with 0.1 ml of the untreated infectious serum 31 weeks after the initial inoculations.
Insights
Formalin inactivation effectively neutralized the non-A, non-B hepatitis agent in chimpanzee serum. Treated serum did not cause hepatitis, demonstrating formalin
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Non-A, non-B hepatitis poses a significant public health challenge.
- Effective inactivation methods are crucial for preventing hepatitis transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of formalin in inactivating the agent responsible for human non-A, non-B hepatitis.
- To assess the safety and infectivity of formalin-treated serum in a primate model.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples containing the non-A, non-B hepatitis agent were incubated with formalin (1:1,000) at 37°C for 96 hours.
- Infant chimpanzees were inoculated with formalin-treated serum; a control group received no treatment.
- Chimpanzees were monitored for seven months via aminotransferase levels, liver histology, and hepatitis-associated antigen/antibody detection.
Main Results:
- None of the chimpanzees inoculated with formalin-treated serum developed non-A, non-B hepatitis.
- All chimpanzees remained susceptible to non-A, non-B hepatitis upon subsequent challenge with untreated infectious serum.
Conclusions:
- Formalin effectively inactivates the agent of human non-A, non-B hepatitis.
- This finding supports the potential use of formalin for sterilizing blood products and preventing hepatitis transmission.