Papillomavirus is resistant to desiccation

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Disease Transmission

Background:

• Sexual transmission is the primary route for high-risk genital human papillomavirus (HPV).
• The potential for indirect transmission of HPV via fomites remains largely unexplored.
• Papillomaviruses, like bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1), are known to transmit via fomites.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential for indirect transmission of high-risk genital HPV types.
• To compare the desiccation infectivity of a model for high-risk HPV (pseudotype HPV-16) with BPV-1.
• To assess the stability of these viruses after dehydration and their susceptibility to inactivation methods.

Main Methods:

• In vitro comparison of desiccation infectivity for pseudotype HPV-16 virions and BPV-1 in cell extracts.
• Viruses were dehydrated at room temperature for 1, 3, and 7 days.
• Susceptibility to inactivation by autoclaving, 70% ethanol, EDTA, and heat (56°C for 1 hour) was tested.

Main Results:

• Both pseudotype HPV-16 and BPV-1 showed similar resistance to desiccation.
• Approximately 100%, 50%, and 30% of infectivity was retained after 1, 3, and 7 days of dehydration, respectively.
• Viruses were inactivated by autoclaving and 70% ethanol but were resistant to EDTA and heat at 56°C.

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest that high-risk genital HPV may remain infectious after desiccation.
• Indirect transmission of HPV via fomites is a plausible route that warrants further investigation.
• Understanding non-sexual transmission pathways is crucial for comprehensive HPV prevention strategies.