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Sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation of Lassa, vaccinia, and Ebola viruses dried on surfaces

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Abstract

Germicidal UV (also known as UVC) provides a means to decontaminate infected environments as well as a measure of viral sensitivity to sunlight. The present study determined UVC inactivation slopes (and derived D37 values) of viruses dried onto nonporous (glass) surfaces. The data obtained indicate that the UV resistance of Lassa virus is higher than that of Ebola virus. The UV sensitivity of vaccinia virus (a surrogate for variola virus) appeared intermediate between that of the two virulent viruses studied. In addition, the three viruses dried on surfaces showed a relatively small but significant population of virions (from 3 to 10 % of virus in the inoculum) that appeared substantially more protected by their environment from the effect of UV than the majority of virions tested. The findings reported in this study should assist in estimating the threat posed by the persistence of virus in environments contaminated during epidemics or after an accidental or intentional release.

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Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the In-House Laboratory Independent Research (ILIR) funds from the Research and Technology Directorate, Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, Research Development and Engineering Command, US Army. The valuable assistance with Ebola and Lassa viruses provided under U.S. Federal contract by Dr. Ricardo Carrion at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research (San Antonio, Texas) is highly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research and Technology Directorate, Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, U.S. Army, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA

    Jose-Luis Sagripanti & C. David Lytle

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  1. Jose-Luis Sagripanti
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  2. C. David Lytle
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Correspondence to Jose-Luis Sagripanti.

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Sagripanti, JL., Lytle, C.D. Sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation of Lassa, vaccinia, and Ebola viruses dried on surfaces. Arch Virol 156, 489–494 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-010-0847-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-010-0847-1

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