Effective chemical virus inactivation of patient serum compatible with accurate serodiagnosis of infections

Abstract

a b s t r a c tObjectives: Highly pathogenic viruses such as EBOV are a threat to routine laboratory workers. Inactivation procedures with Triton X-100 0.1% and/or heat are currently recommended, but have unknown effects on the accuracy of serological testing. Furthermore, virus inactivation by Triton X-100 0.1% was shown to be ineffective in serum. This study aimed to demonstrate virus inactivation in serum by Triton X-100 1% and maintained accuracy of serological testing. Methods: A panel of 19 serological tests was run on patient serum samples after treatment with Triton X-100 1%, 0.1%, and 0.1% þ heat inactivation at 60 C for 1 h. Mean differences between measurements (bias) were calculated applying the BlandeAltman method. To determine effectiveness of virus inactivation, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) was spiked into medium containing 90% or 1% serum, and treated with Triton X-100 0.1% or 1%. Infectious titres were then determined on Vero cells. Results: Serological measurements showed good agreement between controls and samples treated with Triton X-100 0.1% and 1%, with an estimated bias of 0.6 ± 9.2% (n ¼ 258) and e0.1 ± 18.6% (n ¼ 174), respectively. Discordant qualitative results were rare. Conversely, heat inactivation alone and combined with Triton X-100 0.1% triggered a bias of 17.5 ± 66.4% (n ¼ 200) and 37.9 ± 79.8% (n ¼ 160), respectively. Triton X-100 1% completely inactivated HSV-1 in 1% and 90% serum while Triton X-100 0.1% failed to do so in 90% serum. Conclusions: Unlike heat inactivation, Triton X-100 1% enabled accurate serological testing and completely inactivated HSV-1 in serum. This simple method could allow safe routine serological diagnostics in high-risk patients. M.M. Remy, Clin Microbiol Infect 2019;25:907.e7e907.e12

Analysis of Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by Specimen Transport Media, Nucleic Acid Extraction Reagents, Detergents, and Fixatives

“…Detergents can be used to inactivate lipid enveloped viruses such as coronaviruses by disrupting the viral envelope, therefore rendering them unable to attach or enter cells (26)(27)(28)(29).…”

Inactivation analysis of SARS-CoV-2 by specimen transport media, nucleic acid extraction reagents, detergents and fixatives

“…Detergents can be used to inactivate lipid enveloped viruses such as coronaviruses by disrupting the viral envelope, therefore rendering them unable to attach or enter cells (24)(25)(26)(27).…”

SARS-CoV-2 antigens expressed in plants detect antibody responses in COVID-19 patients

“…Storage consent was provided by all participants, and approval for use of the samples in this study was obtained from the HREC, UCT. Samples came from participants who were HIV-infected (n=27) or HIV- All samples were treated with 1% Triton-X100 (Sigma) for 60 min at room temperature to inactivate any potentially live virus in the samples (Remy et al, 2019).…”