Virucidal Influence of Ionic Liquids on Phages P100 and MS2

Abstract

An increasing number of publications describe the potential of ionic liquids (ILs) as novel antimicrobials, antibacterial coatings and even as active pharmaceutical ingredients. Nevertheless, a major research area, notably their impact on viruses, has so far been neglected. Consequently the aim of this study was to examine the effects of ILs on the infectivity of viruses. A systematic analysis to investigate the effects of defined structural elements of ILs on virus activity was performed using 55 ILs. All structure activity relationships (SARs) were tested on the human norovirus surrogate phage MS2 and phage P100 representing non-enveloped DNA viruses. Results demonstrate that IL SAR conclusions, established for prokaryotes and eukaryotes, are not readily applicable to the examined phages. A virus-type-dependent IL influence was also apparent. Overall, four ILs, covering different structural elements, were found to reduce phage P100 infectivity by ≥4 log10 units, indicating a virucidal effect, whereas the highest reduction for phage MS2 was about 3 log10 units. Results indicate that future applications of ILs as virucidal agents will require development of novel SARs and the obtained results serve as a good starting point for future studies.

Ionic Liquids Toxicity—Benefits and Threats

“…The mechanism of (cyto) toxicology of ILs has still remained unclear. Jing et al [ 187 , 188 ], have investigated the interaction of ILs possessing amphiphilic characteristics with a lipid bilayer as a model cell membrane to examine cytotoxicity at a molecular level. By the use of fluorescence imaging and light and X-ray scattering, they have found that ILs disrupt the lipid bilayer by insertion of IL, end-capping the hydrophobic edge of the lipid bilayer.…”

The Use of Liquids Ionic Fluids as Pharmaceutically Active Substances Helpful in Combating Nosocomial Infections Induced by Klebsiella Pneumoniae New Delhi Strain, Acinetobacter Baumannii and Enterococcus Species

“…Restrictions on the use of agents as standards for decontamination also result from inactivity against viruses, especially those transmitted in surgical wards [ 51 ]. Difficulties in combating viruses were associated with massive hepatitis B and C virus infection outbreaks (HBV, HCV) in the 1980′s and 1990′s of the 20th century [ 53 ]. In neonatal wards, the main problems are contact viruses, such as influenza virus, rotavirus, and norovirus [ 51 , 53 ].…”

“…Difficulties in combating viruses were associated with massive hepatitis B and C virus infection outbreaks (HBV, HCV) in the 1980′s and 1990′s of the 20th century [ 53 ]. In neonatal wards, the main problems are contact viruses, such as influenza virus, rotavirus, and norovirus [ 51 , 53 ]. ILs also show antiviral activity in addition to antibacterial activity [ 52 , 53 ].…”

“…In neonatal wards, the main problems are contact viruses, such as influenza virus, rotavirus, and norovirus [ 51 , 53 ]. ILs also show antiviral activity in addition to antibacterial activity [ 52 , 53 ]. The antiviral activity in the experimental model, based on the MS2 and p100 viruses, consists of cation activity in the ILs structure, which is responsible for the toxic effect [ 51 , 53 ].…”

“…ILs also show antiviral activity in addition to antibacterial activity [ 52 , 53 ]. The antiviral activity in the experimental model, based on the MS2 and p100 viruses, consists of cation activity in the ILs structure, which is responsible for the toxic effect [ 51 , 53 ]. Increasing the cationic side-chain length leads to increased antiviral activity of [DODMA][Cl] and [TMC 8 A][Cl], of course, until the so-called “cut-off effect” is obtained, after which no further degradation of virions is obtained [ 50 ].…”