Susceptibility of monkeypox virus aerosol suspensions in a rotating chamber

• Published in: Journal of virological methods 2013-02, Vol.187 (2), p.333-337
• Main Authors: Verreault, Daniel, Killeen, Stephanie Z., Redmann, Rachel K., Roy, Chad. J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerosol; Aerosols; air; Bioaerosol; bioaerosols; Biological and medical sciences; biological safety cabinet; biosafety; BSL3; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Microbial Viability; Microbiology; microorganisms; Monkeypox virus; Monkeypox virus - physiology; pathogenicity; public health; quantitative polymerase chain reaction; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Stability; Techniques used in virology; Time Factors; Viral Load; virion; Virology; viruses; zoonoses
• ISSN: 0166-0934; 1879-0984; 1879-0984
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2012.10.009

► We characterize the viral susceptibility of monkeypox (MPX) virus when in aerosol form. ► Susceptibility studies over time were performed using a small rotating drum in a class III BSC. ► MPX is resistant to degradation when in aerosol, remaining viable in suspension for up to 90h. Viral aerosols can have a major impact on public health and on the dynamics of infection. Once aerosolized, viruses are subjected to various stress factors and their integrity and potential of infectivity can be altered. Empirical characterization is needed in order to predict more accurately the fate of these bioaerosols both for short term and long term suspension in the air. Here the susceptibility to aerosolization of the monkeypox virus (MPXV), associated with emerging zoonotic diseases, was studied using a 10.7L rotating chamber. This chamber was built to fit inside a Class three biological safety cabinet, specifically for studying airborne biosafety level three (BSL3) microorganisms. Airborne viruses were detected by culture and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) after up to 90h of aging. Viral concentrations detected dropped by two logs for culture analysis and by one log for qPCR analysis within the first 18h of aging; viral concentrations were stable between 18 and 90h, suggesting a potential for the MPXV to retain infectivity in aerosols for more than 90h. The rotating chamber used in this study maintained viral particles airborne successfully for prolonged periods and could be used to study the susceptibility of other BSL3 microorganisms.