Methods of Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 for Downstream Biological Assays
Authors:
Edward I Patterson, Tessa Prince, Enyia R Anderson, Aitor Casas-Sanchez, Shirley L Smith, Cintia Cansado-Utrilla, Tom Solomon, Michael J Griffiths, Álvaro Acosta-Serrano, Lance Turtle, Grant L Hughes.
Abstract:
The scientific community has responded to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic by rapidly undertaking research to find effective strategies to reduce the burden of this disease. Encouragingly, researchers from a diverse array of fields are collectively working towards this goal. Research with infectious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is undertaken in high-containment laboratories; however, it is often desirable to work with samples at lower-containment levels. To facilitate the transfer of infectious samples from high-containment laboratories, we have tested methods commonly used to inactivate virus and prepare the sample for additional experiments. Incubation at 80°C, a range of detergents, Trizol reagents, and UV energies were successful at inactivating a high titer of SARS-CoV-2. Methanol and paraformaldehyde incubation of infected cells also inactivated the virus. These protocols can provide a framework for in-house inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 in other laboratories, ensuring the safe use of samples in lower-containment levels.
Journal:
Journal of Infectious Diseases
Hyperlink:
Research Themes:
1. Patient Research for Public Health