In Vitro Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 Using Gamma Radiation. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Leung, Anders; Tran, Kaylie; Audet, Jonathan; Lavineway, Sherisse; Bastien, Nathalie; Krishnan, Jay
• Is Part Of: Applied biosafety. Volume 25:Number 3(2020)
• Page Start: 157
• Page End: 160
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Covid -- SARS-CoV-2 -- inactivation -- gamma radiation -- pandemic; Industrial hygiene -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Laboratories -- Safety measures -- Periodicals; Biosecurity -- Periodicals; Biological laboratories -- Safety measures -- Periodicals; Biological laboratories -- Security measures -- Periodicals; 613.62
• DOI: 10.1177/1535676020934242
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1535-6760

Abstract

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is classified as a Risk Group 3 pathogen; propagative work with this live virus should be conducted in biosafety level-3 (BSL-3) laboratories. However, inactivated virus can be safely handled in BSL-2 laboratories. Gamma irradiation is one of the methods used to inactivate a variety of pathogens including viruses. Objective: To determine the radiation dose required to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 and its effect, if any, on subsequent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Methods: Aliquots of SARS-CoV-2 virus culture were subjected to increasing doses of gamma radiation to determine the proper dose required to inactivate the virus. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) data from irradiated samples was compared with that of the non-irradiated samples to assess the effect of gamma radiation on PCR assay. Results: A radiation dose of 1 Mrad was required to completely inactivate 10 6.5 TCID50 /ml of SARS-CoV-2. The influence of gamma radiation on PCR sensitivity was inversely related and dose-dependent up to 0.5 Mrad with no further reduction thereafter. Conclusion: Gamma irradiation can be used as a reliable method to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 with minimal effect on subsequent PCR assay.