In situ inactivation of animal viruses and a coliphage in nonaerated liquid and semiliquid animal wastes

Abstract

The persistence of five animal viruses, representing picorna-, rota-, parvo-, adeno-, and herpesviruses, and the coliphage f2 was determined in the field by exposing the viruses to different animal wastes and by adopting an established filter sandwich technique. This technique allows us to copy the natural state of viruses in the environment, where adsorption onto or incorporation into suspended solids may prolong virus survival. Using filter sandwiches either equipped with porous (15 nm in diameter) or poreless polycarbonate (PC) membranes, it was possible to differentiate between overall virus inactivation and the effect of virucidal agents that act through poreless PC membranes. Depending on ambient temperature, pH, and type of animal waste, values for time, in days, required for a 90% reduction of virus titer varied widely, ranging from less than 1 week for herpesvirus to more than 6 months for rotavirus. Virus inactivation progressed substantially faster in liquid cattle manure, a mixture of urine and water (pH >8.0), than in semiliquid wastes that consisted of mixtures of feces, urine, water, and bedding materials (pH <8.0). Hitherto unidentified virucidal agents that permeate poreless PC membranes contributed substantially to the overall inactivation. On the other hand, substances that protect rotavirus and possibly other viruses from inactivation may be present in animal wastes. Together, the study showed that viruses contained in manure may persist for prolonged periods of time if stored under nonaerated conditions. At times of land application, this may lead to environmental contamination with pathogens.

Ammonia as an In Situ Sanitizer: Influence of Virus Genome Type on Inactivation

“…The kinetic trends observed in this study were generally consistent with studies using real matrices (19,26,30,(34)(35)(36)58), although some works reported contradictory results (25,27,32,37). This may be due to the high complexity of real matrices compared to the well-controlled solutions used in this study.…”

“…Instead, the virucidal activity of NH 3(aq) likely involves modification or damage of the virus components (i.e., protein, envelope, or nucleic acid). However, while numerous studies have investigated the fate of viruses in complex matrices containing NH 3(aq) (8,17,19,(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37), the virucidal mechanism of action of NH 3(aq) has received little scrutiny to date (38,39).…”

Virus hazards from food, water and other contaminated environments

“…There is good evidence that inactivation of viruses in the environment is less effective if they are absorbed onto or embedded within suspended solid matter that is not dried out. Viruses like HAV, NoV and HEV can resist complete inactivation in the environment for a very long time (Pesaro et al ., ).…”

Manure and Microbes: Public and Animal Health Problem?

“…Knowledge is incomplete about the viral attributes and environmental factors that contribute to viral inactivation (40). The stability of different viruses varied, apparently depending on whether the virus particle was adsorbed to or embedded within suspended solids (40). Other factors that affect viral survival include pH, temperature, and the presence of bacteria that can inactivate viruses (10).…”