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Exploring inactivation of SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, Ebola, Lassa, and Nipah viruses on N95 and KN95 respirator material using photoactivated methylene blue to enable reuse.
Scholte, Florine E M; Kabra, Kareem B; Tritsch, Sarah R; Montgomery, Joel M; Spiropoulou, Christina F; Mores, Christopher N; Harcourt, Brian H.
  • Scholte FEM; Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
  • Kabra KB; Global Health Department, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
  • Tritsch SR; Global Health Department, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
  • Montgomery JM; Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
  • Spiropoulou CF; Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
  • Mores CN; Global Health Department, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
  • Harcourt BH; Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Electronic address: beh0@cdc.gov.
Am J Infect Control ; 50(8): 863-870, 2022 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2000222
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a worldwide shortage of N95 respirators, prompting the development of decontamination methods to enable limited reuse. Countries lacking reliable supply chains would also benefit from the ability to safely reuse PPE. Methylene blue (MB) is a light-activated dye with demonstrated antimicrobial activity used to sterilize blood plasma. Decontamination of respirators using photoactivated MB requires no specialized equipment, making it attractive for use in the field during outbreaks.

METHODS:

We examined decontamination of N95 and KN95 respirators using photoactivated MB and 3 variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19; and 4 World Health Organization priority pathogens Ebola virus, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Nipah virus, and Lassa virus. Virus inactivation by pretreating respirator material was also tested.

RESULTS:

Photoactivated MB inactivated all tested viruses on respirator material, albeit with varying efficiency. Virus applied to respirator material pre-treated with MB was also inactivated, thus MB pretreatment may potentially protect respirator wearers from virus exposure in real-time.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results demonstrate that photoactivated MB represents a cost-effective, rapid, and widely deployable method to decontaminate N95 respirators for reuse during supply shortages.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / Nipah Virus / Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / COVID-19 Topics: Variants Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Am J Infect Control Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.ajic.2022.02.016

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / Nipah Virus / Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / COVID-19 Topics: Variants Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Am J Infect Control Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.ajic.2022.02.016