ABSTRACT
We developed a high-speed filterless airflow multistage photocatalytic elbow aerosol removal system for the treatment of bioaerosols such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Human-generated bioaerosols that diffuse into indoor spaces are 1-10 µm in size, and their selective and rapid treatment can reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. A high-speed airflow is necessary to treat large volumes of indoor air over a short period. The proposed system can be used to eliminate viruses in aerosols by forcibly depositing aerosols in a high-speed airflow onto a photocatalyst placed inside the system through inertial force and turbulent diffusion. Because the main component of the deposited bioaerosol is water, it evaporates after colliding with the photocatalyst, and the nonvolatile virus remains on the photocatalytic channel wall. The residual virus on the photocatalytic channel wall is mineralized via photocatalytic oxidation with UVA-LED irradiation in the channel. When this system was operated in a 4.5 m3 aerosol chamber, over 99.8% aerosols in the size range of 1-10 µm were removed within 15 min. The system continued delivering such performance with the continuous introduction of aerosols. Because this system exhibits excellent aerosol removal ability at a flow velocity of 5 m/s or higher, it is more suitable than other reactive air purification systems for treating large-volume spaces.
ABSTRACT
Exanthem subitum is a common childhood illness caused by primary infection with human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B). It is occasionally complicated by febrile seizures and even encephalitis. HHV-6B reactivation also causes encephalitis, especially after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, no adequate antiviral treatment for HHV-6B has yet been established. Mouse-derived monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the HHV-6B envelope glycoprotein complex gH/gL/gQ1/gQ2 have been shown to neutralize the viral infection. These antibodies have the potential to become antiviral agents against HHV-6B despite their inherent immunogenicity to the human immune system. Humanization of MAbs derived from other species is one of the proven solutions to such a dilemma. In this study, we constructed chimeric forms of two neutralizing MAbs against HHV-6B to make humanized antibodies. Both showed neutralizing activities equivalent to those of their original forms. This is the first report of humanized antibodies against HHV-6B and provides a basis for the further development of HHV-6B-specific antivirals.IMPORTANCE Human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) establishes lifelong latent infection in most individuals after the primary infection. Encephalitis is the most severe complication caused by both the primary infection and the reactivation of HHV-6B and is the cause of considerable mortality in patients, without any established treatments to date. The humanization of the murine neutralizing antibodies described in this research provided a feasible way to reduce the inherent immunogenicity of the antibodies without changing their neutralizing activities. These newly designed chimeric antibodies against HHV-6B have the potential to be candidates for antivirals for future use.
