TY - JOUR

T1 - Biophysical properties of salmonid alphaviruses

T2 - influence of temperature and pH on virus survival

AU - Graham, D. A.

AU - Staples, C

AU - Wilson, C J

AU - Jewhurst, H

AU - Cherry, K

AU - Gordon, A

AU - Rowley, H M

PY - 2007/9

Y1 - 2007/9

N2 - A series of laboratory studies were undertaken to investigate the survival of salmonid alphaviruses (SAV) under a range of conditions relevant to waste disposal, persistence and spread in the field, and to laboratory studies and testing. SAV was found to be rapidly inactivated in the presence of high levels of organic matter at 60 degrees C at pH 7.2 and at pH 4 and pH 12 at 4 degrees C, suggesting that composting, ensiling and alkaline hydrolysis would all be effective at inactivating virus in fish waste. Testing was conducted under sterile conditions at 4, 10, 15 and 20 degrees C in sea water, half-strength sea water and fresh (hard) water, both in the absence and the presence of added organic matter. Virus survival was shown to be inversely related to temperature, and to be reduced by the presence of organic matter. Calculated half lives (t(1/2)) under these conditions ranged from 61.0 to 1.5 days. Testing in non-sterile sea water resulted in reduced t(1/2) values. The half life of SAV in serum was also found to be inversely related to temperature, emphasizing the need for rapid shipment of samples at 4 degrees C to laboratories for virus isolation studies.

AB - A series of laboratory studies were undertaken to investigate the survival of salmonid alphaviruses (SAV) under a range of conditions relevant to waste disposal, persistence and spread in the field, and to laboratory studies and testing. SAV was found to be rapidly inactivated in the presence of high levels of organic matter at 60 degrees C at pH 7.2 and at pH 4 and pH 12 at 4 degrees C, suggesting that composting, ensiling and alkaline hydrolysis would all be effective at inactivating virus in fish waste. Testing was conducted under sterile conditions at 4, 10, 15 and 20 degrees C in sea water, half-strength sea water and fresh (hard) water, both in the absence and the presence of added organic matter. Virus survival was shown to be inversely related to temperature, and to be reduced by the presence of organic matter. Calculated half lives (t(1/2)) under these conditions ranged from 61.0 to 1.5 days. Testing in non-sterile sea water resulted in reduced t(1/2) values. The half life of SAV in serum was also found to be inversely related to temperature, emphasizing the need for rapid shipment of samples at 4 degrees C to laboratories for virus isolation studies.

KW - Alphavirus

KW - Animals

KW - Fresh Water

KW - Hydrogen-Ion Concentration

KW - Salmonidae

KW - Seawater

KW - Temperature

KW - Virus Inactivation

KW - Journal Article

KW - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

U2 - 10.1111/j.1365-2761.2007.00811.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1365-2761.2007.00811.x

M3 - Article

C2 - 17718708

VL - 30

SP - 533

EP - 543

JO - Journal of Fish Biology

JF - Journal of Fish Biology

SN - 0140-7775

IS - 9

ER -