Viral disease transmitted by laser-generated plume (aerosol).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the possibility of disease transmission through liberated plume from virally infected tissue that is exposed to the carbon dioxide laser.


METHODS
Bovine papillomavirus-induced cutaneous fibropapillomas were exposed to the carbon dioxide laser. Laser settings were within the range of clinically used settings. The laser plume (aerosol) was suctioned and collected and then reinoculated onto the skin of calves.


METHODS
University laboratory research center.


METHODS
Laser plume viral content and postinoculation tumor growth were analyzed and documented.


RESULTS
Collected laser plume contained papillomavirus DNA in all tested laser settings. The viral DNA was most likely encapsulated. Tumors developed at laser plume-inoculated sites for all laser parameter settings. Histological and biochemical analyses revealed that these tumors were infected with the same virus type as present in the laser plume.


CONCLUSIONS
Laser plume has been shown, for the first time to our knowledge, to actually transmit disease. Strict care must be maintained by the laser practitioner to minimize potential health risks, especially when treating viral-induced lesions or patients with viral disease.
Garden
Jerome M
JM
Department of Dermatology, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. j_garden@northwestern.edu
O'Banion
M Kerry
MK
Bakus
Abnoeal D
AD
Olson
Carl
C
D000336:Aerosols; D000391:Air Microbiology; D000818:Animals; D052688:Bovine papillomavirus 1 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002417:Cattle; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000601:surgery* / Q000635:transmission*; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000601:surgery* / Q000635:transmission*
D000336:Aerosols; D004279:DNA, Viral; D002245:Carbon Dioxide