Deactivation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in medium by copper oxide-containing filters.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) can be transmitted through breast-feeding and through contaminated blood donations. Copper has potent biocidal properties and has been found to inactivate HIV-1 infectivity. The objective of this study was to determine the capacity of copper-based filters to inactivate HIV-1 in culture media. Medium spiked with high titers of HIV-1 was exposed to copper oxide powder or copper oxide-impregnated fibers or passed through copper-based filters, and the infectious viral titers before and after treatment were determined. Cell-free and cell-associated HIV-1 infectivity was inhibited when exposed to copper oxide in a dose-dependent manner, without cytotoxicity at the active antiviral copper concentrations. Similar dose-dependent inhibition occurred when HIV-1 was exposed to copper-impregnated fibers. Filtration of HIV-1 through filters containing the copper powder or copper-impregnated fibers resulted in viral deactivation of all 12 wild-type or drug-resistant laboratory or clinical, macrophage-tropic and T-cell-tropic, clade A, B, or C, HIV-1 isolates tested. Viral inactivation was not strain specific. Thus, a novel means to inactivate HIV-1 in medium has been developed. This inexpensive methodology may significantly reduce HIV-1 transmission from "mother to child" and/or through blood donations if proven to be effective in breast milk or plasma and safe for use. The successful application of this technology may impact HIV-1 transmission, especially in developing countries where HIV-1 is rampant.
Borkow
Gadi
G
Ruth Ben-Ari Institute of Clinical Immunology, Kaplan Medical Center, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Rehovot 76100, Israel. gadi@cupron.com
Lara
Humberto H
HH
Covington
Chandice Y
CY
Nyamathi
Adeline
A
Gabbay
Jeffrey
J
D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003300:Copper / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003470:Culture Media; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000821:virology; D011126:Polypropylenes
D003470:Culture Media; D011126:Polypropylenes; D003300:Copper; C000520:cuprous oxide