title: Photodynamic inactivation of influenza virus with fullerene C60 suspension in allantoic fluid.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Viruses are the most dangerous infectious contaminants of human donor blood and blood products. The purpose of the study was to investigate the virus-inactivating properties of fullerene suspension regarding influenza virus in allantoic fluid of chicken embryos.
  
  
  METHODS
  Influenza virus was propagated in chicken embryos, water suspension of C60 fullerene was added to the allantoic fluid. The fluid was light-irradiated at constant oxygen flow through the specimen, and the dynamics of virus titer was studied by virus titration in MDCK cells. The morphology of virions was studied by electron microscopy (EM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dramatic drop of infectious titer (8 to 1 log10 EID50) of the virus was observed within 2h after start of irradiation. No change of the titers was observed in control specimens without fullerene, or light, or oxygen. EM study revealed numerous defects of virions' morphology (destruction of outer membrane) leading to the loss of infectious properties of the virus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Water-insoluble fullerenes may be considered as a prospective way for inactivation of enveloped viruses in biological materials including blood products.
authors.affiliation: Influenza Research Institute RAMS, 197376 St. Petersburg, Russia.
authors.forename: Vladimir V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Zarubaev
authors.affiliation: State Optical Institute, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia.
authors.forename: Inna M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Belousova
authors.affiliation: Influenza Research Institute RAMS, 197376 St. Petersburg, Russia.
authors.forename: Oleg I
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Kiselev
authors.affiliation: Influenza Research Institute RAMS, 197376 St. Petersburg, Russia.
authors.forename: Levon B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Piotrovsky
authors.affiliation: Influenza Research Institute RAMS, 197376 St. Petersburg, Russia.
authors.forename: Pavel M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Anfimov
authors.affiliation: State Optical Institute, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia.
authors.forename: Tatyana C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Krisko
authors.affiliation: State Optical Institute, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia.
authors.forename: Tatyana D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Muraviova
authors.affiliation: State Optical Institute, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia.
authors.forename: Vladimir V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Rylkov
authors.affiliation: State Optical Institute, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia.
authors.forename: Andrey M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Starodubzev
authors.affiliation: Influenza Research Institute RAMS, 197376 St. Petersburg, Russia.
authors.forename: Alexey C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Sirotkin