Impact of nonthermal plasma on herpes simplex virus Type 1 infectivity
Year: 2021
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is present in 60% of the world's population and presents as cold sores on the lips or lesions on the genitalia. HSV-1 is transmitted through contact with an active lesion or a contaminated surface. In order to inactivate HSV-1 as a potential strategy for preventing transmission, we seek to use nonthermal plasma (NTP). NTP is an ionized gas that contains reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) that oxidize nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins, possibly leading to reductions in viral infectivity. In our experiments, we used a surface dielectric barrier discharge NTP device (2D-DBD) to test its antiviral effect on HSV-1. We hypothesized that by manipulating the distance of the sample from the electrode, exposure time, and sample volume, we would increase the amount of RONS that reached the sample, and thus increase the antiviral properties of 2D-DBD. We exposed KOS-GFP-HSV-1 in suspension to 2D-DBD at a 3 mm or 6 mm gap distance, in 800 [mu]L or 2 mL of media, or at 1, 2, 4, or 6 minutes to determine the change in viral infection as a function of GFP expression. We found that both distance and volume significantly affected virus infectivity after 4 minutes of plasma exposure. Furthermore, there was a dose dependent decrease in viral infectivity as exposure time increased. These studies offer new insights into approaches that use nonthermal plasma to inactivate HSV-1 and possibly other viruses.
DOI: 10.17918/00000689
Authors: Rita Aurora Esposito, Fred C. Krebs, Vandana Miller
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4206841627