Date of Award:

5-1-1984

Document Type:

Dissertation

Degree Name:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department:

Biology

Department name when degree awarded

Life Sciences:Biology

Committee Chair(s)

Rex S. Spendlove

Committee

Rex S. Spendlove

Committee

B. B. Barnett

Committee

Gene Wooldridge

Committee

D. Jack Adams

Committee

Bruce G. Harper

Abstract

Reoviruses type 1 Lang, type 2 Jones and type 3 Dearing were aerosolized with a Collison nebulizer and aged for two and a half hours in an environmentally controlled Dynamic Aerosol Toroid to determine reovirus inactivation rates. Results from this study were used to evaluate reoviruses as indicators of viral aerosol pollution. Reovirus viability was determined at three temperatures (2°C, 14°C and 27°C) and four relative humidities [(RH) 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% RH]. After the aging period potentially infectious viruses (PIV), those with a complete outer capsid, were treated with trypsin and transformed into infectious virus (IV) with an incomplete outer capsid for assay. The immunofluorescent cell count technique was employed for all assays. Decay rates were greater for PIV and IV particles, of all three reovirus serotypes, at mid-range RH than at either high or low RH. Generally, decay rates were greater for IV particles than for PIV particles for the Jones and Dearing serotypes while the opposite was observed for type 1 Lang. Type 1 Lang exhibited the greatest stability with the lowest overall decay rate (0.05%/min) at 2°C and 80% RH. Relative humidity appeared to have the greatest effect on aerosol stability while increased temperatures had less significant effects on decay rates. Reoviruses, especially type 1 Lang PIV and IV particles exhibit superior stability in the airborne state and show considerable promise as indicators for viral aerosol pollution.

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