Studies of the Suitability of Fowlpox as Decontamination and Thermal Stability Simulant for Variola Major
Abstract
Variola major, the causative agent of the disease smallpox, is the most deadly member of the poxvirus family. Although eradicated from nature, stocks of variola major still exist; thus, there is a need for relevant decontamination studies. However, studies with variola major must be performed under Biosafety Level 4 conditions. Previous studies have shown a similarity in the response of vaccinia virus and variola major to various decontaminants. This study compared vaccinia virus to fowlpox virus under similar conditions, exposing them to a variety of disinfectants for which variola major data were already available. The common smallpox disinfectants showed similar efficacy against vaccinia and fowlpox viruses, suggesting the utility of fowlpox as a safe smallpox decontamination simulant. Inactivation kinetic studies showed that fowlpox behaved similarly to variola major when treated with 0.1% iodine and 5.7% polyethyteneglycol nonylphenyl ether, 0.025% sodium hypochlorite, 0.05% sodium hypochlorite and 0.1% cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, and 0.05% benzalkonium chloride, but differed more widely from variola major in its response to-0.05% iodine and 0.3% polyethyleneglycol nonylphenyl ether, and 40% ethanol.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA487023
Entities
People
- Amanda E. Chambers
- Melissa M. Dixon
- Steven P. Harvey
Organizations
- Edgewood Chemical Biological Center