The Effects of Various Protecting Agents on the Inactivation of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in Aerosols and during Freeze-drying

SUMMARY Inositol, sodium glutamate and calcium lactobionate were found to protect foot-and-mouth disease virus against inactivation during spraying and equilibration in the first 1s in aerosols. They also protected virus against inactivation during freeze-drying. Dimethyl sulphoxide and glycerol both protected virus against the inactivation which occurred between 1s and 5 min in aerosols, but they did not protect during freeze-drying. Pre-humidification before sampling reduced the inactivation of virus, particularly at 40% r.h. The different protective mechanisms of these compounds and of pre-humidification are discussed in relation to the mechanisms of aerosol inactivation.