Development of an avian influenza virus inactivation evaluation method using dialysis cassette in animal manure and mortality disposal systems

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of dialysis cassettes (DCs) as a virus containment vessel during avian influenza (AI) inactivation research in animal mortality disposal systems. During such work viruses must be contained while simultaneously being exposed to process-specific environmental stressors such as pH change, toxic gases, and heat. Although DCs contain porous membranes that permit diffusion of chemicals, virus retention tests showed that DCs retain AI viruses safely inside. Test data also showed very good exchange of hydrogen ions, CH4, and CO2 through the membrane. In the case of hydrogen ion exchange, it took only 24 h to reach equilibrium within DCs and the surrounding buffer solution. In addition, gas concentrations inside all DCs reached values similar to those in the environment surround the DCs after 24 h. Based on these results, DCs are effective tools for evaluating virus inactivation within animal manure and mortality disposal systems.