Everything you need to know about antiviral testing labs.
An antiviral testing lab is crucial for assessing the raw materials and finished products for tropical and surface use, according to their efficacy in lessening or removing viral particles. Mainly, this is a process that involves the elimination of virus nucleic acid in the infected cells.
Nowadays, in this developing world, consumers are insisting on health-protective products, and also, due to this pandemic situation, the need has increased at an alarming rate. So, the textile industries, with the help of technological processes have tried to advance the production of such health protective products. These products are much more developed and are based on the technical characteristics of the technology. The process of antiviral testing has also been ameliorated with the help of technology. This test is advantageous to various types of textile products, such as woven and knitted fabrics, fibers, yarns, braids, etc.
This antiviral testing method is not only beneficial to the textile industry but also helps to discover the antiviral activity on plastics and in many other non-porous surfaces of antiviral–treated products against viruses. And, the antiviral tested products help to reduce the infectious or harmful particles that come in touch with the products.
The ISO 181814 (International Standard) describes the testing processes for the identification of the antiviral activity of the textile products against viruses. The results obtained in the objective method by ISO educates all the consumers, producers, and retailers about the antiviral tested products.
Organisms used for testing:-
The organisms which are mainly utilized for performing such antiviral testing lab includes the following:-
a) SARS CoV-2
b) Beta Coronavirus (0C-43) (ATCC VR -1558)
c) Human Coronavirus(229E) (ATCC VR -740)
d) Influenza A (H1N1) (ATCC VR-1469)
e) Influenza A (H3N2) (ATCC VR -1679)
Elaborate discussion about the viral strains:-
a) SARS CoV- 2- SARS CoV-2 is a beta — coronavirus which belongs to the larger genus of the coronavirus family. After originating in Wuhan, China in 2019, it rapidly made its path to affect the rest of the world. It is known to all that this Covid — 19 pandemics has affected our lifestyle a lot and has been regarded as the worst pandemic situation that has ever come. But, the virus which is mainly responsible for such dangerous situations is this SARS CoV- 2. The main issues caused by the virus include fever, breathing trouble, dry- cough, loss of smell and taste, headaches, lethargy, and many other problems, which, in turn, cause pneumonia and finally, leads to death.
b)Beta Coronavirus(OC43) (ATCC VR-1558) — This virus was first discovered in the year 1967 by a person who was suffering from the common cold. It is also a positive RNA-stranded virus. This virus shares a high degree of genetic similarity with the SARS CoV -2 as both these viruses belong from the same sub-family of beta- coronaviruses. It mainly affects the respiratory system of a person. The symptoms related to this virus mainly include headaches, asthma, fever, cough, etc. It also causes pneumonia among infants and can severely affect those people who are suffering from HIV — AIDS. Despite being such harmful, the comparatively low dangerous symptoms that it causes among the commoners and its genetic link to the harmful beta- coronaviruses make it an absolute choice for antiviral testing.
c) Human Coronavirus (229E) (ATCC VR-740) — The Human Coronavirus (229E) (ATCC VR-740), discovered in 1967, is included in the sub-family of alpha — coronavirus. It mainly attacks the upper respiratory tract and the people with low immunity power, such as infants or the person who is already affected with any other disease. This virus, when moved to any other geographic location, depicts a very limited amount of genetic variation in it and this makes it much more appropriate for antiviral testing.
d) Influenza A Viruses- The Influenza A Virus causes influenza which mainly affects the upper respiratory tract. It comes from the orthomyxovirus family. Unlike Human Coronavirus (229E) (ATCC VR-740), this virus shows a high degree of genetic variability. Based on the types of glycoproteins that this virus has on its cell surface, it has been divided into two types — Influenza A ( H1N1) ( ATCC VR- 1469) & Influenza A (H3N2 ) (ATCC VR-1679). Here, this ‘H’ & ’N’ stands for two proteins named haemagglutinin and neuraminidase.
i) Influenza A (H1N1) (ATCC VR-1469) — This subtype of influenza is responsible for causing several outbreaks of influenza which also includes the most harmful, Spanish flu, 1918. It, not only, attacks humans, but also, birds and swine. The virulence and the infectious nature mostly depend on the small genetic changes within the virus. But, its regular mutation and outbreak make it a perfect influenza family and also for antiviral testing.
ii) Influenza A (H3N2) (ATCC VR- 1679) — This is the second most mutating variant of the influenza family and is the main reason behind the cause of Hong Kong flu, 1968. Alike, H1N1, it also affects humans, birds, and swine. For its mutating and circulating nature, it has also been regarded as one of the best members of the influenza family and is fit for antiviral testing too.
Also read — Why is it Necessary to Conduct ASTM E2149 Test?
