ABSTRACT: The ONCE BioShift germicidal UVC chamber has been evaluated against Human Adeno virus type 5, Porcine Epidemic Virus (PEDV), Porcine Respiratory & Reproductive Syndrome virus (PRRS), Staphylococcus aureus a Gram-positive bacterium, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa a Gram-negative bacterium. When evaluated against these microorganisms the ONCE BioShift chamber showed significant killing efficacy for each microorganism in five minutes. Results from the five-minute exposure showed log10 reductions of 4.34 (99.995%) for Human adenovirus type 5, 4.52 (99.997%) for PEDV, 4.48 (99.997%) for PRRS, 6.35 (99.9996%) for Staphylococcus aureus and a 7.18 (≥99.999995) reduction of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
BACKGROUND
The ONCE BioShift UVC chamber is a stainless steel passthrough or single door chamber that houses Ultraviolet-C (UVC) lamps with aluminum panels to increase reflectivity. UVC light is a type of non-ionizing radiation that can be used in biosecurity to reduce the risk of disease transmission. The UVC lamps in the ONCE BioShift have a wavelength of 254 nanometers (nm) and are effective at killing microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria. UVC light deactivates the DNA of bacteria, RNA of viruses and thus destroys their ability to multiply and cause disease. The ONCE BioShift chamber has been tested against Viruses and Bacteria that cause disease and infection across the agriculture industry or that are known as difficult to kill using UVC light. These include Human Adenovirus type 5, PEDV, PRRS, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
METHODS
Human Adenovirus type 5, PEDV, PRRS, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were all exposed in the ONCE BioShift for five minutes. The viruses were tested by an external lab Element testing (Eagan Minnesota). The bacteria were tested in house by ONCE researchers. Populations of bacteria cells and virus titers were cultured before testing to ensure enough starting material was generated to achieve a minimum of a 3 log reduction for the viruses and 4 for Bacteria. All bacteria and viruses were tested on a glass substrate in accordance to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) protocols.
RESULTS
Results from a 5 minute exposure showed all bacteria and viruses were reduced by a minimum of 4 log or 99.99 % (see figure below)
CONCLUSION
These results indicate the effectiveness of the ONCE BioShift UVC chamber in killing both viruses and bacteria. This includes bacteria and viruses that are known to be hard to kill with UVC light, that can cause significant economic loss to farmers and potentially affect human and animal health. The results support the use of the ONCE Bioshift as a powerful tool for Biosecurity and disease prevention across the agriculture industry.
References/Supporting data
Holtkamp, Derald et al, "Ultraviolet C (UVC) Standards and Best Practices for the Swine Industry" (2020). Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Technical Reports and White Papers. 29. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/abe_eng_reports/29
Stephan, Aaron B.. “Reduction in Swine Pathogen Numbers by a UVC Germicidal Chamber.” National Hog Farmer (2017).
Curtis Leyk, DVM1 Jack Tieberg1, Erica Bongers1, Gabrielle House, PH.D.1, and Aaron Stephan, PH.D.1*.
1 ONCE Innovations by Signify.
*Correspondences may be addressed to aaron.stephan_1@signify.com