Do intact viral particles survive excimer laser ablation?
M. J. Taravella, A. Weinberg, P. Blackburn and M. May
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, USA.
OBJECTIVE: To determine if intact and potentially infectious viral
particles can withstand excimer laser ablation and possibly pose a health
hazard to medical personnel. METHODS: Excimer laser ablation of fibroblasts
infected with attenuated varicella-zoster virus was performed. The laser
plume was collected for polymerase chain reaction analysis and viral
culture. RESULTS: While viral DNA was detected in the material trapped from
the laser plume, live virus could not be demonstrated to have survived
ablation. CONCLUSIONS: Attenuated varicella-zoster virus does not seem to
survive excimer laser ablation. However, we recommend the use of safety
precautions such as wearing a mask during the procedure. Further research
is necessary to determine if other viruses could possibly remain infectious
despite exposure to excimer laser radiation.
