Preparing for another Ebola Outbreak: The impact of viral inactivation methods on commonly measured biochemistry analytes in plasma and urine.

Introduction: Infectious specimens containing viruses like Ebola require sample manipulation to ensure the safety of laboratory staff, which may negatively impact biochemistry test results. We evaluated the impact of viral inactivation methods on 25 biochemistry analytes in plasma, and seven biochemistry analytes in urine.

Methods: Fifteen lithium heparinized plasma specimens with and without gel underwent the following viral inactivation methods: 1) untreated, 2) Triton X-100 treatment, 2) heated for 60 min then Triton X-100 treatment, 3) heated for 60 min, 4) heated for 75 min, and 5) heated for 90 min.