EFFICIENT REMOVAL OF VIRUSES BY A NOVEL POLYVINYLIDENE FLUORIDE MEMBRANE-FILTER

Virus removal by a novel filter (Ultipor VF DV50), comprising three la yers of PVDF membrane, has been evaluated by infectivity studies using a range of viruses and conditions. The filter was able to remove at l east 6 log of various viruses, i.e. Sindbis and Semliki Forest (40-70 nm), herpes simplex (120-200 nm) and vaccinia (200 x 350 nm), from cel l-culture medium or phosphate buffered saline pH 6.8 containing 0.5% a lbumin. However, the removal of polio virus (25-30 nm) under these con ditions was only limited, i.e. about 1 log. This filter is thus effect ive for removing viruses of about 50 nm or larger. Proteins as large a s immunoglobulins (MW 160 000), were able to pass through the filter w ith recoveries of at least 85%. Due to its ability to remove viruses o f medium to large size, this filter shows potential for increasing the safety of biological products where viruses such as hepatitis B, C, h erpes and retroviruses are of concern. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Irela nd B.V.