Sterilization of HIV by gamma irradiation. A bone allograft model.

A human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) infected bone allograft model has been created using HTLV-IIIB virus in a concentration simulating a massively HIV infected bone allograft donor [HTLV-III is the denomination initially given to the human immuno-deficiency by the american team of Prof. Gallo. It represent the virus HIV 1 of the present international nomenclature]. 5 x 10(4) tissue culture infective doses per ml. of virus were placed within the medullary cavity of bovine femora and tibiae with a radiation dosimeter, and the ends sealed with lead. The bone/virus model was maintained at -70 degrees C while being irradiated with 1 to 4 megarads of gamma irradiation in increments of 0.5 megarads. The study showed that the HTLV-IIIB virus is a relatively radio-resistant organism, a property common to most viruses. The results suggest that HTLV-IIIB can be inactivated in bone infected with a clinically significant viral load, as may be found in donors who are initially negative when screened for HIV. It is recommended that bone allografts which are secondarily sterilized by gamma irradiation receive at least 2.5 megarads. The amount of radiation absorbed by the bone cortex was minimal.