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.
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.
Authors: Carter S Tisdale; Grant A Justin; Xun Wang; Xiuping Chu; Darrel K Carlton; Jason F Okulicz; Christina Schofield; Ryan C Maves; Brian K Agan; Gary L Legault Journal: J Cataract Refract Surg Date: 2019-10-01 Impact factor: 3.351
Authors: Nicola Pavan; Alessandro Crestani; Alberto Abrate; Cosimo De Nunzio; Francesco Esperto; Gianluca Giannarini; Antonio Galfano; Andrea Gregori; Giovanni Liguori; Riccardo Bartoletti; Francesco Porpiglia; Alchiede Simonato; Carlo Trombetta; Andrea Tubaro; Vincenzo Ficarra; Giacomo Novara Journal: Eur Urol Focus Date: 2020-06-05