Evaluation of the inactivation effect of riboflavin photochemical method on duck hepatitis B virus

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a common and widespread infection that poses a serious threat among carriers for the development of life-threatening liver diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the riboflavin photochemical method in inactivating duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) in plasma via an animal model. Forty ducks were selected and randomly divided into the experimental (n=10), the virus control (n=10), the visible light control (n=10) and the plasma control group (n=10). Ducks in the experimental group were injected with plasma inactivated by the riboflavin photochemical method; in the virus control group were injected with plasma without inactivation treatment; in the visible light control group were injected with plasma irradiated by visible light; and in the plasma control group were injected with normal plasma. The serum of the ducks in each group was taken at different time points to detect DHBV-DNA levels via FQ-PCR and duck hepatitis B surface antigen (DHBsAg) via ELISA. DHBV-DNA in the experimental group was decreased gradually over time until it disappeared and there was a significant difference in DHBsAg between the experimental and control groups (P<0.05). In conclusion, the results showed that the riboflavin photochemical method is effective in the inactivation of viruses in plasma, which has relevance for preventive strategies against transfusion-derived infections.