I am working on plasmacytoid dendritic cells and many references suggest that flu PR8 is best for stimulation of pDC...can anyone tell me if I plan to use this virus what kind of biosafety should be followed?
Hi Ashwini,
As per CDC, Biosafety level-3 (BSL-3) practices are no longer required for viral isolation. If you are planing to do lysis of your cells after stimulating with HI1N1 virus then you can use Biosafety level-2. But for safety purpose you should follow the recommendations given by CDC. You can go through following link: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidelines_labworkers.htm
Regards,
Ekta
Hi Ashwini,
I have the similar opinion like Ekta. Biosafety Level 2 must be maitained.
Regards
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidelines_labworkers.htm
www.offlu.net/fileadmin/home/en/offlu-projects/pdf/OIEguidanceH1N1.pdf
I agree with the other folks that BSL2 is all that's necessary for the influenza virus and experiment you mentioned in the post.
As a general aside, the H1N1 mentioned by Ashwini PR8 ( A/Puerto Rico/8/1934) is not the same virus as the 2009 pandemic H1N1 (pH1N1). The links provided by Ekta and Surajit are useful for general practices but are specifically addressing the pH1N1. PR8 is a lab adapted virus and has never been considered a BSL3 pathogen.
Time has changed and so are the need & demand. I personally feel one need BSL- 3. This will safeguard all.
I think H1N1 is become seasonal flue so BSL 2 with good PPE is fine . I personally work in PCR identification of flu virus since 5 yeaars and I use BSL-1 due poor lab facility, fortunately till now nothing is happen.
Hi Ashwini,
BSL2 should be good enough based on Belgian biosafety recommendations: http://www.biosafety.be/PDF/2009_classification_lists/H_A_virus.pdf
BSL-2 conditions are enough for the majority of influenza A strains. BSL-3 level is required if you work with highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, which is not your case.
Indeed, even if PR8 belongs to the H1N1 subtype, it is totally different from the pandemic H1N1 virus now circulating as a seasonal human influenza strain. PR8 is an old laboratory adapted strain no longer circulating in nature.
Thank you so much to everyone...can anyone tell me from where I can get this strain?
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