Title:Restrictive Influence of Silver Nanoparticles on the Life Cycle of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus
VOLUME: 8 ISSUE: 2
Author(s):Solmaz Rafiei, Seyedeh E. Rezatofighi*, Mohammad R. Ardakani and Omid Madadgar
Affiliation:Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran
Keywords:Foot-and-Mouth disease virus, silver nanoparticles, antiviral activity, cytopathic effect, MTT
assay, plaque assay.
Abstract:Background: Foot-and-Mouth disease (FMD), a contagious, acute infectious disease
of domestic and wild ruminants, can devastate livestock and create an economic calamity
for their owners. The finding of antiviral compounds to combat FMD virus (FMDV) is
thus of great importance. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have attracted great interests as a potentially
useful tool for controlling various microorganisms.
Objective: In this study, the interaction and mode action of AgNPs with respect to FMDV
were investigated. Cytotoxicity of AgNPs on the baby hamster kidney 21 (BHK-21) cell line
was determined by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay,
and the anti-FMDV activity of the nanoparticles was evaluated by plaque assays at different
times of infection.
Results: AgNPs at non-toxic concentrations could inactivate the virus prior to entry into the
cell or during penetration, but not after adsorption.
Conclusion: The antiviral mechanism requires further research; however, these findings provide
new insights into the potential anti-FMDV activity of AgNPs.
