Sharp Corporation, working in collaboration with Retroscreen Virology Ltd. founded
by Professor John S. Oxford of the University of London, UK, has demonstrated
that Plasmacluster Ions (PCIs) inactivate and eliminate the airborne, highly
pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus by 99.9% in ten minutes at an ion concentration
of approximately 50,000 ions/cm3 in a box having a volume of 1m3. In 2005,
Sharp and Retroscreen Virology previously verified that Plasmacluster Ions
inactivate and eliminate the same virus by 99% in ten minutes at a concentration
of approximately 7,000 ions/cm3. Now, the use of Plasmacluster Ions in higher
concentrations has been proven to inhibit infection in cells at an even higher
rate.
Plasmacluster Ions are a revolutionary air purification technology in which
positive ions [H+(H2O) n] and negative ions [O2 -( H2O) m] are released
into the air simultaneously. These positive and negative ions instantly recombine
on the surface of bacteria, mold fungus, viruses and allergens floating in
the air to form hydroxyl (OH) radicals, which have extremely high oxidation
ability, and this chemical reaction decomposes proteins on the surface of
bacteria and other pathogens, thereby inhibiting their activity. Sharp is
using the fact that higher ion concentration results in greater inactivation
and elimination of the H5N1 influenza strain as a springboard to push ahead
with further R&D on high-concentration Plasmacluster Ion generators.
Details of these findings will be presented at BirdFlu2008: Avian Influenza
and Human Health, the first international avian influenza conference, which
will be held in the UK on September 10, 2008.
In the eight years since developing Plasmacluster Ion technology, Sharp, in
a "collaborative research approach to product marketing *3 " based
on working together with academic research organizations around the world,
has demonstrated that this technology can inactivate and eliminate 27 different
harmful microbes, including MRSA *4. The efficacy of Plasmacluster Ions for
inactivating and eliminating airborne viruses has been proven against the
H1N1 strain of human influenza virus, as well as Corona, Polio, and Coxsackie
viruses. In addition, in 2005, Sharp, working together with a number of academic
institutions *5, elucidated the mechanism behind the ability of Plasmacluster
Ions to destroy the spike-like proteins on the virus
surface, which are the triggers for infections. In addition, the safety of
high concentrations of Plasmacluster Ions has also been confirmed *6.
Sharp will continue its initiatives to contribute to society through the further
evolution of Plasmacluster Ions technology and additional demonstrations of its efficacy
with the aim of lessening the anxiety about new viruses that may emerge in
the future.
Comments by Professor John S. Oxford
I founded Retroscreen Virology Ltd. in 1989, and since then, have been pursuing
R&D and conducting verification testing related to viruses, drugs, vaccines,
and advanced face masks for medical use. At present, mutations in the avian influenza
virus pose a risk that the infection will spread from birds to humans, leading
to a worldwide pandemic. Currently, sophisticated face masks are worn to prevent
infection in individuals. But along with such masks, we can anticipate that Plasmacluster Ions
technology will contribute to combating a potential future influenza pandemic.
| *1 |
Plasmacluster and Plasmacluster Ions are trademarks of Sharp Corporation.
|
| *2 |
The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) Principles
of GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) is a set of standards intended to ensure the
generation of high-quality and reliable test data through periodic reviews of
operational organization and management, test apparatus and materials, study
designs, internal audit controls, quality assurance systems, test data, etc.,
at all test facilities. Re-certification is required every three years.
|
| *3 |
The "collaborative research approach to product marketing" verifies
the effectiveness of a technology based on scientific data developed
in collaboration with leading-edge academic research institutions. New
products are then brought to market based on the results.
|
| *4 |
MRSA is an acronym for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus, a bacterium responsible for difficult-to-treat infections in
humans. MRSA typically infects humans with weakened immune systems, for
example, patients in hospitals, and its resistance to a large group of
antibiotics is a serious problem.
|
| *5 |
Joint research conducted with Professor Gerhard Artmann, of Aachen University of Applied Sciences (2005).
|
| *6 |
Testing conducted by Mitsubishi Chemical Safety Institute
Ltd. (inhalation toxicity, as well as eye and skin irritation/corrosion
tests).
|
Method of Testing Efficacy Against Airborne H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus
A Plasmacluster Ion generators were placed in a box having a volume of 1m3.
Plasmacluster Ions were generated (concentration: approximately 50,000 ions/cm3) and the
H5N1 avian influenza virus was sprayed into the box. Airborne viruses inside
the box were sampled five minutes after the spraying was complete and then sampled
again 10 minutes after the spraying was complete. Infectivity (viral infectivity
titer *7) was studied using the TCID50 method *8 commonly used in the virology
research field. After activating the Plasmacluster Ion generator, the infectivity
titer of the virus had been reduced by 99.9% after 10 minutes with respect to
the virus concentration initially introduced.
| *7 |
A value indicating the capacity of a virus to infect cells.
|
| *8 |
50% Tissue Culture Infective Dose method; a test protocol that examines
the amount of a virus that will produce pathological change in 50% of cell
cultures inoculated with a virus suspension diluted in stepwise increments.
|
Infectivity Tests of Virus Using Cells
A Plasmacluster Ion generator was placed in a box having a volume of 1m3. Plasmacluster
Ions were generated (concentration: approximately 50,000 ions/cm3) and the H5N1 avian influenza virus
was sprayed into the box. The air in the box containing the airborne virus was sampled 10
minutes after spraying was complete. Airborne virus cells were inoculated with these virus
samples over a three-day period and changes in the cells studied.
Cells inoculated with the virus but not exposed to Plasmacluster Ions had shrunk and
ruptured after three days. In contrast, cells inoculated with the virus that had been exposed
to Plasmacluster Ions were largely not shrunken and retained their normal morphology.
These findings confirm that Plasmacluster Ions can inhibit the ability of a virus to infect
cells.
Photomicrographs of cells (MDCK*9 cells) inoculated with the H5N1 virus (40X magnification)
| *9 |
Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell line; an animal-derived cell system used in research.
|
Oxidizing Substances Produced by Plasmacluster Ions
Plasmacluster Ions adhere to airborne viruses, and the positive and negative
ions react to form OH (hydroxyl) radicals, which have the most powerful oxidation
ability (standard oxidation potential of 2.81 V), thereby inhibiting the infectivity
of the airborne virus.
| Active Substance |
Chemical Formula |
Standard Oxidation Potential [V] |
| Hydroxyl radical |
•OH |
2.81 |
| Oxygen atom |
•O |
2.42 |
| Ozone |
O3 |
2.07 |
| Hydrogen peroxide |
H2O2 |
1.78 |
| Hydroperoxide radical |
•OOH |
1.7 |
| Oxygen molecule |
OO2 |
1.23 |
| Source: |
Ozon no kiso to ouyou [ Ozone—Its Basis and Applications]
|
About the H5N1 Strain of Avian Influenza
(Source: Japanese Prime Minister's Office website)
Avian influenza is an infection that spreads from birds to other birds,
however, humans can also be infected through close contact with living birds.
There is also the possibility of the virus mutating into a new type of highly
infectious virus capable of being transmitted from human to human.
Efficacy of Plasmacluster Ions Against Various Pathogens Confirmed Through Collaborative Research
| Target Substance |
Species |
Testing & Verification Organization |
Date of Announcement |
| Bacteria |
Serratia bacteria |
Harvard School of Public Health (Dr. Melvin W. First, Professor Emeritus), United States |
March 2007 |
| Coliform bacteria (E. coli) |
Ishikawa Health Service Association, Japan |
September 2000 |
E. coli, Staphylococcus
(aureus), Candida |
Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China |
October 2001 |
| Bacillus subtilis |
Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences, Japan |
September 2002 |
| CT&T (Professor Gerhard Artmann, Aachen University of Applied Sciences), Germany |
November, 2004 |
| MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) |
Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences, Japan |
September 2002 |
| Kitasato Institute Medical Center Hospital, Japan |
February 2004 |
| Pseudomonas, Enterococcus, Staphylococcus |
University of Lübeck, Germany |
February 2002 |
| Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, Sarcina, Micrococcus |
CT&T (Professor Gerhard Artmann, Aachen University of Applied Sciences), Germany |
November 2004 |
| Allergens |
Mite allergens, pollen |
Graduate School of Advanced Sciences of Matter, Hiroshima University, Japan |
September 2003 |
| Airborne allergens |
Asthma Society of Canada |
April 2004 |
| Fungi |
Cladosporium |
Ishikawa Health Service Association, Japan |
September 2000 |
| University of Lübeck, Germany (growth-suppressing effect) |
February 2002 |
| CT&T (Professor Gerhard Artmann, Aachen University of Applied Sciences), Germany |
November 2004 |
| Penicillium, Aspergillus |
University of Lübeck, Germany (growth-suppressing effect) |
February 2002 |
| Aspergillus, Penicillium (two species), Stachybotrys, Alternaria, Mucorales |
CT&T (Professor Gerhard Artmann, Aachen University of Applied Sciences), Germany |
November 2004 |
| Viruses |
H1N1 human influenza virus |
Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences, Japan |
September 2002 |
| Seoul University, Korea |
September 2003 |
| Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China |
December 2003 |
| Kitasato Institute Medical Center Hospital, Japan |
February 2004 |
| H5N1 avian influenza virus |
Retroscreen Virology, Ltd., London, UK |
May 2005 |
| Coxsackie virus |
Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences, Japan |
September 2002 |
| Polio virus |
Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences, Japan |
September 2002 |
| Corona virus |
Kitasato Institute Medical Center Hospital, Japan |
July 2004 |
| Note: |
Efficacy in inhibiting activity of the airborne target substances noted
above was verified by exposing the substances to an ion concentration
of at least 3,000 ions/cm3.
|
Profile of Professor John S. Oxford
• Professor of Virology in the Institute of Cell and Molecular Science at St. Bartholomew's and the Royal London Hospital, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London, UK
• Founder and Scientific Director of Retroscreen Virology Ltd.
Specialization
Virology
Publications
• Scientific papers: Approximately 250
• Texts: Three texts on virology
1. Influenza, the Viruses and the Disease
2. Human Virology: A Text for Students of Medicine, Dentistry and Microbiology
3. Conquest of Viral Diseases
Other
• Has chaired numerous international academic conferences and meetings
About the University of London
Established by Royal Charter in 1836, the University of London is a federation
of 19 Colleges and Institutes and has more than 115,000 students, making
it one of the largest universities in the world.
Queen Mary, University of London, is composed of the UK's oldest medical school,
London Hospital Medical College (est. 1785), and St. Bartholomew's Hospital
Medical College (est. 1843). It has approximately 8,800 undergraduate students
and offers a wide range of fields of study including not only medicine and
dentistry, but also biology, chemistry, physics, electrical engineering,
computer science, law, literature, political science, and others. It has
also produced seven Nobel Prize winners.
Retroscreen Virology Ltd.
Retroscreen Virology Ltd. was founded by Professor John Oxford in 1989 to conduct
R&D and verification testing related to viruses, drugs, and vaccines,
and is well known as one of the leaders of its field. It is certified under
GLP (Good Laboratory Practices), an international set of standards for maintaining
high levels of reliability and safety in trials involving chemical substances.
It is also ISO 9001-certified.
Website Set Up by Professor John Oxford
A new website entitled "A New Approach to Fighting H5N1" has been
set up for R&D based on new approaches, and oriented toward mitigating the
risk of infection by the avian influenza virus. On the site, Professor Oxford
will also be describing the testing and evaluation of Plasmacluster Ions he has
performed.
Overview of Plasmacluster Ion Technology
Efficacy of PCIs on Various Viruses
| Species of Virus |
Method of Testing/Efficacy |
Testing and Verification Organization |
Explanation of Virus |
| H5N1 influenza virus |
Testing volume: 1m3 box Dispersal time: 10 minutes Inactivation ratio: 99.0% |
Retroscreen Virology, Ltd., London, UK
Study No. PNT-PCS-001(2005) |
Virus extracted from humans that causes avian influenza |
| H1N1 influenza virus |
Testing volume: 1m3 box Dispersal time: 25 minutes Inactivation ratio: 99.7% |
Kitasato Research Center of
Environmental Sciences, Japan
Kitasato Institute Medical Center Hospital,
Japan Study No. 00313 (2004) |
Virus causing influenza infection in humans |
| Corona virus |
Testing volume: 1m3 box Dispersal time: 35 minutes Inactivation ratio: 99.7% |
Kitasato Institute Medical Center Hospital, Japan Study No. 00313 (2004) |
Virus causing inflammation of the stomach lining in cats; same family as the SARS virus |
| Coxsackie virus |
Testing volume: one-pass test
Dispersal time: 3.3 seconds Inactivation ratio: 98.9% |
Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences, Japan
Kitasato Study No. 13-0214-2 (2002)
| Virus causing summer colds |
| Polio virus |
Testing volume: one-pass test
Dispersal time: 3.3 seconds Inactivation ratio: 98.9% |
Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences, Japan
Kitasato Study No. 13-0214-2 (2002) |
Virus causing paralysis in children |
| SARS Virus |
Testing volume: one-pass test
Dispersal time: 3.3 seconds Inactivation ratio: 73.4% |
Retroscreen Virology, Ltd., London, UK Study No. PNT-PCS-003 (2005) |
Virus causing SARS |
| The following information is true and accurate at the time of publication. Manufacture, sale, price and specifications of products may be subjected to change. |
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