Kuwait City, Kuwait – A team of researchers from the Ministry of Health in Kuwait has successfully demonstrated the destruction of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles through exposure to high-frequency sound waves, marking a promising advance in non-pharmacological antiviral strategies. The findings were published in the journal Viruses (MDPI), in a study titled "Destruction/Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 Virus Using Ultrasound Excitation: A Preliminary Study."
Unlike most previous work that has documented structural changes under electron microscopy, this research demonstrated a significant reduction in viral load using cycle threshold (Ct) values from PCR assays, indicating a functional inactivation of the virus rather than just morphological disruption.
Higher Ct values in PCR are used to infer significantly lower viral load, offering a measurable endpoint for assessing viral inactivation. While Ct values have limitations as a direct surrogate for infectivity, increases in Ct are interpreted in virology research as indicative of loss of viable viral material.
Speaking about the study's significance, Dr. Almunther Alhasawi, the principal investigator, and a consultant in Infectious Diseases highlighted that:
"These findings open new horizons in the fight against viral pathogens, particularly as we face the ongoing emergence of novel diseases and increasing resistance to conventional antimicrobial agents. Demonstrating functional viral inactivation through sound wave exposure represents a potentially transformative approach that complements existing therapeutic strategies."
Co-supervisor Dr. Alshimaa Hassan added that:
"This initial work will be followed by additional studies involving controlled animal models to further assess safety, efficacy, and broader applicability."
The research was supported by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), underscoring national commitment to innovative biomedical research.
This early evidence supports the concept that focused acoustic energy might serve as a non-drug antiviral approach, with potential relevance to other enveloped viruses as well as future emerging pathogens.
