Infectivity titers of adenovirus type 5 suspensions after exposure to cigarette smoke

Suspension of adenovirus type 5 in 2.0 ml of cell culture fluid at 37 degrees C were subjected to smoke from four cigarettes over a 4-h period. The cigarettes were smoked in a normal manner, and the inhaled smoke was exhaled through glass tubing into the virus-containing fluid. The virus suspensions were then titrated, using monolayer cultures of HEp-2 cells. Smoke from filter-tipped or regular cigarettes caused a 2- to 3-log drop in titer of tissue culture infectious doses of adenovirus type 5 per 0.1 ml of virus suspension. No reductions in titers were observed with parallel suspensions of the virus subjected to normal inhaled and exhaled air.