Do intact viral particles survive excimer laser ablation?

Objective: To determine if intact and potentially infectious viral particles can withstand excimer laser ablation and possibly pose a health hazard to medical personnel. Methods: Excimer laser ablation of fibroblasts infected with attenuated varicella-zoster virus was performed. The laser plume was collected for polymerase chain reaction analysis and viral culture. Results: While viral DNA was detected in the material trapped from the laser plume, live virus could not be demonstrated to have survived ablation. Conclusions: Attenuated varicella-zoster virus does not seem to survive excimer laser ablation. However, we recommend the use of safety precautions such as wearing a mask during the procedure. Further research is necessary to determine if other viruses could possibly remain infectious despite exposure to excimer laser radiation.