Sodium dodecyl sulfate as a viral inactivator and future perspectives in the control of small ruminant lentiviruses

ABSTRACT Infections by small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) affect goats and sheep causing chronic multisystemic diseases that generate great economic losses. The caprine lentivirus (CLV) and the ovine lentivirus (OLV) present tropism for cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage, which are directly associated with the main route of transmission through the ingestion of milk and colostrum from infected animals. In this manner, controlling this route is of paramount importance. Currently, researches have investigated the use of chemical additives in milk that can preserve colostrum or milk and inactivate microbiological agents. Among the compounds, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) has been shown to be satisfactory in the chemical inactivation of HIV and CLV in milk, and also as a biocide in goat colostrum.