Abstract
This study demonstrates that high-frequency ultrasound (3–20 MHz) can effectively disrupt the structural integrity of both Influenza A virus (H1N1) and SARS-CoV-2 through a resonance-driven mechanism distinct from classical cavitation (kHz range). Under these conditions, viral particles undergo pronounced alterations (fragmentation, envelope rupture, and loss of morphological uniformity) consistent with direct mechanical destabilization rather than thermal or bubble-mediated effects. Detailed structural analyses revealed significant disruption of the viral envelope, accompanied by measurable shifts in particle size distribution and reduced diameters, indicative of resonance-induced fragmentation. These structural modifications were paralleled by biological consequences: SARS-CoV-2 infectivity was markedly reduced in vitro, with infected cells exhibiting substantially lower viral loads. Importantly, this work provides the first experimental evidence that acoustic resonance can directly couple with viral structural components, inducing selective mechanical destabilization of the envelope. The convergence of structural and functional data supports the view that this represents a previously undescribed biophysical phenomenon, fundamentally distinct from cavitation. This resonance-mediated destabilization highlights a novel, non-invasive, and broad-spectrum antiviral strategy that differs from cavitation, more suited to asepsis and sterilization, and offers a therapeutic approach with potential applications against enveloped respiratory viruses and other clinically relevant pathogens.
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Data availability
Data supporting this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. When applicable, processed datasets and code are available in public repositories as described in Methods.
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Acknowledgements
O.M.B thanks Daniela Gravina Stamato for discussions on clinical ultrasonography and early suggestions.
Funding
FAPESP: F.P.V 2020/07645–0; G.N 2023/07241–5; F.Q.C 2013/08216–2 and 2020/05601–6; E.A 2019/26119–0; O.M.B 2018/22214–6, 2021/08325–2, and 2023/07241–5. O.M.B also acknowledges CNPq 05610/2022–8. F.P.V also acknowledges and Institut Merrieux Grant.
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F.P.V, G.N, and O.M.B designed the study. F.P.V performed immunofluorescence and confocal analyses. R.M performed TCID50 assays. F.P.V and G.N performed ultrasound exposures. G.N and M.A.P.S performed SEM and AFM analyses. G.C.M.R and C.J.L.C performed, analyzed, and discussed DLS experiments. F.Q.C, E.A, and O.M.B provided critical materials and comments. F.P.V, G.N, and O.M.B wrote the manuscript. O.M.B coordinated and supervised the project. All authors approved the manuscript.
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Veras, F.P., Nakamura, G., Pereira-da-Silva, M.A. et al. Ultrasound effectively destabilizes and disrupts the structural integrity of enveloped respiratory viruses. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-37584-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-37584-x
