Drops of plasma spiked with the 2a HCV reporter virus were placed into
a 24-well plate and stored uncovered for
up to 6 weeks. The drops ranged from 20
to 33 μL (mean volume, 29 μL). The investigators performed the experiment 3 times.
"In our simulation of real world risks of HCV transmission in settings conducive to exposure to HCV-contaminated fomites, we observed that cell culture derived HCV (HCVcc) could maintain infectivity for up to 6 weeks at 4° and 22°C.