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Barberá-Riera M, Barneo-Muñoz M, Gascó-Laborda JC, Bellido Blasco J, Porru S, Alfaro C, Esteve Cano V, Carrasco P, Rebagliato M, de Llanos R, Delgado-Saborit JM. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosols in long term care facilities and other indoor spaces with known COVID-19 outbreaks. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 242:117730. [PMID: 38000631 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus outbreaks are likely to occur in crowded and congregate indoor spaces, and their effects are most severe in vulnerable long term care facilities (LTCFs) residents. Public health officers benefit from tools that allow them to control COVID-19 outbreaks in vulnerable settings such as LTCFs, but which could be translated in the future to control other known and future virus outbreaks. This study aims to develop and test a methodology based on detection of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosol samples collected with personal pumps that could be easily implemented by public health officers. The proposed methodology was used to investigate the levels of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosol in indoor settings, mainly focusing on LTCFs, suffering COVID-19 outbreaks, or in the presence of known COVID-19 cases, and targeting the initial days after diagnosis. Aerosol samples (N = 18) were collected between November 2020 and March 2022 in Castelló (Spain) from LTCFs, merchant ships and a private home with recently infected COVID-19 cases. Sampling was performed for 24-h, onto 47 mm polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and quartz filters, connected to personal pumps at 2 and 4 L/min respectively. RNA from filters was extracted and SARS-CoV-2 was determined by detection of regions N1 and N2 of the nucleocapsid gene alongside the E gene using RT-PCR technique. SARS-CoV-2 genetic material was detected in 87.5% samples. Concentrations ranged ND-19,525 gc/m3 (gene E). No genetic traces were detected in rooms from contacts that were isolated as a preventative measure. Very high levels were also measured at locations with poor ventilation. Aerosol measurement conducted with the proposed methodology provided useful information to public health officers and contributed to manage and control 12 different COVID-19 outbreaks. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in aerosol samples collected during outbreaks in congregate spaces. Indoor aerosol sampling is a useful tool in the early detection and management of COVID-19 outbreaks and supports epidemiological investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Barberá-Riera
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - M Barneo-Muñoz
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - J C Gascó-Laborda
- Epidemiology Division, Public Health Center, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - J Bellido Blasco
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain; Epidemiology Division, Public Health Center, Castelló de la Plana, Spain; Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Av. Catalunya 21, 46020, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - S Porru
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - C Alfaro
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - V Esteve Cano
- Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - P Carrasco
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain; Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Av. Catalunya 21, 46020, Valencia, Spain
| | - M Rebagliato
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain; Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Av. Catalunya 21, 46020, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - R de Llanos
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain.
| | - J M Delgado-Saborit
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain; Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Av. Catalunya 21, 46020, Valencia, Spain.
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Wang X, Thwin O, Haq Z, Dong Z, Tisdale L, Fuentes LR, Grobe N, Kotanko P. Testing of worn face mask and saliva for SARS-CoV-2. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1237512. [PMID: 37790720 PMCID: PMC10545089 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1237512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Exhaled SARS-CoV-2 can be detected on face masks. We compared tests for SARS-CoV-2 RNA on worn face masks and matched saliva samples. Methods We conducted this prospective, observational, case-control study between December 2021 and March 2022. Cases comprised 30 in-center hemodialysis patients with recent COVID-19 diagnosis. Controls comprised 13 hemodialysis patients and 25 clinic staff without COVID-19 during the study period and the past 2 months. Disposable 3-layer masks were collected after being worn for 4 hours together with concurrent saliva samples. ThermoFisher COVID-19 Combo Kit (A47814) was used for RT-PCR testing. Results Mask and saliva testing specificities were 99% and 100%, respectively. Test sensitivity was 62% for masks, and 81% for saliva (p = 0.16). Median viral RNA shedding duration was 11 days and longer in immunocompromised versus non-immunocompromised patients (22 vs. 11 days, p = 0.06, log-rank test). Conclusion While SARS-CoV-2 testing on worn masks appears to be less sensitive compared to saliva, it may be a preferred screening method for individuals who are mandated to wear masks yet averse to more invasive sampling. However, optimized RNA extraction methods and automated procedures are warranted to increase test sensitivity and scalability. We corroborated longer viral RNA shedding in immunocompromised patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Wang
- Renal Research Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ohnmar Thwin
- Renal Research Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Zahin Haq
- Renal Research Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Zijun Dong
- Renal Research Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Lela Tisdale
- Renal Research Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Nadja Grobe
- Renal Research Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Peter Kotanko
- Renal Research Institute, New York, NY, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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Wagner K, Fox P, Gordon E, Hahn W, Olsen K, Markham A, Buglewicz D, Selemenakis P, Lessard A, Goldstein D, Threatt A, Davis L, Miller-Dawson J, Stockett H, Sanders H, Rugh K, Turner H, Remias M, Williams M, Chavez J, Galindo G, Cialek C, Koch A, Fout A, Fosdick B, Broeckling B, Zabel MD. A multiplexed, paired-pooled droplet digital PCR assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3075. [PMID: 36813822 PMCID: PMC9944410 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29858-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, we developed a multiplexed, paired-pool droplet digital PCR (MP4) screening assay. Key features of our assay are the use of minimally processed saliva, 8-sample paired pools, and reverse-transcription droplet digital PCR (RT-ddPCR) targeting the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid gene. The limit of detection was determined to be 2 and 12 copies per µl for individual and pooled samples, respectively. Using the MP4 assay, we routinely processed over 1,000 samples a day with a 24-h turnaround time and over the course of 17 months, screened over 250,000 saliva samples. Modeling studies showed that the efficiency of 8-sample pools was reduced with increased viral prevalence and that this could be mitigated by using 4-sample pools. We also present a strategy for, and modeling data supporting, the creation of a third paired pool as an additional strategy to employ under high viral prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn Wagner
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Phil Fox
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Elizabeth Gordon
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Westen Hahn
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Kenzie Olsen
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Alex Markham
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Dylan Buglewicz
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Platon Selemenakis
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Avery Lessard
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Daniella Goldstein
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Alissa Threatt
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Luke Davis
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Jake Miller-Dawson
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Halie Stockett
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | | | - Kristin Rugh
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Houston Turner
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Michelle Remias
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Maggie Williams
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Jorge Chavez
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Gabriel Galindo
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Charlotte Cialek
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Amanda Koch
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Alex Fout
- Department of Statistics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Bailey Fosdick
- Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, USA
| | - Bettina Broeckling
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Mark D Zabel
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, USA.
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
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