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Zhang Y, Shankar SN, Vass WB, Lednicky JA, Fan ZH, Agdas D, Makuch R, Wu CY. Air Change Rate and SARS-CoV-2 Exposure in Hospitals and Residences: A Meta-Analysis. AEROSOL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR AEROSOL RESEARCH 2024; 58:217-243. [PMID: 38764553 PMCID: PMC11101186 DOI: 10.1080/02786826.2024.2312178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
As SARS-CoV-2 swept across the globe, increased ventilation and implementation of air cleaning were emphasized by the US CDC and WHO as important strategies to reduce the risk of inhalation exposure to the virus. To assess whether higher ventilation and air cleaning rates lead to lower exposure risk to SARS-CoV-2, 1274 manuscripts published between April 2020 and September 2022 were screened using key words "airborne SARS-CoV-2 or "SARS-CoV-2 aerosol". Ninety-three studies involved air sampling at locations with known sources (hospitals and residences) were selected and associated data were compiled. Two metrics were used to assess exposure risk: SARS-CoV-2 concentration and SARS-CoV-2 detection rate in air samples. Locations were categorized by type (hospital or residence) and proximity to the sampling location housing the isolated/quarantined patient (primary or secondary). The results showed that hospital wards had lower airborne virus concentrations than residential isolation rooms. A negative correlation was found between airborne virus concentrations in primary-occupancy areas and air changes per hour (ACH). In hospital settings, sample positivity rates were significantly reduced in secondary-occupancy areas compared to primary-occupancy areas, but they were similar across sampling locations in residential settings. ACH and sample positivity rates were negatively correlated, though the effect was diminished when ACH values exceeded 8. While limitations associated with diverse sampling protocols exist, data considered by this meta-analysis support the notion that higher ACH may reduce exposure risks to the virus in ambient air.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuetong Zhang
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columnia, Canada
| | - Sripriya Nannu Shankar
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Environmental & Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - William B. Vass
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - John A. Lednicky
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Z. Hugh Fan
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Duzgun Agdas
- Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Robert Makuch
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Chang-Yu Wu
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
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2
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Shankar SN, Vass WB, Lednicky JA, Logan T, Messcher RL, Eiguren-Fernandez A, Amanatidis S, Sabo-Attwood T, Wu CY. The BioCascade-VIVAS system for collection and delivery of virus-laden size-fractionated airborne particles. JOURNAL OF AEROSOL SCIENCE 2024; 175:106263. [PMID: 38680161 PMCID: PMC11044810 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2023.106263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
The size of virus-laden particles determines whether aerosol or droplet transmission is dominant in the airborne transmission of pathogens. Determining dominant transmission pathways is critical to implementing effective exposure risk mitigation strategies. The aerobiology discipline greatly needs an air sampling system that can collect virus-laden airborne particles, separate them by particle diameter, and deliver them directly onto host cells without inactivating virus or killing cells. We report the use of a testing system that combines a BioAerosol Nebulizing Generator (BANG) to aerosolize Human coronavirus (HCoV)-OC43 (OC43) and an integrated air sampling system comprised of a BioCascade impactor (BC) and Viable Virus Aerosol Sampler (VIVAS), together referred to as BC-VIVAS, to deliver the aerosolized virus directly onto Vero E6 cells. Particles were collected into four stages according to their aerodynamic diameter (Stage 1: >9.43 μm, Stage 2: 3.81-9.43 μm, Stage 3: 1.41-3.81 μm and Stage 4: <1.41 μm). OC43 was detected by reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analyses of samples from all BC-VIVAS stages. The calculated OC43 genome equivalent counts per cm3 of air ranged from 0.34±0.09 to 70.28±12.56, with the highest concentrations in stage 3 (1.41-3.81 μm) and stage 4 (<1.41 μm). Virus-induced cytopathic effects appeared only in cells exposed to particles collected in stages 3 and 4, demonstrating the presence of viable OC43 in particles <3.81 μm. This study demonstrates the dual utility of the BC-VIVAS as particle size-fractionating air sampler and a direct exposure system for aerosolized viruses. Such utility may help minimize conventional post-collection sample processing time required to assess the viability of airborne viruses and increase the understanding about transmission pathways for airborne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sripriya Nannu Shankar
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - William B. Vass
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - John A. Lednicky
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Tracey Logan
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Rebeccah L. Messcher
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | | | | | - Tara Sabo-Attwood
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Chang-Yu Wu
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA
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3
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Kitamura K, Ueno MK, Yoshida H. Rapid and sensitive on-site detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from environmental surfaces using portable laboratory devices. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0045623. [PMID: 37791760 PMCID: PMC10715158 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00456-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE This study presents the development of a highly sensitive on-site method for detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA on various surfaces, including doorknobs and tables. Identifying SARS-CoV-2 RNA on these surfaces can be crucial in guiding decision-making for implementing non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as zoning strategies, improving ventilation, maintaining physical distancing, and promoting increased hand hygiene practices. Moreover, the on-site detection system can facilitate the swift initiation of mitigation responses in non-laboratory settings, including long-term care facilities and schools. The protocols established in this study offer a comprehensive approach for achieving both sensitivity and rapidity in on-site SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection. Furthermore, since the RT-qPCR assay serves as the gold standard for detecting viral RNAs, the developed protocol holds potential for application to other viruses, including enteroviruses and noroviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kouichi Kitamura
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Musashimurayama-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Minami Kikuchi Ueno
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Musashimurayama-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiromu Yoshida
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Musashimurayama-shi, Tokyo, Japan
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4
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Martínez-Espinosa E, Carvajal-Mariscal I. Virus-laden droplet nuclei in vortical structures associated with recirculation zones in indoor environments: A possible airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANCES 2023; 12:100376. [PMID: 37193349 PMCID: PMC10163794 DOI: 10.1016/j.envadv.2023.100376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Droplet nuclei dispersion patterns in indoor environments are reviewed from a physics view to explore the possibility of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. This review analyzes works on particle dispersion patterns and their concentration in vortical structures in different indoor environments. Numerical simulations and experiments reveal the formation of the buildings' recirculation zones and vortex flow regions by flow separation, airflow interaction around objects, internal dispersion of airflow, or thermal plume. These vortical structures showed high particle concentration because particles are trapped for long periods. Then a hypothesis is proposed to explain why some medical studies detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and others do not detect the virus. The hypothesis proposes that airborne transmission is possible if virus-laden droplet nuclei are trapped in vortical structures associated with recirculation zones. This hypothesis is reinforced by a numerical study in a restaurant that presented possible evidence of airborne transmission by a large recirculating air zone. Furthermore, a medical study in a hospital is discussed from a physical view for identifying the formation of recirculation zones and their relation with positive tests for viruses. The observations show air sampling site located in this vortical structure is positive for the SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Therefore, the formation of vortical structures associated with recirculation zones should be avoided to minimize the possibility of airborne transmission. This work tries to understand the complex phenomenon of airborne transmission as a way in the prevention of transmission of infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Martínez-Espinosa
- Industrial and Environmental Processes Department, Instituto de Ingeniería, UNAM, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, México
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5
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Zahedi A, Seif F, Golshan M, Khammar A, Rezaei Kahkha MR. Air Surveillance for Viral Contamination with SARS-CoV-2 RNA at a Healthcare Facility. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2022; 14:374-383. [PMID: 35610444 PMCID: PMC9129059 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-022-09524-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The transmission pathway of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 also called COVID-19 disease) in indoor environments are the main area of contention between health systems and scientists. In this context, little has been investigated about the collection of airborne viral shedding. Here, we collected air samples from 24 locations inside the sole COVID-19 patient care center in Zabol, Iran, for screening SARS-CoV-2 RNA from March to May 2021. Locations included the ICU, COVID-19 wards (CWs) rooms, corridors, nearby nurses' stations, and toilets. We identified the SARS-CoV-2 RNA in breathing zone of CW, in room air, with the positivity rate of 2.5% at a concentration of 17 × 103 virus genome copies/m3 air. It also investigates the relationship between local climate conditions [i.e., temperature and relative humidity] and COVID-19 transmission with the evolution of daily official data on the number of new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Current data explained that the difference of temperature and humidity may affect the behavior of virus along with other factors, i.e., population density, individual viral shedding, and infectious dose of SARS-CoV-2 (both indoor and outdoor). Our data support the potential SARS-CoV-2 airborne transmission indoors suggesting the specific safety assessment of building to improve ventilation solutions besides proper using face masks and extensive public health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Zahedi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Shoushtar Faculty of Medical Sciences, Shoushtar, Iran
| | - Faezeh Seif
- Department of Basic Sciences, Shoushtar Faculty of Medical Sciences, Shoushtar, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Golshan
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran.
| | - Alireza Khammar
- Department of Occupational Health, Faculty of Health, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Rezaei Kahkha
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
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6
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Maison DP, Ching LL, Cleveland SB, Tseng AC, Nakano E, Shikuma CM, Nerurkar VR. Dynamic SARS-CoV-2 emergence algorithm for rationally-designed logical next-generation vaccines. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1081. [PMID: 36217024 PMCID: PMC9550860 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04030-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 worldwide spread and evolution has resulted in variants containing mutations resulting in immune evasive epitopes that decrease vaccine efficacy. We acquired SARS-CoV-2 positive clinical samples and compared the worldwide emerged spike mutations from Variants of Concern/Interest, and developed an algorithm for monitoring the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in the context of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. The algorithm partitions logarithmic-transformed prevalence data monthly and Pearson's correlation determines exponential emergence of amino acid substitutions (AAS) and lineages. The SARS-CoV-2 genome evaluation indicated 49 mutations, with 44 resulting in AAS. Nine of the ten most worldwide prevalent (>70%) spike protein changes have Pearson's coefficient r > 0.9. The tenth, D614G, has a prevalence >99% and r-value of 0.67. The resulting algorithm is based on the patterns these ten substitutions elucidated. The strong positive correlation of the emerged spike protein changes and algorithmic predictive value can be harnessed in designing vaccines with relevant immunogenic epitopes. Monitoring, next-generation vaccine design, and mAb clinical efficacy must keep up with SARS-CoV-2 evolution, as the virus is predicted to remain endemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- David P Maison
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
- Pacific Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Research, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
- John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Lauren L Ching
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
- Pacific Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Research, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
- John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Sean B Cleveland
- Hawaii Data Science Institute, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
- Department of Cyberinfrastructure, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Alanna C Tseng
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
- Pacific Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Research, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
- John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Eileen Nakano
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
- Pacific Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Research, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
- John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Cecilia M Shikuma
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
- John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
- Hawaii Center for AIDS, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Vivek R Nerurkar
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.
- Pacific Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Research, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.
- John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.
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7
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SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens are detected in continuous air samples from congregate settings. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4717. [PMID: 35953484 PMCID: PMC9366802 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32406-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Two years after the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, there is still a need for better ways to assess the risk of transmission in congregate spaces. We deployed active air samplers to monitor the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in real-world settings across communities in the Upper Midwestern states of Wisconsin and Minnesota. Over 29 weeks, we collected 527 air samples from 15 congregate settings. We detected 106 samples that were positive for SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA, demonstrating that SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in continuous air samples collected from a variety of real-world settings. We expanded the utility of air surveillance to test for 40 other respiratory pathogens. Surveillance data revealed differences in timing and location of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus detection. In addition, we obtained SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences from air samples to identify variant lineages. Collectively, this shows air sampling is a scalable, high throughput surveillance tool that could be used in conjunction with other methods for detecting respiratory pathogens in congregate settings.
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Jefferson T, Heneghan CJ, Spencer E, Brassey J, Plüddemann A, Onakpoya I, Evans D, Conly J. A Hierarchical Framework for Assessing Transmission Causality of Respiratory Viruses. Viruses 2022; 14:1605. [PMID: 35893670 PMCID: PMC9332164 DOI: 10.3390/v14081605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Systematic reviews of 591 primary studies of the modes of transmission for SARS-CoV-2 show significant methodological shortcomings and heterogeneity in the design, conduct, testing, and reporting of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. While this is partly understandable at the outset of a pandemic, evidence rules of proof for assessing the transmission of this virus are needed for present and future pandemics of viral respiratory pathogens. We review the history of causality assessment related to microbial etiologies with a focus on respiratory viruses and suggest a hierarchy of evidence to integrate clinical, epidemiologic, molecular, and laboratory perspectives on transmission. The hierarchy, if applied to future studies, should narrow the uncertainty over the twin concepts of causality and transmission of human respiratory viruses. We attempt to address the translational gap between the current research evidence and the assessment of causality in the transmission of respiratory viruses with a focus on SARS-CoV-2. Experimentation, consistency, and independent replication of research alongside our proposed framework provide a chain of evidence that can reduce the uncertainty over the transmission of respiratory viruses and increase the level of confidence in specific modes of transmission, informing the measures that should be undertaken to prevent transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Jefferson
- Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford, Rewley House, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JA, UK;
| | - Carl J. Heneghan
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6GG, UK; (C.J.H.); (E.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Elizabeth Spencer
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6GG, UK; (C.J.H.); (E.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Jon Brassey
- Trip Database Ltd., Little Maristowe, Glasllwch Lane, Newport NP20 3PS, UK;
| | - Annette Plüddemann
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6GG, UK; (C.J.H.); (E.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Igho Onakpoya
- Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford, Rewley House, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JA, UK;
| | - David Evans
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada;
| | - John Conly
- Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance, Alberta Health Services, Alberta Precision Laboratories, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada;
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9
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Tao Y, Zhang X, Qiu G, Spillmann M, Ji Z, Wang J. SARS-CoV-2 and other airborne respiratory viruses in outdoor aerosols in three Swiss cities before and during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 164:107266. [PMID: 35512527 PMCID: PMC9060371 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been affecting the world since the end of 2019. While virus-laden particles have been commonly detected and studied in the aerosol samples from indoor healthcare settings, studies are scarce on air surveillance of the virus in outdoor non-healthcare environments, including the correlations between SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses, between viruses and environmental factors, and between viruses and human behavior changes due to the public health measures against COVID-19. Therefore, in this study, we collected airborne particulate matter (PM) samples from November 2019 to April 2020 in Bern, Lugano, and Zurich. Among 14 detected viruses, influenza A, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-HKU1, and HCoV-229E were abundant in air. SARS-CoV-2 and enterovirus were moderately common, while the remaining viruses occurred only in low concentrations. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in PM10 (PM below 10 µm) samples of Bern and Zurich, and PM2.5 (PM below 2.5 µm) samples of Bern which exhibited a concentration positively correlated with the local COVID-19 case number. The concentration was also correlated with the concentration of enterovirus which raised the concern of coinfection. The estimated COVID-19 infection risks of an hour exposure at these two sites were generally low but still cannot be neglected. Our study demonstrated the potential functionality of outdoor air surveillance of airborne respiratory viruses, especially at transportation hubs and traffic arteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yile Tao
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Xiaole Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Guangyu Qiu
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Martin Spillmann
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Zheng Ji
- School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland.
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10
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Horve PF, Dietz LG, Bowles G, MacCrone G, Olsen-Martinez A, Northcutt D, Moore V, Barnatan L, Parhizkar H, Van Den Wymelenberg KG. Longitudinal analysis of built environment and aerosol contamination associated with isolated COVID-19 positive individuals. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7395. [PMID: 35513399 PMCID: PMC9070971 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11303-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The indoor environment is the primary location for the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), largely driven by respiratory particle accumulation in the air and increased connectivity between the individuals occupying indoor spaces. In this study, we aimed to track a cohort of subjects as they occupied a COVID-19 isolation dormitory to better understand the impact of subject and environmental viral load over time, symptoms, and room ventilation on the detectable viral load within a single room. We find that subject samples demonstrate a decrease in overall viral load over time, symptoms significantly impact environmental viral load, and we provide the first real-world evidence for decreased aerosol SARS-CoV-2 load with increasing ventilation, both from mechanical and window sources. These results may guide environmental viral surveillance strategies and be used to better control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 within built environments and better protect those caring for individuals with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick F Horve
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA.,Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Leslie G Dietz
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Garis Bowles
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Georgia MacCrone
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | | | - Dale Northcutt
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA.,Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Vincent Moore
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Liliana Barnatan
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Hooman Parhizkar
- Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA.,Institute for Health and the Built Environment, University of Oregon, Portland, OR, 97209, USA
| | - Kevin G Van Den Wymelenberg
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA. .,Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA. .,Institute for Health and the Built Environment, University of Oregon, Portland, OR, 97209, USA.
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11
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Ramuta MD, Newman CM, Brakefield SF, Stauss MR, Wiseman RW, Kita-Yarbro A, O'Connor EJ, Dahal N, Lim A, Poulsen KP, Safdar N, Marx JA, Accola MA, Rehrauer WM, Zimmer JA, Khubbar M, Beversdorf LJ, Boehm EC, Castañeda D, Rushford C, Gregory DA, Yao JD, Bhattacharyya S, Johnson MC, Aliota MT, Friedrich TC, O'Connor DH, O'Connor SL. SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens are detected in continuous air samples from congregate settings. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2022. [PMID: 35378751 PMCID: PMC8978944 DOI: 10.1101/2022.03.29.22272716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Two years after the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, there is still a need for better ways to assess the risk of transmission in congregate spaces. We deployed active air samplers to monitor the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in real-world settings across communities in the Upper Midwestern states of Wisconsin and Minnesota. Over 29 weeks, we collected 527 air samples from 15 congregate settings and detected 106 SARS-CoV-2 positive samples, demonstrating SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in air collected from daily and weekly sampling intervals. We expanded the utility of air surveillance to test for 40 other respiratory pathogens. Surveillance data revealed differences in timing and location of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus detection in the community. In addition, we obtained SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences from air samples to identify variant lineages. Collectively, this shows air surveillance is a scalable, cost-effective, and high throughput alternative to individual testing for detecting respiratory pathogens in congregate settings.
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12
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Data on Transfer of Human Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 from Foods and Packaging Materials to Gloves Indicate That Fomite Transmission Is of Minor Importance. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0233821. [PMID: 35285254 PMCID: PMC9004375 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02338-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is mainly transmitted via droplets and aerosols. To evaluate the role of transmission by fomites, SARS-CoV-2-specific data on transfer rates from surfaces to hands and from hands to face are lacking. Here, we generated quantitatively controlled transfer rates for SARS-CoV-2 from food items (lettuce, ham, and vegetarian meat alternative [VMA]) and packaging materials (cardboard and plastic) to gloves using a wet, dry, and frozen viral inoculum and from glove to glove using a wet viral inoculum. For biosafety reasons, the transfer from surfaces to hands and hands to face was simulated by using gloves. The cumulative transfer rate was calculated by using the data from the first transfer experiment, food or packaging material to glove, and combined with the transfer rate obtained from the second transfer experiment from glove to glove. The cumulative transfer rates from lettuce (4.7%) and ham (3.4%) were not significantly different (P > 0.05) but were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that from VMA (“wet” or “frozen”). The wet cumulative transfer rate from VMA (1.3%) was significantly higher than the cumulative transfer rate from frozen VMA (0.0011%). No transfer from plastic or cardboard was observed with a dry inoculum. The plastic packaging under wet conditions provided the highest cumulative transfer rate (3.0%), while the cumulative transfer from frozen cardboard was very small (0.035%). Overall, the transfer rates determined in this study suggest a minor role of foods or food packaging materials in infection transmission. IMPORTANCE The observation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in swab samples from frozen fish packages in China, confirmed only once by cell culture, led to the hypothesis that food contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 virus particles could be the source of an outbreak. Epidemiological evidence for fomites as infection source is scarce, but it is important for the food industry to evaluate this infection path with quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA), using measured viral transfer rates from surfaces to hands and face. The present study provides transfer data for SARS-CoV-2 from various types of foods and packaging materials using quantitative methods that take uncertainties related to the virus recovery from the different surfaces into consideration. The transfer data from this model system provide important input parameters for QMRA models to assess the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from contaminated food items.
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13
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Viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in droplets and bioaerosols directly captured during breathing, speaking and coughing. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3484. [PMID: 35241703 PMCID: PMC8894466 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07301-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Determining the viral load and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in macroscopic respiratory droplets, bioaerosols, and other bodily fluids and secretions is important for identifying transmission modes, assessing risks and informing public health guidelines. Here we show that viral load of SARS-CoV-2 Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) in participants’ naso-pharyngeal (NP) swabs positively correlated with RNA viral load they emitted in both droplets >10 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\upmu \hbox {m}$$\end{document}μm directly captured during the combined expiratory activities of breathing, speaking and coughing using a standardized protocol, although the NP swabs had \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$^3\times$$\end{document}3× more RNA on average. By identifying highly-infectious individuals (maximum of 18,000 PFU/mL in NP), we retrieved higher numbers of SARS-CoV-2 RNA gene copies in bioaerosol samples (maximum of 4.8\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$${\times }10^{5}$$\end{document}×105 gene copies/mL and minimum cycle threshold of 26.2) relative to other studies. However, all attempts to identify infectious virus in size-segregated droplets and bioaerosols were negative by plaque assay (0 of 58). This outcome is partly attributed to the insufficient amount of viral material in each sample (as indicated by SARS-CoV-2 gene copies) or may indicate no infectious virus was present in such samples, although other possible factors are identified.
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14
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Dinoi A, Feltracco M, Chirizzi D, Trabucco S, Conte M, Gregoris E, Barbaro E, La Bella G, Ciccarese G, Belosi F, La Salandra G, Gambaro A, Contini D. A review on measurements of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in air in outdoor and indoor environments: Implication for airborne transmission. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 809:151137. [PMID: 34699823 PMCID: PMC8539199 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has been object of debate in the scientific community since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic. This mechanism of transmission could arise from virus-laden aerosol released by infected individuals and it is influenced by several factors. Among these, the concentration and size distribution of virus-laden particles play an important role. The knowledge regarding aerosol transmission increases as new evidence is collected in different studies, even if it is not yet available a standard protocol regarding air sampling and analysis, which can create difficulties in the interpretation and application of results. This work reports a systematic review of current knowledge gained by 73 published papers on experimental determination of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in air comparing different environments: outdoors, indoor hospitals and healthcare settings, and public community indoors. Selected papers furnished 77 datasets: outdoor studies (9/77, 11.7%) and indoor studies (68/77. 88.3%). The indoor datasets in hospitals were the vast majority (58/68, 85.3%), and the remaining (10/68, 14.7%) were classified as community indoors. The fraction of studies having positive samples, as well as positivity rates (i.e. ratios between positive and total samples) are significantly larger in hospitals compared to the other typologies of sites. Contamination of surfaces was more frequent (in indoor datasets) compared to contamination of air samples; however, the average positivity rate was lower compared to that of air. Concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in air were highly variables and, on average, lower in outdoors compared to indoors. Among indoors, concentrations in community indoors appear to be lower than those in hospitals and healthcare settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelaide Dinoi
- Istituto di Scienze dell'Atmosfera e del Clima (ISAC-CNR), Str. Prv. Lecce-Monteroni km 1.2, Lecce, Italy
| | - Matteo Feltracco
- Istituto di Scienze Polari (ISP-CNR), Via Torino 155, Venice, Mestre, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari di Venezia, Via Torino 155, Venezia, Mestre, Italy
| | - Daniela Chirizzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata (IZSPB), Via Manfredonia 20, Foggia, Italy
| | - Sara Trabucco
- Istituto di Scienze dell'Atmosfera e del Clima (ISAC-CNR), Via Gobetti 101, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marianna Conte
- Istituto di Scienze dell'Atmosfera e del Clima (ISAC-CNR), Str. Prv. Lecce-Monteroni km 1.2, Lecce, Italy; Laboratory for Observations and Analyses of Earth and Climate, Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l'Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA), 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Gregoris
- Istituto di Scienze Polari (ISP-CNR), Via Torino 155, Venice, Mestre, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari di Venezia, Via Torino 155, Venezia, Mestre, Italy
| | - Elena Barbaro
- Istituto di Scienze Polari (ISP-CNR), Via Torino 155, Venice, Mestre, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari di Venezia, Via Torino 155, Venezia, Mestre, Italy
| | - Gianfranco La Bella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata (IZSPB), Via Manfredonia 20, Foggia, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Ciccarese
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata (IZSPB), Via Manfredonia 20, Foggia, Italy
| | - Franco Belosi
- Istituto di Scienze dell'Atmosfera e del Clima (ISAC-CNR), Via Gobetti 101, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanna La Salandra
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata (IZSPB), Via Manfredonia 20, Foggia, Italy
| | - Andrea Gambaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari di Venezia, Via Torino 155, Venezia, Mestre, Italy
| | - Daniele Contini
- Istituto di Scienze dell'Atmosfera e del Clima (ISAC-CNR), Str. Prv. Lecce-Monteroni km 1.2, Lecce, Italy.
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15
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Tharak A, Kopperi H, Hemalatha M, Kiran U, C. G. G, Moharir S, Mishra RK, Mohan SV. Longitudinal and Long-Term Wastewater Surveillance for COVID-19: Infection Dynamics and Zoning of Urban Community. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19052697. [PMID: 35270390 PMCID: PMC8910010 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19052697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is emerging as a potential approach to study the infection dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 at a community level. Periodic sewage surveillance can act as an indicative tool to predict the early surge of pandemic within the community and understand the dynamics of infection and, thereby, facilitates for proper healthcare management. In this study, we performed a long-term epidemiological surveillance to assess the SARS-CoV-2 spread in domestic sewage over one year (July 2020 to August 2021) by adopting longitudinal sampling to represent a selected community (~2.5 lakhs population). Results indicated temporal dynamics in the viral load. A consistent amount of viral load was observed during the months from July 2020 to November 2020, suggesting a higher spread of the viral infection among the community, followed by a decrease in the subsequent two months (December 2020 and January 2021). A marginal increase was observed during February 2021, hinting at the onset of the second wave (from March 2021) that reached it speak in April 2021. Dynamics of the community infection rates were calculated based on the viral gene copies to assess the severity of COVID-19 spread. With the ability to predict the infection spread, longitudinal WBE studies also offer the prospect of zoning specific areas based on the infection rates. Zoning of the selected community based on the infection rates assists health management to plan and manage the infection in an effective way. WBE promotes clinical inspection with simultaneous disease detection and management, in addition to an advance warning signal to anticipate outbreaks, with respect to the slated community/zones, to tackle, prepare for and manage the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athmakuri Tharak
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500007, India; (A.T.); (H.K.); (M.H.)
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India;
| | - Harishankar Kopperi
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500007, India; (A.T.); (H.K.); (M.H.)
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India;
| | - Manupati Hemalatha
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500007, India; (A.T.); (H.K.); (M.H.)
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India;
| | - Uday Kiran
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India;
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, India; (G.C.G.); (S.M.)
| | - Gokulan C. G.
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, India; (G.C.G.); (S.M.)
| | - Shivranjani Moharir
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, India; (G.C.G.); (S.M.)
| | - Rakesh K. Mishra
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India;
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, India; (G.C.G.); (S.M.)
- Correspondence: (R.K.M.); (S.V.M.)
| | - S. Venkata Mohan
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500007, India; (A.T.); (H.K.); (M.H.)
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India;
- Correspondence: (R.K.M.); (S.V.M.)
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16
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da Silva PG, Gonçalves J, Lopes AIB, Esteves NA, Bamba GEE, Nascimento MSJ, Branco PTBS, Soares RRG, Sousa SIV, Mesquita JR. Evidence of Air and Surface Contamination with SARS-CoV-2 in a Major Hospital in Portugal. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19010525. [PMID: 35010785 PMCID: PMC8744945 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
As the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hit Portugal, it forced the country to reintroduce lockdown measures due to hospitals reaching their full capacities. Under these circumstances, environmental contamination by SARS-CoV-2 in different areas of one of Portugal's major Hospitals was assessed between 21 January and 11 February 2021. Air samples (n = 44) were collected from eleven different areas of the Hospital (four COVID-19 and seven non-COVID-19 areas) using Coriolis® μ and Coriolis® Compact cyclone air sampling devices. Surface sampling was also performed (n = 17) on four areas (one COVID-19 and three non-COVID-19 areas). RNA extraction followed by a one-step RT-qPCR adapted for quantitative purposes were performed. Of the 44 air samples, two were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA (6575 copies/m3 and 6662.5 copies/m3, respectively). Of the 17 surface samples, three were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA (200.6 copies/cm2, 179.2 copies/cm2, and 201.7 copies/cm2, respectively). SARS-CoV-2 environmental contamination was found both in air and on surfaces in both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 areas. Moreover, our results suggest that longer collection sessions are needed to detect point contaminations. This reinforces the need to remain cautious at all times, not only when in close contact with infected individuals. Hand hygiene and other standard transmission-prevention guidelines should be continuously followed to avoid nosocomial COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla Gomes da Silva
- ICBAS–School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIunit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
- LEPABE–Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; (P.T.B.S.B.); (S.I.V.S.)
| | - José Gonçalves
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain;
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Ariana Isabel Brito Lopes
- Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Minho E.P.E., 4904-858 Viana do Castelo, Portugal; (A.I.B.L.); (N.A.E.); (G.E.E.B.)
| | - Nury Alves Esteves
- Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Minho E.P.E., 4904-858 Viana do Castelo, Portugal; (A.I.B.L.); (N.A.E.); (G.E.E.B.)
| | - Gustavo Emanuel Enes Bamba
- Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Minho E.P.E., 4904-858 Viana do Castelo, Portugal; (A.I.B.L.); (N.A.E.); (G.E.E.B.)
| | | | - Pedro T. B. S. Branco
- LEPABE–Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; (P.T.B.S.B.); (S.I.V.S.)
| | - Ruben R. G. Soares
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Sofia I. V. Sousa
- LEPABE–Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; (P.T.B.S.B.); (S.I.V.S.)
| | - João R. Mesquita
- ICBAS–School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIunit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence:
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17
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Ang AXY, Luhung I, Ahidjo BA, Drautz‐Moses DI, Tambyah PA, Mok CK, Lau KJX, Tham SM, Chu JJH, Allen DM, Schuster SC. Airborne SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in hospital environment using high-flowrate air samplers and its comparison to surface sampling. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e12930. [PMID: 34519380 PMCID: PMC8653264 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Reliable methods to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 at venues where people gather are essential for epidemiological surveillance to guide public policy. Communal screening of air in a highly crowded space has the potential to provide early warning on the presence and potential transmission of SARS-CoV-2 as suggested by studies early in the epidemic. As hospitals and public facilities apply varying degrees of restrictions and regulations, it is important to provide multiple methodological options to enable environmental SARS-CoV-2 surveillance under different conditions. This study assessed the feasibility of using high-flowrate air samplers combined with RNA extraction kit designed for environmental sample to perform airborne SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in hospital setting, tested by RT-qPCR. The success rate of the air samples in detecting SARS-CoV-2 was then compared with surface swab samples collected in the same proximity. Additionally, positive RT-qPCR samples underwent viral culture to assess the viability of the sampled SARS-CoV-2. The study was performed in inpatient ward environments of a quaternary care university teaching hospital in Singapore housing active COVID-19 patients within the period of February to May 2020. Two types of wards were tested, naturally ventilated open-cohort ward and mechanically ventilated isolation ward. Distances between the site of air sampling and the patient cluster in the investigated wards were also recorded. No successful detection of airborne SARS-CoV-2 was recorded when 50 L/min air samplers were used. Upon increasing the sampling flowrate to 150 L/min, our results showed a high success rate in detecting the presence of SARS-CoV-2 from the air samples (72%) compared to the surface swab samples (9.6%). The positive detection rate of the air samples along with the corresponding viral load could be associated with the distance between sampling site and patient. The furthest distance from patient with PCR-positive air samples was 5.5 m. The airborne SARS-CoV-2 detection was comparable between the two types of wards with 60%-87.5% success rate. High prevalence of the virus was found in toilet areas, both on surfaces and in air. Finally, no successful culture attempt was recorded from the environmental air or surface samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia XY Ang
- Department of MedicineDivision of Infectious DiseasesNational University HospitalSingaporeSingapore
| | - Irvan Luhung
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences EngineeringNanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
| | - Bintou A. Ahidjo
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- BSL3 Core FacilityYong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Daniela I. Drautz‐Moses
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences EngineeringNanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
| | - Paul A. Tambyah
- Department of MedicineDivision of Infectious DiseasesNational University HospitalSingaporeSingapore
- Department of MedicineInfectious Disease Translational Research ProgrammeYong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Chee Keng Mok
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- BSL3 Core FacilityYong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Kenny JX Lau
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences EngineeringNanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
| | - Sai Meng Tham
- Department of MedicineDivision of Infectious DiseasesNational University HospitalSingaporeSingapore
| | - Justin Jang Hann Chu
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- BSL3 Core FacilityYong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Department of MedicineInfectious Disease Translational Research ProgrammeYong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - David M. Allen
- Department of MedicineDivision of Infectious DiseasesNational University HospitalSingaporeSingapore
- Department of MedicineInfectious Disease Translational Research ProgrammeYong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Stephan C. Schuster
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences EngineeringNanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
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18
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Ang AX, Luhung I, Ahidjo BA, Drautz-Moses DI, Tambyah PA, Mok CK, Lau KJ, Tham SM, Chu JJH, Allen DM, Schuster SC. Airborne SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in hospital environment using high-flowrate air samplers and its comparison to surface sampling. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e12930. [PMID: 34519380 DOI: 10.1111/ina.v32.110.1111/ina.12930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Reliable methods to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 at venues where people gather are essential for epidemiological surveillance to guide public policy. Communal screening of air in a highly crowded space has the potential to provide early warning on the presence and potential transmission of SARS-CoV-2 as suggested by studies early in the epidemic. As hospitals and public facilities apply varying degrees of restrictions and regulations, it is important to provide multiple methodological options to enable environmental SARS-CoV-2 surveillance under different conditions. This study assessed the feasibility of using high-flowrate air samplers combined with RNA extraction kit designed for environmental sample to perform airborne SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in hospital setting, tested by RT-qPCR. The success rate of the air samples in detecting SARS-CoV-2 was then compared with surface swab samples collected in the same proximity. Additionally, positive RT-qPCR samples underwent viral culture to assess the viability of the sampled SARS-CoV-2. The study was performed in inpatient ward environments of a quaternary care university teaching hospital in Singapore housing active COVID-19 patients within the period of February to May 2020. Two types of wards were tested, naturally ventilated open-cohort ward and mechanically ventilated isolation ward. Distances between the site of air sampling and the patient cluster in the investigated wards were also recorded. No successful detection of airborne SARS-CoV-2 was recorded when 50 L/min air samplers were used. Upon increasing the sampling flowrate to 150 L/min, our results showed a high success rate in detecting the presence of SARS-CoV-2 from the air samples (72%) compared to the surface swab samples (9.6%). The positive detection rate of the air samples along with the corresponding viral load could be associated with the distance between sampling site and patient. The furthest distance from patient with PCR-positive air samples was 5.5 m. The airborne SARS-CoV-2 detection was comparable between the two types of wards with 60%-87.5% success rate. High prevalence of the virus was found in toilet areas, both on surfaces and in air. Finally, no successful culture attempt was recorded from the environmental air or surface samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Xy Ang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Irvan Luhung
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bintou A Ahidjo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- BSL3 Core Facility, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Daniela I Drautz-Moses
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Paul A Tambyah
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Disease Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chee Keng Mok
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- BSL3 Core Facility, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kenny Jx Lau
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sai Meng Tham
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Justin Jang Hann Chu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- BSL3 Core Facility, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Disease Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - David M Allen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Disease Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Stephan C Schuster
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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19
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Nannu Shankar S, Witanachchi CT, Morea AF, Lednicky JA, Loeb JC, Alam MM, Fan ZH, Eiguren-Fernandez A, Wu CY. SARS-CoV-2 in residential rooms of two self-isolating persons with COVID-19. JOURNAL OF AEROSOL SCIENCE 2022; 159:105870. [PMID: 34483358 PMCID: PMC8401278 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2021.105870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with COVID-19 are advised to self-isolate at their residences unless they require hospitalization. Persons sharing a dwelling with someone who has COVID-19 have a substantial risk of being exposed to the virus. However, environmental monitoring for the detection of virus in such settings is limited. We present a pilot study on environmental sampling for SARS-CoV-2 virions in the residential rooms of two volunteers with COVID-19 who self-quarantined. Apart from standard surface swab sampling, based on availability, four air samplers positioned 0.3-2.2 m from the volunteers were used: a VIable Virus Aerosol Sampler (VIVAS), an inline air sampler that traps particles on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filters, a NIOSH 2-stage cyclone sampler (BC-251), and a Sioutas personal cascade impactor sampler (PCIS). The latter two selectively collect particles of specific size ranges. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected by real-time Reverse-Transcription quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-qPCR) analyses of particles in one air sample from the room of volunteer A and in various air and surface samples from that of volunteer B. The one positive sample collected by the NIOSH sampler from volunteer A's room had a quantitation cycle (Cq) of 38.21 for the N-gene, indicating a low amount of airborne virus [5.69E-02 SARS-CoV-2 genome equivalents (GE)/cm3 of air]. In contrast, air samples and surface samples collected off the mobile phone in volunteer B's room yielded Cq values ranging from 14.58 to 24.73 and 21.01 to 24.74, respectively, on the first day of sampling, indicating that this volunteer was actively shedding relatively high amounts of SARS-CoV-2 at that time. The SARS-CoV-2 GE/cm3 of air for the air samples collected by the PCIS was in the range 6.84E+04 to 3.04E+05 using the LED-N primer system, the highest being from the stage 4 filter, and similarly, ranged from 2.54E+03 to 1.68E+05 GE/cm3 in air collected by the NIOSH sampler. Attempts to isolate the virus in cell culture from the samples from volunteer B's room with the aforementioned Cq values were unsuccessful due to out-competition by a co-infecting Human adenovirus B3 (HAdVB3) that killed the Vero E6 cell cultures within 4 days of their inoculation, although Cq values of 34.56-37.32 were measured upon rRT-qPCR analyses of vRNA purified from the cell culture medium. The size distribution of SARS-CoV-2-laden aerosol particles collected from the air of volunteer B's room was >0.25 μm and >0.1 μm as recorded by the PCIS and the NIOSH sampler, respectively, suggesting a risk of aerosol transmission since these particles can remain suspended in air for an extended time and travel over long distances. The detection of virus in surface samples also underscores the potential for fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in indoor settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sripriya Nannu Shankar
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Chiran T Witanachchi
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Alyssa F Morea
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - John A Lednicky
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Julia C Loeb
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Md Mahbubul Alam
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Z Hugh Fan
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | | | - Chang-Yu Wu
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
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20
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Horve PF, Dietz L, Northcutt D, Stenson J, Van Den Wymelenberg K. Evaluation of a bioaerosol sampler for indoor environmental surveillance of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257689. [PMID: 34780482 PMCID: PMC8592464 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The worldwide spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has ubiquitously impacted many aspects of life. As vaccines continue to be manufactured and administered, limiting the spread of SARS-CoV-2 will rely more heavily on the early identification of contagious individuals occupying reopened and increasingly populated indoor environments. In this study, we investigated the utility of an impaction-based bioaerosol sampling system with multiple nucleic acid collection media. Heat-inactivated SARS-CoV-2 was utilized to perform bench-scale, short-range aerosol, and room-scale aerosol experiments. Through bench-scale experiments, AerosolSense Capture Media (ACM) and nylon flocked swabs were identified as the highest utility media. In room-scale aerosol experiments, consistent detection of aerosol SARS-CoV-2 was achieved at an estimated aerosol concentration equal to or greater than 0.089 genome copies per liter of room air (gc/L) when air was sampled for eight hours or more at less than one air change per hour (ACH). Shorter sampling periods (75 minutes) yielded consistent detection at ~31.8 gc/L of room air and intermittent detection down to ~0.318 gc/L at (at both 1 and 6 ACH). These results support further exploration in real-world testing scenarios and suggest the utility of indoor aerosol surveillance as an effective risk mitigation strategy in occupied buildings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Finn Horve
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
| | - Leslie Dietz
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
| | - Dale Northcutt
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
- Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
| | - Jason Stenson
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
- Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
| | - Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
- Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
- Institute for Health and the Built Environment, University of Oregon, Portland, OR, United States of America
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21
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Cherrie JW, Cherrie MPC, Smith A, Holmes D, Semple S, Steinle S, Macdonald E, Moore G, Loh M. Contamination of Air and Surfaces in Workplaces with SARS-CoV-2 Virus: A Systematic Review. Ann Work Expo Health 2021; 65:879-892. [PMID: 34329379 PMCID: PMC8385829 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxab026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This systematic review aimed to evaluate the evidence for air and surface contamination of workplace environments with SARS-CoV-2 RNA and the quality of the methods used to identify actions necessary to improve the quality of the data. METHODS We searched Web of Science and Google Scholar until 24 December 2020 for relevant articles and extracted data on methodology and results. RESULTS The vast majority of data come from healthcare settings, with typically around 6% of samples having detectable concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and almost none of the samples collected had viable virus. There were a wide variety of methods used to measure airborne virus, although surface sampling was generally undertaken using nylon flocked swabs. Overall, the quality of the measurements was poor. Only a small number of studies reported the airborne concentration of SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA, mostly just reporting the detectable concentration values without reference to the detection limit. Imputing the geometric mean air concentration assuming the limit of detection was the lowest reported value, suggests typical concentrations in healthcare settings may be around 0.01 SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA copies m-3. Data on surface virus loading per unit area were mostly unavailable. CONCLUSIONS The reliability of the reported data is uncertain. The methods used for measuring SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses in work environments should be standardized to facilitate more consistent interpretation of contamination and to help reliably estimate worker exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Cherrie
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Research Avenue North, Edinburgh, UK
- Heriot Watt University, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering, Riccarton, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mark P C Cherrie
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Research Avenue North, Edinburgh, UK
- University of Edinburgh, School of Geosciences, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alice Smith
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Research Avenue North, Edinburgh, UK
| | - David Holmes
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Research Avenue North, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sean Semple
- University of Stirling, Institute for Social Marketing and Health, Stirling, UK
| | - Susanne Steinle
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Research Avenue North, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ewan Macdonald
- University of Glasgow, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Glasgow, UK
| | - Ginny Moore
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - Miranda Loh
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Research Avenue North, Edinburgh, UK
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22
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Sanchez-Galan JE, Ureña G, Escovar LF, Fabrega-Duque JR, Coles A, Kurt Z. Challenges to detect SARS-CoV-2 on environmental media, the need and strategies to implement the detection methodologies in wastewaters. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2021; 9:105881. [PMID: 34221893 PMCID: PMC8239206 DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2021.105881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Understanding risks, putting in place preventative methods to seamlessly continue daily activities are essential tools to fight a pandemic. All social, commercial and leisure activities have an impact on the environmental media. Therefore, to accurately predict the fate and behavior of viruses in the environment, it is necessary to understand and analyze available detection methods, possible transmission pathways and preventative techniques. The aim of this review is to critically analyze and summarize the research done regarding SARS-COV-2 virus detection, focusing on sampling and laboratory detection methods in environmental media. Special attention will be given to wastewater and sewage sludge. This review has summarized the survival of the virus on surfaces to estimate the risk carried by different environmental media (water, wastewater, air and soil) in order to explain which communities are under higher risk. The critical analysis concludes that the detection of SARS-CoV-2 with current technologies and sampling strategies would reveal the presence of the virus. This information could be used to design systematic sampling points throughout the sewage systems when available, taking into account peak flows and more importantly economic factors on when to sample. Such approaches will provide clues for potential future viral outbreak, saving financial resources by reducing testing necessities for viral detection, hence contributing for more appropriate confinement policies by governments and could be further used to define more precisely post-pandemic or additional waves measures if/ when needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier E Sanchez-Galan
- Facultad de Ingeniería de Sistemas Computacionales (FISC), Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Panama
- Grupo de Investigación en Biotecnología, Bioinformática y Biología de Sistemas (GIBBS), Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Panama
- Institute of Scientific Research and High Technology Services, Panama City, Panama
| | - Grimaldo Ureña
- Grupo de Investigación en Biotecnología, Bioinformática y Biología de Sistemas (GIBBS), Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Panama
- Theoretical Evolutionary Genetics Laboratory, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Jose R Fabrega-Duque
- Centro de Investigaciones Hidráulicas e Hidrotécnicas (CIHH), Universidad Tecnologica de Panama, Panama
| | - Alexander Coles
- Centro de Investigaciones Hidráulicas e Hidrotécnicas (CIHH), Universidad Tecnologica de Panama, Panama
| | - Zohre Kurt
- Grupo de Investigación en Biotecnología, Bioinformática y Biología de Sistemas (GIBBS), Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Panama
- Urban Risk Center, Florida State University-Panama, Panama
- Institute of Scientific Research and High Technology Services, Panama City, Panama
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
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23
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Lee BU. Why Does the SARS-CoV-2 Delta VOC Spread So Rapidly? Universal Conditions for the Rapid Spread of Respiratory Viruses, Minimum Viral Loads for Viral Aerosol Generation, Effects of Vaccination on Viral Aerosol Generation, and Viral Aerosol Clouds. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:9804. [PMID: 34574724 PMCID: PMC8470664 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
This study analyzes the reasons the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Delta variant of concern (VOC) spreads so rapidly. Novel topics such as universal conditions for the rapid spread of respiratory viruses, minimum viral loads for viral aerosol generation, effects of vaccination on viral aerosol generation, and viral aerosol clouds were studied. The analyses were based on experimental results and analytic model studies. Four universal conditions, namely asymptomatic host, high viral load, stability of viruses in air, and binding affinity of viruses to human cells, need to be satisfied for the rapid spread of respiratory viruses. SARS-CoV-2 and its variants such as the Alpha VOC and Delta VOC satisfy the four fundamental conditions. In addition, there is an original principle of aerosol generation of respiratory viruses. Assuming that the aerosol-droplet cutoff particle diameter for distinguishing potential aerosols from earthbound respiratory particles is 100 μm, the minimum viral load required in respiratory fluids to generate viral aerosols is ~106 copies mL-1, which is within the range of the reported viral loads in the Alpha VOC cases and the Delta VOC cases. The daily average viral loads of the Delta VOC in hosts have been reported to be between ~109 copies mL-1 and ~1010 copies mL-1 during the four days after symptom onset in 1848 cases of the Delta VOC infection. Owing to the high viral load, the SARS-CoV-2 Delta VOC has the potential to effectively spread through aerosols. COVID-19 vaccination can decrease aerosol transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha VOC by reducing the viral load. The viral load can explain the conundrum of viral aerosol spreading. The SARS-CoV-2 Delta VOC aerosol clouds have been assumed to be formed in restricted environments, resulting in a massive numbers of infected people in a very short period with a high spreading speed. Strong control methods against bioaerosols should be considered in this SARS-CoV-2 Delta VOC pandemic. Large-scale environmental monitoring campaigns of SARS-CoV-2 Delta VOC aerosols in public places in many countries are necessary, and these activities could contribute to controlling the coronavirus disease pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byung Uk Lee
- Aerosol and Bioengineering Laboratory, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea
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24
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Baboli Z, Neisi N, Babaei AA, Ahmadi M, Sorooshian A, Birgani YT, Goudarzi G. On the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and relationship with indoor conditions at a hospital. ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT (OXFORD, ENGLAND : 1994) 2021; 261:118563. [PMID: 34177342 PMCID: PMC8215890 DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2021.118563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The limited knowledge about the mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 transmission is a current challenge on a global scale. Among possible transmission routes, air transfer of the virus is thought to be prominent. To investigate this further, measurements were conducted at Razi hospital in Ahvaz, Iran, which was selected to treat COVID-19 severe cases in the Khuzestan province. Passive and active sampling methods were employed and compared with regard to their efficiency for collection of airborne SARS-COV-2 virus particles. Fifty one indoor air samples were collected in two areas, with distances of less than or equal to 1 m (patient room) and more than 3 m away (hallway and nurse station) from patient beds. A simulation method was used to obtain the virus load released by a regularly breathing or coughing individual including a range of microdroplet emissions. Using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), 11.76% (N = 6) of all indoor air samples (N = 51) collected in the COVID-19 ward tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus, including 4 cases in patient rooms and 2 cases in the hallway. Also, 5 of the 6 positive cases were confirmed using active sampling methods with only 1 based on passive sampling. The results support airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 bioaerosols in indoor air. Multivariate analysis showed that among 15 parameters studied, the highest correlations with PCR results were obtained for temperature, relative humidity, PM levels, and presence of an air cleaner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynab Baboli
- Student Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Niloofar Neisi
- Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Alimentary Tract Research Center, Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Babaei
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Environmental Technologies Research Center (ETRC), Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Ahmadi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Environmental Technologies Research Center (ETRC), Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Armin Sorooshian
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Yaser Tahmasebi Birgani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Environmental Technologies Research Center (ETRC), Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Goudarzi
- Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Environmental Technologies Research Center (ETRC), Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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25
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Heneghan CJ, Spencer EA, Brassey J, Plüddemann A, Onakpoya IJ, Evans DH, Conly JM, Jefferson T. SARS-CoV-2 and the role of airborne transmission: a systematic review. F1000Res 2021. [DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.52091.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Airborne transmission is the spread of an infectious agent caused by the dissemination of droplet nuclei (aerosols) that remain infectious when suspended in the air. We carried out a systematic review to identify, appraise and summarise the evidence from studies of the role of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Methods: We searched LitCovid, MedRxiv, Google Scholar and the WHO Covid-19 database from 1 February to 20 December 2020 and included studies on airborne transmission. Data were dual extracted and we assessed quality using a modified QUADAS 2 risk of bias tool. Results: We included 67 primary studies and 22 reviews on airborne SARS-CoV-2. Of the 67 primary studies, 53 (79%) reported data on RT-PCR from air samples, 12 (18%) report cycle threshold values and 18 (127%) copies per sample volume. All primary studies were observational and of low quality. The research often lacked standard methods, standard sampling sizes and reporting items. We found 36 descriptions of different air samplers deployed. Of the 42 studies conducted in-hospital that reported binary RT-PCR tests, 24 (57%) reported positive results for SARs-CoV-2 (142 positives out of 1,403 samples: average 10.1%, range 0% to 100%). There was no pattern between the type of hospital setting (ICU versus non-ICU) and RT-PCR positivity. Seventeen studies reported potential air transmission in the outdoors or in the community, of which seven performed RT-PCR sampling, and two studies reported weak positive RNA samples for 2 or more genes (5 of 125 samples positive: average 4.0%). Ten studies attempted viral culture with no serial passage. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 RNA is detected intermittently in the air in various settings. Standardized guidelines for conducting and reporting research on airborne transmission are needed. The lack of recoverable viral culture samples of SARS-CoV-2 prevents firm conclusions from being drawn about airborne transmission.
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26
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Bak A, Mugglestone MA, Ratnaraja NV, Wilson JA, Rivett L, Stoneham SM, Bostock J, Moses SE, Price JR, Weinbren M, Loveday HP, Islam J, Wilson APR. SARS-CoV-2 routes of transmission and recommendations for preventing acquisition: joint British Infection Association (BIA), Healthcare Infection Society (HIS), Infection Prevention Society (IPS) and Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) guidance. J Hosp Infect 2021; 114:79-103. [PMID: 33940093 PMCID: PMC8087584 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A Bak
- Healthcare Infection Society, UK.
| | | | - N V Ratnaraja
- British Infection Association, UK; University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, UK
| | - J A Wilson
- Infection Prevention Society, UK; Richard Wells Research Centre, University of West London, UK
| | - L Rivett
- Healthcare Infection Society, UK; Cambridge University NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust, UK
| | - S M Stoneham
- Healthcare Infection Society, UK; Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
| | | | - S E Moses
- British Infection Association, UK; Royal College of Pathologists, UK; East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - J R Price
- Healthcare Infection Society, UK; Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, UK
| | - M Weinbren
- Healthcare Infection Society, UK; Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - H P Loveday
- Infection Prevention Society, UK; Richard Wells Research Centre, University of West London, UK
| | - J Islam
- Healthcare Infection Society, UK; Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
| | - A P R Wilson
- Healthcare Infection Society, UK; University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
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27
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Kopperi H, Tharak A, Hemalatha M, Kiran U, Gokulan CG, Mishra RK, Mohan SV. Defining the methodological approach for wastewater-based epidemiological studies-Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION 2021; 23:101696. [PMID: 34250217 PMCID: PMC8253532 DOI: 10.1016/j.eti.2021.101696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Since COVID-19 outbreak, wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) studies as surveillance system is becoming an emerging interest due to its functional advantage as a tool for early warning signal and to catalyze effective disease management strategies based on the community diagnosis. An attempt was made in this study to define and establish a methodological approach for conducting WBE studies in the framework of identifying/selection of surveillance sites, standardizing sampling policy, designing sampling protocols to improve sensitivity, adopting safety protocol, and interpreting the data. Data from hourly sampling indicated a peak in the viral RNA during the morning hours (6-9 am) when the all the domestic activities are maximum. The daily sampling and processing revealed the dynamic nature of infection spread among the population. The two sampling methods viz. grab, and composite showed a good correlation. Overall, this study establishes a structured protocol for performing WBE studies that could provide useful insights on the spread of the pandemic at a given point of time. Moreover, this framework could be extrapolated to monitor several other clinically relevant diseases. Following these guidelines, it is possible to achieve measurable and reliable SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in wastewater infrastructure and therefore, provides a methodological basis for the establishment of a national surveillance system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harishankar Kopperi
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500007, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Athmakuri Tharak
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Manupati Hemalatha
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500007, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Uday Kiran
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - C G Gokulan
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Rakesh K Mishra
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - S Venkata Mohan
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500007, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
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28
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Darvishi V, Darvishi S, Bahrami-Bavani M, Navidbakhsh M, Asiaei S. Centrifugal isolation of SARS-CoV-2: numerical simulation for purification of hospitals' air. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2021; 20:1809-1817. [PMID: 34138382 PMCID: PMC8210528 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-021-01477-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus and its spread all over the world have been the most challenging crisis in 2020. Hospitals are categorized among the most vulnerable centers due to their presumably highest traffic of this virus. In this study, centrifugal isolation of coronavirus is successfully deployed for purifying hospitals’ air using air conditioners and ducts, suggesting an efficient setup. Numerical simulations have been used to testify the proposed setup due to the complexities of using experimental investigation such as high cost and clinical hazards of the airborne SARS-CoV-2 in the air. Results show that a 20-cm pipe with an inlet velocity of 4 m/s constitutes the best choice for the separation and purification of air from the virus. The proposed scalable method also efficiently separates larger particles, but it can separate smaller particles too. Numerical results also suggest installing the air purifying system on the floor of the hospitals’ room for maximum efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Darvishi
- Tissue Engineering and Biological Systems Research Laboratory, School of Mechanical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, 16846, Tehran, Iran.,Sensors and Integrated Bio-Microfluidics/MEMS Laboratory, School of Mechanical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, 16846-13114, Narmak, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Darvishi
- Mechanical Engineering Department, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, 47148-71167, Babol, Iran
| | | | - Mahdi Navidbakhsh
- Tissue Engineering and Biological Systems Research Laboratory, School of Mechanical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, 16846, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Sasan Asiaei
- Sensors and Integrated Bio-Microfluidics/MEMS Laboratory, School of Mechanical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, 16846-13114, Narmak, Tehran, Iran.
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Ram K, Thakur RC, Singh DK, Kawamura K, Shimouchi A, Sekine Y, Nishimura H, Singh SK, Pavuluri CM, Singh RS, Tripathi SN. Why airborne transmission hasn't been conclusive in case of COVID-19? An atmospheric science perspective. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 773:145525. [PMID: 33940729 PMCID: PMC7984961 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Airborne transmission is one of the routes for the spread of COVID-19 which is caused by inhalation of smaller droplets1 containing SARS-CoV-2 (i.e., either virus-laden particulate matter: PM and/or droplet nuclei) in an indoor environment. Notably, a significant fraction of the small droplets, along with respiratory droplets, is produced by both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals during expiratory events such as breathing, sneezing, coughing and speaking. When these small droplets are exposed to the ambient environment, they may interact with PM and may remain suspended in the atmosphere even for several hours. Therefore, it is important to know the fate of these droplets and processes (e.g., physical and chemical) in the atmosphere to better understand airborne transmission. Therefore, we reviewed existing literature focussed on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the spread of COVID-19 and present an environmental perspective on why airborne transmission hasn't been very conclusive so far. In addition, we discuss various environmental factors (e.g., temperature, humidity, etc.) and sampling difficulties, which affect the conclusions of the studies focussed on airborne transmission. One of the reasons for reduced emphasis on airborne transmission could be that the smaller droplets have less number of viruses as compared to larger droplets. Further, smaller droplets can evaporate faster, exposing SARS-CoV-2 within the small droplets to the environment, whose viability may further reduce. For example, these small droplets containing SARS-CoV-2 might also physically combine with or attach to pre-existing PM so that their behaviour and fate may be governed by PM composition. Thus, the measurement of their infectivity and viability is highly uncertain due to a lack of robust sampling system to separately collect virions in the atmosphere. We believe that the present review will help to minimize the gap in our understanding of the current pandemic and develop a robust epidemiological method for mortality assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirpa Ram
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India.
| | - Roseline C Thakur
- Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR)/Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Singh
- French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS)/IRCE Lyon, 2 avenue Albert Einstein, Villeurbanne 69100, France.
| | - Kimitaka Kawamura
- Chubu Institute for Advanced Studies, Chubu University, Kasugai 487-8501, Japan.
| | - Akito Shimouchi
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Chubu University, Kasugai 487-8501, Japan.
| | - Yoshika Sekine
- Department of Chemistry, Tokai University, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa 25901292, Japan.
| | - Hidekazu Nishimura
- Virus Research Center, Clinical Research Division, Sendai Medical Center, Sendai, Japan.
| | - Sunit K Singh
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Molecular Biology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India.
| | - Chandra Mouli Pavuluri
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - R S Singh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT (BHU), Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - S N Tripathi
- Department of Civil Engineering, Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India.
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30
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Cheng Y, Ma N, Witt C, Rapp S, Wild PS, Andreae MO, Pöschl U, Su H. Face masks effectively limit the probability of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Science 2021; 372:eabg6296. [PMID: 34016743 PMCID: PMC8168616 DOI: 10.1126/science.abg6296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Airborne transmission by droplets and aerosols is important for the spread of viruses. Face masks are a well-established preventive measure, but their effectiveness for mitigating SARS-CoV-2 transmission is still under debate. We show that variations in mask efficacy can be explained by different regimes of virus abundance and related to population-average infection probability and reproduction number. For SARS-CoV-2, the viral load of infectious individuals can vary by orders of magnitude. We find that most environments and contacts are under conditions of low virus abundance (virus-limited) where surgical masks are effective at preventing virus spread. More advanced masks and other protective equipment are required in potentially virus-rich indoor environments including medical centers and hospitals. Masks are particularly effective in combination with other preventive measures like ventilation and distancing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafang Cheng
- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Nan Ma
- Institute for Environmental and Climate Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Christian Witt
- Department of Outpatient Pneumology and Institute of Physiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Steffen Rapp
- University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Philipp S Wild
- University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Meinrat O Andreae
- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Geology and Geophysics, King Saud University, 11451 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ulrich Pöschl
- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Hang Su
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Formation and Prevention of Urban Air Pollution Complex, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai 200233, China.
- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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31
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Morel B, Barbera P, Czech L, Bettisworth B, Hübner L, Lutteropp S, Serdari D, Kostaki EG, Mamais I, Kozlov AM, Pavlidis P, Paraskevis D, Stamatakis A. Phylogenetic Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Data Is Difficult. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:1777-1791. [PMID: 33316067 PMCID: PMC7798910 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msaa314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies covering some aspects of SARS-CoV-2 data analyses are being published on a daily basis, including a regularly updated phylogeny on nextstrain.org. Here, we review the difficulties of inferring reliable phylogenies by example of a data snapshot comprising a quality-filtered subset of 8,736 out of all 16,453 virus sequences available on May 5, 2020 from gisaid.org. We find that it is difficult to infer a reliable phylogeny on these data due to the large number of sequences in conjunction with the low number of mutations. We further find that rooting the inferred phylogeny with some degree of confidence either via the bat and pangolin outgroups or by applying novel computational methods on the ingroup phylogeny does not appear to be credible. Finally, an automatic classification of the current sequences into subclasses using the mPTP tool for molecular species delimitation is also, as might be expected, not possible, as the sequences are too closely related. We conclude that, although the application of phylogenetic methods to disentangle the evolution and spread of COVID-19 provides some insight, results of phylogenetic analyses, in particular those conducted under the default settings of current phylogenetic inference tools, as well as downstream analyses on the inferred phylogenies, should be considered and interpreted with extreme caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoit Morel
- Computational Molecular Evolution Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pierre Barbera
- Computational Molecular Evolution Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lucas Czech
- Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ben Bettisworth
- Computational Molecular Evolution Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lukas Hübner
- Computational Molecular Evolution Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute for Theoretical Informatics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Sarah Lutteropp
- Computational Molecular Evolution Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dora Serdari
- Computational Molecular Evolution Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Evangelia-Georgia Kostaki
- Department of Hygiene Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Mamais
- Department of Health Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Alexey M Kozlov
- Computational Molecular Evolution Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pavlos Pavlidis
- Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Crete, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Paraskevis
- Department of Hygiene Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandros Stamatakis
- Computational Molecular Evolution Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute for Theoretical Informatics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
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32
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Robie ER, Abdelgadir A, Binder RA, Gray GC. Live SARS-CoV-2 is difficult to detect in patient aerosols. Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2021; 15:554-557. [PMID: 33939268 PMCID: PMC8189214 DOI: 10.1111/irv.12860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Robie
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Anfal Abdelgadir
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Raquel A Binder
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Gregory C Gray
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Global Health Research Center, Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, China.,Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
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33
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Jiang X, Loeb JC, Pan M, Tilly TB, Eiguren-Fernandez A, Lednicky JA, Wu CY, Fan ZH. Integration of sample preparation with RNA-Amplification in a hand-held device for airborne virus detection. Anal Chim Acta 2021; 1165:338542. [PMID: 33975694 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2021.338542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Aerosol transmission is one of the three major transmission routes of respiratory viruses. However, the dynamics and significance of the aerosol transmission route are not well understood, partially due to the lack of rapid and efficient tools for on-the-spot detection of airborne viruses. We report a hand-held device that integrates a 3D-printed sample preparation unit with a laminated paper-based RNA amplification unit. The sample preparation unit features an innovative reagent delivery scheme based on a ball-based valve capable of storing and delivering reagents through the rotation of the unit without manual pipetting, while the paper-based unit enables RNA enrichment and reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP). We have determined the detection limit of the integrated sample-preparation/amplification device (SPAD) at 1 TCID50 H1N1 influenza viruses in 140 μL aqueous sample. Further, we integrated SPAD with a previously reported viable virus aerosol sampler (VIVAS), a water-vapor-based condensational growth system capable of collecting aerosolized virus particles (Pan et al., 2016) [1]. Using the combined VIVAS-SPAD platform, we have demonstrated the collection/detection of lab-generated, airborne H1N1 influenza viruses in 65 min, suggesting that the platform has a potential for detecting and monitoring airborne virus transmission during outbreaks. The effective sampling and rapid detection of airborne viruses by the sample-to-answer platform will also help us better understand the dynamics and significance of aerosol transmission of infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Jiang
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, P.O. Box 116131, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Julia C Loeb
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, and Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Maohua Pan
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Trevor B Tilly
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - John A Lednicky
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, and Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Chang-Yu Wu
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Z Hugh Fan
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, P.O. Box 116131, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA; Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, P.O. Box 116250, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, P.O. Box 117200, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
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34
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da Silva PG, Nascimento MSJ, Soares RRG, Sousa SIV, Mesquita JR. Airborne spread of infectious SARS-CoV-2: Moving forward using lessons from SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 764:142802. [PMID: 33071145 PMCID: PMC7543729 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although an increasing body of data reports the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in air, this does not correlate to the presence of infectious viruses, thus not evaluating the risk for airborne COVID-19. Hence there is a marked knowledge gap that requires urgent attention. Therefore, in this systematic review, viability/stability of airborne SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV viruses is discussed. METHODS A systematic literature review was performed on PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and Scopus to assess the stability and viability of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 on air samples. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The initial search identified 27 articles. Following screening of titles and abstracts and removing duplicates, 11 articles were considered relevant. Temperatures ranging from 20 °C to 25 °C and relative humidity ranging from 40% to 50% were reported to have a protective effect on viral viability for airborne SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. As no data is yet available on the conditions influencing viability for airborne SARS-CoV-2, and given the genetic similarity to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, one could extrapolate that the same conditions would apply. Nonetheless, the effect of these conditions seems to be residual considering the increasing number of cases in the south of USA, Brazil and India, where high temperatures and humidities have been observed. CONCLUSION Higher temperatures and high relative humidity can have a modest effect on SARS-CoV-2 viability in the environment, as reported in previous studies to this date. However, these studies are experimental, and do not support the fact that the virus has efficiently spread in the tropical regions of the globe, with other transmission routes such as the contact and droplet ones probably being responsible for the majority of cases reported in these regions, along with other factors such as human mobility patterns and contact rates. Further studies are needed to investigate the extent of aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 as this would have important implications for public health and infection-control policies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria São José Nascimento
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto (FFUP), Porto, Portugal; Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ruben R G Soares
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Solna, Sweden; Division of Nanobiotechnology, Department of Protein Science, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
| | - Sofia I V Sousa
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - João R Mesquita
- Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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35
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Carbone M, Lednicky J, Xiao SY, Venditti M, Bucci E. Coronavirus 2019 Infectious Disease Epidemic: Where We Are, What Can Be Done and Hope For. J Thorac Oncol 2021; 16:546-571. [PMID: 33422679 PMCID: PMC7832772 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2020.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spreads mainly by means of aerosols (microdroplets) in enclosed environments, especially those in which temperature and humidity are regulated by means of air-conditioning. About 30% of individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 develop coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease. Among them, approximately 25% require hospitalization. In medicine, cases are identified as those who become ill. During this pandemic, cases have been identified as those with a positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test, including approximately 70% who were asymptomatic-this has caused unnecessary anxiety. Individuals more than 65 years old, those affected by obesity, diabetes, asthma, or are immune-depressed owing to cancer and other conditions, are at a higher risk of hospitalization and of dying of COVID-19. Healthy individuals younger than 40 years very rarely die of COVID-19. Estimates of the COVID-19 mortality rate vary because the definition of COVID-19-related deaths varies. Belgium has the highest death rate at 154.9 per 100,000 persons, because it includes anyone who died with symptoms compatible with COVID-19, even those never tested for SARS-CoV-2. The United States includes all patients who died with a positive test, whether they died because of, or with, SARS-CoV-2. Countries that include only patients in which COVID-19 was the main cause of death, rather than a cofactor, have lower death rates. Numerous therapies are being developed, and rapid improvements are anticipated. Because of disinformation, only approximately 50% of the U.S. population plans to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. By sharing accurate information, physicians, health professionals, and scientists play a key role in addressing myths and anxiety, help public health officials enact measures to decrease infections, and provide the best care for those who become sick. In this article, we discuss these issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Carbone
- Thoracic Oncology, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii; Department of Pathology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii.
| | - John Lednicky
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Shu-Yuan Xiao
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, llinois
| | - Mario Venditti
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Universita` La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Enrico Bucci
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, College for Science and technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Biology, College for Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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36
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Heneghan CJ, Spencer EA, Brassey J, Plüddemann A, Onakpoya IJ, Evans DH, Conly JM, Jefferson T. SARS-CoV-2 and the role of airborne transmission: a systematic review. F1000Res 2021. [DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.52091.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Airborne transmission is the spread of an infectious agent caused by the dissemination of droplet nuclei (aerosols) that remain infectious when suspended in the air. We carried out a systematic review to identify, appraise and summarise the evidence from studies of the role of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Methods: We searched LitCovid, MedRxiv, Google Scholar and the WHO Covid-19 database from 1 February to 20 December 2020 and included studies on airborne transmission. Data were dual extracted and we assessed quality using a modified QUADAS 2 risk of bias tool. Results: We included 67 primary studies and 22 reviews on airborne SARS-CoV-2. Of the 67 primary studies, 53 (79%) reported data on RT-PCR air samples, 12 report cycle threshold values and 18 copies per sample volume. All primary studies were observational and of low quality. The research often lacked standard methods, standard sampling sizes and reporting items. We found 36 descriptions of different air samplers deployed. Of the 42 studies conducted in-hospital that reported binary RT-PCR tests, 24 (57%) reported positive results for SARs-CoV-2 (142 positives out of 1,403 samples: average 10.1%, range 0% to 100%). There was no pattern between the type of hospital setting (ICU versus non-ICU) and RT-PCR positivity. Seventeen studies reported potential air transmission in the outdoors or in the community. Seven performed RT-PCR sampling, of which two studies report weak positive RNA samples for 2 or more genes (5 of 125 samples positive: average 4.0%). Ten studies attempted viral culture with no serial passage for viral culture. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 RNA is detected intermittently in the air in various settings. Standardized guidelines for conducting and reporting research on airborne transmission are needed. The lack of recoverable viral culture samples of SARS-CoV-2 prevents firm conclusions over airborne transmission.
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37
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Rahimi NR, Fouladi-Fard R, Aali R, Shahryari A, Rezaali M, Ghafouri Y, Ghalhari MR, Asadi-Ghalhari M, Farzinnia B, Conti Gea O, Fiore M. Bidirectional association between COVID-19 and the environment: A systematic review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 194:110692. [PMID: 33385384 PMCID: PMC7833965 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The global crisis caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) affected economics, social affairs, and the environment, not to mention public health. It is estimated that near 82% of the SARS-CoV-2 genome is similar to the severe acute respiratory syndrome. The purpose of the review is to highlight how the virus is impacted by the environment and how the virus has impacted the environment. This review was based on an electronic search of the literature in the Scopus, Science Direct, and PubMed database published from December 2019 to July 2020 using combinations of the following keywords: SARS-CoV-2 transmission, COVID-19 transmission, coronavirus transmission, waterborne, wastewater, airborne, solid waste, fomites, and fecal-oral transmission. Studies suggest the thermal properties of ambient air, as well as relative humidity, may affect the transmissibility and viability of the virus. Samples taken from the wastewater collection network were detected contaminated with the novel coronavirus; consequently, there is a concern of its transmission via an urban sewer system. There are concerns about the efficacy of the wastewater treatment plant disinfection process as the last chance to inactivate the virus. Handling solid waste also requires an utmost caution as it may contain infectious masks, etc. Following the PRISMA approach, among all reviewed studies, more than 36% of them were directly or indirectly related to the indoor and outdoor environment, 16% to meteorological factors, 11% to wastewater, 14% to fomites, 8% to water, 9% to solid waste, and 6% to the secondary environment. The still growing body of literature on COVID-19 and air, suggests the importance of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via air and indoor air quality, especially during lockdown interventions. Environmental conditions are found to be a factor in transmitting the virus beyond geographical borders. Accordingly, countries need to pay extra attention to sustainable development themes and goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayereh Rezaie Rahimi
- Research Center for Environmental Pollutants, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran; Student Research Committee, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Reza Fouladi-Fard
- Research Center for Environmental Pollutants, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
| | - Rahim Aali
- Research Center for Environmental Pollutants, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
| | - Ali Shahryari
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Gorgan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | | | - Yadollah Ghafouri
- Research Center for Environmental Pollutants, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Mohammad Rezvani Ghalhari
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Asadi-Ghalhari
- Research Center for Environmental Pollutants, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Babak Farzinnia
- Research Center for Environmental Pollutants, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Oliveri Conti Gea
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Fiore
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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38
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Hadei M, Mohebbi SR, Hopke PK, Shahsavani A, Bazzazpour S, Alipour M, Jafari AJ, Bandpey AM, Zali A, Yarahmadi M, Farhadi M, Rahmatinia M, Hasanzadeh V, Nazari SSH, Asadzadeh-Aghdaei H, Tanhaei M, Zali MR, Kermani M, Vaziri MH, Chobineh H. Presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the air of public places and transportation. ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION RESEARCH 2021; 12:302-306. [PMID: 33519256 PMCID: PMC7833664 DOI: 10.1016/j.apr.2020.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in air of public places such as shopping centers, a post office, banks, governmental offices, and public transportation facilities including an airport, subways, and buses in Tehran, Iran. A total of 28 air samples were collected from the eight groups of public and transportation locations. The airborne particle samples were collected on PTFE or glass fiber filters using two types of samplers with flow rates of 40 and 3.5 L/min, respectively. The viral samples were leached and concentrated, and RNA was extracted from each. The presence of viral RNA was evaluated using novel coronavirus nucleic acid diagnostic real time PCR kits. In 64% of the samples, SARS-CoV-2 RNA (62% and 67% from the public places and transportation, respectively) was detected. Positive samples were detected in banks (33%), shopping centers (100%), governmental offices (50%), the airport (80%), subway stations (50%), subway trains (100%), and buses (50%). Logistic regression showed that number of people present during the sampling and the sampled air volume were positively associated with presence of SARS-CoV-2; while the percentage of people with masks, air temperature, and sampling site's volume were negatively related to SARS-CoV-2's presence. However, none of these associations were statistically significant. This study showed that most public places and transportation vehicles were contaminated with SARS-CoV-2. Thus, strategies to control the spread of COVID-19 should include reducing the number of people in indoor spaces, more intense disinfection of transport vehicles, and requiring people to wear masks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Hadei
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Reza Mohebbi
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Philip K Hopke
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
- Center for Air Resources Engineering and Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, 13699, USA
| | - Abbas Shahsavani
- Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahriyar Bazzazpour
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Alipour
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Jonidi Jafari
- Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Anooshiravan Mohseni Bandpey
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Zali
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Yarahmadi
- Environmental and Occupational Health Center, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Farhadi
- Environmental and Occupational Health Center, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Rahmatinia
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vajihe Hasanzadeh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Saeed Hashemi Nazari
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Asadzadeh-Aghdaei
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Tanhaei
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Zali
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Kermani
- Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohmmad Hossien Vaziri
- Workplace Health Promotion Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Chobineh
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Azimi P, Keshavarz Z, Cedeno Laurent JG, Stephens B, Allen JG. Mechanistic transmission modeling of COVID-19 on the Diamond Princess cruise ship demonstrates the importance of aerosol transmission. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2015482118. [PMID: 33536312 PMCID: PMC7923347 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2015482118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Several lines of existing evidence support the possibility of airborne transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, quantitative information on the relative importance of transmission pathways of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains limited. To evaluate the relative importance of multiple transmission routes for SARS-CoV-2, we developed a modeling framework and leveraged detailed information available from the Diamond Princess cruise ship outbreak that occurred in early 2020. We modeled 21,600 scenarios to generate a matrix of solutions across a full range of assumptions for eight unknown or uncertain epidemic and mechanistic transmission factors. A total of 132 model iterations met acceptability criteria (R2 > 0.95 for modeled vs. reported cumulative daily cases and R2 > 0 for daily cases). Analyzing only these successful model iterations quantifies the likely contributions of each defined mode of transmission. Mean estimates of the contributions of short-range, long-range, and fomite transmission modes to infected cases across the entire simulation period were 35%, 35%, and 30%, respectively. Mean estimates of the contributions of larger respiratory droplets and smaller respiratory aerosols were 41% and 59%, respectively. Our results demonstrate that aerosol inhalation was likely the dominant contributor to COVID-19 transmission among the passengers, even considering a conservative assumption of high ventilation rates and no air recirculation conditions for the cruise ship. Moreover, close-range and long-range transmission likely contributed similarly to disease progression aboard the ship, with fomite transmission playing a smaller role. The passenger quarantine also affected the importance of each mode, demonstrating the impacts of the interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parham Azimi
- Environmental Health Department, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115;
| | - Zahra Keshavarz
- Environmental Health Department, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115
| | | | - Brent Stephens
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60616
| | - Joseph G Allen
- Environmental Health Department, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115;
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40
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Azimi P, Keshavarz Z, Cedeno Laurent JG, Stephens B, Allen JG. Mechanistic transmission modeling of COVID-19 on the Diamond Princess cruise ship demonstrates the importance of aerosol transmission. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021. [PMID: 33536312 DOI: 10.1101/2020.07.13.20153049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Several lines of existing evidence support the possibility of airborne transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, quantitative information on the relative importance of transmission pathways of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains limited. To evaluate the relative importance of multiple transmission routes for SARS-CoV-2, we developed a modeling framework and leveraged detailed information available from the Diamond Princess cruise ship outbreak that occurred in early 2020. We modeled 21,600 scenarios to generate a matrix of solutions across a full range of assumptions for eight unknown or uncertain epidemic and mechanistic transmission factors. A total of 132 model iterations met acceptability criteria (R2 > 0.95 for modeled vs. reported cumulative daily cases and R2 > 0 for daily cases). Analyzing only these successful model iterations quantifies the likely contributions of each defined mode of transmission. Mean estimates of the contributions of short-range, long-range, and fomite transmission modes to infected cases across the entire simulation period were 35%, 35%, and 30%, respectively. Mean estimates of the contributions of larger respiratory droplets and smaller respiratory aerosols were 41% and 59%, respectively. Our results demonstrate that aerosol inhalation was likely the dominant contributor to COVID-19 transmission among the passengers, even considering a conservative assumption of high ventilation rates and no air recirculation conditions for the cruise ship. Moreover, close-range and long-range transmission likely contributed similarly to disease progression aboard the ship, with fomite transmission playing a smaller role. The passenger quarantine also affected the importance of each mode, demonstrating the impacts of the interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parham Azimi
- Environmental Health Department, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115;
| | - Zahra Keshavarz
- Environmental Health Department, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115
| | | | - Brent Stephens
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60616
| | - Joseph G Allen
- Environmental Health Department, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115;
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Mohan SV, Hemalatha M, Kopperi H, Ranjith I, Kumar AK. SARS-CoV-2 in environmental perspective: Occurrence, persistence, surveillance, inactivation and challenges. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL (LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND : 1996) 2021; 405:126893. [PMID: 32901196 PMCID: PMC7471803 DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.126893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The unprecedented global spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) caused by SARS-CoV-2 is depicting the distressing pandemic consequence on human health, economy as well as ecosystem services. So far novel coronavirus (CoV) outbreaks were associated with SARS-CoV-2 (2019), middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV, 2012), and SARS-CoV-1 (2003) events. CoV relates to the enveloped family of Betacoronavirus (βCoV) with positive-sense single-stranded RNA (+ssRNA). Knowing well the persistence, transmission, and spread of SARS-CoV-2 through proximity, the faecal-oral route is now emerging as a major environmental concern to community transmission. The replication and persistence of CoV in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and shedding through stools is indicating a potential transmission route to the environment settings. Despite of the evidence, based on fewer reports on SARS-CoV-2 occurrence and persistence in wastewater/sewage/water, the transmission of the infective virus to the community is yet to be established. In this realm, this communication attempted to review the possible influx route of the enteric enveloped viral transmission in the environmental settings with reference to its occurrence, persistence, detection, and inactivation based on the published literature so far. The possibilities of airborne transmission through enteric virus-laden aerosols, environmental factors that may influence the viral transmission, and disinfection methods (conventional and emerging) as well as the inactivation mechanism with reference to the enveloped virus were reviewed. The need for wastewater epidemiology (WBE) studies for surveillance as well as for early warning signal was elaborated. This communication will provide a basis to understand the SARS-CoV-2 as well as other viruses in the context of the environmental engineering perspective to design effective strategies to counter the enteric virus transmission and also serves as a working paper for researchers, policy makers and regulators.
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Key Words
- (h+), Photoholes
- +ssRNA, Positive Sense Single-Stranded RNA
- A-WWTS, Algal-WWTS
- ACE2, Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2
- AH, Absolute Humidity
- AOPs, Advanced Oxidation Processes
- ASP, Activate Sludge Process
- Aerosols
- BCoV, Bovine Enteric Coronavirus)
- BSL, Biosafety Level
- BVDV1, Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Type 1
- BVDV2, Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Type 2
- BoRv, Bovine Rotavirus Group A
- CCA, Carbon Covered Alumina
- CNT, Carbon Nanotubes
- COVID-19
- COVID-19, Coronavirus Disease 2019
- CRFK, Crandell Reese feline kidney cell line (CRFK)
- CVE, Coxsackievirus B5
- ClO2, Chlorine dioxide
- Cl−, Chlorine
- Cys, Cysteine
- DBP, Disinfection by-products
- DBT, L2 and Delayed Brain Tumor Cell Cultures
- DMEM, Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium
- DNA, deoxyribose nucleic acid
- Disinfection
- E gene, Envelope protein gene
- EV, Echovirus 11
- Enteric virus
- Enveloped virus
- FC, Free Chlorine
- FFP3, Filtering Face Piece
- FIPV, Feline infectious peritonitis virus
- GI, Gastrointestinal tract
- H2O2, Hydrogen Peroxide
- H3N2, InfluenzaA
- H6N2, Avian influenza virus
- HAV, Hepatitis A virus (HAV)
- HAdV, Human Adenovirus
- HCoV, Human CoV
- HEV, Hepatitis E virus
- HKU1, Human CoV1
- ICC-PCR, Integrated Cell Culture with PCR
- JCV, JCV polyomavirus
- MALDI-TOF MS, Mass Spectrometry
- MBR, Membrane Bioreactor (MBR)
- MERS-CoV, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
- MHV, Murine hepatitis virus
- MNV-1, Murine Norovirus
- MWCNTs, Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
- Met, Methionine
- N gene, Nucleocapsid protein gene
- NCoV, Novel coronavirus
- NGS, Next generation sequencing
- NTP, Non-Thermal Plasma
- O2, Singlet Oxygen
- O3, Ozone
- ORF, Open Reading Frame
- PAA, Para Acetic Acid
- PCR, Polymerase Chain Reaction
- PEC, Photoelectrocatalytical
- PEG, Polyethylene Glycol
- PFU, Plaque Forming Unit
- PMMoV, Pepper Mild Mottle Virus
- PMR, Photocatalytic Membrane Reactors
- PPE, Personal Protective Equipment
- PTAF, Photocatalytic Titanium Apatite Filter
- PV-1, Polivirus-1
- PV-3, Poliovirus 3
- PVDF, Polyvinylidene Fluoride
- Qβ, bacteriophages
- RH, Relative Humidity
- RNA, Ribose nucleic acid
- RONS, Reactive Oxygen and/or Nitrogen Species
- RT-PCR, Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
- RVA, Rotaviruses A
- SARS-CoV-1, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 1
- SARS-CoV-2, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2
- SBR, Sequential Batch Reactor
- SODIS, Solar water disinfection
- STP, Sewage Treatment Plant
- Sewage
- T90, First order reaction time required for completion of 90%
- T99.9, First order reaction time required for completion of 99.9%
- TGEV, Porcine Coronavirus Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus
- TGEV, Transmissible Gastroenteritis
- Trp, Tryptophan
- Tyr, Tyrosine
- US-EPA, United States Environmental Protection Agency
- UV, Ultraviolet
- WBE, Wastewater-Based Epidemiology
- WWT, Wastewater Treatment
- WWTPs, Wastewater Treatment Plants
- dPCR, Digital PCR
- ds, Double Stranded
- dsDNA, Double Stranded DNA
- log10, logarithm with base 10
- qRT-PCR, quantitative RT-PCR
- ss, Single Stranded
- ssDNA, Single Stranded DNA
- ssRNA, Single Stranded RNA
- αCoV, Alphacoronavirus
- βCoV, Betacoronavirus
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Affiliation(s)
- S Venkata Mohan
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500007, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) Campus, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Manupati Hemalatha
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500007, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) Campus, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Harishankar Kopperi
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - I Ranjith
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - A Kiran Kumar
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500007, India
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) Dispensary, Hyderabad 500007, India
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Earliest detection to date of SARS-CoV-2 in Florida: Identification together with influenza virus on the main entry door of a university building, February 2020. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245352. [PMID: 33439885 PMCID: PMC7806172 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In February and March, 2020, environmental surface swab samples were collected from the handle of the main entry door of a major university building in Florida, as part of a pilot surveillance project screening for influenza. Samples were taken at the end of regular classroom hours, between the dates of February 1–5 and February 19-March 4, 2020. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus was isolated from the door handle on four of the 19 days sampled. Both SARS-CoV-2 and A(H1N1)pdm09 virus were detected in a sample collected on February 21, 2020. Based on sequence analysis, the Florida SARS-CoV-2 strain (designated UF-11) was identical to strains being identified in Washington state during the same time period, while the earliest similar sequences were sampled in China/Hubei between Dec 30th 2019 and Jan 5th 2020. The first human case of COVID-19 was not officially reported in Florida until March 1st. In an analysis of sequences from COVID-19 patients in this region of Florida, there was only limited evidence of subsequent dissemination of the UF-11 strain. Identical or highly similar strains, possibly related through a common transmission chain, were detected with increasing frequency in Washington state between end of February and beginning of March. Our data provide further documentation of the rapid early spread of SARS-CoV-2 and underscore the likelihood that closely related strains were cryptically circulating in multiple U.S. communities before the first “official” cases were recognized.
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Chirizzi D, Conte M, Feltracco M, Dinoi A, Gregoris E, Barbaro E, La Bella G, Ciccarese G, La Salandra G, Gambaro A, Contini D. SARS-CoV-2 concentrations and virus-laden aerosol size distributions in outdoor air in north and south of Italy. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 146:106255. [PMID: 33221596 PMCID: PMC7659514 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 disease spread at different rates in the different countries and in different regions of the same country, as happened in Italy. Transmission by contact or at close range due to large respiratory droplets is widely accepted, however, the role of airborne transmission due to small respiratory droplets emitted by infected individuals (also asymptomatic) is controversial. It was suggested that outdoor airborne transmission could play a role in determining the differences observed in the spread rate. Concentrations of virus-laden aerosol are still poorly known and contrasting results are reported, especially for outdoor environments. Here we investigated outdoor concentrations and size distributions of virus-laden aerosol simultaneously collected during the pandemic, in May 2020, in northern (Veneto) and southern (Apulia) regions of Italy. The two regions exhibited significantly different prevalence of COVID-19. Genetic material of SARS-CoV-2 (RNA) was determined, using both real time RT-PCR and ddPCR, in air samples collected using PM10 samplers and cascade impactors able to separate 12 size ranges from nanoparticles (diameter D < 0.056 µm) up to coarse particles (D > 18 µm). Air samples tested negative for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 at both sites, viral particles concentrations were <0.8 copies m-3 in PM10 and <0.4 copies m-3 in each size range investigated. Outdoor air in residential and urban areas was generally not infectious and safe for the public in both northern and southern Italy, with the possible exclusion of very crowded sites. Therefore, it is likely that outdoor airborne transmission does not explain the difference in the spread of COVID-19 observed in the two Italian regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Chirizzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Puglia e Basilicata (IZSPB), Via Manfredonia 20, Foggia, Italy
| | - M Conte
- Istituto di Scienze dell'Atmosfera e del Clima (ISAC-CNR), Str. Prv. Lecce-Monteroni Km 1.2, Lecce, Italy
| | - M Feltracco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari di Venezia, Via Torino 155, Venezia (Mestre), Italy
| | - A Dinoi
- Istituto di Scienze dell'Atmosfera e del Clima (ISAC-CNR), Str. Prv. Lecce-Monteroni Km 1.2, Lecce, Italy
| | - E Gregoris
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari di Venezia, Via Torino 155, Venezia (Mestre), Italy; Istituto di Scienze Polari (ISP-CNR), Via Torino 155, Venice (Mestre), Italy
| | - E Barbaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari di Venezia, Via Torino 155, Venezia (Mestre), Italy; Istituto di Scienze Polari (ISP-CNR), Via Torino 155, Venice (Mestre), Italy
| | - G La Bella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Puglia e Basilicata (IZSPB), Via Manfredonia 20, Foggia, Italy
| | - G Ciccarese
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Puglia e Basilicata (IZSPB), Via Manfredonia 20, Foggia, Italy
| | - G La Salandra
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Puglia e Basilicata (IZSPB), Via Manfredonia 20, Foggia, Italy.
| | - A Gambaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari di Venezia, Via Torino 155, Venezia (Mestre), Italy.
| | - D Contini
- Istituto di Scienze dell'Atmosfera e del Clima (ISAC-CNR), Str. Prv. Lecce-Monteroni Km 1.2, Lecce, Italy.
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Lednicky JA, Lauzard M, Fan ZH, Jutla A, Tilly TB, Gangwar M, Usmani M, Shankar SN, Mohamed K, Eiguren-Fernandez A, Stephenson CJ, Alam MM, Elbadry MA, Loeb JC, Subramaniam K, Waltzek TB, Cherabuddi K, Morris JG, Wu CY. Viable SARS-CoV-2 in the air of a hospital room with COVID-19 patients. Int J Infect Dis 2020. [PMID: 32949774 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.09.025,pubmed:32949774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Because the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in aerosols but failure to isolate viable (infectious) virus are commonly reported, there is substantial controversy whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can be transmitted through aerosols. This conundrum occurs because common air samplers can inactivate virions through their harsh collection processes. We sought to resolve the question whether viable SARS-CoV-2 can occur in aerosols using VIVAS air samplers that operate on a gentle water vapor condensation principle. METHODS Air samples collected in the hospital room of two coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients, one ready for discharge and the other newly admitted, were subjected to RT-qPCR and virus culture. The genomes of the SARS-CoV-2 collected from the air and isolated in cell culture were sequenced. RESULTS Viable SARS-CoV-2 was isolated from air samples collected 2 to 4.8 m away from the patients. The genome sequence of the SARS-CoV-2 strain isolated from the material collected by the air samplers was identical to that isolated from the newly admitted patient. Estimates of viable viral concentrations ranged from 6 to 74 TCID50 units/L of air. CONCLUSIONS Patients with respiratory manifestations of COVID-19 produce aerosols in the absence of aerosol-generating procedures that contain viable SARS-CoV-2, and these aerosols may serve as a source of transmission of the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- John A Lednicky
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, USA; Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA.
| | - Michael Lauzard
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, USA
| | - Z Hugh Fan
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Florida, USA; J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, USA
| | - Antarpreet Jutla
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, USA
| | - Trevor B Tilly
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, USA
| | - Mayank Gangwar
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, USA
| | - Moiz Usmani
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, USA
| | - Sripriya Nannu Shankar
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, USA
| | - Karim Mohamed
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, USA
| | | | - Caroline J Stephenson
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, USA; Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA
| | - Md Mahbubul Alam
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, USA; Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA
| | - Maha A Elbadry
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, USA; Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA
| | - Julia C Loeb
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, USA; Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA
| | - Kuttichantran Subramaniam
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA; Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, USA
| | - Thomas B Waltzek
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA; Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, USA
| | - Kartikeya Cherabuddi
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, USA
| | - J Glenn Morris
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, USA
| | - Chang-Yu Wu
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, USA
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Pani SK, Lin NH, RavindraBabu S. Association of COVID-19 pandemic with meteorological parameters over Singapore. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 740:140112. [PMID: 32544735 PMCID: PMC7289735 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Meteorological parameters are the critical factors affecting the transmission of infectious diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and influenza. Consequently, infectious disease incidence rates are likely to be influenced by the weather change. This study investigates the role of Singapore's hot tropical weather in COVID-19 transmission by exploring the association between meteorological parameters and the COVID-19 pandemic cases in Singapore. This study uses the secondary data of COVID-19 daily cases from the webpage of Ministry of Health (MOH), Singapore. Spearman and Kendall rank correlation tests were used to investigate the correlation between COVID-19 and meteorological parameters. Temperature, dew point, relative humidity, absolute humidity, and water vapor showed positive significant correlation with COVID-19 pandemic. These results will help the epidemiologists to understand the behavior of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus against meteorological variables. This study finding would be also a useful supplement to help the local healthcare policymakers, Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO) in the process of strategy making to combat COVID-19 in Singapore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shantanu Kumar Pani
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
| | - Neng-Huei Lin
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan; Center for Environmental Monitoring and Technology, National Central University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan.
| | - Saginela RavindraBabu
- Center for Space and Remote Sensing Research, National Central University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
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46
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Lednicky JA, Lauzardo M, Fan ZH, Jutla A, Tilly TB, Gangwar M, Usmani M, Shankar SN, Mohamed K, Eiguren-Fernandez A, Stephenson CJ, Alam MM, Elbadry MA, Loeb JC, Subramaniam K, Waltzek TB, Cherabuddi K, Morris JG, Wu CY. Viable SARS-CoV-2 in the air of a hospital room with COVID-19 patients. Int J Infect Dis 2020; 100:476-482. [PMID: 32949774 PMCID: PMC7493737 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 395] [Impact Index Per Article: 98.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Because the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in aerosols but failure to isolate viable (infectious) virus are commonly reported, there is substantial controversy whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can be transmitted through aerosols. This conundrum occurs because common air samplers can inactivate virions through their harsh collection processes. We sought to resolve the question whether viable SARS-CoV-2 can occur in aerosols using VIVAS air samplers that operate on a gentle water vapor condensation principle. Methods Air samples collected in the hospital room of two coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients, one ready for discharge and the other newly admitted, were subjected to RT-qPCR and virus culture. The genomes of the SARS-CoV-2 collected from the air and isolated in cell culture were sequenced. Results Viable SARS-CoV-2 was isolated from air samples collected 2 to 4.8 m away from the patients. The genome sequence of the SARS-CoV-2 strain isolated from the material collected by the air samplers was identical to that isolated from the newly admitted patient. Estimates of viable viral concentrations ranged from 6 to 74 TCID50 units/L of air. Conclusions Patients with respiratory manifestations of COVID-19 produce aerosols in the absence of aerosol-generating procedures that contain viable SARS-CoV-2, and these aerosols may serve as a source of transmission of the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- John A Lednicky
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, USA; Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA.
| | - Michael Lauzardo
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, USA
| | - Z Hugh Fan
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Florida, USA; J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, USA
| | - Antarpreet Jutla
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, USA
| | - Trevor B Tilly
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, USA
| | - Mayank Gangwar
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, USA
| | - Moiz Usmani
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, USA
| | - Sripriya Nannu Shankar
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, USA
| | - Karim Mohamed
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, USA
| | | | - Caroline J Stephenson
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, USA; Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA
| | - Md Mahbubul Alam
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, USA; Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA
| | - Maha A Elbadry
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, USA; Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA
| | - Julia C Loeb
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, USA; Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA
| | - Kuttichantran Subramaniam
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA; Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, USA
| | - Thomas B Waltzek
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA; Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, USA
| | - Kartikeya Cherabuddi
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, USA
| | - J Glenn Morris
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, USA
| | - Chang-Yu Wu
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, USA
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