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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Horve PF, Dietz LG, Fretz M, Constant DA, Wilkes A, Townes JM, Martindale RG, Messer WB, Van Den Wymelenberg KG. Identification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in healthcare heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units. Indoor Air 2021; 31:1826-1832. [PMID: 34189769 DOI: 10.1101/2020.06.26.20141085v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Evidence continues to grow supporting the aerosol transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To assess the potential role of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in airborne viral transmission, this study sought to determine the viral presence, if any, on air handling units in a healthcare setting where coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients were being treated. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in approximately 25% of samples taken from ten different locations in multiple air handlers. While samples were not evaluated for viral infectivity, the presence of viral RNA in air handlers raises the possibility that viral particles can enter and travel within the air handling system of a hospital, from room return air through high-efficiency MERV-15 filters and into supply air ducts. Although no known transmission events were determined to be associated with these specimens, the findings suggest the potential for HVAC systems to facilitate transfer of virions to locations remote from areas where infected persons reside. These results are important within and outside of healthcare settings and may present necessary guidance for building operators of facilities that are not equipped with high-efficiency filtration. Furthermore, the identification of SARS-CoV-2 in HVAC components indicates the potential utility as an indoor environmental surveillance location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick F Horve
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Leslie G Dietz
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Mark Fretz
- Institute for Health in the Built Environment, University of Oregon, Portland, OR, USA
| | - David A Constant
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Andrew Wilkes
- Healthcare Facilities, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - John M Townes
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Robert G Martindale
- Division of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - William B Messer
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Kevin G Van Den Wymelenberg
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
- Institute for Health in the Built Environment, University of Oregon, Portland, OR, USA
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3
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Horve PF, Dietz LG, Fretz M, Constant DA, Wilkes A, Townes JM, Martindale RG, Messer WB, Van Den Wymelenberg KG. Identification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in healthcare heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units. Indoor Air 2021; 31:1826-1832. [PMID: 34189769 PMCID: PMC8447041 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Evidence continues to grow supporting the aerosol transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To assess the potential role of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in airborne viral transmission, this study sought to determine the viral presence, if any, on air handling units in a healthcare setting where coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients were being treated. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in approximately 25% of samples taken from ten different locations in multiple air handlers. While samples were not evaluated for viral infectivity, the presence of viral RNA in air handlers raises the possibility that viral particles can enter and travel within the air handling system of a hospital, from room return air through high-efficiency MERV-15 filters and into supply air ducts. Although no known transmission events were determined to be associated with these specimens, the findings suggest the potential for HVAC systems to facilitate transfer of virions to locations remote from areas where infected persons reside. These results are important within and outside of healthcare settings and may present necessary guidance for building operators of facilities that are not equipped with high-efficiency filtration. Furthermore, the identification of SARS-CoV-2 in HVAC components indicates the potential utility as an indoor environmental surveillance location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick F. Horve
- Biology and the Built Environment CenterUniversity of OregonEugeneORUSA
| | - Leslie G. Dietz
- Biology and the Built Environment CenterUniversity of OregonEugeneORUSA
| | - Mark Fretz
- Institute for Health in the Built EnvironmentUniversity of OregonPortlandORUSA
| | - David A. Constant
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and ImmunologyOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandORUSA
| | - Andrew Wilkes
- Healthcare FacilitiesOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandORUSA
| | - John M. Townes
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandORUSA
| | - Robert G. Martindale
- Division of Gastrointestinal and General SurgerySchool of MedicineOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandORUSA
| | - William B. Messer
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and ImmunologyOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandORUSA
| | - Kevin G. Van Den Wymelenberg
- Biology and the Built Environment CenterUniversity of OregonEugeneORUSA
- Institute for Health in the Built EnvironmentUniversity of OregonPortlandORUSA
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Ishaq SL, Parada FJ, Wolf PG, Bonilla CY, Carney MA, Benezra A, Wissel E, Friedman M, DeAngelis KM, Robinson JM, Fahimipour AK, Manus MB, Grieneisen L, Dietz LG, Pathak A, Chauhan A, Kuthyar S, Stewart JD, Dasari MR, Nonnamaker E, Choudoir M, Horve PF, Zimmerman NB, Kozik AJ, Darling KW, Romero-Olivares AL, Hariharan J, Farmer N, Maki KA, Collier JL, O’Doherty KC, Letourneau J, Kline J, Moses PL, Morar N. Introducing the Microbes and Social Equity Working Group: Considering the Microbial Components of Social, Environmental, and Health Justice. mSystems 2021; 6:e0047121. [PMID: 34313460 PMCID: PMC8407420 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00471-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans are inextricably linked to each other and our natural world, and microorganisms lie at the nexus of those interactions. Microorganisms form genetically flexible, taxonomically diverse, and biochemically rich communities, i.e., microbiomes that are integral to the health and development of macroorganisms, societies, and ecosystems. Yet engagement with beneficial microbiomes is dictated by access to public resources, such as nutritious food, clean water and air, safe shelter, social interactions, and effective medicine. In this way, microbiomes have sociopolitical contexts that must be considered. The Microbes and Social Equity (MSE) Working Group connects microbiology with social equity research, education, policy, and practice to understand the interplay of microorganisms, individuals, societies, and ecosystems. Here, we outline opportunities for integrating microbiology and social equity work through broadening education and training; diversifying research topics, methods, and perspectives; and advocating for evidence-based public policy that supports sustainable, equitable, and microbial wealth for all.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne L. Ishaq
- University of Maine, School of Food and Agriculture, Orono, Maine, USA
| | - Francisco J. Parada
- Centro de Estudios en Neurociencia Humana y Neuropsicología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile
| | - Patricia G. Wolf
- Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Carla Y. Bonilla
- Gonzaga University, Department of Biology, Spokane, Washington, USA
| | - Megan A. Carney
- University of Arizona, School of Anthropology, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Amber Benezra
- Stevens Institute of Technology, Science and Technology Studies, Hoboken, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - Michael Friedman
- American International College of Arts and Sciences of Antigua, Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda, West Indies
| | - Kristen M. DeAngelis
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jake M. Robinson
- University of Sheffield, Department of Landscape Architecture, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Ashkaan K. Fahimipour
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, USA
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Santa Cruz, California, USA
| | - Melissa B. Manus
- Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Laura Grieneisen
- Department of Genetics, Cell, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Leslie G. Dietz
- University of Oregon, Biology and the Built Environment Center, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - Ashish Pathak
- School of the Environment, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Ashvini Chauhan
- School of the Environment, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Sahana Kuthyar
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Justin D. Stewart
- Department of Ecological Science, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mauna R. Dasari
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Emily Nonnamaker
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Mallory Choudoir
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Patrick F. Horve
- University of Oregon, Biology and the Built Environment Center, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - Naupaka B. Zimmerman
- University of San Francisco, Department of Biology, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Ariangela J. Kozik
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Katherine Weatherford Darling
- Social Science Program, University of Maine at Augusta, Augusta, Maine, USA
- University of Maine, Graduate School of Biomedical Science & Engineering, Bangor, Maine, USA
| | | | - Janani Hariharan
- Field of Soil and Crop Sciences, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Nicole Farmer
- National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Katherine A. Maki
- National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jackie L. Collier
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey Letourneau
- Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Peter L. Moses
- Robert Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
- Finch Therapeutics, Somerville, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nicolae Morar
- Environmental Studies Program, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
- Department of Philosophy, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
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Horve PF, Dietz LG, Ishaq SL, Kline J, Fretz M, Van Den Wymelenberg KG. Viable bacterial communities on hospital window components in patient rooms. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9580. [PMID: 33194331 PMCID: PMC7391968 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies demonstrate an exchange of bacteria between hospital room surfaces and patients, and a reduction in survival of microorganisms in dust inside buildings from sunlight exposure. While the transmission of microorganisms between humans and their local environment is a continuous exchange which generally does not raise cause for alarm, in a hospital setting with immunocompromised patients, these building-source microbial reservoirs may pose a risk. Window glass is often neglected during hospital disinfection protocols, and the microbial communities found there have not previously been examined. This pilot study examined whether living bacterial communities, and specifically the pathogens Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile), were present on window components of exterior-facing windows inside patient rooms, and whether relative light exposure (direct or indirect) was associated with changes in bacterial communities on those hospital surfaces. Environmental samples were collected from 30 patient rooms in a single ward at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland, Oregon, USA. Sampling locations within each room included the window glass surface, both sides of the window curtain, two surfaces of the window frame, and the air return grille. Viable bacterial abundances were quantified using qPCR, and community composition was assessed using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene V3/V4 region. Viable bacteria occupied all sampled locations, but was not associated with a specific hospital surface or relative sunlight exposure. Bacterial communities were similar between window glass and the rest of the room, but had significantly lower Shannon Diversity, theorized to be related to low nutrient density and resistance to bacterial attachment of glass compared to other surface materials. Rooms with windows that were facing west demonstrated a higher abundance of viable bacteria than those facing other directions, potentially because at the time of sampling (morning) west-facing rooms had not yet been exposed to sunlight that day. Viable C. difficile was not detected and viable MRSA was detected at very low abundance. Bacterial abundance was negatively correlated with distance from the central staff area containing the break room and nursing station. In the present study, it can be assumed that there is more human traffic in the center of the ward, and is likely responsible for the observed gradient of total abundance in rooms along the ward, as healthcare staff both deposit more bacteria during activities and affect microbial transit indoors. Overall, hospital window components possess similar microbial communities to other previously identified room locations known to act as reservoirs for microbial agents of hospital-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick F Horve
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
| | - Leslie G Dietz
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
| | - Suzanne L Ishaq
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America.,School of Food and Agriculture, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States of America
| | - Jeff Kline
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
| | - Mark Fretz
- Institute for Health in the Built Environment, University of Oregon, Portland, OR, United States of America
| | - Kevin G Van Den Wymelenberg
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America.,Institute for Health in the Built Environment, University of Oregon, Portland, OR, United States of America
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Dietz LG, Wylie AA, Rauen KA, Murphy SK, Jirtle RL, Cotter PD. Exclusion of maternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 14 in patients referred for Prader-Willi syndrome using a multiplex methylation polymerase chain reaction assay. J Med Genet 2003; 40:e46. [PMID: 12676919 PMCID: PMC1735412 DOI: 10.1136/jmg.40.4.e46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Cotter PD, Ledesma CT, Dietz LG, Pusso S, Wohlferd MM, Goldberg JD. Prenatal diagnosis of supernumerary marker 15 chromosomes and exclusion of uniparental disomy for chromosome 15. Prenat Diagn 1999; 19:721-6. [PMID: 10451515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Supernumerary marker chromosomes (SMC) were identified in amniocytes from two unrelated fetuses. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) characterization of the SMC showed they were derived from chromosome 15; SMC(15). Parental karyotyping demonstrated the SMC(15) to be de novo in one fetus and paternally derived in the other. Previous reports showed that the presence or absence of the Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome (PWS/AS) critical region, loci D15S11 and distal, in a SMC(15) was associated with an abnormal or normal phenotype, respectively. FISH analysis demonstrated both SMC(15) lacked the D15S11 locus. Because SMC(15) were found at an increased incidence in patients with PWS/AS, we performed methylation analysis at the SNRPN locus to exclude a deletion or uniparental disomy (UPD) of chromosome 15. Both probands showed biparental inheritance at this locus. Based on the FISH and molecular analyses, both fetuses were predicted to have a normal phenotype. The pregnancies were continued and both probands are phenotypically and developmentally normal. These cases illustrate the importance of a combination of family studies, FISH characterization and molecular analyses in SMC(15) identified prenatally. In particular, any chromosome 15 rearrangement identified at prenatal diagnosis should be considered a candidate for UPD15 studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- P D Cotter
- Division of Medical Genetics, Children's Hospital Oakland, 747 Fifty Second Street, Oakland, CA 94609, USA.
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