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Dawson F, Yew WC, Orme B, Markwell C, Ledesma-Aguilar R, Perry JJ, Shortman IM, Smith D, Torun H, Wells G, Unthank MG. Self-Assembled, Hierarchical Structured Surfaces for Applications in (Super)hydrophobic Antiviral Coatings. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:10632-10641. [PMID: 35977085 PMCID: PMC9434993 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c01579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A versatile method for the creation of multitier hierarchical structured surfaces is reported, which optimizes both antiviral and hydrophobic (easy-clean) properties. The methodology exploits the availability of surface-active chemical groups while also manipulating both the surface micro- and nanostructure to control the way the surface coating interacts with virus particles within a liquid droplet. This methodology has significant advantages over single-tier structured surfaces, including the ability to overcome the droplet-pinning effect and in delivering surfaces with high static contact angles (>130°) and good antiviral efficacy (log kill >2). In addition, the methodology highlights a valuable approach for the creation of mechanically robust, nanostructured surfaces which can be prepared by spray application using nonspecialized equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances Dawson
- Northumbria
University, Newcastle
upon Tyne NE1 8ST, U.K.
| | - Wen C. Yew
- Northumbria
University, Newcastle
upon Tyne NE1 8ST, U.K.
| | - Bethany Orme
- Northumbria
University, Newcastle
upon Tyne NE1 8ST, U.K.
| | | | - Rodrigo Ledesma-Aguilar
- Institute
for Multiscale Thermofluids (IMT), School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JL, Scotland, U.K.
| | | | - Ian M. Shortman
- Defence
Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JQ, U.K.
| | - Darren Smith
- Northumbria
University, Newcastle
upon Tyne NE1 8ST, U.K.
| | - Hamdi Torun
- Northumbria
University, Newcastle
upon Tyne NE1 8ST, U.K.
| | - Gary Wells
- Institute
for Multiscale Thermofluids (IMT), School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JL, Scotland, U.K.
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102
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Chiannilkulchai N, Bhumisirikul P. Development of a "Scissor-Tip-Separator" for adjustment of scissor blade separation and prevention of scissor blade damage during steam sterilization. Patient Saf Surg 2022; 16:28. [PMID: 35999555 PMCID: PMC9397177 DOI: 10.1186/s13037-022-00338-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Reprocess reusable surgical instruments during steam sterilization; damage occurs to sharp scissor blades in close position, so steam cannot reach the blades. Surgical instruments' management requires standards to ensure patient safety and prevent harmful pathogens, especially in the COVID-19 pandemic. Although various devices can separate scissor blades, they do not prevent damage to cutting edges. To address the above problem, we developed a new scissor protector, the "Scissor-Tip-Separator," and evaluated its efficacy. Methods The "Scissor-Tip-Separator" design follows the steam sterilization guideline that instrument tips must be separated. The locking handles and V groove mechanism keep the scissor blades separated while preventing damage to the cutting edges. For efficacy assessment, purposive sampling was performed to select 44 Thai perioperative nurses at Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, to evaluate the "Scissor-Tip-Separators" in 450 sterile instrument containers. All participants evaluated surgical scissors placed in the "Scissor-Tip-Separators" during instrument setup, following a problem record checklist. At the end of the fifth use, participants were asked to complete the "Scissor-Tip-Separator" Effectiveness Scale, which was used to test the structural design of the "Scissor-Tip-Separator" in terms of function, usability, and safety. The Adenosine Triphosphate surface test was also used to validate the "Scissor-Tip-Separator" cleanliness. Data were collected from August 2020 to November 2020, then analyzed via descriptive statistics. Results The "Scissor-Tip-Separator" met the cleaning validation criteria, and in 44 uses, the physical property remained the same. The scissor shank was discovered loose from the handle before it had been unlocked (0.2–0.4%) at the 45th use. Based on participants' opinions, the overall instrument effectiveness was high in terms of function, usability, and safety. Conclusion The "Scissor-Tip-Separator" regulates scissor blade separation under sterilization guidelines; it prevents damage to cutting edges, thus ensuring patient safety. It protects against losses in a sterile field and can prevent hand injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natthacha Chiannilkulchai
- Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, 270 Rama 6 Road, Phayathai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
| | - Peinjit Bhumisirikul
- Division of Perioperative Nursing, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, 270 Rama 6 Road, Phayathai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
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103
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Kwon T, Gaudreault NN, Meekins DA, McDowell CD, Cool K, Richt JA. Ancestral lineage of SARS-CoV-2 is more stable in human biological fluids than Alpha, Beta and Omicron variants of concern. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.08.17.504362. [PMID: 36032982 PMCID: PMC9413703 DOI: 10.1101/2022.08.17.504362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a zoonotic virus which was first identified in 2019, and has quickly spread worldwide. The virus is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets from infected persons; however, the virus-laden excretions can contaminate surfaces which can serve as a potential source of infection. Since the beginning of the pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 has continued to evolve and accumulate mutations throughout its genome leading to the emergence of variants of concern (VOCs) which exhibit increased fitness, transmissibility, and/or virulence. However, the stability of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs in biological fluids has not been thoroughly investigated so far. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the stability of different SARS-CoV-2 strains in human biological fluids. Here, we demonstrate that the ancestral strain of Wuhan-like lineage A was more stable than the Alpha VOC B.1.1.7, and the Beta VOC B.1.351 strains in human liquid nasal mucus and sputum. In contrast, there was no difference in stability among the three strains in dried biological fluids. Furthermore, we also show that the Omicron VOC B.1.1.529 strain was less stable than the ancestral Wuhan-like strain in liquid nasal mucus. These studies provide insight into the effect of the molecular evolution of SARS-CoV-2 on environmental virus stability, which is important information for the development of countermeasures against SARS-CoV-2. Importance Genetic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 leads to the continuous emergence of novel variants, posing a significant concern to global public health. Five of these variants have been classified so far into variants of concern (VOCs); Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron. Previous studies investigated the stability of SARS-CoV-2 under various conditions, but there is a gap of knowledge on the survival of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs in human biological fluids which are clinically relevant. Here, we present evidence that Alpha, Beta, and Omicron VOCs were less stable than the ancestral Wuhan-like strain in human biological fluids. Our findings highlight the potential risk of contaminated human biological fluids in SARS-CoV-2 transmission and contribute to the development of countermeasures against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taeyong Kwon
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Natasha N. Gaudreault
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - David A. Meekins
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Chester D. McDowell
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Konner Cool
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Juergen A. Richt
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
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104
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Grzybowska H, Hickson RI, Bhandari B, Cai C, Towke M, Itzstein B, Jurdak R, Liebig J, Najeebullah K, Plani A, Shoghri AE, Paini D. SAfE transport: wearing face masks significantly reduces the spread of COVID-19 on trains. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:694. [PMID: 35978312 PMCID: PMC9382008 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07664-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 has had a substantial impact globally. It spreads readily, particularly in enclosed and crowded spaces, such as public transport carriages, yet there are limited studies on how this risk can be reduced. We developed a tool for exploring the potential impacts of mitigation strategies on public transport networks, called the Systems Analytics for Epidemiology in Transport (SAfE Transport). SAfE Transport combines an agent-based transit assignment model, a community-wide transmission model, and a transit disease spread model to support strategic and operational decision-making. For this simulated COVID-19 case study, the transit disease spread model incorporates both direct (person-to-person) and fomite (person-to-surface-to-person) transmission modes. We determine the probable impact of wearing face masks on trains over a seven day simulation horizon, showing substantial and statistically significant reductions in new cases when passenger mask wearing proportions are greater than 80%. The higher the level of mask coverage, the greater the reduction in the number of new infections. Also, the higher levels of mask coverage result in an earlier reduction in disease spread risk. These results can be used by decision makers to guide policy on face mask use for public transport networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Grzybowska
- Data61, CSIRO, Sydney, Australia. .,Research Centre for Integrated Transport Innovation,School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - R I Hickson
- Health and Biosecurity, CSIRO, Sydney , Australia.,College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, and Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | | | - Chen Cai
- Data61, CSIRO, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | - Raja Jurdak
- Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - Dean Paini
- Health and Biosecurity, CSIRO, Sydney , Australia
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105
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Zhang Y, Choi YW, Demir B, Ekbataniamiri F, Fulton ML, Ma M, Schang LM, Purevdorj-Gage L, Qiao M. Novel chlorine-extending polymer coating with prolonged antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. Lett Appl Microbiol 2022; 75:1346-1353. [PMID: 35965454 DOI: 10.1111/lam.13804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
We previously reported a novel polymeric surface coating, namely HaloFilmTM , that can immobilize and extend the antimicrobial activity of chlorine on surfaces. In this study, we demonstrated the continuous antiviral efficacy of HaloFilmTM when applied on stainless steel and cotton gauze as two representative models for non-porous and porous surfaces against SARS-CoV-2. Forty-eight hours post HaloFilm application and chlorination, and 2 hours post the viral challenge, the inoculum titer was reduced by 2.25±0.33 and ≥4.36±0.23 log10 TCIDA50 on non-porous and porous surfaces, respectively. The half-life of the virus was shorter (13.86 min) on a HaloFilmTM -coated surface compared to what has been reported on copper (46.44 min).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Young W Choi
- Battelle Biomedical Research Center, West Jefferson, OH
| | | | | | | | - Minglin Ma
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - Luis M Schang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
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106
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Meng J, Zhang Q, Ma M, Shi H, He G. Persistence of avian influenza virus (H9N2) on plastic surface. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 834:155355. [PMID: 35460779 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Plastics have been found to be colonized with pathogens and may become vectors for transmission of diseases. In this study, we evaluated the persistence of H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) on the surfaces of various plastics (PP, PE, PS, PET, PVC, PMMA) under different environmental conditions using glass and stainless steel for comparison. Our results showed that the RNA abundance of AIV on plastics was decreased over time but still detectable 14 days after AIV had been dropped on plastic surfaces. Low temperature (4 °C) was more favorable for AIV RNA preservation and infectivity maintenance. The abundance of AIV RNA was significantly greater on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) than that on glass and stainless steel at higher temperature (i.e., 25 °C and 37 °C) and lower humidity (<20% and 40-60%) (p < 0.05). Infectivity assay showed that AIV infectivity was only maintained at 4 °C after 24 h of incubation. Taken together, the persistence of AIV was more affected by environmental factors than material types. Plastics were able to preserve viral RNA more effectively in relatively high-temperature or low-humidity environments. Our study indicates that environmental factors should be taken into consideration when we evaluate the capacity of plastics to spread viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Meng
- Institute of Eco-Chongming, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200162, China; State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China.
| | - Qun Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Urban Ecological Process and Eco-Restoration, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Min Ma
- Laboratory of Wildlife Epidemic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Huahong Shi
- Institute of Eco-Chongming, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200162, China; State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China.
| | - Guimei He
- Institute of Eco-Chongming, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200162, China; Laboratory of Wildlife Epidemic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.
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107
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Hernandez ML, Spiegel JA, Coxe S, Dick AS, Graziano PA. Individual Differences in Germ Spreading Behaviors Among Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: The Role of Executive Functioning. J Pediatr Psychol 2022; 47:892-904. [PMID: 35773970 PMCID: PMC9372749 DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsac056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Infectious diseases, such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), are commonly transmitted by respiratory droplets and contact with contaminated surfaces. Individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to be infected with COVID-19 and experience more hospitalizations than individuals without ADHD. The current study investigated the role of ADHD symptomatology and executive functioning (EF) in germ spreading behavior frequency among young children with and without ADHD and parenting responses to these behaviors. METHODS Participants included 53 children diagnosed with ADHD and 47 typically developing (TD) children between the ages of 4-5 years (76% male; Mage = 4.62; 86% Hispanic/Latinx). Parents and teachers reported on children's ADHD symptomatology and children completed three EF tasks. Germ spreading behavior frequency (direct contact of hand to face and toy in mouth) and parenting responses (verbal and nonverbal behaviors) were observed during a 5-min parent-child play situation. RESULTS Negative binomial regression analyses indicated that both ADHD diagnostic status and poor metacognition predicted both higher rates of toy to mouth (β = 1.94, p < .001; β = 0.03, p = .004) and face touching frequency (β = 0.60, p = .03; β = 0.03, p = .004), respectively. Additionally, poor attention and worse cognitive flexibility only predicted higher rates of toy to mouth frequency (β = 0.09, p < .001; β = -0.04, p = .001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Young children with ADHD are at high risk for spreading germs via putting toys in their mouth and touching their face. Particularly, high levels of inattention and poor EF appear to be associated with higher rates of germ spreading behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa L Hernandez
- Department of Psychology, Center for Children and Families, Florida International University, USA
| | - Jamie A Spiegel
- Department of Psychology, Center for Children and Families, Florida International University, USA
| | - Stefany Coxe
- Department of Psychology, Center for Children and Families, Florida International University, USA
| | - Anthony S Dick
- Department of Psychology, Center for Children and Families, Florida International University, USA
| | - Paulo A Graziano
- Department of Psychology, Center for Children and Families, Florida International University, USA
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108
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Chiari W, Damayanti R, Harapan H, Puspita K, Saiful S, Rahmi R, Rizki DR, Iqhrammullah M. Trend of Polymer Research Related to COVID-19 Pandemic: Bibliometric Analysis. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14163297. [PMID: 36015553 PMCID: PMC9416432 DOI: 10.3390/polym14163297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Polymeric materials are used for personal protective equipment (PPE), which is mandatory for clinicians to use when handling coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. The development of diagnostic tools and vaccines for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is also dependent on polymer technology. This current report aims to provide readers with the trend of polymer research regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, by employing bibliometric analysis. A literature search on the Scopus database (31 January 2022) was carried out using predetermined terms. Using Scopus database features, the publications were filtered based on the year of publication (2020–2022), types of articles (original research and review), and language (English). The metadata were extracted in a CSV (.csv) file, to be later used in VOSviewer software. The data were presented in a table, graph, and network visualization. As many as 512 publications were included, consisting of 66.4% original research articles and 33.6% review articles. Most of the publications were written by authors whose affiliation was in the United States (n = 118, 23%) and covering the Materials Science subject area (n = 142, 27.7%). The Ministry of Education of China was the most productive organization, publishing 11 articles. The National Science Foundation of China was the top funding source, supporting 45 publications. Heinz C. Schröder was the most prolific author, publishing nine articles. Science of the Total Environment was the leading journal publishing the included studies. The trend of polymer technology related to COVID-19 mostly covers PPE and waste-management themes. The use of polymer technology as a delivery system for the anti-SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 vaccine is also among the frequently researched areas. We encourage more research in the field of polymer technology be carried out, to overcome the global pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Williams Chiari
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
| | - Rizki Damayanti
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Education and Teacher Training, Universitas Serambi Mekkah, Banda Aceh 23249, Indonesia
| | - Harapan Harapan
- Medical Research Unit, School of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
- Tropical Disease Centre, School of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
| | - Kana Puspita
- Department of Chemistry Education, Faculty of Education and Teacher Training, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
- Correspondence: (K.P.); (M.I.)
| | - Saiful Saiful
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
| | - Rahmi Rahmi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
| | - Diva Rayyan Rizki
- Medical Research Unit, School of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
| | - Muhammad Iqhrammullah
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Education and Teacher Training, Universitas Serambi Mekkah, Banda Aceh 23249, Indonesia
- Graduate School of Mathematics and Applied Sciences, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
- Department of Life Science and Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen, 28759 Bremen, Germany
- Correspondence: (K.P.); (M.I.)
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109
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Surface contamination by SARS-CoV2 RNA in dedicated COVID care area of a tertiary care hospital in North India. Virusdisease 2022; 33:236-243. [PMID: 35965883 PMCID: PMC9362593 DOI: 10.1007/s13337-022-00777-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
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110
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Abduljabbar RL, Liyanage S, Dia H. A systematic review of the impacts of the coronavirus crisis on urban transport: Key lessons learned and prospects for future cities. CITIES (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 127:103770. [PMID: 35663145 PMCID: PMC9135703 DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2022.103770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on the transport sector worldwide. Lockdown and physical distancing requirements continue to be enforced in many cities leading to severe travel restrictions and travel demand reduction to limit the spread of the disease. This article provides bibliometric evidence-based insights into how the pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of established public transport systems and shared mobility solutions. It shows how some transport interventions can accelerate the shift to sustainable urban mobility practices such as micro-mobility and active transport. To accomplish this, the article examines recent studies (244 publications) from the Scopus database using a rigorous systematic literature review approach covering the period from January 2020 to February 2021. Importantly, the mapping of bibliographic coupling and co-citation analysis showed four heterogeneous clusters representing research efforts into "environment", "travel behavior and mode choice", "public transport", and "interventions". Inductive reasoning is used to analyze the disruptions that cities have encountered worldwide, the rapid interventions that were put in place, the aftershocks and the short and long-term impacts. Finally, the paper summarizes the lessons learned and opportunities ahead, and the challenges that must be overcome. The article also outlines pathways to build on the momentum of sustainable practices as part of a holistic approach for enabling resilient transport solutions for the new urban world.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hussein Dia
- Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
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111
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Cao Y, Whittington JD, Kausrud K, Li R, Stenseth NC. The Relative Contribution of Climatic, Demographic Factors, Disease Control Measures and Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity to Variation of Global COVID-19 Transmission. GEOHEALTH 2022; 6:e2022GH000589. [PMID: 35946036 PMCID: PMC9349723 DOI: 10.1029/2022gh000589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite a substantial number of COVID-19 related research papers published, it remains unclear as to which factors are associated with the observed variation in global transmission and what are their relative levels of importance. This study applies a rigorous statistical framework to provide robust estimations of the factor effects for a global and integrated perspective on this issue. We developed a mixed effect model exploring the relative importance of potential factors driving COVID-19 transmission while incorporating spatial and temporal heterogeneity of spread. We use an integrated data set for 87 countries across six continents for model specification and fitting. The best model accounts for 70.4% of the variance in the data analyzed: 10 fixed effect factors explain 20.5% of the variance, random temporal and spatial effects account for 50% of the variance. The fixed effect factors are classified into climatic, demographic and disease control groups. The explained variance in global transmission by the three groups are 0.6%, 1.1%, and 4.4% respectively. The high proportion of variance accounted for by random effects indicated striking differences in temporal transmission trajectories and effects of population mobility among the countries. In particular, the country-specific mobility-transmission relationship turns out to be the most important factor in explaining the observed global variation of transmission in the early phase of COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihan Cao
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES)Department of BiosciencesUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Jason D. Whittington
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES)Department of BiosciencesUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | | | - Ruiyun Li
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES)Department of BiosciencesUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Nils Chr. Stenseth
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES)Department of BiosciencesUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
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Amahmid O, El Guamri Y, Rakibi Y, Ouizat S, Yazidi M, Razoki B, Kaid Rassou K, Asmama S, Bouhoum K, Belghyti D. Occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in excreta, sewage, and environment: epidemiological significance and potential risks. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2022; 32:1686-1706. [PMID: 33752527 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2021.1901865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in patients' excreta raises the issue of its occurrence and fate in sewage. This review has focused on the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 in human excreta, wastewater, sewage sludge, and river waters. It explored the potential use of the wastewater-based epidemiology approach to report on the situation of current and eventual future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks. The main concern of the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in the environment is the public health risks at sites of sewage products disposal and reuse, especially in low-income countries with inadequate sanitation, where direct discharge and reuse of raw sewage are common practices. The review also addressed the role sewage-irrigated agriculture can have in SARS-CoV-2 spread in the environmental compartments reached through sewage products application. An overview was made on the interest of sewage management, water safety, and hygienic practices for controlling the environmental dissemination of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Amahmid
- Department of Life and Earth Sciences, (Biology/geology Research Units), Regional Centre for Careers of Education and Training CRMEF Marrakech-Safi, Marrakesh, Morocco
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Water, Biodiversity and Climatic Change, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad Univesity, Marrakesh, Morocco
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, University Ibn Tofail, Kenitra, Morocco
| | - Youssef El Guamri
- Department of Life and Earth Sciences, (Biology/geology Research Units), Regional Centre for Careers of Education and Training CRMEF Marrakech-Safi, Marrakesh, Morocco
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, University Ibn Tofail, Kenitra, Morocco
| | - Youness Rakibi
- Department of Life and Earth Sciences, (Biology/geology Research Units), Regional Centre for Careers of Education and Training CRMEF Marrakech-Safi, Marrakesh, Morocco
- Engineering Laboratory of Organometallic, Molecular Materials and Environment (LIMOME), Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
| | - Saadia Ouizat
- Chemistry and Didactics Unit, Regional Centre for Careers of Education and Training CRMEF Marrakech-Safi, Marrakesh, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Yazidi
- Department of Life and Earth Sciences, (Biology/geology Research Units), Regional Centre for Careers of Education and Training CRMEF Marrakech-Safi, Marrakesh, Morocco
| | - Bouchra Razoki
- Department of Life and Earth Sciences, (Biology/geology Research Units), Regional Centre for Careers of Education and Training CRMEF Marrakech-Safi, Marrakesh, Morocco
| | - Khadija Kaid Rassou
- Department of Life and Earth Sciences, (Biology/geology Research Units), Regional Centre for Careers of Education and Training CRMEF Marrakech-Safi, Marrakesh, Morocco
| | - Souad Asmama
- Laboratory of Biomedical Analysis, University Hospital Centre Mohammad VI, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Khadija Bouhoum
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Water, Biodiversity and Climatic Change, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad Univesity, Marrakesh, Morocco
| | - Driss Belghyti
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, University Ibn Tofail, Kenitra, Morocco
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113
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Liu Y, Shao Y, Wang L, Lu W, Li S, Xu D, Fu YV. Inactivation of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus with electron beam irradiation under cold chain conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION 2022; 27:102715. [PMID: 35694201 PMCID: PMC9169434 DOI: 10.1016/j.eti.2022.102715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The many instances of COVID-19 outbreaks suggest that cold chains are a possible route for the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, owing to the low temperatures of cold chains, which are normally below 0 °C, there are limited options for virus inactivation. Here, high-energy electron beam (E-beam) irradiation was used to inactivate porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) under simulated cold chain conditions. This coronavirus was used as a surrogate for SARS-CoV-2. The possible mechanism by which high-energy E-beam irradiation inactivates PEDV was also explored. An irradiation dose of 10 kGy reduced the PEDV infectious viral titer by 1.68-1.76 log10TCID 50 / 100 μ L in the cold chain environment, suggesting that greater than 98.1% of PEDV was inactivated. E-beam irradiation at 5-30 kGy damaged the viral genomic RNA with an efficiency of 46.25%-92.11%. The integrity of the viral capsid was disrupted at 20 kGy. The rapid and effective inactivation of PEDV at temperatures below freezing indicates high-energy E-beam irradiation as a promising technology for disinfecting SARS-CoV-2 in cold chain logistics to limit the transmission of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yang Shao
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Weilai Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shihua Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Diandou Xu
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yu Vincent Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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114
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Comparison of Surface Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha and Delta Variants on Stainless Steel at 4°C and 24°C. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0076422. [PMID: 35867558 PMCID: PMC9317854 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00764-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Most studies on surface persistence of SARS-CoV-2 have been conducted at temperatures between 20°C and 30°C. There is limited data on the survival of SARS-CoV-2 at low temperatures. In this study, the stability of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha and Delta variants on stainless steel was investigated at two temperatures (4°C and 24°C). The results show that both variants decayed more rapidly at 24°C compared with 4°C. At 24°C, Alpha and Delta variants showed reductions of 0.33 log10 and 1.02 log10, respectively, within the first 2.5 h. However, at 4°C, Alpha variant showed a reduction of 0.16 log10 within the first 2.5 h while no reduction was observed with Delta variant. After remaining in situ for 24 h at 24°C, log10 reductions of 2.66 (Alpha) and 3.11 (Delta) were observed. No viable Alpha and Delta variant was recovered after 48 h and 72 h, respectively. After 24 h in a refrigerated environment (4°C) log10 reductions of 1.16 (Alpha) and 0.95 (Delta) were observed. Under these experimental conditions, both viruses survived on stainless steel for at least 1 week. No viable Alpha and Delta variant was recovered after 10 days. These findings support the potential for increased fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2 during winter months in colder regions worldwide and in some industrial sectors. IMPORTANCE Human transmission is believed to occur primarily through direct transfer of infectious droplets or aerosols. However, fomite transmission through contact with contaminated surfaces may also play an important role. This study provides novel evidence comparing the stability of Alpha and Delta variants on stainless steel surfaces at 4°C and 24°C. At 4°C both variants were found to be still detectable for up to 7 days. At 24°C Delta variant could be recovered over 2 days compared with Alpha variant which could not be recovered after 2 days. This has implications for fomite transmission interventions for people living and working in cold environments.
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115
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Brault A, Néré R, Prados J, Boudreault S, Bisaillon M, Marchand P, Couture P, Labbé S. Cellulosic copper nanoparticles and a hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant trigger rapid inactivation of pseudoviral particles expressing the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV. Metallomics 2022; 14:mfac044. [PMID: 35731587 DOI: 10.1093/mtomcs/mfac044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory infection caused by human coronaviruses that include SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Although their primary mode of transmission is through contaminated respiratory droplets from infected carriers, the deposition of expelled virus particles onto surfaces and fomites could contribute to viral transmission. Here, we use replication-deficient murine leukemia virus (MLV) pseudoviral particles expressing SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, or MERS-CoV Spike (S) protein on their surface. These surrogates of native coronavirus counterparts serve as a model to analyze the S-mediated entry into target cells. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) nanofibers that are combined with copper (Cu) exhibit strong antimicrobial properties. S-pseudovirions that are exposed to CMC-Cu nanoparticles (30 s) display a dramatic reduction in their ability to infect target Vero E6 cells, with ∼97% less infectivity as compared to untreated pseudovirions. In contrast, addition of the Cu chelator tetrathiomolybdate protects S-pseudovirions from CMC-Cu-mediated inactivation. When S-pseudovirions were treated with a hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant (denoted SaberTM) used at 1:250 dilution, their infectivity was dramatically reduced by ∼98%. However, the combined use of SaberTM and CMC-Cu is the most effective approach to restrict infectivity of SARS-CoV-2-S, SARS-CoV-S, and MERS-CoV-S pseudovirions in Vero E6 cell assays. Together, these results show that cellulosic Cu nanoparticles enhance the effectiveness of diluted SaberTM sanitizer, setting up an improved strategy to lower the risk of surface- and fomite-mediated transmission of enveloped respiratory viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane Brault
- Département de Biochimie et de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Raphael Néré
- Département de Biochimie et de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Jérôme Prados
- Département de Biochimie et de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Simon Boudreault
- Département de Biochimie et de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Martin Bisaillon
- Département de Biochimie et de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, J1E 4K8, Canada
| | | | | | - Simon Labbé
- Département de Biochimie et de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, J1E 4K8, Canada
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116
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Curtis SJ, Trewin A, McDermott K, Were K, Walczynski T, Notaras L, Walsh N. An outdoor hotel quarantine facility model in Australia: best practice with optimal outcomes. Aust N Z J Public Health 2022; 46:633-639. [PMID: 35797090 PMCID: PMC9349389 DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.13275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To describe the operationalisation of a novel outdoor quarantine facility managed by the Australian Medical Assistance Team, the Howard Springs International Quarantine Facility (HSIQF) at the Centre for National Resilience in the Northern Territory, Australia. Methods: We collated documentation and data from HSIQF to describe policies and procedures implemented and performed a descriptive analysis of key procedures and outcomes. Results: From 23 October 2020 to 31 March 2021, 2.2% (129/5,987) of residents were confirmed COVD‐19 cases. On average per day, 82 [Interquartile Range (IQR): 29‐95] staff completed personal protective equipment (PPE) training, 94 [IQR: 90‐104] staff completed antigen testing and 51 [IQR: 32‐136] staff completed polymerase chain reaction testing. The operation focused on building a safe environment with infection prevention and control adherence and workforce sustainability. There was no leakage of SARS‐CoV‐2 to staff or the community and no PPE compromises requiring staff to quarantine for 14 days. Conclusion: HSIQF demonstrates the operationalisation of an effective, safe and replicable quarantine system. Implications for public health: Quarantine is a critical public health tool for pandemic control. The HSIQF operations may be useful to inform the establishment and management of quarantine facilities for future and current disease outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie J Curtis
- National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, Darwin, Northern Territory.,Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
| | - Abigail Trewin
- National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, Darwin, Northern Territory
| | - Kathleen McDermott
- National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, Darwin, Northern Territory
| | - Karen Were
- National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, Darwin, Northern Territory
| | - Tracy Walczynski
- National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, Darwin, Northern Territory
| | - Len Notaras
- National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, Darwin, Northern Territory
| | - Nick Walsh
- National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, Darwin, Northern Territory
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117
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Li XP, DarAssi MH, Khan MA, Chukwu CW, Alshahrani MY, Shahrani MA, Riaz MB. Assessing the potential impact of COVID-19 Omicron variant: Insight through a fractional piecewise model. RESULTS IN PHYSICS 2022; 38:105652. [PMID: 35663799 PMCID: PMC9150900 DOI: 10.1016/j.rinp.2022.105652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We consider a new mathematical model for the COVID-19 disease with Omicron variant mutation. We formulate in details the modeling of the problem with omicron variant in classical differential equations. We use the definition of the Atangana-Baleanu derivative and obtain the extended fractional version of the omicron model. We study mathematical results for the fractional model and show the local asymptotical stability of the model for infection-free case if R 0 < 1 . We show the global asymptotically stable of the model for the disease free case when R 0 ≤ 1 . We show the existence and uniqueness of solution of the fractional model. We further extend the fractional order model into piecewise differential equation system and give a numerical algorithm for their numerical simulation. We consider the real cases of COVID-19 in South Africa of the third wave March 2021-Sep 2021 and estimate the model parameters and get R 0 ≈ 1 . 4004 . The real parameters values are used to show the graphical results for the fractional and piecewise model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Ping Li
- School of Mathematics and Information Science, Xiangnan University, Chenzhou, 423000, Hunan, PR China
| | - Mahmoud H DarAssi
- Department of Basic Sciences, Princess Sumaya University for Technology, Amman 11941, Jordan
| | - Muhammad Altaf Khan
- Institute for Ground Water Studies, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, South Africa
| | - C W Chukwu
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Mohammad Y Alshahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 61413, Abha, 9088, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mesfer Al Shahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 61413, Abha, 9088, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Bilal Riaz
- Department of Automation, Biomechanics and Mechatronics, Lodz University of Technology, 1/15 Stefanowskiego St., 90-924 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Mathematics, University of Management and Technology, 54770, Lahore, Pakistan
- Institute for Ground Water Studies, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, South Africa
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118
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Tateo F, Fiorino S, Peruzzo L, Zippi M, De Biase D, Lari F, Melucci D. Effects of environmental parameters and their interactions on the spreading of SARS-CoV-2 in North Italy under different social restrictions. A new approach based on multivariate analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 210:112921. [PMID: 35150709 PMCID: PMC8828377 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.112921] [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: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In 2020 North Italy suffered the SARS-CoV-2-related pandemic with a high number of deaths and hospitalization. The effect of atmospheric parameters on the amount of hospital admissions (temperature, solar radiation, particulate matter, relative humidity and wind speed) is studied through about 8 months (May-December). Two periods are considered depending on different conditions: a) low incidence of COVID-19 and very few regulations concerning personal mobility and protection ("free/summer period"); b) increasing incidence of disease, social restrictions and use of personal protections ("confined/autumn period"). The "hospitalized people in medical area wards/100000 residents" was used as a reliable measure of COVID-19 spreading and load on the sanitary system. We developed a chemometric approach (multiple linear regression analysis) using the daily incidence of hospitalizations as a function of the single independent variables and of their products (interactions). Eight administrative domains were considered (altogether 26 million inhabitants) to account for relatively homogeneous territorial and social conditions. The obtained models very significantly match the daily variation of hospitalizations, during the two periods. Under the confined/autumn period, the effect of non-pharmacologic measures (social distances, personal protection, etc.) possibly attenuates the virus diffusion despite environmental factors. On the contrary, in the free/summer conditions the effects of atmospheric parameters are very significant through all the areas. Particulate matter matches the growth of hospitalizations in areas with low chronic particulate pollution. Fewer hospitalizations strongly correspond to higher temperature and solar radiation. Relative humidity plays the same role, but with a lesser extent. The interaction between solar radiation and high temperature is also highly significant and represents surprising evidence. The solar radiation alone and combined with high temperature exert an anti-SARS-CoV-2 effect, via both the direct inactivation of virions and the stimulation of vitamin D synthesis, improving immune system function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Tateo
- Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. Gradenigo, 6, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Sirio Fiorino
- Internal Medicine Unit, Budrio Hospital, Azienda USL, Via Benni, 44, 40054, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Peruzzo
- Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. Gradenigo, 6, 35131, Padova, Italy.
| | - Maddalena Zippi
- Unit of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, Sandro Pertini Hospital, Via dei Monti Tiburtini 385, 00157, Rome, Italy
| | - Dario De Biase
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federico Lari
- Internal Medicine Unit, Budrio Hospital, Azienda USL, Via Benni, 44, 40054, Bologna, Italy
| | - Dora Melucci
- Department of Chemistry Ciamician, University of Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
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119
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Akpalu W, Amegashie JA, Karuaihe ST. COVID -19 Morbidity and mortality in tropical countries: The effects of economic, institutional, and climatic variables. SCIENTIFIC AFRICAN 2022; 16:e01257. [PMID: 35765587 PMCID: PMC9221631 DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2022.e01257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the significant and rising human and economic costs of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), our knowledge on its epidemiology remains limited necessitating expedited research to aid public policy. This study contributes to the knowledge gap by focusing on exploring the effects of potential covariates (economic, institutional, and climatic conditions) on COVID-19 in tropical countries. Using an Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression, our results showed a non-linear relationship between temperature and infection-to-test ratio. Specifically, temperatures warmer than 18 °C can favor the spread of the disease. In addition, strikingly, countries with better democratic principles registered more positive cases than their counterparts at high levels of corruption.
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120
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Survival of SARS-CoV-2 and bovine coronavirus on common surfaces of living environments. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10624. [PMID: 35739204 PMCID: PMC9218704 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14552-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aerosols or saliva containing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can contaminate living environments, and viruses can be indirectly transmitted. To understand the survival potential of the virus, the viral titers of bovine coronavirus (BCoV), as a model virus, and SARS-CoV-2 were measured on porous and non-porous surfaces. The amount of infectious BCoV recovered remained relatively high on non-porous substrates. However, it quickly decreased on several non-porous surfaces such as nitrile rubber. The time taken to reach the limit of detection on non-woven masks, as a porous substrate, was longer than that of non-porous substrates. On porous substrates other than non-woven masks, the amount of virus recovered quickly decreased, and then remained at a low level. Representative substrates were tested with SARS-CoV-2. The decrease in the amount of infectious virus recovered was similar to that of BCoV, although that of SARS-CoV-2 was more rapid. RNA derived from SARS-CoV-2 was also detected using real-time PCR, and it remained on surfaces much longer than infectious virus, on all substrates. Therefore, it is important to measure the viral titer to avoid the overestimation of infectious virus contamination in the environments. Our results suggest that the surface structure was not directly related to viral survivability.
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121
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Shao W, Ye Q. SARS-CoV-2 Spreads Globally Through the Object-to-Human Transmission of Cross-Border Logistics. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:918957. [PMID: 35814665 PMCID: PMC9260597 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.918957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
With globalization, the demand for transnational logistics is growing rapidly. However, the object-to-human transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has been reported in transnational logistics production, transportation, storage, sales, and consumption. Every link of transnational logistics has the risk of spreading the COVID-19 pandemic. It is concluded that low temperatures, dry environments, and smooth surfaces are conducive to the long-term survival of SARS-CoV-2 on the surface of transnational goods. Epidemiological investigation and big data analysis show that the object-to-human transmission route of direct contact with contaminated cold chain goods plays a key role in the outbreak and transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic. This may be the most crucial reason for the global spread of SARS-CoV-2 caused by transnational logistics. It is an effective way to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 from object-to-human through transnational logistics by strengthening the management of employees in all aspects of transnational logistics, carrying out comprehensive disinfection and quarantine of and guiding consumers to handle transnational goods properly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxia Shao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qing Ye
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children’s Regional Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
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122
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Mobile phones are hazardous microbial platforms warranting robust public health and biosecurity protocols. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10009. [PMID: 35705596 PMCID: PMC9199474 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14118-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Advancements in technology and communication have revolutionised the twenty-first century with the introduction of mobile phones and smartphones. These phones are known to be platforms harbouring microbes with recent research shedding light on the abundance and broad spectrum of organisms they harbour. Mobile phone use in the community and in professional sectors including health care settings is a potential source of microbial dissemination. To identify the diversity of microbial genetic signature present on mobile phones owned by hospital medical staff. Twenty-six mobile phones of health care staff were swabbed. DNA extraction for downstream next generation sequencing shotgun metagenomic microbial profiling was performed. Survey questionnaires were handed to the staff to collect information on mobile phone usage and users' behaviours. Each of the 26 mobile phones of this study was contaminated with microbes with the detection of antibiotic resistance and virulent factors. Taken together the sum of microbes and genes added together across all 26 mobile phones totalised 11,163 organisms (5714 bacteria, 675 fungi, 93 protists, 228 viruses, 4453 bacteriophages) and 2096 genes coding for antibiotic resistance and virulent factors. The survey of medical staff showed that 46% (12/26) of the participants used their mobile phones in the bathroom. Mobile phones are vectors of microbes and can contribute to microbial dissemination and nosocomial diseases worldwide. As fomites, mobile phones that are not decontaminated may pose serious risks for public health and biosecurity.
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123
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Hosseini M, Poon LLM, Chin AWH, Ducker WA. Effect of Surface Porosity on SARS-CoV-2 Fomite Infectivity. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:18238-18246. [PMID: 35663285 PMCID: PMC9159070 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c06880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Previous reports indicated the low stability of severe actute respiratory syndrome coronovirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on various porous surfaces, but the role of porosity was unclear because there was no direct comparison between porous and nonporous solids of the same chemistry. Through comparing pairs of solids with very similar chemistry, we find that porosity is important: porous glass has a much lower infectivity than nonporous glass. However, porosity is not sufficient to lower infectivity; permeability, which is the ability of a liquid to move through a material, is the important parameter. We show this by comparing a pair of porous CuO coatings where the pores are accessible in one case and inaccessible in the other case. When the pores are inaccessible, the infectivity remains similar to that for nonporous solids. Thus, for both glass and CuO, it is the access to porosity that decreases the infectivity of extracted liquid droplets. Having established the importance of permeability, there is the open question of the mechanism of changing the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2. Several hypotheses are possible, such as increasing the difficulty of extracting the virus from the solid, changing the drying time, increasing the surface area of active ingredient, etc. Reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) measurements show that less viral DNA is extracted from a permeable surface, suggesting that the virus becomes trapped in the pores. Finally, we consider the effect of drying. We show that permeability and the water contact angle on the solid have effects on the drying time of a contaminated droplet, which may in turn affect infectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Hosseini
- Deptartment
of Chemical Engineering and Center for Soft Matter and Biological
Physics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Leo L. M. Poon
- School
of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Centre
for Immunity and Infection, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, China
- HKU
Pasteur Research Pole, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong
Kong, China
| | - Alex W. H. Chin
- School
of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Centre
for Immunity and Infection, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, China
| | - William A. Ducker
- Deptartment
of Chemical Engineering and Center for Soft Matter and Biological
Physics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
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124
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Wei Y, Dong Z, Fan W, Xu K, Tang S, Wang Y, Wu F. A narrative review on the role of temperature and humidity in COVID-19: Transmission, persistence, and epidemiological evidence. ECO-ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH (ONLINE) 2022; 1:73-85. [PMID: 38013745 PMCID: PMC9181277 DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2022.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Since December 2019, the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has become a global pandemic. Understanding the role of environmental conditions is important in impeding the spread of COVID-19. Given that airborne spread and contact transmission are considered the main pathways for the spread of COVID-19, this narrative review first summarized the role of temperature and humidity in the airborne trajectory of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Meanwhile, we reviewed the persistence of the virus in aerosols and on inert surfaces and summarized how the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 is affected by temperature and humidity. We also examined the existing epidemiological evidence and addressed the limitations of these epidemiological studies. Although uncertainty remains, more evidence may support the idea that high temperature is slightly and negatively associated with COVID-19 growth, while the conclusion for humidity is still conflicting. Nonetheless, the spread of COVID-19 appears to have been controlled primarily by government interventions rather than environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Zhaomin Dong
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Wenhong Fan
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing 102206, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Kaiqiang Xu
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Song Tang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
- Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Ying Wang
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Fengchang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
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125
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Sobolik JS, Sajewski ET, Jaykus LA, Cooper DK, Lopman BA, Kraay AN, Ryan PB, Guest JL, Webb-Girard A, Leon JS. Decontamination of SARS-CoV-2 from cold-chain food packaging provides no marginal benefit in risk reduction to food workers. Food Control 2022; 136:108845. [PMID: 35075333 PMCID: PMC8770992 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.108845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Countries continue to debate the need for decontamination of cold-chain food packaging to reduce possible severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) fomite transmission among frontline workers. While laboratory-based studies demonstrate persistence of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces, the likelihood of fomite-mediated transmission under real-life conditions is uncertain. Using a quantitative microbial risk assessment model of a frozen food packaging facility, we simulated 1) SARS-CoV-2 fomite-mediated infection risks following worker exposure to contaminated plastic packaging; and 2) reductions in these risks from masking, handwashing, and vaccination. In a frozen food facility without interventions, SARS-CoV-2 infection risk to a susceptible worker from contact with contaminated packaging was 1.5 × 10-3 per 1h-period (5th - 95th percentile: 9.2 × 10-6, 1.2 × 10-2). Standard food industry infection control interventions, handwashing and masking, reduced risk (99.4%) to 8.5 × 10-6 risk per 1h-period (5th - 95th percentile: 2.8 × 10-8, 6.6 × 10-5). Vaccination of the susceptible worker (two doses Pfizer/Moderna, vaccine effectiveness: 86-99%) with handwashing and masking reduced risk to 5.2 × 10-7 risk per 1h-period (5th - 95th percentile: 1.8 × 10-9, 5.4 × 10-6). Simulating increased transmissibility of current and future variants (Delta, Omicron), (2-, 10-fold viral shedding) among a fully vaccinated workforce, handwashing and masking continued to mitigate risk (1.4 × 10-6 - 8.8 × 10-6 risk per 1h-period). Additional decontamination of frozen food plastic packaging reduced infection risks to 1.2 × 10-8 risk per 1h-period (5th - 95th percentile: 1.9 × 10-11, 9.5 × 10-8). Given that standard infection control interventions reduced risks well below 1 × 10-4 (World Health Organization water quality risk thresholds), additional packaging decontamination suggest no marginal benefit in risk reduction. Consequences of this decontamination may include increased chemical exposures to workers, food quality and hazard risks to consumers, and unnecessary added costs to governments and the global food industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia S. Sobolik
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA,Corresponding author. 1518 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | | | - Lee-Ann Jaykus
- Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - D. Kane Cooper
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Ben A. Lopman
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Alicia N.M. Kraay
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - P. Barry Ryan
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Jodie L. Guest
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Amy Webb-Girard
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Juan S. Leon
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
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126
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Baker CA, Gibson KE. Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 on Surfaces and Relevance to the Food Industry. Curr Opin Food Sci 2022; 47:100875. [PMID: 35784376 PMCID: PMC9238272 DOI: 10.1016/j.cofs.2022.100875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Determining the prevalence and persistence of viruses outside the human host aids our ability to characterize exposure risk across multiple transmission pathways. Since 2020, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic has resulted in a surge of research regarding severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its potential to spread via direct and indirect contact transmission routes. Here, the authors discuss the current state of the science concerning SARS-CoV-2 transmission via contaminated surfaces and its persistence on environmental surfaces. This review aims to provide the reader with an overview of the currently published SARS-CoV-2 persistence studies, factors impacting persistence, guidelines for performing persistence studies, limitation of current data, and future directions for assessing SARS-CoV-2 persistence on fomites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Baker
- Department of Food Science, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville, AR 72704, USA
| | - Kristen E Gibson
- Department of Food Science, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville, AR 72704, USA
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127
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Sun C, Chao L, Li H, Hu Z, Zheng H, Li Q. Modeling and Preliminary Analysis of the Impact of Meteorological Conditions on the COVID-19 Epidemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:6125. [PMID: 35627661 PMCID: PMC9140896 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19106125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Since the COVID-19 epidemic outbreak at the end of 2019, many studies regarding the impact of meteorological factors on the attack have been carried out, and inconsistent conclusions have been reached, indicating the issue's complexity. To more accurately identify the effects and patterns of meteorological factors on the epidemic, we used a combination of logistic regression (LgR) and partial least squares regression (PLSR) modeling to investigate the possible effects of common meteorological factors, including air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and surface pressure, on the transmission of the COVID-19 epidemic. Our analysis shows that: (1) Different countries and regions show spatial heterogeneity in the number of diagnosed patients of the epidemic, but this can be roughly classified into three types: "continuous growth", "staged shock", and "finished"; (2) Air temperature is the most significant meteorological factor influencing the transmission of the COVID-19 epidemic. Except for a few areas, regional air temperature changes and the transmission of the epidemic show a significant positive correlation, i.e., an increase in air temperature is conducive to the spread of the epidemic; (3) In different countries and regions studied, wind speed, relative humidity, and surface pressure show inconsistent correlation (and significance) with the number of diagnosed cases but show some regularity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenglong Sun
- School of Atmospheric Sciences and Key Laboratory of Tropical Atmosphere-Ocean System, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China; (C.S.); (L.C.); (H.L.)
| | - Liya Chao
- School of Atmospheric Sciences and Key Laboratory of Tropical Atmosphere-Ocean System, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China; (C.S.); (L.C.); (H.L.)
| | - Haiyan Li
- School of Atmospheric Sciences and Key Laboratory of Tropical Atmosphere-Ocean System, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China; (C.S.); (L.C.); (H.L.)
| | - Zengyun Hu
- Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China;
| | - Hehui Zheng
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Qingxiang Li
- School of Atmospheric Sciences and Key Laboratory of Tropical Atmosphere-Ocean System, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China; (C.S.); (L.C.); (H.L.)
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128
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Rethinking Outdoor Courtyard Spaces on University Campuses to Enhance Health and Wellbeing: The Anti-Virus Built Environment. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14095602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Responding to the events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, this study explores how to improve health and wellbeing and reduce infections in outdoor open spaces on university campuses to maximize their potential as a response to future crises. The study identifies the relationship between human behavior (social) and the various physical and environmental elements of these spaces. A case study and mixed-methods approach were undertaken, comprising four modes of inspection: user analysis layer using questionnaires and observations to survey students’ needs and behavior; context analysis layer using space syntax and CFD to examine the space’s physical and environmental conditions; design solutions reflecting an understanding of virus transmission; and a performance analysis layer to test the performance of ‘anti-virus’ courtyards. The findings demonstrated that students are willing to use the open spaces that they used before the pandemic, at the same frequency. This indicates a need to redesign the current spaces to prevent the spread of viruses. The study highlights the social, physical, and environmental implications to be considered in designs for outdoor anti-virus spaces. It provides a comprehensive process for transforming outdoor spaces on university campuses into anti-virus spaces that meet users’ needs. These findings have implications for the designing and retrofitting of open spaces to reduce infection.
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129
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Kumar A, Soni V, Singh P, Parwaz Khan AA, Nazim M, Mohapatra S, Saini V, Raizada P, Hussain CM, Shaban M, Marwani HM, Asiri AM. Green aspects of photocatalysts during corona pandemic: a promising role for the deactivation of COVID-19 virus. RSC Adv 2022; 12:13609-13627. [PMID: 35530385 PMCID: PMC9073611 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra08981a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The selection of a facile, eco-friendly, and effective methodology is the need of the hour for efficient curing of the COVID-19 virus in air, water, and many food products. Recently, semiconductor-based photocatalytic methodologies have provided promising, green, and sustainable approaches to battle against viral activation via the oxidative capabilities of various photocatalysts with excellent performance under moderate conditions and negligible by-products generation as well. Considering this, recent advances in photocatalysis for combating the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are inclusively highlighted. Starting from the origin to the introduction of the coronavirus, the significant potential of photocatalysis against viral prevention and -disinfection is discussed thoroughly. Various photocatalytic material-based systems including metal-oxides, metal-free and advanced 2D materials (MXenes, MOFs and COFs) are systematically examined to understand the mechanistic insights of virus-disinfection in the human body to fight against COVID-19 disease. Also, a roadmap toward sustainable solutions for ongoing COVID-19 contagion is also presented. Finally, the challenges in this field and future perspectives are comprehensively discussed involving the bottlenecks of current photocatalytic systems along with potential recommendations to deal with upcoming pandemic situations in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinandan Kumar
- School of Advanced Chemical Sciences, Shoolini University Solan Himachal Pradesh 173229 India
| | - Vatika Soni
- School of Advanced Chemical Sciences, Shoolini University Solan Himachal Pradesh 173229 India
| | - Pardeep Singh
- School of Advanced Chemical Sciences, Shoolini University Solan Himachal Pradesh 173229 India
| | - Aftab Aslam Parwaz Khan
- Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials Research, King Abdulaziz University P. O. Box 80203 Jeddah 21589 Saudi Arabia
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University P. O. Box 80203 Jeddah 21589 Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Nazim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kumoh National Institute of Technology 61 Daehak-ro Gumi-si Gyeongbuk-do 39177 Republic of Korea
| | - Satyabrata Mohapatra
- University School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Dwarka New Delhi 110078 India
| | - Vipin Saini
- Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College Kumarhatti Solan Himachal Pradesh 173229 India
| | - Pankaj Raizada
- School of Advanced Chemical Sciences, Shoolini University Solan Himachal Pradesh 173229 India
| | | | - Mohamed Shaban
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University Beni-Suef 62514 Egypt
| | - Hadi M Marwani
- Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials Research, King Abdulaziz University P. O. Box 80203 Jeddah 21589 Saudi Arabia
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University P. O. Box 80203 Jeddah 21589 Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah M Asiri
- Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials Research, King Abdulaziz University P. O. Box 80203 Jeddah 21589 Saudi Arabia
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University P. O. Box 80203 Jeddah 21589 Saudi Arabia
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130
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Kvasnicka J, Cohen Hubal EA, Siegel JA, Scott JA, Diamond ML. Modeling Clothing as a Vector for Transporting Airborne Particles and Pathogens across Indoor Microenvironments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:5641-5652. [PMID: 35404579 PMCID: PMC9069698 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c08342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that human exposure to airborne particles and associated contaminants, including respiratory pathogens, can persist beyond a single microenvironment. By accumulating such contaminants from air, clothing may function as a transport vector and source of "secondary exposure". To investigate this function, a novel microenvironmental exposure modeling framework (ABICAM) was developed. This framework was applied to a para-occupational exposure scenario involving the deposition of viable SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory particles (0.5-20 μm) from a primary source onto clothing in a nonhealthcare setting and subsequent resuspension and secondary exposure in a car and home. Variability was assessed through Monte Carlo simulations. The total volume of infectious particles on the occupant's clothing immediately after work was 4800 μm3 (5th-95th percentiles: 870-32 000 μm3). This value was 61% (5-95%: 17-300%) of the occupant's primary inhalation exposure in the workplace while unmasked. By arrival at the occupant's home after a car commute, relatively rapid viral inactivation on cotton clothing had reduced the infectious volume on clothing by 80% (5-95%: 26-99%). Secondary inhalation exposure (after work) was low in the absence of close proximity and physical contact with contaminated clothing. In comparison, the average primary inhalation exposure in the workplace was higher by about 2-3 orders of magnitude. It remains theoretically possible that resuspension and physical contact with contaminated clothing can occasionally transmit SARS-CoV-2 between humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Kvasnicka
- Department
of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B1, Canada
| | - Elaine A. Cohen Hubal
- Center
for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Jeffrey A. Siegel
- Department
of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University
of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A4, Canada
- Dalla
Lana School of Public Health, University
of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - James A. Scott
- Dalla
Lana School of Public Health, University
of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3M7, Canada
- Department
of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Miriam L. Diamond
- Department
of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B1, Canada
- Dalla
Lana School of Public Health, University
of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3M7, Canada
- School of
the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E8, Canada
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131
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Bryant JA, Riordan L, Watson R, Nikoi ND, Trzaska W, Slope L, Tibbatts C, Alexander MR, Scurr DJ, May RC, de Cogan F. Developing Novel Biointerfaces: Using Chlorhexidine Surface Attachment as a Method for Creating Anti-Fungal Surfaces. GLOBAL CHALLENGES (HOBOKEN, NJ) 2022; 6:2100138. [PMID: 35602408 PMCID: PMC9121760 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202100138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
There is an increasing focus in healthcare environments on combatting antimicrobial resistant infections. While bacterial infections are well reported, infections caused by fungi receive less attention, yet have a broad impact on society and can be deadly. Fungi are eukaryotes with considerable shared biology with humans, therefore limited technologies exist to combat fungal infections and hospital infrastructure is rarely designed for reducing microbial load. In this study, a novel antimicrobial surface (AMS) that is modified with the broad-spectrum biocide chlorhexidine is reported. The surfaces are shown to kill the opportunistic fungal pathogens Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans very rapidly (<15 min) and are significantly more effective than current technologies available on the commercial market, such as silver and copper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack A. Bryant
- Institute of Microbiology and InfectionUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Lily Riordan
- Institute of Microbiology and InfectionUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Rowan Watson
- Institute of Microbiology and InfectionUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Naa Dei Nikoi
- Institute of Microbiology and InfectionUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Wioleta Trzaska
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Louise Slope
- Institute of Microbiology and InfectionUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Callum Tibbatts
- Institute of Microbiology and InfectionUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Morgan R. Alexander
- Advanced Materials and Healthcare Technologies DivisionSchool of PharmacyUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamNG7 2RDUK
| | - David J. Scurr
- Advanced Materials and Healthcare Technologies DivisionSchool of PharmacyUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamNG7 2RDUK
| | - Robin C. May
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Felicity de Cogan
- Institute of Microbiology and InfectionUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamB15 2TTUK
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132
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Zuniga-Montanez R, Coil DA, Eisen JA, Pechacek R, Guerrero RG, Kim M, Shapiro K, Bischel HN. The challenge of SARS-CoV-2 environmental monitoring in schools using floors and portable HEPA filtration units: Fresh or relic RNA? PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267212. [PMID: 35452479 PMCID: PMC9032406 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Testing surfaces in school classrooms for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can provide public-health information that complements clinical testing. We monitored the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in five schools (96 classrooms) in Davis, California (USA) by collecting weekly surface-swab samples from classroom floors and/or portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) units (n = 2,341 swabs). Twenty-two surfaces tested positive, with qPCR cycle threshold (Ct) values ranging from 36.07-38.01. Intermittent repeated positives in a single room were observed for both floor and HEPA filter samples for up to 52 days, even following regular cleaning and HEPA filter replacement after a positive result. We compared the two environmental sampling strategies by testing one floor and two HEPA filter samples in 57 classrooms at Schools D and E. HEPA filter sampling yielded 3.02% and 0.41% positivity rates per filter sample collected for Schools D and E, respectively, while floor sampling yielded 0.48% and 0% positivity rates. Our results indicate that HEPA filter swabs are more sensitive than floor swabs at detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA in interior spaces. During the study, all schools were offered weekly free COVID-19 clinical testing through Healthy Davis Together (HDT). HDT also offered on-site clinical testing in Schools D and E, and upticks in testing participation were observed following a confirmed positive environmental sample. However, no confirmed COVID-19 cases were identified among students associated with classrooms yielding positive environmental samples. The positive samples detected in this study appeared to contain relic viral RNA from individuals infected before the monitoring program started and/or RNA transported into classrooms via fomites. High-Ct positive results from environmental swabs detected in the absence of known active infections supports this conclusion. Additional research is needed to differentiate between fresh and relic SARS-CoV-2 RNA in environmental samples and to determine what types of results should trigger interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogelio Zuniga-Montanez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - David A. Coil
- Genome Center, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Jonathan A. Eisen
- Genome Center, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Randi Pechacek
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Roque G. Guerrero
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Minji Kim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Karen Shapiro
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Heather N. Bischel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
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133
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Tizaoui C, Stanton R, Statkute E, Rubina A, Lester-Card E, Lewis A, Holliman P, Worsley D. Ozone for SARS-CoV-2 inactivation on surfaces and in liquid cell culture media. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 428:128251. [PMID: 35032958 PMCID: PMC8744407 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, by ozone using virus grown in cell culture media either dried on surfaces (plastic, glass, stainless steel, copper, and coupons of ambulance seat and floor) or suspended in liquid. Treatment in liquid reduced SARS-CoV-2 at a rate of 0.92 ± 0.11 log10-reduction per ozone CT dose(mg min/L); where CT is ozone concentration times exposure time. On surface, the synergistic effect of CT and relative humidity (RH) was key to virus inactivation; the rate varied from 0.01 to 0.27 log10-reduction per ozone CT value(g min/m3) as RH varied from 17% to 70%. Depletion of ozone by competitive reactions with the medium constituents, mass transfer limiting the penetration of ozone to the bulk of the medium, and occlusion of the virus in dried matrix were postulated as potential mechanisms that reduce ozone efficacy. RH70% was found plausible since it provided the highest disinfection rate while being below the critical RH that promotes mould growth in buildings. In conclusion, through careful choice of (CT, RH), gaseous ozone is effective against SARS-CoV-2 and our results are of significance to a growing field where ozone is applied to control the spread of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chedly Tizaoui
- College of Engineering, Bay Campus, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, United Kingdom.
| | - Richard Stanton
- Division of Infection & Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - Evelina Statkute
- Division of Infection & Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - Anzelika Rubina
- Division of Infection & Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - Edward Lester-Card
- College of Engineering, Bay Campus, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony Lewis
- College of Engineering, Bay Campus, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Holliman
- College of Engineering, Bay Campus, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, United Kingdom
| | - Dave Worsley
- College of Engineering, Bay Campus, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, United Kingdom
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134
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Khan GR, Malik SI. Ag-enriched TiO 2 nanocoating apposite for self-sanitizing/ self-sterilizing/ self-disinfecting of glass surfaces. MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS 2022; 282:125803. [PMID: 35153357 PMCID: PMC8818044 DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2022.125803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The excellent strategy to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic is to inhibit the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2. Since fomites are one of the vital routes of coronaviral transmission, disinfecting of fomites play a pivotal role in curbing its survival on the contaminated surfaces. Available commercial disinfectants cannot keep the contaminated surfaces sanitized all the time. Self-disinfecting ability of Ag-enriched TiO2 nanocoating due to its superb photocatalytic efficiency can effectively reduce infections caused by spread of pathogens at public places. Anatase Ag-TiO2 nanocoatings synthesized by sol-gel process at 0.5, 1.5, and 2.5% enriching concentrations were casted on glass substrates by spin-coating technique and subsequently annealed at 650 °C. The morphological shape, crystallographic structure, light absorbance, photo-luminosity, vibrational modes, and functional groups of Ag-TiO2 nanocoating on glass surface were studied by FE-SEM, GIXRD, UV-Visible, Photoluminescence, Raman, and FTIR spectroscopy. The developed anatase Ag-TiO2 nanocoatings manifested to improve photocatalytic disinfecting performance due to the achieved small crystallite size of 10.5-19.2 nm, diminished band gap energy of 2.56-2.60 eV, elevated surface area of 0.802-1.470 ×105 cm2/g, and enhanced light absorbance. Among the enriched specimens, 0.5% Ag-TiO2 nanocoatings predicted an overall exalted functionality compared to pristine one.
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Affiliation(s)
- G R Khan
- Nanotechnology Research Lab, Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology Srinagar, Hazratbal, 190006, Kashmir, India
| | - S I Malik
- Nanotechnology Research Lab, Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology Srinagar, Hazratbal, 190006, Kashmir, India
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135
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Weaver AK, Head JR, Gould CF, Carlton EJ, Remais JV. Environmental Factors Influencing COVID-19 Incidence and Severity. Annu Rev Public Health 2022; 43:271-291. [PMID: 34982587 PMCID: PMC10044492 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-052120-101420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence supports a link between environmental factors-including air pollution and chemical exposures, climate, and the built environment-and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) susceptibility and severity. Climate, air pollution, and the built environment have long been recognized to influence viral respiratory infections, and studies have established similar associations with COVID-19 outcomes. More limited evidence links chemical exposures to COVID-19. Environmental factors were found to influence COVID-19 through four major interlinking mechanisms: increased risk of preexisting conditions associated with disease severity; immune system impairment; viral survival and transport; and behaviors that increase viral exposure. Both data and methodologic issues complicate the investigation of these relationships, including reliance on coarse COVID-19 surveillance data; gaps in mechanistic studies; and the predominance of ecological designs. We evaluate the strength of evidence for environment-COVID-19 relationships and discuss environmental actions that might simultaneously address the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental determinants of health, and health disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K Weaver
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA; ,
| | - Jennifer R Head
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA;
| | - Carlos F Gould
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA;
- Department of Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth J Carlton
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz, Aurora, Colorado, USA;
| | - Justin V Remais
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA; ,
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136
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Anagoni S, Mudhigeti N, Alladi M, Anju V, Am P, Kalawat U. Effect of delay in processing and storage temperature on diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 by RTPCR testing. Indian J Med Microbiol 2022; 40:427-432. [PMID: 35393127 PMCID: PMC8979488 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmmb.2022.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Purpose A large number of new molecular or virology laboratories have been established to increase the testing capacity for SARS-CoV-2. Due to heavy workload, there is delay in testing of samples. In order to avoid the negative effect of delayed testing on RTPCR results guidelines are issued from WHO and CDC to transport samples in cold chain. However, in pandemic situations the recommended guidelines for transport and storage conditions are often compromised. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of sample storage conditions at different temperatures on the results of RT PCR test. Methods Total 275 samples were included in this study, among these 126 samples tested positive and 149 samples tested negative. All samples were aliquoted into two and the aliquotes stored in duplicate at 4 °C and room temperature. All aliquots stored at both the temperatures were tested by RTPCR every 24 hours up to 5 days. Results Diagnostic accuracy decreased from day1 to day 5 at both the storage temperatures i,e 4 °C and room temperature in comparison to the initial day results. Positivity decreased on an average of 9.02% at 4 °C and at 9.27% at room temperature per day. Among total 126 positive samples on an average false negative and failure of internal control at 4 °C and room temperature was 8.86%, 8.22% and 3.64%, and 4.12%, respectively. All the samples with CT value < 30 remained positive at both temperatures up to 5 days. Few samples with >30 CT value showed variable results i.e. positive, negative or internal control failure from day 1 (2nd day after sample collection) onwards. Conclusions There was no significant difference between RT PCR results of samples stored at 4 °C and room temperature up to 5 days of collection. However internal control failure was more in samples stored at room temperature. Therefore, samples received without cold chain also may be processed by RTPCR and should not be rejected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikar Anagoni
- Department of Microbiology, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati, India.
| | - Nagaraja Mudhigeti
- State Level Virology Laboratory, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati, India.
| | - Mohan Alladi
- Department of Medicine, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati, India.
| | - Verma Anju
- Department of Microbiology, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati, India.
| | - Padmalatha Am
- State Level Virology Laboratory, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati, India.
| | - Usha Kalawat
- Department of Clinical Virology, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, 517501, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.
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137
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Mai LTP, Tran VD, Phuong HVM, Trang UTH, Thanh LT, Son NV, Cuong VD, Dung LP, Hanh NTM, Hai H, Oanh DTK, Thuy NT. Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 presence on environmental surfaces and waste in healthcare and non-healthcare facilities. ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 7:100526. [PMID: 37519307 PMCID: PMC9026952 DOI: 10.1016/j.envc.2022.100526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Objective The objective of the paper is to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on inanimate surfaces in four healthcare facilities treating patients with COVID-19 and four quarantine regiments of provincial military commands. Methods From August to October 2020, a total of 468 one-off environmental samples consisting of inanimate surfaces, garbage, and wastewater were collected. The real-time RT-PCR assay targeting E and RdRp genes to detect SARS-CoV-2 and checklist and questionnaire of disinfection practices were employed. If detected by RT-PCR, then positive samples are subjected to cell culture to determine viability. Results The test results showed all samples (100%) to be negative with SARS-CoV-2 resulting in unperformed virus culture. As for recent disinfection practices, chlorine-based products dissolved at a concentration of 0.1% (1000 ppm) in the general context or 0.5% (5000 ppm) for blood and body fluid spills are routinely applied twice a day and at the discharge of patients or quarantined people. Conclusions The finding may illustrate the importance of disinfection practices in removing pathogens or significantly reducing SARS-CoV-2 contamination on environmental surfaces and waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Thi Phuong Mai
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin St., Hai Ba Trung Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Van Dinh Tran
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin St., Hai Ba Trung Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hoang Vu Mai Phuong
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin St., Hai Ba Trung Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Ung Thi Hong Trang
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin St., Hai Ba Trung Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Le Thi Thanh
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin St., Hai Ba Trung Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Vu Son
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin St., Hai Ba Trung Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Vuong Duc Cuong
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin St., Hai Ba Trung Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Luu Phuong Dung
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin St., Hai Ba Trung Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Thi My Hanh
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin St., Hai Ba Trung Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hoang Hai
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin St., Hai Ba Trung Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Dang Thi Kieu Oanh
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin St., Hai Ba Trung Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Thanh Thuy
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin St., Hai Ba Trung Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam
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138
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Goh GKM, Dunker AK, Foster JA, Uversky VN. Computational, Experimental, and Clinical Evidence of a Specific but Peculiar Evolutionary Nature of (COVID-19) SARS-CoV-2. J Proteome Res 2022; 21:874-890. [PMID: 35142523 PMCID: PMC8864774 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.2c00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The shell disorder models have predicted that SARS-CoV-2 is of a specific but peculiar evolutionary nature. All coronaviruses (CoVs) closely related to SARS-CoV-2 have been found to have the hardest outer shells (M protein) among CoVs. This hard shell (low M percentage of intrinsic disorder (PID)) is associated with burrowing animals, for example, pangolins, and is believed to be responsible for the high contagiousness of SARS-CoV-2 because it will be more resistant to antimicrobial enzymes found in saliva/mucus. Incoming clinical and experimental data do support this along with a prediction based on another aspect of the shell (N, inner shell) disorder models that SARS-CoV-1 is more virulent than SARS-CoV-2 because SARS-CoV-2 produces fewer virus copies in vital organs even if large amounts of infections particles are shed orally and nasally. A phylogenetic study using M reveals a closer relationship of SARS-CoV to pangolin-CoVs than the bat-RaTG13 found in Yunnan, China. Previous studies may have been confused by recombinations that were poorly handled. The shell disorder models suggest that a pangolin-CoV strain may have entered the human population in 2017 or before as an attenuated virus, which could explain why SARS-CoV is found to be highly adapted to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - A. Keith Dunker
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics,
Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
46202, United States
| | - James A. Foster
- Department of Biological Sciences,
University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844, United
States
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies,
University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844, United
States
| | - Vladimir N. Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine, USF Health Byrd
Alzheimer’s Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine,
University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620,
United States
- Laboratory of New Methods in Biology, Institute for
Biological Instrumentation of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal
Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the
Russian Academy of Sciences”, Pushchino, Moscow Region 142290,
Russia
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139
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Di Gennaro F, Petrosillo N. New endemic and pandemic pathologies with interhuman airborne transmission through ear, nose and throat anatomical sites. ACTA OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGICA ITALICA : ORGANO UFFICIALE DELLA SOCIETA ITALIANA DI OTORINOLARINGOLOGIA E CHIRURGIA CERVICO-FACCIALE 2022; 42:S5-S13. [PMID: 35763270 PMCID: PMC9137375 DOI: 10.14639/0392-100x-suppl.1-42-2022-01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has once again stigmatised the importance of airborne pathogens and their clinical, social and public health impact. Respiratory viruses are transmitted between individuals when the pathogen is released from the upper airways or from the lower respiratory tract of an infected individual. Airborne transmission is defined as the inhalation of the infectious aerosol, named droplet nuclei which size is smaller than 5 mm and that can be inhaled at a distance up to 2 metres. This route of transmission is relevant for viral respiratory pathogens, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV, influenza virus, human rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other respiratory virus families that differ in viral and genomic structures, susceptibility of a population to the infection, severity, transmissibility, ways of transmission and seasonal recurrence. Human respiratory viruses generally infect cells of the upper respiratory tract, eliciting respiratory signs and symptoms, sometimes without the possibility to differentiate them clinically. As seen by the current Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, human respiratory viruses can substantially contribute to increased morbidity and mortality, economic losses and, eventually, social disruption. In this article, we describe the structural, clinical and transmission aspects of the main respiratory viruses responsible for endemic, epidemic and pandemic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicola Petrosillo
- Infection Control & Infectious Disease Service, University Hospital Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
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140
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Schilling-Loeffler K, Falkenhagen A, Johne R. Coronaviruses are stable on glass, but are eliminated by manual dishwashing procedures. Food Microbiol 2022; 106:104036. [PMID: 35690440 PMCID: PMC8986060 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2022.104036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is primarily transmitted from human to human via droplets and aerosols. While transmission via contaminated surfaces is also considered possible, the overall risk of this transmission route is assumed to be low. Nevertheless, transmission through contaminated drinking glasses may pose an increased risk as the glass is in direct contact with the mouth and oral cavity. Using human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) as surrogate for SARS-CoV-2, this study examined coronavirus stability on glass, inactivation by dishwashing detergents, and virus elimination by a manual glass scrubbing device. Infectious HCoV-229E was recovered from glass for 7 and 21 days of storage under daylight and dark conditions, respectively. Near complete inactivation of HCoV-229E (>4 log10 reduction) was observed after incubation with two common dishwashing detergents at room temperature for 15 s, whereas incubation at 43 °C for 60 s was necessary for a third detergent to achieve a similar titer reduction. The virus was efficiently removed from contaminated drinking glasses using a manual glass scrubbing device in accordance with German standard DIN 6653-3. The results confirm that coronaviruses are relatively stable on glass, but indicate that common manual dishwashing procedures can efficiently eliminate coronaviruses from drinking glasses.
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141
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Hardt M, Föderl-Höbenreich E, Freydl S, Kouros A, Loibner M, Zatloukal K. Pre-analytical sample stabilization by different sampling devices for PCR-based COVID-19 diagnostics. N Biotechnol 2022; 70:19-27. [PMID: 35398581 PMCID: PMC8990442 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2022.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic created an unprecedented requirement for diagnostic testing, challenging not only healthcare workers and laboratories, but also providers. Quantitative RT-PCR of various specimen types is considered the diagnostic gold standard for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, both in terms of sensitivity and specificity. The pre-analytical handling of patient specimens is a critical factor to ensure reliable and valid test results. Therefore, the effect of storage duration and temperature on SARS-CoV-2 RNA copy number stability was examined in various commercially available specimen collection, transport and storage devices for naso/oropharyngeal swabs and saliva. The swab specimen transport and storage devices tested showed no significant alteration of viral RNA copy numbers when stored at room temperature, except for one system when stored for up to 96 h. However, at 37 °C a significant reduction of detectable RNA was found in 3 out of 4 of the swab solutions tested. It was also found that detectability of viral RNA remained unchanged in all 7 saliva devices as well as in unstabilized saliva when stored for 96 h at room temperature, but one device showed marked RNA copy number loss at 37 °C. All tested saliva collection devices inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infectivity immediately, whereas SARS-CoV-2 remained infectious in the swab transport systems examined, which are designed to be used for viral or bacterial growth in cell culture systems.
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142
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Zedtwitz-Liebenstein K. SARS-CoV-2: low virus load on surfaces in public areas. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:30146-30149. [PMID: 34997928 PMCID: PMC8742566 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-18514-6] [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: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led people to implement preventive measures, including surface and hand disinfection with a disinfectant to avoid viral transmission. The detection of coronaviruses on surfaces implies not always a high danger of infection. Different coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2 can be detected under experimental conditions on surfaces for many days. However, there are no studies concerning the virus load and the risk for an infection. The aim of our study was to find out if we could detect SARS-CoV-2 with a virus load greater than 106 copies/mL in public areas under real-life conditions. A total of 1200 swabs were performed on different environmental surfaces in public areas: handholds, press buttons in buses, tramways, tubes, elevators, shops, doorknobs in public buildings, public restrooms, touchscreens in shops and public transportation services, supermarket trolleys, banknotes and coins and immediately tested. We used Rapid Covid-19 Antigen Test (Clinitest®) by Siemens Healthineers (Healgen Scientific Limited Liability Company, Houston, USA, respectively, Shanghai International Holding Corp. GmbH (Europe), Hamburg, Germany). During our study, we were not able to detect SARS-CoV-2 with a virus load greater than 106 copies/ml although we pooled the swabs. According to the negative antigen tests and with a theoretically probability calculation of 1/24.000, there seems no relevant risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 in public areas. For people with underlying diseases or immunosuppression, the risk of transmission respectively infectivity cannot be excluded with this study.
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143
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Lin YC, Malott RJ, Ward L, Kiplagat L, Pabbaraju K, Gill K, Berenger BM, Hu J, Fonseca K, Noyce RS, Louie T, Evans DH, Conly JM. Detection and quantification of infectious severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 in diverse clinical and environmental samples. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5418. [PMID: 35354854 PMCID: PMC8967087 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09218-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
To explore the potential modes of Severe Acute Respiratory Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission, we collected 535 diverse clinical and environmental samples from 75 infected hospitalized and community patients. Infectious SARS-CoV-2 with quantitative burdens varying from 5 plaque-forming units/mL (PFU/mL) up to 1.0 × 106 PFU/mL was detected in 151/459 (33%) of the specimens assayed and up to 1.3 × 106 PFU/mL on fomites with confirmation by plaque morphology, PCR, immunohistochemistry, and/or sequencing. Infectious virus in clinical and associated environmental samples correlated with time since symptom onset with no detection after 7-8 days in immunocompetent hosts and with N-gene based Ct values ≤ 25 significantly predictive of yielding plaques in culture. SARS-CoV-2 isolated from patient respiratory tract samples caused illness in a hamster model with a minimum infectious dose of ≤ 14 PFU. Together, our findings offer compelling evidence that large respiratory droplet and contact (direct and indirect i.e., fomites) are important modes of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chan Lin
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, 6-142L Katz Group Centre, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2J7, Canada
| | - Rebecca J Malott
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3030 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4W4, Canada
| | - Linda Ward
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3030 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4W4, Canada
- Foothills Medical Centre, Alberta Health Services, 1403 29 Street NW, Calgary, AB, 2TN 2T9, Canada
| | - Linet Kiplagat
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3030 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4W4, Canada
| | - Kanti Pabbaraju
- Alberta Public Health Laboratory, Alberta Precision Laboratories, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Kara Gill
- Alberta Public Health Laboratory, Alberta Precision Laboratories, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Byron M Berenger
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3030 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4W4, Canada
- Alberta Public Health Laboratory, Alberta Precision Laboratories, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jia Hu
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3030 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4W4, Canada
| | - Kevin Fonseca
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3030 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4W4, Canada
- Foothills Medical Centre, Alberta Health Services, 1403 29 Street NW, Calgary, AB, 2TN 2T9, Canada
- Alberta Public Health Laboratory, Alberta Precision Laboratories, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Ryan S Noyce
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, 6-142L Katz Group Centre, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2J7, Canada
| | - Thomas Louie
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3030 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4W4, Canada
- Foothills Medical Centre, Alberta Health Services, 1403 29 Street NW, Calgary, AB, 2TN 2T9, Canada
| | - David H Evans
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, 6-142L Katz Group Centre, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2J7, Canada.
| | - John M Conly
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3030 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4W4, Canada
- Foothills Medical Centre, Alberta Health Services, 1403 29 Street NW, Calgary, AB, 2TN 2T9, Canada
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144
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Lin YC, Malott RJ, Ward L, Kiplagat L, Pabbaraju K, Gill K, Berenger BM, Hu J, Fonseca K, Noyce RS, Louie T, Evans DH, Conly JM. Detection and quantification of infectious severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 in diverse clinical and environmental samples. Sci Rep 2022. [PMID: 35354854 DOI: 10.1101/2021.07.08.21259744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023] Open
Abstract
To explore the potential modes of Severe Acute Respiratory Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission, we collected 535 diverse clinical and environmental samples from 75 infected hospitalized and community patients. Infectious SARS-CoV-2 with quantitative burdens varying from 5 plaque-forming units/mL (PFU/mL) up to 1.0 × 106 PFU/mL was detected in 151/459 (33%) of the specimens assayed and up to 1.3 × 106 PFU/mL on fomites with confirmation by plaque morphology, PCR, immunohistochemistry, and/or sequencing. Infectious virus in clinical and associated environmental samples correlated with time since symptom onset with no detection after 7-8 days in immunocompetent hosts and with N-gene based Ct values ≤ 25 significantly predictive of yielding plaques in culture. SARS-CoV-2 isolated from patient respiratory tract samples caused illness in a hamster model with a minimum infectious dose of ≤ 14 PFU. Together, our findings offer compelling evidence that large respiratory droplet and contact (direct and indirect i.e., fomites) are important modes of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chan Lin
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, 6-142L Katz Group Centre, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2J7, Canada
| | - Rebecca J Malott
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3030 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4W4, Canada
| | - Linda Ward
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3030 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4W4, Canada
- Foothills Medical Centre, Alberta Health Services, 1403 29 Street NW, Calgary, AB, 2TN 2T9, Canada
| | - Linet Kiplagat
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3030 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4W4, Canada
| | - Kanti Pabbaraju
- Alberta Public Health Laboratory, Alberta Precision Laboratories, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Kara Gill
- Alberta Public Health Laboratory, Alberta Precision Laboratories, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Byron M Berenger
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3030 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4W4, Canada
- Alberta Public Health Laboratory, Alberta Precision Laboratories, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jia Hu
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3030 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4W4, Canada
| | - Kevin Fonseca
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3030 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4W4, Canada
- Foothills Medical Centre, Alberta Health Services, 1403 29 Street NW, Calgary, AB, 2TN 2T9, Canada
- Alberta Public Health Laboratory, Alberta Precision Laboratories, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Ryan S Noyce
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, 6-142L Katz Group Centre, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2J7, Canada
| | - Thomas Louie
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3030 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4W4, Canada
- Foothills Medical Centre, Alberta Health Services, 1403 29 Street NW, Calgary, AB, 2TN 2T9, Canada
| | - David H Evans
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, 6-142L Katz Group Centre, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2J7, Canada.
| | - John M Conly
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3030 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4W4, Canada
- Foothills Medical Centre, Alberta Health Services, 1403 29 Street NW, Calgary, AB, 2TN 2T9, Canada
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Keum H, Kim D, Whang CH, Kang A, Lee S, Na W, Jon S. Impeding the Medical Protective Clothing Contamination by a Spray Coating of Trifunctional Polymers. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:10526-10538. [PMID: 35382299 PMCID: PMC8973108 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c04919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The risk of fomite-mediated transmission in the clinic is substantially increasing amid the recent COVID-19 pandemic as personal protective equipment (PPE) of hospital workers is easily contaminated by direct contact with infected patients. In this context, it is crucial to devise a means to reduce such transmission. Herein, we report an antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibiofouling trifunctional polymer that can be easily coated onto the surface of medical protective clothing to effectively prevent pathogen contamination on the PPE. The coating layer is formed on the surfaces of PPE by the simple spray coating of an aqueous solution of the trifunctional polymer, poly(dodecyl methacrylate (DMA)-poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA)-quaternary ammonium (QA)). To establish an optimal ratio of antifouling and antimicrobial functional groups, we performed antifouling, antibacterial, and antiviral tests using four different ratios of the polymers. Antifouling and bactericidal results were assessed using Staphylococcus aureus, a typical pathogenic bacterium that induces an upper respiratory infection. Regardless of the molar ratio, polymer-coated PPE surfaces showed considerable antiadhesion (∼65-75%) and antibacterial (∼75-87%) efficacies soon after being in contact with pathogens and maintained their capability for at least 24 h, which is sufficient for disposable PPEs. Further antiviral tests using coronaviruses showed favorable results with PPE coated at two specific ratios (3.5:6:0.5 and 3.5:5.5:1) of poly(DMA-PEGMA-QA). Moreover, biocompatibility assessments using the two most effective polymer ratios showed no recognizable local or systemic inflammatory responses in mice, suggesting the potential of this polymer for immediate use in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeongseop Keum
- KAIST
Institute for the BioCentury, Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Precision
Bio-Nanomedicine, Korea Advanced Institute
of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Dohyeon Kim
- KAIST
Institute for the BioCentury, Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Precision
Bio-Nanomedicine, Korea Advanced Institute
of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Hee Whang
- KAIST
Institute for the BioCentury, Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Precision
Bio-Nanomedicine, Korea Advanced Institute
of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Aram Kang
- College
of Pharmacy, Korea University, 2511 Sejong-ro, Sejong 30019, Republic
of Korea
| | - Seojung Lee
- KAIST
Institute for the BioCentury, Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Precision
Bio-Nanomedicine, Korea Advanced Institute
of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Woonsung Na
- College
of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam University, 77 Yongbong-ro, Gwangju 61186, Republic
of Korea
| | - Sangyong Jon
- KAIST
Institute for the BioCentury, Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Precision
Bio-Nanomedicine, Korea Advanced Institute
of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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146
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Khalid Ijaz M, Nims RW, McKinney J, Gerba CP. Virucidal efficacy of laundry sanitizers against SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses and influenza viruses. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5247. [PMID: 35347149 PMCID: PMC8960219 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08259-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The clothes laundering process affords numerous opportunities for dissemination of infectious virus from contaminated clothing to appliance surfaces and other household surfaces and eventually to launderer's hands. We have explored the efficacy of laundry sanitizers for inactivating coronaviruses and influenza viruses. Virucidal efficacy was tested using standardized suspension inactivation methods (EN 14476) or hard-surface inactivation methods (ASTM E1053-20) against SARS-CoV-2, human coronavirus 229E (HCoV 229E), influenza A virus (2009-H1N1 A/Mexico), or influenza B virus (B/Hong Kong). Efficacy was measured in terms of log10 reduction in infectious virus titer, after 15 min contact time (suspension studies) or 5 min contact time (hard surface studies) at 20 ± 1 °C. In liquid suspension studies, laundry sanitizers containing p-chloro-m-xylenol (PCMX) or quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC) caused complete inactivation (≥ 4 log10) of HCoV 229E and SARS-CoV-2 within 15 min contact time at 20 ± 1 °C. In hard surface studies, complete inactivation (≥ 4 log10) of each coronavirus or influenza virus, including SARS-CoV-2, was observed following a 5-min contact time at 20 ± 1 °C. Respiratory viruses may remain infectious on clothing/fabrics and environmental surfaces for hours to days. The use of a laundry sanitizer containing microbicidal actives may afford mitigation of the risk of contamination of surfaces during handling of the laundry and washing appliances (i.e., washer/dryer or basin), adjacent surfaces, the waste water stream, and the hands of individuals handling clothes contaminated with SARS-CoV-2, influenza viruses, or other emerging enveloped viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Khalid Ijaz
- Global Research and Development for Lysol and Dettol, Reckitt Benckiser LLC, One Philips Parkway, Montvale, NJ, 07645, USA.
| | - Raymond W Nims
- RMC Pharmaceutical Solutions, Inc., 1851 Lefthand Circle, Suite A, Longmont, CO, 80501, USA
| | - Julie McKinney
- Global Research and Development for Lysol and Dettol, Reckitt Benckiser LLC, One Philips Parkway, Montvale, NJ, 07645, USA
| | - Charles P Gerba
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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147
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Wardzala C, Wood AM, Belnap DM, Kramer JR. Mucins Inhibit Coronavirus Infection in a Glycan-Dependent Manner. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2022; 8:351-360. [PMID: 35345395 PMCID: PMC8864775 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.1c01369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Mucins are a diverse and heterogeneous family of glycoproteins that comprise the bulk of mucus and the epithelial glycocalyx. Mucins are intimately involved in viral transmission. Mucin and virus laden particles can be expelled from the mouth and nose to later infect others. Viruses must also penetrate the mucus layer before cell entry and replication. The role of mucins and their molecular structure have not been well-characterized in coronavirus transmission studies. Laboratory studies predicting high rates of fomite transmission have not translated to real-world infections, and mucins may be one culprit. Here, we probed both surface and direct contact transmission scenarios for their dependence on mucins and their structure. We utilized disease-causing, bovine-derived, human coronavirus OC43. We found that bovine mucins could inhibit the infection of live cells in a concentration- and glycan-dependent manner. The effects were observed in both mock fomite and direct contact transmission experiments and were not dependent upon surface material or time-on-surface. However, the effects were abrogated by removal of the glycans or in a cross-species infection scenario where bovine mucin could not inhibit the infection of a murine coronavirus. Together, our data indicate that the mucin molecular structure plays a complex and important role in host defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casia
L. Wardzala
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
Utah, 36 South Wasatch Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Amanda M. Wood
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
Utah, 36 South Wasatch Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - David M. Belnap
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Utah, 36 South Wasatch Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, 36 South Wasatch Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Jessica R. Kramer
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
Utah, 36 South Wasatch Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
- E-mail:
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148
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Sloan A, Kasloff SB, Cutts T. Mechanical Wiping Increases the Efficacy of Liquid Disinfectants on SARS-CoV-2. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:847313. [PMID: 35391722 PMCID: PMC8981239 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.847313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
High-touch environmental surfaces are acknowledged as potential sources of pathogen transmission, particularly in health care settings where infectious agents may be readily abundant. Methods of disinfecting these surfaces often include direct application of a chemical disinfectant or simply wiping the surface with a disinfectant pre-soaked wipe (DPW). In this study, we examine the ability of four disinfectants, ethanol (EtOH), sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), chlorine dioxide (ClO2), and potassium monopersulfate (KMPS), to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 on a hard, non-porous surface, assessing the effects of concentration and contact time. The efficacy of DPWs to decontaminate carriers spiked with SARS-CoV-2, as well as the transferability of the virus from used DPWs to clean surfaces, is also assessed. Stainless steel carriers inoculated with approximately 6 logs of SARS-CoV-2 prepared in a soil load were disinfected within 5 min through exposure to 66.5% EtOH, 0.5% NaOCl, and 1% KMPS. The addition of mechanical wiping using DPWs impregnated with these biocides rendered the virus inactive almost immediately, with no viral transfer from the used DPW to adjacent surfaces. Carriers treated with 100 ppm of ClO2 showed a significant amount of viable virus remaining after 10 min of biocide exposure, while the virus was only completely inactivated after 10 min of treatment with 500 ppm of ClO2. Wiping SARS-CoV-2-spiked carriers with DPWs containing either concentration of ClO2 for 5 s left significant amounts of viable virus on the carriers. Furthermore, higher titers of infectious virus retained on the ClO2-infused DPWs were transferred to uninoculated carriers immediately after wiping. Overall, 66.5% EtOH, 0.5% NaOCl, and 1% KMPS appear to be highly effective biocidal agents against SARS-CoV-2, while ClO2 formulations are much less efficacious.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Todd Cutts
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Applied Biosafety Research Program, Safety and Environmental Services, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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149
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Factors Impacting Persistence of Phi6 Bacteriophage, an Enveloped Virus Surrogate, on Fomite Surfaces. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0255221. [PMID: 35285710 PMCID: PMC9004354 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02552-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The persistence of Phi6 (Φ6) bacteriophage on surfaces commonly encountered in consumer-facing environments was evaluated. Φ6 has been utilized as a surrogate for enveloped viruses, including SARS-CoV-2—the causative agent of COVID-19—due to structural similarities, biosafety level 1 (BSL-1) status, and ease of use. Φ6 persistence on fomites was evaluated by characterizing the impact of the inoculum matrix (artificial saliva, phosphate-buffered saline [PBS], tripartite), inoculum level (low and high), and surface type (nonporous—aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, touchscreen, vinyl; porous—wood). Φ6 was inoculated onto surfaces at low and high inoculum levels for each inoculum matrix and incubated (20.54 ± 0.48°C) for up to 168 h. Φ6 was eluted from the surface and quantified via the double agar overlay assay to determine virus survival over time. For nonporous surfaces inoculated with artificial saliva and PBS, significantly higher D values were observed with high inoculum application according to the 95% confidence intervals. In artificial saliva, D values ranged from 1.00 to 1.35 h at a low inoculum and 4.44 to 7.05 h at a high inoculum across inoculation matrices and surfaces. D values for Φ6, regardless of the inoculum level, were significantly higher in tripartite than in artificial saliva and PBS for nonporous surfaces. In contrast with artificial saliva or PBS, D values in tripartite at low inoculum (D values ranging from 45.8 to 72.8 h) were greater than those at high inoculum (D values ranging from 26.4 to 45.5 h) on nonporous surfaces. This study characterized the impact of the inoculum matrix, inoculum level, and surface type on Φ6 survival on various surfaces relevant to fomite transmission in public settings. IMPORTANCE An important consideration in virus contact transmission is the transfer rate between hands and surfaces, which is driven by several factors, including virus persistence on inanimate surfaces. This research characterized Φ6 persistence on surfaces commonly encountered in public settings based on various factors. The inoculum matrix, which simulates the route of transmission, can impact virus persistence, and three separate matrices were evaluated in this study to determine the impact on Φ6 persistence over time. The number of microorganisms has also been suggested to impact persistence, which was evaluated here to simulate real-world contamination scenarios on six surface types. Results from this study will guide future research utilizing Φ6 or other surrogates for enveloped viruses of public health concern.
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150
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Nanoparticle Engineered Photocatalytic Paints: A Roadmap to Self-Sterilizing against the Spread of Communicable Diseases. Catalysts 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/catal12030326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Applications of visible-light photocatalytic engineered nanomaterials in the preparation of smart paints are of recent origin. The authors have revealed a great potential of these new paints for self-sterilizing of the surfaces in hospitals and public places simply with visible light exposure and this is reported for the first time in this review. A recent example of a communicable disease such as COVID-19 is considered. With all precautions and preventions taken as suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19 has remained present for a longer time compared to other diseases. It has affected millions of people worldwide and the significant challenge remains of preventing infections due to SARS-CoV-2. The present review is focused on revealing the cause of this widespread disease and suggests a roadmap to control the spread of disease. It is understood that the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus takes place through contact surfaces such as doorknobs, packaging and handrails, which may be responsible for many preventable and nosocomial infections. In addition, due to the potent transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2, its ability to survive for longer periods on common touch surfaces is also an important reason for the spread of COVID-19. The existing antimicrobial cleaning technologies used in hospitals are not suitable, viable or economical to keep public places free from such infections. Hence, in this review, an innovative approach of coating surfaces in public places with visible-light photocatalytic nanocomposite paints has been suggested as a roadmap to self-sterilizing against the spread of communicable diseases. The formulations of different nanoparticle engineered photocatalytic paints with their ability to destroy pathogens using visible light, alongwith the field trials are also summarized and reported in this review. The potential suggestions for controlling the spread of communicable diseases are also listed at the end of the review.
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