151
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Saliva detection of SARS-CoV-2 for mitigating company outbreaks: a surveillance experience, Milan, Italy, March 2021. Epidemiol Infect 2021; 149:e171. [PMID: 34325754 PMCID: PMC8365045 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268821001473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Monitoring the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) community-wide transmission with a suitable and effective sampling method would be of great support for public health response to the spreading due to asymptomatic subjects in the community.Here, we describe how using saliva samples for SARS-CoV-2 detection has allowed for a weekly surveillance of a small business company and the early detection of coronavirus disease 2019 cases.As on 23rd March, two cases were detected and investigated, and control measures were rapidly applied.
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152
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Raines KS, Doniach S, Bhanot G. The transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is likely comodulated by temperature and by relative humidity. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0255212. [PMID: 34324570 PMCID: PMC8321224 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Inferring the impact of climate upon the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has been confounded by variability in testing, unknown disease introduction rates, and changing weather. Here we present a data model that accounts for dynamic testing rates and variations in disease introduction rates. We apply this model to data from Colombia, whose varied and seasonless climate, central port of entry, and swift, centralized response to the COVID-19 pandemic present an opportune environment for assessing the impact of climate factors on the spread of COVID-19. We observe strong attenuation of transmission in climates with sustained daily temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius and simultaneous mean relative humidity below 78%, with outbreaks occurring at high humidity even where the temperature is high. We hypothesize that temperature and relative humidity comodulate the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 within respiratory droplets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sebastian Doniach
- Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States of America
| | - Gyan Bhanot
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America
- Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States of America
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
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153
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The Role of HVAC Design and Windows on the Indoor Airflow Pattern and ACH. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13147931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are to create optimum thermal comfort and appropriate indoor air quality (IAQ) for occupants. Air ventilation systems can significantly affect the health risk in indoor environments, especially those by contaminated aerosols. Therefore, the main goal of the study is to analyze the indoor airflow patterns in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and the impact of outlets/windows. The other goal of this study is to simulate the trajectory of the aerosols from a human sneeze, investigate the impact of opening windows on the number of air changes per hour (ACH) and exhibit the role of dead zones with poor ventilation. The final goal is to show the application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation in improving the HVAC design, such as outlet locations or airflow rate, in addition to the placement of occupants. In this regard, an extensive literature review has been combined with the CFD method to analyze the indoor airflow patterns, ACH, and the role of windows. The airflow pattern analysis shows the critical impact of inflow/outflow and windows. The results show that the CFD model simulation could exhibit optimal placement and safer locations for the occupants to decrease the health risk. The results of the discrete phase simulation determined that the actual ACH could be different from the theoretical ACH as the short circuit and dead zones affect the ACH.
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154
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Li X, Wang Q, Ding P, Cha Y, Mao Y, Ding C, Gu W, Wang Y, Ying B, Zhao X, Pan L, Li Y, Chang J, Meng C, Zhou J, Tang Z, Sun R, Deng F, Wang C, Li L, Wang J, MacIntyre CR, Wu Z, Feng Z, Tang S, Xu D. Risk factors and on-site simulation of environmental transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the largest wholesale market of Beijing, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 778:146040. [PMID: 33711597 PMCID: PMC7921786 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
From June 11, 2020, a surge in new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the largest wholesale market of Beijing, the Xinfadi Market, leading to a second wave of COVID-19 in Beijing, China. Understanding the transmission modes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the personal behaviors and environmental factors contributing to viral transmission is of utmost important to curb COVID-19 rise. However, currently these are largely unknown in food markets. To this end, we completed field investigations and on-site simulations in areas with relatively high infection rates of COVID-19 at Xinfadi Market. We found that if goods were tainted or personnel in market was infected, normal transaction behaviors between sellers and customers, daily physiological activities, and marketing activities could lead to viral contamination and spread to the surroundings via fomite, droplet or aerosol routes. Environmental factors such as low temperature and high humidity, poor ventilation, and insufficient hygiene facilities and disinfection practices may contribute to viral transmission in Xinfadi Market. In addition, precautionary control strategies were also proposed to effectively reduce the clustering cases of COVID-19 in large-scale wholesale markets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Li
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Qin Wang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Pei Ding
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yu'e Cha
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yixin Mao
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Cheng Ding
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Wen Gu
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Youbin Wang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Bo Ying
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Xiaoning Zhao
- Section of Ecological Environment & Energy Resources, Beijing Institute of Metrology, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Lijun Pan
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yunpu Li
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Junrui Chang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Congshen Meng
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Zhigang 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
| | - Ruofeng Sun
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Fuchang Deng
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Chong Wang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Li Li
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Jiao Wang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - C Raina MacIntyre
- Kirby Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Zunyou Wu
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zijian Feng
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Song Tang
- Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China.
| | - Dongqun 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.
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155
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Arav Y, Klausner Z, Fattal E. Theoretical investigation of pre-symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 person-to-person transmission in households. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14488. [PMID: 34262069 PMCID: PMC8280150 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93579-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Since its emergence, the phenomenon of SARS-CoV-2 transmission by seemingly healthy individuals has become a major challenge in the effort to achieve control of the pandemic. Identifying the modes of transmission that drive this phenomenon is a perquisite in devising effective control measures, but to date it is still under debate. To address this problem, we have formulated a detailed mathematical model of discrete human actions (such as coughs, sneezes, and touching) and the continuous decay of the virus in the environment. To take into account those discrete and continuous events we have extended the common modelling approach and employed a hybrid stochastic mathematical framework. This allowed us to calculate higher order statistics which are crucial for the reconstruction of the observed distributions. We focused on transmission within a household, the venue with the highest risk of infection and validated the model results against the observed secondary attack rate and the serial interval distribution. Detailed analysis of the model results identified the dominant driver of pre-symptomatic transmission as the contact route via hand-face transfer and showed that wearing masks and avoiding physical contact are an effective prevention strategy. These results provide a sound scientific basis to the present recommendations of the WHO and the CDC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehuda Arav
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, PO Box 19, 7410001, Ness-Ziona, Israel.
| | - Ziv Klausner
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, PO Box 19, 7410001, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Eyal Fattal
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, PO Box 19, 7410001, Ness-Ziona, Israel
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156
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Sawakami T, Karako K, Song P, Sugiura W, Kokudo N. Infectious disease activity during the COVID-19 epidemic in Japan: Lessons learned from prevention and control measures. Biosci Trends 2021; 15:257-261. [PMID: 34261848 DOI: 10.5582/bst.2021.01269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
In Japan, the Law Concerning the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Medical Care for Patients with Infectious Diseases (the "Infectious Diseases Control Law") classifies infectious diseases as category I-V infectious diseases, pandemic influenza, and designated infectious diseases based on their infectivity, severity, and impact on public health. COVID-19 was designated as a designated infectious disease as of February 1, 2020 and then classified under pandemic influenza as of February 13, 2021. According to national reports from sentinel surveillance, some infectious diseases transmitted by droplets, contact, or orally declined during the COVID-19 epidemic in Japan. As of week 22 (June 6, 2021), there were 704 cumulative cases of seasonal influenza, 8,144 cumulative cases of chickenpox, 356 cumulative cases of mycoplasma pneumonia, and 45 cumulative cases of rotavirus gastroenteritis; these numbers were significantly lower than those last year, with 563,487 cumulative cases of seasonal influenza, 31,785 cumulative cases of chickenpox, 3,518 cumulative cases of mycoplasma pneumonia, and 250 cumulative cases of rotavirus gastroenteritis. Similarly, many infectious diseases transmitted by droplets or contact declined in other countries and areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. One can reasonably assume that various measures adopted to control the transmission of COVID-19 have played a role in reducing the spread of other infectious diseases, and especially those transmitted by droplets or contact. Extensive and thorough implementation of personal protective measures and behavioral changes may serve as a valuable reference when identifying ways to reduce the spread of infectious diseases transmitted by droplets or contact in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuo Sawakami
- Center for Clinical Sciences, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Karako
- Department of Human and Engineered Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
| | - Peipei Song
- Center for Clinical Sciences, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Wataru Sugiura
- Center for Clinical Sciences, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norihiro Kokudo
- National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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157
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Mariam, Magar A, Joshi M, Rajagopal PS, Khan A, Rao MM, Sapra BK. CFD Simulation of the Airborne Transmission of COVID-19 Vectors Emitted during Respiratory Mechanisms: Revisiting the Concept of Safe Distance. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:16876-16889. [PMID: 34250347 PMCID: PMC8247784 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c01489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The airborne transmission of the COVID-19 virus has been suggested as a major mode of transmission in recent studies. In this context, we studied the spatial transmission of COVID-19 vectors in an indoor setting representative of a typical office room. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed to study the airborne dispersion of particles ejected due to different respiratory mechanisms, i.e., coughing, sneezing, normal talking, and loud talking. Number concentration profiles at a distance of 2 m in front of the emitter at the ventilation rates of 4, 6, and 8 air changes per hour (ACH) were estimated for different combinations of inlet-outlet positions and emitter-receptor configurations. Apart from respiratory events, viz., coughing and sneezing characterized by higher velocity and concentration of ejected particles, normal as well as loud talking was seen to be carrying particles to the receptor for some airflow patterns in the room. This study indicates that the ″rule of thumb based safe distance approach″ cannot be a general mitigation strategy for infection control. Under some scenarios, events with a lower release rate of droplets such as talking (i.e., asymptomatic transmission) can lead to a high concentration of particles persisting for long times. For better removal, the study suggests ″air curtains″ as an appropriate approach, simultaneously highlighting the pitfalls in the ″higher ventilation rate for better removal″ strategy. The inferences for talking-induced particle transmissions are crucial considering that large populations of COVID-19-infected persons are projected to be asymptomatic transmitters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam
- Radiological
Physics and Advisory Division, Bhabha Atomic
Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
| | - Ashish Magar
- CFDVR
Institute, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176219, India
| | - Manish Joshi
- Radiological
Physics and Advisory Division, Bhabha Atomic
Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
| | | | - Arshad Khan
- Radiological
Physics and Advisory Division, Bhabha Atomic
Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
| | | | - Balvinder K. Sapra
- Radiological
Physics and Advisory Division, Bhabha Atomic
Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
- Homi
Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
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158
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Dee K, Goldfarb DM, Haney J, Amat JAR, Herder V, Stewart M, Szemiel AM, Baguelin M, Murcia PR. Human Rhinovirus Infection Blocks Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Replication Within the Respiratory Epithelium: Implications for COVID-19 Epidemiology. J Infect Dis 2021; 224:31-38. [PMID: 33754149 PMCID: PMC8083659 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Virus-virus interactions influence the epidemiology of respiratory infections. However, the impact of viruses causing upper respiratory infections on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replication and transmission is currently unknown. Human rhinoviruses cause the common cold and are the most prevalent respiratory viruses of humans. Interactions between rhinoviruses and cocirculating respiratory viruses have been shown to shape virus epidemiology at the individual host and population level. Here, we examined the replication kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 in the human respiratory epithelium in the presence or absence of rhinovirus. We show that human rhinovirus triggers an interferon response that blocks SARS-CoV-2 replication. Mathematical simulations show that this virus-virus interaction is likely to have a population-wide effect as an increasing prevalence of rhinovirus will reduce the number of new coronavirus disease 2019 cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran Dee
- MRC–University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel M Goldfarb
- MRC–University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne Haney
- MRC–University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Julien A R Amat
- MRC–University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Vanessa Herder
- MRC–University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Meredith Stewart
- MRC–University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Agnieszka M Szemiel
- MRC–University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | - Pablo R Murcia
- MRC–University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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159
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Chen Y, Yang Y, Peng W, Wang H. Influence and analysis of ambulance on the containment of COVID-19 in China. SAFETY SCIENCE 2021; 139:105160. [PMID: 33564210 PMCID: PMC7862899 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2021.105160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
New coronavirus (COVID-19) is a newly emerging and highly infectious form of typical pneumonia with a high rate of transmission. The COVID-19 pneumonia has spread to 147 countries and areas as of Mar.16th 2020, which has tremendous impact on the global public health. It is well known that, in China, the pandemic has been contained effectively with a series of emergency measures. It is necessary to share the existing experience of China in the fight against the pandemic to the world. Especially, during the process of prevention and containment of the pandemic, ambulances play an important role in transporting infectious patients. In this paper, focusing on the safety and quantity of negative pressure ambulances, the influence of ambulance on newly confirmed cases is given. Analysis of negative pressure ambulance on the containment of COVID-19 is shown. The potential development of ambulance is discussed. While the pandemic still continues spreading across the world, we hope to share our experience in the implementation of these strategies by China to save more life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhe Chen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Automotive Components (Wuhan University of Technology), Wuhan 430070, China
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Automotive Components Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
- Hubei Engineering Research Center for Green & Precision Material Forming, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yue Yang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Automotive Components (Wuhan University of Technology), Wuhan 430070, China
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Automotive Components Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
- Hubei Engineering Research Center for Green & Precision Material Forming, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Wenpeng Peng
- Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Automotive Components (Wuhan University of Technology), Wuhan 430070, China
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Automotive Components Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
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160
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Oh DY, Buda S, Biere B, Reiche J, Schlosser F, Duwe S, Wedde M, von Kleist M, Mielke M, Wolff T, Dürrwald R. Trends in respiratory virus circulation following COVID-19-targeted nonpharmaceutical interventions in Germany, January - September 2020: Analysis of national surveillance data. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. EUROPE 2021; 6:100112. [PMID: 34124707 PMCID: PMC8183189 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2021.100112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the initial COVID-19 response, Germany's Federal Government implemented several nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) that were instrumental in suppressing early exponential spread of SARS-CoV-2. NPI effect on the transmission of other respiratory viruses has not been examined at the national level thus far. METHODS Upper respiratory tract specimens from 3580 patients with acute respiratory infection (ARI), collected within the nationwide German ARI Sentinel, underwent RT-PCR diagnostics for multiple respiratory viruses. The observation period (weeks 1-38 of 2020) included the time before, during and after a far-reaching contact ban. Detection rates for different viruses were compared to 2017-2019 sentinel data (15350 samples; week 1-38, 11823 samples). FINDINGS The March 2020 contact ban, which was followed by a mask mandate, was associated with an unprecedented and sustained decline of multiple respiratory viruses. Among these, rhinovirus was the single agent that resurged to levels equalling those of previous years. Rhinovirus rebound was first observed in children, after schools and daycares had reopened. By contrast, other nonenveloped viruses (i.e. gastroenteritis viruses reported at the national level) suppressed after the shutdown did not rebound. INTERPRETATION Contact restrictions with a subsequent mask mandate in spring may substantially reduce respiratory virus circulation. This reduction appears sustained for most viruses, indicating that the activity of influenza and other respiratory viruses during the subsequent winter season might be low,whereas rhinovirus resurgence, potentially driven by transmission in educational institutions in a setting of waning population immunity, might signal predominance of rhinovirus-related ARIs. FUNDING Robert Koch-Institute and German Ministry of Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Djin-Ye Oh
- Unit 17: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses | German National Influenza Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch-Institute, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
- The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Silke Buda
- Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Robert-Koch Institute, Germany
| | - Barbara Biere
- Unit 17: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses | German National Influenza Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch-Institute, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Janine Reiche
- Unit 17: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses | German National Influenza Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch-Institute, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Schlosser
- Computational Epidemiology (P4), Robert Koch-Institute, Germany
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt University of Berlin, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Duwe
- Unit 17: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses | German National Influenza Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch-Institute, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marianne Wedde
- Unit 17: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses | German National Influenza Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch-Institute, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Max von Kleist
- Systems Medicine of Infectious Disease (P5), Robert Koch-Institute, Germany
| | - Martin Mielke
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch-Institute, Germany
| | - Thorsten Wolff
- Unit 17: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses | German National Influenza Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch-Institute, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf Dürrwald
- Unit 17: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses | German National Influenza Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch-Institute, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
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161
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Small quantities of respiratory syncytial virus RNA only in large droplets around infants hospitalized with acute respiratory infections. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2021; 10:100. [PMID: 34193302 PMCID: PMC8247131 DOI: 10.1186/s13756-021-00968-x] [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: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory tract infections in young children. The predominant transmission routes for RSV are still a matter of debate. Specifically, it remains unclear if RSV can be transmitted through the air and what the correlation is between the amount of RSV in nasopharynx samples and in the air. Methods The amount of RSV in the air around hospitalized RSV infected infants in single-patient rooms was quantified using a six-stage Andersen cascade impactor that collects and fractionates aerosols and droplets according to size. RSV shedding in the nasopharynx of patients was followed longitudinally by quantifying RSV RNA levels and infectious virus in nasopharyngeal aspirates. Nose and throat swabs of parents and swabs of the patient’s bedrail and a datalogger were also collected. Results Patients remained RSV positive during the air sampling period and infectious virus was isolated up to 9 days post onset of symptoms. In three out of six patients, low levels of RSV RNA, but no infectious virus, were recovered from impactor collection plates that capture large droplets > 7 μm. For four of these patients, one or both parents were also positive for RSV. All surface swabs were RSV-negative. Conclusions Despite the prolonged detection of infectious RSV in the nasopharynx of patients, only small amounts of RSV RNA were collected from the air around three out of six patients, which were primarily contained in large droplets which do not remain suspended in the air for long periods of time.
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162
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Beale S, Johnson AM, Zambon M, Hayward AC, Fragaszy EB. Hand Hygiene Practices and the Risk of Human Coronavirus Infections in a UK Community Cohort. Wellcome Open Res 2021; 5:98. [PMID: 34250260 PMCID: PMC8243225 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15796.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Hand hygiene may mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in community settings; however, empirical evidence is limited. Given reports of similar transmission mechanisms for COVID-19 and seasonal coronaviruses, we investigated whether hand hygiene impacted the risk of acquiring seasonal coronavirus infections. Methods: Data were drawn from three successive winter cohorts (2006-2009) of the England-wide Flu Watch study. Participants ( n=1633) provided baseline estimates of hand hygiene behaviour. Coronavirus infections were identified from nasal swabs using RT-PCR. Poisson mixed models estimated the effect of hand hygiene on personal risk of coronavirus illness, both unadjusted and adjusted for confounding by age and healthcare worker status. Results: Moderate-frequency handwashing (6-10 times per day) predicted a lower personal risk of coronavirus infection (adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) =0.64, p=0.04). There was no evidence for a dose-response effect of handwashing, with results for higher levels of hand hygiene (>10 times per day) not significant (aIRR =0.83, p=0.42). Conclusions: This is the first empirical evidence that regular handwashing can reduce personal risk of acquiring seasonal coronavirus infection. These findings support clear public health messaging around the protective effects of hand washing in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Beale
- UCL Public Health Data Science Research Group, Institute of Health Informatics, UCL, London, NW1 2DA, UK
- UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, UCL, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | | | - Maria Zambon
- Public Health England, London, EC4Y 8AE, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Respiratory Infections, Imperial College London, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Flu Watch Group
- UCL Public Health Data Science Research Group, Institute of Health Informatics, UCL, London, NW1 2DA, UK
- UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, UCL, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
- UCL Institute of Global Health, UCL, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
- Public Health England, London, EC4Y 8AE, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Respiratory Infections, Imperial College London, London, W2 1PG, UK
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Andrew C. Hayward
- UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, UCL, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Ellen B. Fragaszy
- UCL Public Health Data Science Research Group, Institute of Health Informatics, UCL, London, NW1 2DA, UK
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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163
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Kitanovski S, Horemheb-Rubio G, Adams O, Gärtner B, Lengauer T, Hoffmann D, Kaiser R. Rhinovirus prevalence as indicator for efficacy of measures against SARS-CoV-2. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1178. [PMID: 34154549 PMCID: PMC8215636 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11178-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-pharmaceutical measures to control the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) should be carefully tuned as they can impose a heavy social and economic burden. To quantify and possibly tune the efficacy of these anti-SARS-CoV-2 measures, we have devised indicators based on the abundant historic and current prevalence data from other respiratory viruses. METHODS We obtained incidence data of 17 respiratory viruses from hospitalized patients and outpatients collected by 37 clinics and laboratories between 2010-2020 in Germany. With a probabilistic model for Bayes inference we quantified prevalence changes of the different viruses between months in the pre-pandemic period 2010-2019 and the corresponding months in 2020, the year of the pandemic with noninvasive measures of various degrees of stringency. RESULTS We discovered remarkable reductions δ in rhinovirus (RV) prevalence by about 25% (95% highest density interval (HDI) [-0.35,-0.15]) in the months after the measures against SARS-CoV-2 were introduced in Germany. In the months after the measures began to ease, RV prevalence increased to low pre-pandemic levels, e.g. in August 2020 δ=-0.14 (95% HDI [-0.28,0.12]). CONCLUSIONS RV prevalence is negatively correlated with the stringency of anti-SARS-CoV-2 measures with only a short time delay. This result suggests that RV prevalence could possibly be an indicator for the efficiency for these measures. As RV is ubiquitous at higher prevalence than SARS-CoV-2 or other emerging respiratory viruses, it could reflect the efficacy of noninvasive measures better than such emerging viruses themselves with their unevenly spreading clusters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simo Kitanovski
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Centre for Medical Biotechnology (ZMB), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, 45141, Germany
| | - Gibran Horemheb-Rubio
- Institute of Virology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, 50935, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, 14080, Mexico
| | - Ortwin Adams
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany
| | - Barbara Gärtner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, 66421, Germany
| | - Thomas Lengauer
- Computational Biology, Max Planck Institute for Informatics, Saarland Informatics Campus, Saarbrücken, 66123, Germany
| | - Daniel Hoffmann
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Centre for Medical Biotechnology (ZMB), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, 45141, Germany.
| | - Rolf Kaiser
- Institute of Virology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, 50935, Germany
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164
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Marcus GM, Olgin JE, Peyser ND, Vittinghoff E, Yang V, Joyce S, Avram R, Tison GH, Wen D, Butcher X, Eitel H, Pletcher MJ. Predictors of incident viral symptoms ascertained in the era of COVID-19. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253120. [PMID: 34138915 PMCID: PMC8211176 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the absence of universal testing, effective therapies, or vaccines, identifying risk factors for viral infection, particularly readily modifiable exposures and behaviors, is required to identify effective strategies against viral infection and transmission. Methods We conducted a world-wide mobile application-based prospective cohort study available to English speaking adults with a smartphone. We collected self-reported characteristics, exposures, and behaviors, as well as smartphone-based geolocation data. Our main outcome was incident symptoms of viral infection, defined as fevers and chills plus one other symptom previously shown to occur with SARS-CoV-2 infection, determined by daily surveys. Findings Among 14, 335 participants residing in all 50 US states and 93 different countries followed for a median 21 days (IQR 10–26 days), 424 (3%) developed incident viral symptoms. In pooled multivariable logistic regression models, female biological sex (odds ratio [OR] 1.75, 95% CI 1.39–2.20, p<0.001), anemia (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.16–1.81, p = 0.001), hypertension (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.08–1.68, p = 0.007), cigarette smoking in the last 30 days (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.35–2.55, p<0.001), any viral symptoms among household members 6–12 days prior (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.67–2.55, p<0.001), and the maximum number of individuals the participant interacted with within 6 feet in the past 6–12 days (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.06–1.25, p<0.001) were each associated with a higher risk of developing viral symptoms. Conversely, a higher subjective social status (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.83–0.93, p<0.001), at least weekly exercise (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.47–0.70, p<0.001), and sanitizing one’s phone (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.63–0.99, p = 0.037) were each associated with a lower risk of developing viral symptoms. Interpretation While several immutable characteristics were associated with the risk of developing viral symptoms, multiple immediately modifiable exposures and habits that influence risk were also observed, potentially identifying readily accessible strategies to mitigate risk in the COVID-19 era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory M. Marcus
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jeffrey E. Olgin
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Noah D. Peyser
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Eric Vittinghoff
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Vivian Yang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Sean Joyce
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Robert Avram
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Geoffrey H. Tison
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - David Wen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Xochitl Butcher
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Helena Eitel
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Mark J. Pletcher
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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165
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Yang X, Yang H, Ou C, Luo Z, Hang J. Airborne transmission of pathogen-laden expiratory droplets in open outdoor space. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 773:145537. [PMID: 33582331 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Virus-laden droplets dispersion may induce transmissions of respiratory infectious diseases. Existing research mainly focuses on indoor droplet dispersion, but the mechanism of its dispersion and exposure in outdoor environment is unclear. By conducting CFD simulations, this paper investigates the evaporation and transport of solid-liquid droplets in an open outdoor environment. Droplet initial sizes (dp = 10 μm, 50 μm, 100 μm), background relative humidity (RH = 35%, 95%), background wind speed (Uref = 3 m/s, 0.2 m/s) and social distances between two people (D = 0.5 m, 1 m, 1.5 m, 3 m, 5 m) are investigated. Results show that thermal body plume is destroyed when the background wind speed is 3 m/s (Froude number Fr ~ 10). The inhalation fraction (IF) of susceptible person decreases exponentially when the social distance (D) increases from 0.5 m to 5 m. The exponential decay rate of inhalation fraction (b) ranges between 0.93 and 1.06 (IF=IF0e-b(D-0.5)) determined by the droplet initial diameter and relative humidity. Under weak background wind (Uref = 0.2 m/s, Fr ~ 0.01), the upward thermal body plume significantly influences droplet dispersion, which is similar with that in indoor space. Droplets in the initial sizes of 10 μm and 50 μm disperse upwards while most of 100 μm droplets fall down to the ground due to larger gravity force. Interestingly, the deposition fraction on susceptible person is ten times higher at Uref = 3 m/s than that at Uref = 0.2 m/s. Thus, a high outdoor wind speed does not necessarily lead to a smaller exposure risk if the susceptible person locating at the downwind region of the infected person, and people in outdoors are suggested to not only keep distance of greater than 1.5 m from each other but also stand with considerable angles from the prevailing wind direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Yang
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, China; Guangdong Provincial Field Observation and Research Station for Climate Environment and Air Quality Change in the Pearl River Estuary, 510275 Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongyu Yang
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, China; Guangdong Provincial Field Observation and Research Station for Climate Environment and Air Quality Change in the Pearl River Estuary, 510275 Guangzhou, China
| | - Cuiyun Ou
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, China; Guangdong Provincial Field Observation and Research Station for Climate Environment and Air Quality Change in the Pearl River Estuary, 510275 Guangzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Green Building in Western China, Xian University of Architecture & Technology, 710055 Xi'an, China
| | - Zhiwen Luo
- School of the Built Environment, University of Reading, Reading, UK.
| | - Jian Hang
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, China; Guangdong Provincial Field Observation and Research Station for Climate Environment and Air Quality Change in the Pearl River Estuary, 510275 Guangzhou, China.
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166
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Abstract
Controversy continues about the significance of fomite transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Recent papers continue to advocate concern. However, designs of studies showing virus survival on surfaces under laboratory conditions are unsuitable for extrapolation to real life. Although viral RNA is frequently found on real-life surfaces, actual tests for infectious virus are almost entirely negative, even in hospitals with COVID-19 patients. Fomite transmission should be regarded as no more than a very minor component of this pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel Goldman
- Microbiology, Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
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167
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Kim DH, Nguyen TM, Kim JH. Infectious Respiratory Diseases Decreased during the COVID-19 Pandemic in South Korea. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:6008. [PMID: 34205018 PMCID: PMC8199908 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18116008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Infectious respiratory diseases are highly contagious and very common, and thus can be considered as one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. We followed up the incidence rates (IRs) of eight infectious respiratory diseases, including chickenpox, measles, pertussis, mumps, invasive pneumococcal disease, scarlet fever, rubella, and meningococcal disease, after COVID-19 mitigation measures were implemented in South Korea, and then compared those with the IRs in the corresponding periods in the previous 3 years. Overall, the IRs of these diseases before and after age- or sex-standardization significantly decreased in the intervention period compared with the pre-intervention periods (p < 0.05 for all eight diseases). However, the difference in the IRs of all eight diseases between the IRs before and after age-standardization was significant (p < 0.05 for all periods), while it was not significant with regard to sex-standardization. The incidence rate ratios for eight diseases in the pre-intervention period compared with the intervention period ranged from 3.1 to 4.1. These results showed the positive effects of the mitigation measures on preventing the development of respiratory infectious diseases, regardless of age or sex, but we need to consider the age-structure of the population to calculate the effect size. In the future, some of these measures could be applied nationwide to prevent the occurrence or to reduce the transmission during outbreaks of these infections. This study provides evidence for strengthening the infectious disease management policies in South Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jin Hee Kim
- Department of Integrative Bioscience & Biotechnology, Sejong University, 209 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05006, Korea; (D.H.K.); (T.M.N.)
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168
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Formentini G, Rodríguez NB, Favi C, Marconi M. Challenging the engineering design process for the development of facial masks in the constraint of the COVID-19 pandemic. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 100:660-665. [PMID: 34094845 PMCID: PMC8172034 DOI: 10.1016/j.procir.2021.05.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The most effective ways to mitigate the diffusion of the COVID-19 pandemic are social distancing and the use of face masks as barrier to avoid droplets and to filtrate exhalations coming from infected subjects. Currently used face masks are products developed to be used by workers, both in health care and other contexts, where their use is limited in time and the disposal scenario is properly managed. Their use in a pandemic situation can be thus considered a remedial action due to the emergency. New masks or mask families are needed based on the desirable requirements retrieved by the analysis of the current worldwide situation and covering the gap observed in the market. The present paper aims to describe the complete product development process of a new facial mask (or mask family) for a daily use on a pandemic situation. It challenges the time constraint of the COVID-19 pandemic by adopting a four-step approach and concurrent development of the first phases (definition of requirements and functional derivation). The engineering design process allows to derive two different solutions able to fulfil all the requirements (demands and wishes) of final users, by assuring high ergonomic performance, as well as environmental, economic, and social sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Formentini
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 181/A, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Núria Boix Rodríguez
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 181/A, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Claudio Favi
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 181/A, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Marconi
- Department of Economics, Engineering, Society and Business Organization, Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Largo dell'Università, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
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169
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Popowski KD, Dinh PC, George A, Lutz H, Cheng K. Exosome therapeutics for COVID-19 and respiratory viruses. VIEW 2021; 2:20200186. [PMID: 34766162 PMCID: PMC7995024 DOI: 10.1002/viw.20200186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory viral diseases are a leading cause of mortality in humans. They have proven to drive pandemic risk due to their complex transmission factors and viral evolution. However, the slow production of effective antiviral drugs and vaccines allows for outbreaks of these diseases, emphasizing a critical need for refined antiviral therapeutics. The delivery of exosomes, a naturally secreted extracellular vesicle, yields therapeutic effects for a variety of diseases, including viral infection. Exosomes and viruses utilize similar endosomal sorting pathways and mechanisms, providing exosomes with the potential to serve as a therapeutic that can target, bind, and suppress cellular uptake of various viruses including the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Here, we review the relationship between exosomes and respiratory viruses, describe potential exosome therapeutics for viral infections, and summarize progress toward clinical translation for lung-derived exosome therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen D. Popowski
- Department of Molecular Biomedical SciencesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
- Comparative Medicine InstituteNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Phuong‐Uyen C. Dinh
- Department of Molecular Biomedical SciencesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
- Comparative Medicine InstituteNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Arianna George
- Department of Molecular and Structural BiochemistryNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of Biological SciencesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Halle Lutz
- Department of Molecular Biomedical SciencesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
- Comparative Medicine InstituteNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Ke Cheng
- Department of Molecular Biomedical SciencesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
- Comparative Medicine InstituteNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
- Joint Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh/Chapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular PharmaceuticsUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
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170
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Salles-Rojas A, Guzmán-Valderrábano C, Madrid WA, González-Molina A, Silva-Cerón M, Rodríguez-Hernández C, Salas-Escamilla I, Castorena-Maldonado A, López-García CA, Torre-Bouscoulet L, Gochicoa-Rangel L. Masking the 6-Minute Walking Test in the COVID-19 Era. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2021; 18:1070-1074. [PMID: 33315525 PMCID: PMC8456738 DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.202009-1088rl] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Salles-Rojas
- National Institute of Respiratory Diseases Ismael Cosío VillegasMexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Wilmer A. Madrid
- National Institute of Respiratory Diseases Ismael Cosío VillegasMexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Mónica Silva-Cerón
- National Institute of Respiratory Diseases Ismael Cosío VillegasMexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | | | | | - Luis Torre-Bouscoulet
- Institute for Development and Innovation in Respiratory PhysiologyMexico City, Mexico
| | - Laura Gochicoa-Rangel
- National Institute of Respiratory Diseases Ismael Cosío VillegasMexico City, Mexico
- Institute for Development and Innovation in Respiratory PhysiologyMexico City, Mexico
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171
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Wan WY, Thoon KC, Loo LH, Chan KS, Oon LLE, Ramasamy A, Maiwald M. Trends in Respiratory Virus Infections During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Singapore, 2020. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e2115973. [PMID: 34181015 PMCID: PMC8239970 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.15973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yee Wan
- Department of Microbiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Koh Cheng Thoon
- Infectious Disease Service, Department of Paediatric Medicine, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- Duke–National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Liat Hui Loo
- Duke–National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School, Singapore
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore
| | - Kian Sing Chan
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Lynette L. E. Oon
- Duke–National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School, Singapore
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Adaikalavan Ramasamy
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Matthias Maiwald
- Duke–National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore
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172
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Sinha P, Reifler K, Rossi M, Sagar M. Coronavirus Disease 2019 Mitigation Strategies Were Associated With Decreases in Other Respiratory Virus Infections. Open Forum Infect Dis 2021; 8:ofab105. [PMID: 34514014 PMCID: PMC8083776 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Detection of diverse respiratory viruses in Boston was approximately 80% lower after practices were instituted to limit coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread compared with the same time period during the previous 5 years. Continuing the strategies that lower COVID-19 dissemination may be useful in decreasing the incidence of other viral respiratory infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranay Sinha
- Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston
University School of Medicine, Boston,
Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katherine Reifler
- Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston
University School of Medicine, Boston,
Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael Rossi
- Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston
University School of Medicine, Boston,
Massachusetts, USA
| | - Manish Sagar
- Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston
University School of Medicine, Boston,
Massachusetts, USA
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173
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Karmacharya M, Kumar S, Gulenko O, Cho YK. Advances in Facemasks during the COVID-19 Pandemic Era. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2021; 4:3891-3908. [PMID: 35006814 PMCID: PMC7839420 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c01329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has transformed the daily lifestyles of people worldwide. COVID-19 was characterized as a pandemic owing to its global spread, and technologies based on engineered materials that help to reduce the spread of infections have been reported. Nanotechnology present in materials with enhanced physicochemical properties and versatile chemical functionalization offer numerous ways to combat the disease. Facemasks are a reliable preventive measure, although they are not 100% effective against viral infections. Nonwoven materials, which are the key components of masks, act as barriers to the virus through filtration. However, there is a high chance of cross-infection because the used mask lacks virucidal properties and can become an additional source of infection. The combination of antiviral and filtration properties enhances the durability and reliability of masks, thereby reducing the likelihood of cross-infection. In this review, we focus on masks, from the manufacturing stage to practical applications, and their abilities to combat COVID-19. Herein, we discuss the impacts of masks on the environment, while considering safe industrial production in the future. Furthermore, we discuss available options for future research directions that do not negatively impact the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamata Karmacharya
- Center for Soft and Living Matter,
Institute for Basic Science (IBS), UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan 44919,
Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ulsan
National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan
44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Sumit Kumar
- Center for Soft and Living Matter,
Institute for Basic Science (IBS), UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan 44919,
Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan
National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan
44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Oleksandra Gulenko
- Center for Soft and Living Matter,
Institute for Basic Science (IBS), UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan 44919,
Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan
National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan
44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon-Kyoung Cho
- Center for Soft and Living Matter,
Institute for Basic Science (IBS), UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan 44919,
Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan
National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan
44919, Republic of Korea
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174
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Impact of COVID-19 on Dentistry. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1318:623-636. [PMID: 33973202 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-63761-3_34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the health-care system drastically, including dental care practice. COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is thought to spread via close contact through respiratory droplets and aerosols. Owing to specific characteristics of dental care such as aerosol generation as well as close proximity to patients, dentistry is thought to be associated with the nosocomial spread of infection. The risk of bidirectional spread of infection between patient and dental care providers makes it critical to take additional precautionary measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. It is essential to understand that the guidelines for providing dental treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic will vary across the globe, and dental practices should be in compliance with their regional guidelines. This chapter aims to present an overview of the dynamics of COVID-19 transmission and its impact on dentistry and discuss measures to provide dental care during the time of the COVID-19 outbreak effectively.
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175
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Lucaciu O, Boca A, Mesaros AS, Petrescu N, Aghiorghiesei O, Mirica IC, Hosu I, Armencea G, Bran S, Dinu CM. Assessing SARS-CoV-2 Infection Rate among Romanian Dental Practitioners. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18094897. [PMID: 34064469 PMCID: PMC8124498 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on dental treatments, the present research aimed to assess the infection rate among dental practitioners from Romania and to analyze the economic impact of Covid-19 on dental offices. We designed a web-based survey distributed to dental practitioners from Romania. The survey included questions that assessed demographic data from the dentists who completed the questionnaire, along with economic aspects and epidemiological aspects related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental practitioners. Five hundred and seven dentists completed the survey. Three-quarters of the assessed dental offices reported a decrease in the income and patient volume compared to 2019. More than half of the patients visiting the dental office paid more attention to the risk of infection and to prevention methods. Most dental offices implemented specific protective equipment for doctors. Three thousand seven hundred thirty-five dental practitioners were working in the 507 assessed dental offices, and among them, 238 COVID-19 cases of contamination were recorded. High contamination rates were registered in October (48, 20.1%), November (66, 27.7%), and December 2020 (52, 21.85%). Contamination mostly took place at home (114 cases, 47.8%) or resulted from event attendance. This study underlines an overall greater level of safety and an increased patient addressability in dental offices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondine Lucaciu
- Department of Oral Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (O.L.); (N.P.); (O.A.); (I.C.M.)
| | - Antonia Boca
- Department of Oral Rehabilitation, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Anca Stefania Mesaros
- Department of Dental Propaedeutics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Nausica Petrescu
- Department of Oral Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (O.L.); (N.P.); (O.A.); (I.C.M.)
| | - Ovidiu Aghiorghiesei
- Department of Oral Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (O.L.); (N.P.); (O.A.); (I.C.M.)
| | - Ioana Codruta Mirica
- Department of Oral Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (O.L.); (N.P.); (O.A.); (I.C.M.)
| | - Ioan Hosu
- Department of Communication, Public Relations and Marketing, Faculty of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences, Babes Bolyai University, 400132 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Gabriel Armencea
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Implantology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400029 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (G.A.); (S.B.); (C.M.D.)
| | - Simion Bran
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Implantology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400029 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (G.A.); (S.B.); (C.M.D.)
| | - Cristian Mihail Dinu
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Implantology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400029 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (G.A.); (S.B.); (C.M.D.)
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176
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Comber L, O Murchu E, Drummond L, Carty PG, Walsh KA, De Gascun CF, Connolly MA, Smith SM, O'Neill M, Ryan M, Harrington P. Airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via aerosols. Rev Med Virol 2021; 31:e2184. [PMID: 33105071 PMCID: PMC7645866 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
A key consideration in the Covid-19 pandemic is the dominant modes of transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. The objective of this review was to synthesise the evidence for the potential airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via aerosols. Systematic literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, Europe PMC and National Health Service UK evidence up to 27 July 2020. A protocol was published and Cochrane guidance for rapid review methodology was adhered to throughout. Twenty-eight studies were identified. Seven out of eight epidemiological studies suggest aerosol transmission may occur, with enclosed environments and poor ventilation noted as possible contextual factors. Ten of the 16 air sampling studies detected SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid; however, only three of these studies attempted to culture the virus with one being successful in a limited number of samples. Two of four virological studies using artificially generated aerosols indicated that SARS-CoV-2 is viable in aerosols. The results of this review indicate there is inconclusive evidence regarding the viability and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosols. Epidemiological studies suggest possible transmission, with contextual factors noted. Viral particles have been detected in air sampling studies with some evidence of clinical infectivity, and virological studies indicate these particles may represent live virus, adding further plausibility. However, there is uncertainty as to the nature and impact of aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and its relative contribution to the Covid-19 pandemic compared with other modes of transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Comber
- Health Technology Assessment DirectorateHealth Information and Quality AuthorityDublinIreland
| | - Eamon O Murchu
- Health Technology Assessment DirectorateHealth Information and Quality AuthorityDublinIreland
| | - Linda Drummond
- Health Technology Assessment DirectorateHealth Information and Quality AuthorityDublinIreland
| | - Paul G. Carty
- Health Technology Assessment DirectorateHealth Information and Quality AuthorityDublinIreland
| | - Kieran A. Walsh
- Health Technology Assessment DirectorateHealth Information and Quality AuthorityDublinIreland
| | | | - Máire A. Connolly
- School of MedicineNational University of Ireland GalwayGalwayIreland
| | - Susan M. Smith
- Department of General PracticeHealth Research Board Centre for Primary Care ResearchRoyal College of Surgeons in IrelandDublinIreland
| | - Michelle O'Neill
- Health Technology Assessment DirectorateHealth Information and Quality AuthorityDublinIreland
| | - Máirín Ryan
- Health Technology Assessment DirectorateHealth Information and Quality AuthorityDublinIreland
- Department of Pharmacology & TherapeuticsTrinity College DublinDublinIreland
| | - Patricia Harrington
- Health Technology Assessment DirectorateHealth Information and Quality AuthorityDublinIreland
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177
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Hammond A, Khalid T, Thornton HV, Woodall CA, Hay AD. Should homes and workplaces purchase portable air filters to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections? A systematic review. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251049. [PMID: 33914823 PMCID: PMC8084223 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory infections, including SARS-CoV-2, are spread via inhalation or ingestion of airborne pathogens. Airborne transmission is difficult to control, particularly indoors. Manufacturers of high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters claim they remove almost all small particles including airborne bacteria and viruses. This study investigates whether modern portable, commercially available air filters reduce the incidence of respiratory infections and/or remove bacteria and viruses from indoor air. We systematically searched Medline, Embase and Cochrane for studies published between January 2000 and September 2020. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they included a portable, commercially available air filter in any indoor setting including care homes, schools or healthcare settings, investigating either associations with incidence of respiratory infections or removal and/or capture of aerosolised bacteria and viruses from the air within the filters. Dual data screening and extraction with narrative synthesis. No studies were found investigating the effects of air filters on the incidence of respiratory infections. Two studies investigated bacterial capture within filters and bacterial load in indoor air. One reported higher numbers of viable bacteria in the HEPA filter than in floor dust samples. The other reported HEPA filtration combined with ultraviolet light reduced bacterial load in the air by 41% (sampling time not reported). Neither paper investigated effects on viruses. There is an important absence of evidence regarding the effectiveness of a potentially cost-efficient intervention for indoor transmission of respiratory infections, including SARS-CoV-2. Two studies provide ‘proof of principle’ that air filters can capture airborne bacteria in an indoor setting. Randomised controlled trials are urgently needed to investigate effects of portable HEPA filters on incidence of respiratory infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Hammond
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, NIHR School for Primary Care Research, Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Tanzeela Khalid
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, NIHR School for Primary Care Research, Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah V. Thornton
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, NIHR School for Primary Care Research, Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Claire A. Woodall
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, NIHR School for Primary Care Research, Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Alastair D. Hay
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, NIHR School for Primary Care Research, Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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178
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Engineering Design Process of Face Masks Based on Circularity and Life Cycle Assessment in the Constraint of the COVID-19 Pandemic. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13094948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Face masks are currently considered key equipment to protect people against the COVID-19 pandemic. The demand for such devices is considerable, as is the amount of plastic waste generated after their use (approximately 1.6 million tons/day since the outbreak). Even if the sanitary emergency must have the maximum priority, environmental concerns require investigation to find possible mitigation solutions. The aim of this work is to develop an eco-design actions guide that supports the design of dedicated masks, in a manner to reduce the negative impacts of these devices on the environment during the pandemic period. Toward this aim, an environmental assessment based on life cycle assessment and circularity assessment (material circularity indicator) of different types of masks have been carried out on (i) a 3D-printed mask with changeable filters, (ii) a surgical mask, (iii) an FFP2 mask with valve, (iv) an FFP2 mask without valve, and (v) a washable mask. Results highlight how reusable masks (i.e., 3D-printed masks and washable masks) are the most sustainable from a life cycle perspective, drastically reducing the environmental impacts in all categories. The outcomes of the analysis provide a framework to derive a set of eco-design guidelines which have been used to design a new device that couples protection requirements against the virus and environmental sustainability.
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179
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Javidpour L, BoŽič A, Naji A, Podgornik R. Electrostatic interactions between the SARS-CoV-2 virus and a charged electret fibre. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:4296-4303. [PMID: 33908595 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00232e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
While almost any kind of face mask offers some protection against particles and pathogens of different sizes, the most efficient ones make use of a layered structure where one or more layers are electrically charged. These electret layers are essential for the efficient filtration of difficult-to-capture small particles, yet the exact nature of electrostatic capture with respect to the charge on both the particles and the electret fibres as well as the effect of the immediate environment remain unclear. Here, we explore in detail the electrostatic interactions between the surface of a single charged electret fibre and a model of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Using Poisson-Boltzmann electrostatics coupled to a detailed spike protein charge regulation model, we show how pH and salt concentration drastically change both the scale and the sign of the interaction. Furthermore, the configuration of the few spike proteins closest to the electret fibre turns out to be as important for the strength of the interaction as their total number on the virus envelope, a direct consequence of spike protein charge regulation. The results of our work elucidate the details of virus electrostatics and contribute to the general understanding of efficient virus filtration mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leili Javidpour
- School of Physics, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran, 19395-5531, Iran
| | - AnŽe BoŽič
- Department of Theoretical Physics, JoŽef Stefan Institute, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ali Naji
- School of Physics, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran, 19395-5531, Iran and School of Nano Science, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran, 19395-5531, Iran
| | - Rudolf Podgornik
- School of Physical Sciences and Kavli Institute for Theoretical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China and Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China. and Wenzhou Institute of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
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180
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Abstract
Not only since SARS-CoV-2, have transmission routes of viruses been of interest. Noroviruses e.g., can be transmitted via smear infection, are relatively stable in the environment and very resistant to chemical disinfection. Some studies determined the virucidal efficacy of laundering processes, but few studies focused on the virucidal efficacy of dishwashing processes. Here, especially consumer related conditions are of interest. Households for example are a hotspot of norovirus infection and thus a sufficient reduction of these and other viruses from dishes must be insured to avoid an infection via this route. The likelihood of such an event should not be underestimated, since it was shown that the washing machine can be a reservoir for the transmission of extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing bacteria in newborns. Although viruses do not replicate in these devices a transmission via contaminated cutlery e.g., cannot be excluded. Using a consumer related approach to determine the virucidal efficacy of dishwashers, we found a combination of a bleach containing dishwasher detergent, a cleaning temperature of 45 °C for 45 min and a rinsing temperature of 50 °C, to be sufficient to reduces viral titer of bovine corona virus, murine norovirus and modified vaccinia virus by 4.8, 4.2 and 3.8 logarithmic stages respectively.
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181
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Dawre S, Maru S. Human respiratory viral infections: Current status and future prospects of nanotechnology-based approaches for prophylaxis and treatment. Life Sci 2021; 278:119561. [PMID: 33915132 PMCID: PMC8074533 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Respiratory viral infections are major cause of highly mortal pandemics. They are impacting socioeconomic development and healthcare system globally. These emerging deadly respiratory viruses develop newer survival strategies to live inside host cells and tricking the immune system of host. Currently, medical facilities, therapies and research -development teams of every country kneel down before novel corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) which claimed ~2,828,629 lives till date. Thus, there is urgent requirement of novel treatment strategies to combat against these emerging respiratory viral infections. Nanocarriers come under the umbrella of nanotechnology and offer numerous benefits compared to traditional dosage forms. Further, unique physicochemical properties (size, shape and surface charge) of nanocarriers provide additional advantage for targeted delivery. This review discusses in detail about the respiratory viruses, their transmission mode and cell invasion pathways, survival strategies, available therapies, and nanocarriers for the delivery of therapeutics. Further, the role of nanocarriers in the development of treatment therapy against SARS-CoV-2 is also overviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Dawre
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy &, Technology Management, SVKM's NMIMS, Babulde Banks of Tapi River, Mumbai-Agra Road, Shirpur, Maharashtra 425405, India.
| | - Saurabh Maru
- School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM's NMIMS, Babulde Banks of Tapi River, Mumbai-Agra Road, Shirpur, Maharashtra 425405, India.
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182
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da Silva PG, Nascimento MSJ, Soares RRG, Sousa SIV, Mesquita JR. Airborne spread of infectious SARS-CoV-2: Moving forward using lessons from SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 764:142802. [PMID: 33071145 PMCID: PMC7543729 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although an increasing body of data reports the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in air, this does not correlate to the presence of infectious viruses, thus not evaluating the risk for airborne COVID-19. Hence there is a marked knowledge gap that requires urgent attention. Therefore, in this systematic review, viability/stability of airborne SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV viruses is discussed. METHODS A systematic literature review was performed on PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and Scopus to assess the stability and viability of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 on air samples. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The initial search identified 27 articles. Following screening of titles and abstracts and removing duplicates, 11 articles were considered relevant. Temperatures ranging from 20 °C to 25 °C and relative humidity ranging from 40% to 50% were reported to have a protective effect on viral viability for airborne SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. As no data is yet available on the conditions influencing viability for airborne SARS-CoV-2, and given the genetic similarity to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, one could extrapolate that the same conditions would apply. Nonetheless, the effect of these conditions seems to be residual considering the increasing number of cases in the south of USA, Brazil and India, where high temperatures and humidities have been observed. CONCLUSION Higher temperatures and high relative humidity can have a modest effect on SARS-CoV-2 viability in the environment, as reported in previous studies to this date. However, these studies are experimental, and do not support the fact that the virus has efficiently spread in the tropical regions of the globe, with other transmission routes such as the contact and droplet ones probably being responsible for the majority of cases reported in these regions, along with other factors such as human mobility patterns and contact rates. Further studies are needed to investigate the extent of aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 as this would have important implications for public health and infection-control policies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria São José Nascimento
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto (FFUP), Porto, Portugal; Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ruben R G Soares
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Solna, Sweden; Division of Nanobiotechnology, Department of Protein Science, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
| | - Sofia I V Sousa
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - João R Mesquita
- Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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183
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Abstract
Pneumonia is a common acute respiratory infection that affects the alveoli and distal airways; it is a major health problem and associated with high morbidity and short-term and long-term mortality in all age groups worldwide. Pneumonia is broadly divided into community-acquired pneumonia or hospital-acquired pneumonia. A large variety of microorganisms can cause pneumonia, including bacteria, respiratory viruses and fungi, and there are great geographical variations in their prevalence. Pneumonia occurs more commonly in susceptible individuals, including children of <5 years of age and older adults with prior chronic conditions. Development of the disease largely depends on the host immune response, with pathogen characteristics having a less prominent role. Individuals with pneumonia often present with respiratory and systemic symptoms, and diagnosis is based on both clinical presentation and radiological findings. It is crucial to identify the causative pathogens, as delayed and inadequate antimicrobial therapy can lead to poor outcomes. New antibiotic and non-antibiotic therapies, in addition to rapid and accurate diagnostic tests that can detect pathogens and antibiotic resistance will improve the management of pneumonia.
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184
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Zhao P, Li Y. Modeling and Experimental Validation of Microbial Transfer via Surface Touch. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:4148-4161. [PMID: 33378200 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c04678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Surface touch spreads disease-causing microbes, but the measured rates of microbial transfer vary significantly. Additionally, the mechanisms underlying microbial transfer via surface touch are unknown. In this study, a new physical model was proposed to accurately evaluate the microbial transfer rate in a finger-surface touch, based on the mechanistic effects of important physical factors, including surface roughness, surface wetness, touch force, and microbial transfer direction. Four surface-touch modes were distinguished, namely, a single touch, sequential touches (by different recipients), repeated touches (by the same recipient), and a touch with rubbing. The tested transfer rates collated from 26 prior studies were compared with the model predictions based on their experimental parameters, and studies in which the transfer rates were more consistent with our model predictions were identified. New validation experiments were performed by accurately controlling the parameters involved in the model. Four types of microbes were used to transfer between the naked finger and metal surface with the assistance of a purpose-made touch machine. The measured microbial transfer rate data in our new experiments had a smaller standard deviation than those reported from prior studies and were closer to the model prediction. Our novel predictive model sheds light on possible future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengcheng Zhao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Yuguo Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR, China
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR, China
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185
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The Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on the Ocular Surface and Prevention Strategies. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040796. [PMID: 33918318 PMCID: PMC8065845 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a global health problem. Although the respiratory system is the main impaired organ, conjunctivitis is one of its common findings. However, it is not yet understood if SARS-CoV-2 can infect the eye and if the ocular surface can be a potential route of SARS-CoV-2 transmissions. Our review focuses on the viral entry mechanisms to give a better understanding of the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and the eye. We highlighted findings that give evidence for multiple potential receptors of SARS-CoV-2 on the ocular surface. Additionally, we focused on data concerning the detection of viral RNA and its spike protein in the various ocular tissues from patients. However, the expression level seemed to be relatively low compared to the respiratory tissues as a result of a unique environment surrounding the ocular surface and the innate immune response of SARS-CoV-2. Nevertheless, our review suggests the ocular surface as a potential route for SARS-CoV-2 transmission, and as a result of this study we strongly recommend the protection of the eyes for ophthalmologists and patients at risk.
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186
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Occurrence of respiratory viruses on school desks. Am J Infect Control 2021; 49:464-468. [PMID: 33347935 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2020.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schools represent high occupancy environments and well-documented high-risk locations for the transmission of respiratory viruses. The goal of this study was to report on the area density, occurrence, and type of respiratory viruses on desks in primary school classrooms. METHODS Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) techniques were employed to measure nucleic acid area densities from a broad range of human adenoviruses and rhinoviruses, as well as coronavirus OC43, influenza A, and norovirus GI. Every two weeks, virus monitoring was conducted on the desks of four primary school classrooms in Colorado, USA, during the 2019 respiratory virus season. RESULTS DNA and RNA from respiratory viruses and norovirus were recovered from more than 20% of the desks sampled; occurrence patterns that indicate a greater than 60% probability of encountering any virus, if more than five desks were occupied in a day. Rhinoviruses and adenoviruses were the most commonly detected viruses as judged by the composite of occurrence and number of gene copies recovered. Desktop adenosine triphosphate monitoring did not predict the recovery of viral genomic materials on desks. School desks can be commonly contaminated with respiratory viruses. CONCLUSIONS Genomic surveys of the identity, distribution and abundance of human viruses on "high-touch" surfaces, can help inform risk assessments, design cleaning interventions, and may be useful for infection surveillance.
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187
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Maleki M, Anvari E, Hopke PK, Noorimotlagh Z, Mirzaee SA. An updated systematic review on the association between atmospheric particulate matter pollution and prevalence of SARS-CoV-2. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 195:110898. [PMID: 33610583 PMCID: PMC7891063 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
On December 31, 2019, the novel human coronavirus (COVID-19) was emerged in Wuhan city, China, which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). There is a much controversial debate about the major pathways of transmission of the virus including airborne route. The present work is a systematic literature review (SR) aimed to assess the association of air pollution especially particulate matter pollution in the transmission and acceleration of the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The systematic literature search was performed to identify the available studies published through October 31, 2020 concerning the transmission of the disease and particulate matter air pollution in four international electronic databases. From the results of the included studies, there are suggestions that atmospheric particulate matter pollution plays a role in the SARS-CoV-2 spread, but the literature has not confirmed that it enhances the transmission although some studies have proposed that atmospheric particulate matter can operate as a virus carrier, promoting its spread. Therefore, although PM concentration alone cannot be effective in spreading the COVID-19 disease, other meteorological and environmental parameters including size of particles in ambient air, weather conditions, wind speed, relative humidity (RH) and temperature are involved. Therefore, it is necessary to consider all influencing parameters to prevent the spreading of COVID-19 disease. More studies are required to strengthen the scientific evidence and support more definitive conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Maleki
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
| | - Enayat Anvari
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
| | - Philip K Hopke
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Clarkson University, USA.
| | - Zahra Noorimotlagh
- Biotechnology and Medical Plants Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
| | - Seyyed Abbas Mirzaee
- Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
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188
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Sarapultseva M, Hu D, Sarapultsev A. SARS-CoV-2 Seropositivity among Dental Staff and the Role of Aspirating Systems. JDR Clin Trans Res 2021; 6:132-138. [PMID: 33543682 PMCID: PMC7868347 DOI: 10.1177/2380084421993099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Health care workers (HCWs) are at a high risk of infection owing to occupational exposure to patients and virus-contaminated surfaces. OBJECTIVES The study was aimed to reveal and compare the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among patient-facing HCWs across 3 dental clinics equipped with different types of aspirating systems. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included 157 HCWs (43.58 ± 1.66 y) from 3 dental clinics in Ekaterinburg (Russian Federation) who reported to work during the coronavirus disease pandemic. All HCWs underwent serological testing once a week to detect immunoglobulin G and M antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2. The V6000 aspirating system with a vacuum controller (dry or semidry mode) and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters was used at clinics A and B, and the aspirated aerosol and air were evacuated and dissipated into the atmosphere. The VS900 aspirating vacuum pump without HEPA filters was used at clinic C. The aspirated aerosol and air were evacuated and dissipated into the operatories. All dental clinics followed the same recommendations for dental patient management and types of personal protective equipment used. RESULTS The estimated prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 11.5% (19 HCWs) over a 5-mo follow-up (May to August 2020). The prevalence of infection was unaffected by sex or the role of the member in the dental team (dentist/dental assistant). The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection (+) was significantly higher at clinic C (equipped with an aspirating vacuum pump without HEPA filters) than at other clinics. CONCLUSION The type of aspirating system used and the presence of HEPA filters could affect the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection across dental clinics. Therefore, we recommend the use of aspirating systems installed with HEPA filters, which evacuate and dissipate aerosols into specialized areas. KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT This report confirms that dentists, being patient-facing HCWs, are at a high risk of acquiring the SARS-CoV-2 infection and identifies gaps in the protection of patients and staff in dental settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Sarapultseva
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Medical Firm Vital EVV, Ekaterinburg, Russia
- Institute of Immunology and Physiology (IIP) of the Ural Division of Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | - D. Hu
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - A. Sarapultsev
- Institute of Immunology and Physiology (IIP) of the Ural Division of Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russia
- School of Medical Biology, South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk, Russia
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189
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Gaur A, Versteeg H, Tiwari RL, Acquilla S. Barrier devices during COVID-19 pandemic - The need of the hour! Saudi J Anaesth 2021; 15:83-85. [PMID: 34188621 PMCID: PMC8191239 DOI: 10.4103/sja.sja_1170_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Atul Gaur
- Consultant Anaesthetist, University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Henk Versteeg
- Senior Lecturer Fluid Mechanics, Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
| | - Rajeev L Tiwari
- Director Anaesthesia, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur, India
| | - Sushma Acquilla
- Vice Chair, Global Health Committee, Faculty of Public Health, Independent Consultant Public Health, Honorary Senior Lecturer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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190
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Kolluru SSR, Patra AK, Nazneen, Shiva Nagendra SM. Association of air pollution and meteorological variables with COVID-19 incidence: Evidence from five megacities in India. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 195:110854. [PMID: 33561448 PMCID: PMC7866844 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Although lockdown of the industrial and transport sector and stay at home advisories to counter the COVID-19 pandemic have shown that the air quality has improved during this time, very little is known about the role of ambient air pollutants and meteorology in facilitating its transmission. This paper presents the findings from a study that was conducted to evaluate whether air quality index (AQI), three primary pollutants (PM2.5, PM10 and CO), Ground level ozone (O3) and three meteorological variables (temperature, relative humidity, wind speed) have promoted the COVID-19 transmission in five megacities of India. The results show significant correlation of PM2.5, PM10, CO, O3 concentrations, AQI and meteorological parameters with the confirmed cases and deaths during the lockdown period. Among the meteorological variables considered, temperature strongly correlated with the COVID-19 cases and deaths during the lockdown (r=0.54;0.25) and unlock period (r=0.66;0.25). Among the pollutants, ozone, and among the meteorological variables, temperature, explained the highest variability, up to 34% and 30% respectively, for COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths. AQI was not a significant parameter for explaining the variations in confirmed and death cases. WS and RH could explain 10-11% and 4-6% variations of COVID-19 cases. A GLM model could explain 74% and 35% variability for confirmed cases and deaths during the lockdown and 66% and 19% variability during the unlock period. The results suggest that meteorological parameters may have promoted the COVID-19 incidences, especially the confirmed cases. Our findings may encourage future studies to explore more about the role of ambient air pollutants and meteorology on transmission of COVID-19 and similar infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soma Sekhara Rao Kolluru
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India
| | - Aditya Kumar Patra
- Department of Mining Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India.
| | - Nazneen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India
| | - S M Shiva Nagendra
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India
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191
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González N, Marquès M, Domingo JL. Respiratory viruses in foods and their potential transmission through the diet: A review of the literature. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 195:110826. [PMID: 33529649 PMCID: PMC7963685 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory viruses are the main agents causing respiratory tract diseases. Nowadays, coronaviruses - and specifically, SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 - are the principal responsible for the major epidemic outbreaks of the 21st century. The major routes of transmission for respiratory viruses - including coronaviruses - are via direct and indirect contacts. However, transmission through contaminated foods has not been extensively assessed. The present paper was aimed at reviewing scientific data on the transmission of respiratory viruses through potentially contaminated foods. While the current data seem to suggest that this route of transmission is not likely to occur, in order to increase the knowledge on this issue further investigations are still clearly necessary for a more complete prevention of the risks. Studies should include fresh produce and cooked foods. Anyway, prevention measures and good hygienic practices for both consumers and workers are mandatory when handling and cooking foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neus González
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201, Reus, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Montse Marquès
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - José L Domingo
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
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192
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Stradford J, Sakhare A, Ravichandran R, Schroeder ET, Michener LA, Pa J. Conducting a VR Clinical Trial in the Era of COVID-19. FRONTIERS IN VIRTUAL REALITY 2021; 2:639478. [PMID: 35928984 PMCID: PMC9348517 DOI: 10.3389/frvir.2021.639478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, also known as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) sparked a global public health pandemic that has impacted every aspect of daily life. Medical research was affected, and many clinical trials were halted to minimize COVID-19 transmission risk and spread while the world navigated this novel virus. Here we describe the relaunch of our virtual reality (VR) pilot clinical trial that uses an in-lab brain and body training program to promote brain health in mid-to-late life older adults, in the era of COVID-19. This case series includes five healthy female participants between 51 and 76 years of age, a subset of a larger VR pilot clinical trial that started pre-pandemic. We developed a revised study protocol based on the Center for Disease Control and World Health Organization guidelines to help manage the spread of COVID-19. Since the limited resumption of clinical trials at our institution in August 2020, we successfully completed over 200 in-lab virtual reality training sessions using our revised protocol. During this time, none of the five participants or three study staff reported any COVID-19 symptoms or reported a positive COVID-19 test. More than 40 voluntary COVID-19 tests were completed by our study staff over the last 6 months. All participants rated our safety protocol as very satisfied or extremely satisfied and that they would be very likely or extremely likely to participate in a VR clinical trial during the pandemic. Based on these findings, we suggest that continued VR clinical trial research during the COVID-19 pandemic is achievable and can be safely resumed if specific safety protocols are in place to mitigate the risk of exposure and spread of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy Stradford
- Department of Neurology, Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Ashwin Sakhare
- Department of Neurology, Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Roshan Ravichandran
- Department of Neurology, Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - E. Todd Schroeder
- Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Lori A. Michener
- Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Judy Pa
- Department of Neurology, Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- University of Southern California Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Correspondence: Judy Pa,
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193
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Lei C, Yang L, Lou CT, Yang F, SiTou KI, Hu H, Io K, Cheok KT, Pan B, Ung COL. Viral etiology and epidemiology of pediatric patients hospitalized for acute respiratory tract infections in Macao: a retrospective study from 2014 to 2017. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:306. [PMID: 33771128 PMCID: PMC7995389 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-05996-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are among the leading causes of hospitalization in children. Understanding the local dominant viral etiologies is important to inform infection control practices and clinical management. This study aimed to investigate the viral etiology and epidemiology of respiratory infections among pediatric inpatients in Macao. Methods A retrospective study using electronic health records between 2014 and 2017 at Kiang Wu Hospital was performed. Nasopharyngeal swab specimens were obtained from hospitalized children aged 13 years or younger with respiratory tract diseases. xMAP multiplex assays were employed to detect respiratory agents including 10 respiratory viruses. Data were analyzed to describe the frequency and seasonality. Results Of the 4880 children enrolled in the study, 3767 (77.1%) were positive for at least one of the 13 viral pathogens tested, of which 2707 (55.5%) being male and 2635 (70.0%) under 2 years old. Among the positive results, there were 3091 (82.0%) single infections and 676 (18.0%) multiple infections. The predominant viruses included human rhinovirus/enterovirus (HRV/EV 27.4%), adenovirus (ADV, 15.8%), respiratory syncytial virus B (RSVB, 7.8%) and respiratory syncytial virus A (RSVA, 7.8%). The detection of viral infection was the most prevalent in autumn (960/1176, 81.6%), followed by spring (1095/1406, 77.9%), winter (768/992, 77.4%), and summer (944/1306, 72.3%), with HRV/EV and ADV being most commonly detected throughout the 4 years of study period. The detection rate of viral infection was highest among ARI patients presented with croup (123/141, 87.2%), followed by lower respiratory tract infection (1924/2356, 81.7%) and upper respiratory tract infection (1720/2383, 72.2%). FluA, FluB and ADV were positive factors for upper respiratory tract infections. On the other hand, infection with RSVA, RSVB, PIV3, PIV4, HMPV, and EV/RHV were positively associated with lower respiratory tract infections; and PIV1, PIV2, and PIV3 were positively associated with croup. Conclusions This is the first study in Macao to determine the viral etiology and epidemiology of pediatric patients hospitalized for ARIs. The study findings can contribute to the awareness of pathogen, appropriate preventative measure, accurate diagnosis, and proper clinical management of respiratory viral infections among children in Macao.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Lei
- Department of Pediatrics, Kiang Wu Hospital, Macao SAR, China
| | - Lisong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China
| | - Cheong Tat Lou
- Department of Pediatrics, Kiang Wu Hospital, Macao SAR, China
| | - Fan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China
| | - Kin Ian SiTou
- Department of Pediatrics, Kiang Wu Hospital, Macao SAR, China
| | - Hao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China
| | - King Io
- Department of Pediatrics, Kiang Wu Hospital, Macao SAR, China
| | - Kun Tat Cheok
- Department of Pediatrics, Kiang Wu Hospital, Macao SAR, China
| | - Baoquan Pan
- Department of Pediatrics, Kiang Wu Hospital, Macao SAR, China
| | - Carolina Oi Lam Ung
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China.
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194
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Planning and Design of a Full-Outer-Air-Intake Natural Air-Conditioning System for Medical Negative Pressure Isolation Wards. JOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE ENGINEERING 2021; 2021:8872167. [PMID: 33833861 PMCID: PMC8018840 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8872167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In the beginning of 2020, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic started to spread globally, causing panic to the lives of people around the world; many countries executed lockdown of cities or even total lockdown of the entire countries. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is transmitted via air droplets. In medical environments that use traditional hermetic ventilation systems, medical personnel who come in contact with patients are more susceptible to infection compared to regular staff; therefore, the air flow and air quality of hermetic negative pressure isolation wards are highly critical. For this purpose, the study proposes a full-outer-air-intake natural air-conditioning system for negative pressure isolation wards. This innovative system draws in large amounts of fresh external air to greatly improve the air exchange rate in wards; negative pressure environments can be implemented depending on requirements to solve the issue of nosocomial infections in traditional negative pressure isolation wards that draw air from within the hospital. This greatly reduces the probability of nosocomial infection and infection via air droplets; furthermore, the system's intake and exhaust paths are completely isolated, solving the issue of air cross-contamination. Based on the results from the experiment site, this innovative system was designed and implemented based on the guidelines of hospital facilities and achieved air exchange per hour in excess of 12 times/hour, reaching a maximum of 54.5 times/hour. Indoor CO2 concentration was 576 ppm, negative pressure was −14 Pa, indoor temperature was 23.3°C, indoor humidity was 54.1%, and sensible heat exchange efficiency (ηs) was 105.88% which effectively reduced ventilation load. Therefore, this innovative full-outer-air-intake natural air-conditioning system can provide medical staff and patients with a safe and healthy environment that prevents cross-infection.
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195
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Heneghan CJ, Spencer EA, Brassey J, Plüddemann A, Onakpoya IJ, Evans DH, Conly JM, Jefferson T. SARS-CoV-2 and the role of airborne transmission: a systematic review. F1000Res 2021. [DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.52091.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Airborne transmission is the spread of an infectious agent caused by the dissemination of droplet nuclei (aerosols) that remain infectious when suspended in the air. We carried out a systematic review to identify, appraise and summarise the evidence from studies of the role of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Methods: We searched LitCovid, MedRxiv, Google Scholar and the WHO Covid-19 database from 1 February to 20 December 2020 and included studies on airborne transmission. Data were dual extracted and we assessed quality using a modified QUADAS 2 risk of bias tool. Results: We included 67 primary studies and 22 reviews on airborne SARS-CoV-2. Of the 67 primary studies, 53 (79%) reported data on RT-PCR air samples, 12 report cycle threshold values and 18 copies per sample volume. All primary studies were observational and of low quality. The research often lacked standard methods, standard sampling sizes and reporting items. We found 36 descriptions of different air samplers deployed. Of the 42 studies conducted in-hospital that reported binary RT-PCR tests, 24 (57%) reported positive results for SARs-CoV-2 (142 positives out of 1,403 samples: average 10.1%, range 0% to 100%). There was no pattern between the type of hospital setting (ICU versus non-ICU) and RT-PCR positivity. Seventeen studies reported potential air transmission in the outdoors or in the community. Seven performed RT-PCR sampling, of which two studies report weak positive RNA samples for 2 or more genes (5 of 125 samples positive: average 4.0%). Ten studies attempted viral culture with no serial passage for viral culture. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 RNA is detected intermittently in the air in various settings. Standardized guidelines for conducting and reporting research on airborne transmission are needed. The lack of recoverable viral culture samples of SARS-CoV-2 prevents firm conclusions over airborne transmission.
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196
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Antaki F, Milad D, Dirani A. Revisiting the Utility of Dilated Fundus Exams in Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Receiving Regular Intravitreal Injections. Clin Ophthalmol 2021; 15:1129-1131. [PMID: 33746511 PMCID: PMC7967028 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s303551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients receiving regular anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) intravitreal injections for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) routinely undergo dilated fundus examination (DFE) at each visit. In this paper, we review the current evidence on the utility of DFE in guiding treatment of established patients with nAMD and discuss novel treatment algorithms that defer DFE assessments with the advent of optical coherence tomography (OCT). We also debate on the value of DFE in the current sanitary context of COVID-19 and highlight important clinical scenarios where it must be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fares Antaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Centre Universitaire d'Ophtalmologie (CUO), Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, CIUSSS de l'Est-De-l'île-De-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Daniel Milad
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Ali Dirani
- Department of Ophthalmology, Centre Universitaire d'Ophtalmologie, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
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197
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Castaño N, Cordts SC, Kurosu Jalil M, Zhang KS, Koppaka S, Bick AD, Paul R, Tang SKY. Fomite Transmission, Physicochemical Origin of Virus-Surface Interactions, and Disinfection Strategies for Enveloped Viruses with Applications to SARS-CoV-2. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:6509-6527. [PMID: 33748563 PMCID: PMC7944398 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c06335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Inanimate objects or surfaces contaminated with infectious agents, referred to as fomites, play an important role in the spread of viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The long persistence of viruses (hours to days) on surfaces calls for an urgent need for effective surface disinfection strategies to intercept virus transmission and the spread of diseases. Elucidating the physicochemical processes and surface science underlying the adsorption and transfer of virus between surfaces, as well as their inactivation, is important for understanding how diseases are transmitted and for developing effective intervention strategies. This review summarizes the current knowledge and underlying physicochemical processes of virus transmission, in particular via fomites, and common disinfection approaches. Gaps in knowledge and the areas in need of further research are also identified. The review focuses on SARS-CoV-2, but discussion of related viruses is included to provide a more comprehensive review given that much remains unknown about SARS-CoV-2. Our aim is that this review will provide a broad survey of the issues involved in fomite transmission and intervention to a wide range of readers to better enable them to take on the open research challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Castaño
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Seth C. Cordts
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Myra Kurosu Jalil
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Kevin S. Zhang
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Saisneha Koppaka
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Alison D. Bick
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Rajorshi Paul
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Sindy K. Y. Tang
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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198
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Armaly Z, Kinaneh S, Skorecki K. Renal Manifestations of Covid-19: Physiology and Pathophysiology. J Clin Med 2021; 10:1216. [PMID: 33804075 PMCID: PMC8000200 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10061216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) imposes a serious public health pandemic affecting the whole world, as it is spreading exponentially. Besides its high infectivity, SARS-CoV-2 causes multiple serious derangements, where the most prominent is severe acute respiratory syndrome as well as multiple organ dysfunction including heart and kidney injury. While the deleterious impact of SARS-CoV-2 on pulmonary and cardiac systems have attracted remarkable attention, the adverse effects of this virus on the renal system is still underestimated. Kidney susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection is determined by the presence of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor which is used as port of the viral entry into targeted cells, tissue tropism, pathogenicity and subsequent viral replication. The SARS-CoV-2 cellular entry receptor, ACE2, is widely expressed in proximal epithelial cells, vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells and podocytes, where it supports kidney integrity and function via the enzymatic production of Angiotensin 1-7 (Ang 1-7), which exerts vasodilatory, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic and diuretic/natriuretic actions via activation of the Mas receptor axis. Loss of this activity constitutes the potential basis for the renal damage that occurs in COVID-19 patients. Indeed, several studies in a small sample of COVID-19 patients revealed relatively high incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) among them. Although SARS-CoV-1 -induced AKI was attributed to multiorgan failure and cytokine release syndrome, as the virus was not detectable in the renal tissue of infected patients, SARS-CoV-2 antigens were detected in kidney tubules, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 infects the human kidney directly, and eventually induces AKI characterized with high morbidity and mortality. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are largely unknown. However, the fact that ACE2 plays a crucial role against renal injury, the deprivation of the kidney of this advantageous enzyme, along with local viral replication, probably plays a central role. The current review focuses on the critical role of ACE2 in renal physiology, its involvement in the development of kidney injury during SARS-CoV-2 infection, renal manifestations and therapeutic options. The latter includes exogenous administration of Ang (1-7) as an appealing option, given the high incidence of AKI in this ACE2-depleted disorder, and the benefits of ACE2/Ang1-7 including vasodilation, diuresis, natriuresis, attenuation of inflammation, oxidative stress, cell proliferation, apoptosis and coagulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaher Armaly
- Department of Nephrology, Nazareth Hospital, EMMS, Nazareth 16100, Israel;
- The Bar-Ilan University Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Safed 1311502, Israel;
| | - Safa Kinaneh
- Department of Nephrology, Nazareth Hospital, EMMS, Nazareth 16100, Israel;
| | - Karl Skorecki
- The Bar-Ilan University Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Safed 1311502, Israel;
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199
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Balagna C, Francese R, Perero S, Lembo D, Ferraris M. Nanostructured composite coating endowed with antiviral activity against human respiratory viruses deposited on fibre-based air filters. SURFACE & COATINGS TECHNOLOGY 2021; 409:126873. [PMID: 33814662 PMCID: PMC8010378 DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2021.126873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The widespread of viral airborne diseases is becoming a critical problem for human health and safety, not only for the common cold and flu, but also considering more serious infection as the current pandemic COVID-19. Even if the current heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems limit the disease transmission by air, the air filters are susceptible to microbial colonization. In addition, viruses spread via droplets (aerosol) produced by direct or indirect contact with infected people. In this context, the necessity of an efficient HVAC system, able to capture and inactivate viruses- and bacteria-rich aerosols, thus preserving a safe indoor air environment and protecting people, is of enormous importance. The aim of this work is the assessment of the antiviral properties of a silver nanoclusters/silica composite coating deposited via co-sputtering technique on glass, on metallic fibre-based air filters as well as on cotton textiles. The selected human respiratory viruses are: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the human rhinovirus (HRV) and the influenza virus type A (FluVA). The coated air filters show that the nanostructured coating develops a strong virucidal activity against RSV and FluVA, but not against the HRV.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Balagna
- Dept. of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - R Francese
- Dept. of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, TO, Italy
| | - S Perero
- Dept. of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - D Lembo
- Dept. of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, TO, Italy
| | - M Ferraris
- Dept. of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
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Environmental implication of personal protection equipment in the pandemic era: LCA comparison of face masks typologies. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 98:306-311. [PMID: 33723504 PMCID: PMC7944762 DOI: 10.1016/j.procir.2021.01.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In the present global health emergency, face masks play a key role in limiting the diffusion of the COVID-19 pandemic, by acting as physical barriers to avoid droplets and filtrate exhalations coming from infected subjects. Since the most widespread devices are disposable products made of plastic materials, this means that relevant quantities of fossil resources will be consumed, and huge amounts of wastes will be generated. The present paper aims to compare the environmental performances of five different typologies of face masks (i.e. 3D printed reusable mask with filter, surgical mask, filtering face-piece masks – FFPs with and without valve, washable masks), considering an average Italian use scenario and the whole mask lifecycle: materials, manufacturing processes, use, sanitization, and disposal. The Life Cycle Assessment methodology has been used to assess the environmental impacts in terms of both ReCiPe midpoints and endpoints. Reusable masks and masks with interchangeable filters could potentially contribute to improve the environmental performances in all the considered impact and damage categories. Eco-design actions can be developed starting from the study results.
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