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Guo L, Zhao P, Jia Y, Wang Z, Chen M, Zhang H, Liu D, Zhang Y, Wang X, Rong M. Inactivation of airborne pathogenic microorganisms by plasma-activated nebulized mist. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 459:132072. [PMID: 37480605 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
The airborne microorganisms in the aerosols are one main transmission way of pathogenic microorganisms and therefore inactivation of microorganisms in aerosols could effectively prevent the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms to control epidemics. The mist nebulized by plasma-activated air could effectively inactivate bacteria and could be developed for the sterilization of microorganisms in aerosols. In this study, the plasma-activated nebulized mist (PANM) was applied for the inactivation of microorganisms in aerosols and efficiently inactivated the bacteria, yeast, and viruses in aerosols after 2-min treatment. The PANM treatment caused morphologic changes and damage to the bacteria cells in aerosols. The PANM could also inactivate the microorganisms attached to the surface of the treatment chamber and the bacteria attached to the skin of mice within 6-min treatment. The biosafety assays demonstrated that the PANM treatment exhibited no effects on the behavior, hematological and serum biochemical parameters of blood, and organs from the mice. This study would supply an efficient, broad-spectrum, and safe aerosol sterilization strategy based on plasma technology to prevent the transmission of airborne microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Center for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Pengyu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Center for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Yikang Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Center for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Zifeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Center for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Min Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Center for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Center for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Dingxin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Center for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China.
| | - Yong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, School of Electrical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Xiaohua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Center for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Mingzhe Rong
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Center for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
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El Zahran T, Ghandour L, Chami A, Saliba N, Hitti E. Comparing emergency department visits 10-year apart at a tertiary care center in Lebanon. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e35194. [PMID: 37773845 PMCID: PMC10545388 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000035194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Presentations to the emergency department (ED) are growing worldwide. With the increasing risk factors of non-communicable disease (NCD) and communicable diseases (CD) in low- and middle-income countries, it is crucial to understand how ED presentations are changing with time to meet patients' needs and allocate acute care resources. The aim of this study is to compare the changes in patient and diseases characteristics over 2 time periods 10 year apart at the largest tertiary care center in Lebanon. This was a retrospective descriptive study of patients presenting to the ED at a large tertiary care center in 2009/2010 and 2018/2019. The discharge diagnoses were coded into Clinical Classification Software codes. We used descriptive statistics, odds ratios (OR), and non-parametric test to compare the different diagnoses. The total number of ED visits increased by 33% from 2009/2010 to 2018/2019. The highest increase rate was among patients older than 65 years (2.6%), whereas the percentage of pediatric patients decreased from 30.8% to 25.3%. ED presentations shifted from NCD to CD. A shift in the discharge diagnoses was also noted within age groups, specifically a shift in cardiovascular diseases to a younger age. Our study suggests that the role of the ED is changing and moving towards treating the aging population and CD. There is a need to invest and mitigate CD, better allocate resources to accommodate the aging population, focus on awareness campaigns targeting early detection of cardiovascular diseases and modifying its risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tharwat El Zahran
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Lara Ghandour
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Najat Saliba
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Eveline Hitti
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
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Le Sage V, Lowen AC, Lakdawala SS. Block the Spread: Barriers to Transmission of Influenza Viruses. Annu Rev Virol 2023; 10:347-370. [PMID: 37308086 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-111821-115447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory viruses, such as influenza viruses, cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide through seasonal epidemics and sporadic pandemics. Influenza viruses transmit through multiple modes including contact (either direct or through a contaminated surface) and inhalation of expelled aerosols. Successful human to human transmission requires an infected donor who expels virus into the environment, a susceptible recipient, and persistence of the expelled virus within the environment. The relative efficiency of each mode can be altered by viral features, environmental parameters, donor and recipient host characteristics, and viral persistence. Interventions to mitigate transmission of influenza viruses can target any of these factors. In this review, we discuss many aspects of influenza virus transmission, including the systems to study it, as well as the impact of natural barriers and various nonpharmaceutical and pharmaceutical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Le Sage
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anice C Lowen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA;
| | - Seema S Lakdawala
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA;
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Tao Y, Zhang X, Qiu G, Spillmann M, Ji Z, Wang J. SARS-CoV-2 and other airborne respiratory viruses in outdoor aerosols in three Swiss cities before and during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 164:107266. [PMID: 35512527 PMCID: PMC9060371 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been affecting the world since the end of 2019. While virus-laden particles have been commonly detected and studied in the aerosol samples from indoor healthcare settings, studies are scarce on air surveillance of the virus in outdoor non-healthcare environments, including the correlations between SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses, between viruses and environmental factors, and between viruses and human behavior changes due to the public health measures against COVID-19. Therefore, in this study, we collected airborne particulate matter (PM) samples from November 2019 to April 2020 in Bern, Lugano, and Zurich. Among 14 detected viruses, influenza A, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-HKU1, and HCoV-229E were abundant in air. SARS-CoV-2 and enterovirus were moderately common, while the remaining viruses occurred only in low concentrations. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in PM10 (PM below 10 µm) samples of Bern and Zurich, and PM2.5 (PM below 2.5 µm) samples of Bern which exhibited a concentration positively correlated with the local COVID-19 case number. The concentration was also correlated with the concentration of enterovirus which raised the concern of coinfection. The estimated COVID-19 infection risks of an hour exposure at these two sites were generally low but still cannot be neglected. Our study demonstrated the potential functionality of outdoor air surveillance of airborne respiratory viruses, especially at transportation hubs and traffic arteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yile Tao
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Xiaole Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Guangyu Qiu
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Martin Spillmann
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Zheng Ji
- School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland.
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Fierce L, Robey AJ, Hamilton C. Simulating near-field enhancement in transmission of airborne viruses with a quadrature-based model. INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:1843-1859. [PMID: 34297863 PMCID: PMC8447483 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Some infectious diseases, such as influenza, tuberculosis, and SARS-CoV-2, may be transmitted when virus-laden particles expelled from an infectious person are inhaled by someone else, which is known as the airborne transmission route. These virus-laden particles are more concentrated in the expiratory jet of an infectious person than elsewhere in a well-mixed room, but this near-field enhancement in virion exposure has not been well quantified. Transmission of airborne viruses depends on factors that are inherently variable and, in many cases, poorly constrained, and quantifying this uncertainty requires large ensembles of model simulations that span the variability in input parameters. However, models that are well-suited to simulate the near-field evolution of respiratory particles are also computationally expensive, which limits the exploration of parametric uncertainty. In order to perform many simulations that span the wide variability in factors governing airborne transmission, we developed the Quadrature-based model of Respiratory Aerosol and Droplets (QuaRAD). QuaRAD is an efficient framework for simulating the evolution of virus-laden particles after they are expelled from an infectious person, their deposition to the nasal cavity of a susceptible person, and the subsequent risk of initial infection. We simulated 10 000 scenarios to quantify the risk of initial infection by a particular virus, SARS-CoV-2. The predicted risk of infection was highly variable among scenarios and, in each scenario, was strongly enhanced near the infectious individual. In more than 50% of scenarios, the physical distancing needed to avoid near-field enhancements in airborne transmission was beyond the recommended safe distance of two meters (six feet) if the infectious person is not wearing a mask, though this distance defining the near-field extent was also highly variable among scenarios; the variability in the near-field extent is explained predominantly by variability in expiration velocity. Our findings suggest that maintaining at least two meters of distance from an infectious person greatly reduces exposure to airborne virions; protections against airborne transmission, such as N95 respirators, should be available when distancing is not possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Fierce
- Atmospheric Sciences and Global Change DivisionPacific Northwest National LaboratoryRichlandWashingtonUSA
| | - Alison J. Robey
- Center for Environmental StudiesWilliams CollegeWilliamstownMassachusettsUSA
| | - Cathrine Hamilton
- Department of ChemistryIndiana University of PennsylvaniaIndianaPennsylvaniaUSA
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Antonitsch L, Gallob R, Weidinger G, Kettenbach J. New insights and antimicrobial stewardship opportunities in viral pneumonia: five lung ultrasound cases. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2021; 133:1208-1214. [PMID: 34605974 PMCID: PMC8488548 DOI: 10.1007/s00508-021-01946-4] [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: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Background Antimicrobial stewardship is crucial to avoid antimicrobial resistance in microbes and adverse drug effects in patients. In respiratory infections, however, viral pneumonia is difficult to distinguish from bacterial pneumonia, which explains the overuse of antibiotic therapy in this indication. Cases Five cases of lung consolidation are presented. Lung ultrasound, in conjunction with procalcitonin levels, were used to exclude or corroborate bacterial pneumonia. Conclusion Lung ultrasound is easy to learn and perform and is helpful in guiding diagnosis in unclear cases of pneumonia and may also offer new insights into the spectrum of certain virus diseases. The use of lung ultrasound can raise awareness in clinicians of the need for antimicrobial stewardship and may help to avoid the unnecessary use of antibiotics. Supplementary Information The online version of this article (10.1007/s00508-021-01946-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Antonitsch
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Landesklinikum Wiener Neustadt, Corvinusring 3-5, 2700, Wiener Neustadt, Austria.
| | - Ronald Gallob
- Department of Anesthesia, Emergency Medicine and Intensive Care, Landesklinikum Wiener Neustadt, Corvinusring 3-5, 2700, Wiener Neustadt, Austria
| | - Gerhard Weidinger
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Landesklinikum Wiener Neustadt, Corvinusring 3-5, 2700, Wiener Neustadt, Austria
| | - Joachim Kettenbach
- Institute of Diagnostic, Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Landesklinikum Wiener Neustadt, Corvinusring 3-5, 2700, Wiener Neustadt, Austria
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Lv J, Gao J, Wu B, Yao M, Yang Y, Chai T, Li N. Aerosol Transmission of Coronavirus and Influenza Virus of Animal Origin. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:572012. [PMID: 33928140 PMCID: PMC8078102 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.572012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused great harm to global public health, resulting in a large number of infections among the population. However, the epidemiology of coronavirus has not been fully understood, especially the mechanism of aerosol transmission. Many respiratory viruses can spread via contact and droplet transmission, but increasing epidemiological data have shown that viral aerosol is an essential transmission route of coronavirus and influenza virus due to its ability to spread rapidly and high infectiousness. Aerosols have the characteristics of small particle size, long-time suspension and long-distance transmission, and easy access to the deep respiratory tract, leading to a high infection risk and posing a great threat to public health. In this review, the characteristics of viral aerosol generation, transmission, and infection as well as the current advances in the aerosol transmission of zoonotic coronavirus and influenza virus are summarized. The aim of the review is to strengthen the understanding of viral aerosol transmission and provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Lv
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Sino-German Cooperative Research Center for Zoonosis of Animal Origin Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Taian, China
| | - Jing Gao
- Taian Central Hospital, Taian, China
| | - Bo Wu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Sino-German Cooperative Research Center for Zoonosis of Animal Origin Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
| | - Meiling Yao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Sino-German Cooperative Research Center for Zoonosis of Animal Origin Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
| | - Yudong Yang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Sino-German Cooperative Research Center for Zoonosis of Animal Origin Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
| | - Tongjie Chai
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Sino-German Cooperative Research Center for Zoonosis of Animal Origin Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
| | - Ning Li
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Sino-German Cooperative Research Center for Zoonosis of Animal Origin Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
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Wang W, Guo W, Cai J, Guo W, Liu R, Liu X, Ma N, Zhang X, Zhang S. Epidemiological characteristics of tuberculosis and effects of meteorological factors and air pollutants on tuberculosis in Shijiazhuang, China: A distribution lag non-linear analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 195:110310. [PMID: 33098820 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious public health problem in China. There is evidence to prove that meteorological factors and exposure to air pollutants have a certain impact on TB. But the evidence of this relationship is insufficient, and the conclusions are inconsistent. METHODS Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to describe the distribution characteristics of TB in Shijiazhuang in the past five years. Through the generalized linear regression model (GLM) and the generalized additive model (GAM), the risk factors that affect the incidence of TB are screened. A combination of GLM and distribution lag nonlinear model (DLNM) was used to evaluate the lag effect of environmental factors on the TB. Results were tested for robustness by sensitivity analysis. RESULTS The incidence of TB in Shijiazhuang showed a downward trend year by year, with seasonality and periodicity. Every 10 μg/m3 of PM10 changes, the RR distribution is bimodal. The first peak of RR occurs on the second day of lag (RR = 1.00166, 95% CI: 1.00023, 1.00390); the second risk period starts from 13th day of lag and peaks on15th day (RR = 1.00209, 95% CI: 1.00076, 1.00341), both of which are statistically significant. The cumulative effect of increasing 10 μg/m3 showed a similar bimodal distribution. Time zones where the RR makes sense are days 4-6 and 13-20. RR peaked on the 18th day (RR = 1.02239, 95% CI: 1.00623, 1.03882). The RR has a linear relationship with the concentration. Under the same concentration, the RR peaks within 15-20 days. CONCLUSION TB in Shijiazhuang City showed a downward trend year by year, with obvious seasonal fluctuations. The air pollutant PM10 increases the risk of TB. The development of TB has a short-term lag and cumulative lag effects. We should focus on protecting susceptible people from TB in spring and autumn, and strengthen the monitoring and emission management of PM10 in the atmosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjuan Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Province Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Weiheng Guo
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Province Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jianning Cai
- Department of Epidemic Control and Prevention, Center for Disease Prevention and Control of Shijiazhuang City, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Province Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Ran Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Province Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xuehui Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Province Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Ning Ma
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Province Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiaolin Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Province Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Shijiazhuang, China.
| | - Shiyong Zhang
- Department of Epidemic Control and Prevention, Center for Disease Prevention and Control of Shijiazhuang City, Shijiazhuang, China.
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Peytremann A, Senn N, Mueller Y. Infection prevention and control measures in practices of the Swiss sentinel network during seasonal influenza epidemics. J Hosp Infect 2020; 106:786-792. [PMID: 32891687 PMCID: PMC7470729 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Background There are limited data on the transmission of influenza in the context of primary care practices, despite the fact that a significant proportion of the population consult their primary care physician for an influenza-like illness every year. Aim To describe the use of influenza prevention and control methods in private practices of the Swiss sentinel network. Methods This online cross-sectional survey collected data about infection prevention and control measures in the 166 private practices of the Swiss sentinel surveillance network during the 2018–2019 influenza season. Questions pertained to the practice setting, infection prevention and control recommendations, influenza vaccination status of the physicians and their staff, adhesion to hand hygiene, and mask wearing. Findings Among the 122 practices that answered (response rate 73.5%), 90.2% of the responding physicians had been vaccinated themselves, and 46.7% (56/120) estimated that their staff vaccination coverage was >60%, although it was offered to employees in all practices. Most practices (N=68, 55.7%) had no specific recommendations for their staff concerning mask wearing. Most physicians reported washing or disinfecting their hands before examining a patient (N=91, 74.6%), after examination (N=110, 90.2%) and before a medical procedure (N=112, 91.8%). However, this rate was lower for arrival at the practice (N=78, 63.9%) and leaving the practice (N=83, 68.0%). Conclusion Most physicians in the Swiss sentinel surveillance network have been vaccinated themselves. However, the vaccination rates among their staff are low, despite vaccine availability. Hand hygiene measures were also suboptimal. These results warrant further efforts to implement infection prevention and control measures in the ambulatory setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Peytremann
- Faculty of Medicine and Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Family Medicine, Unisanté - University Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - N Senn
- Department of Family Medicine, Unisanté - University Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Y Mueller
- Department of Family Medicine, Unisanté - University Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Aerosol and environmental surface monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in a designated hospital for severe COVID-19 patients. Epidemiol Infect 2020; 148:e154. [PMID: 32660668 PMCID: PMC7371847 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268820001570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
There is limited information concerning the viral load of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in aerosols deposited on environmental surfaces and the effectiveness of infection prevention and control procedures on eliminating SARS-CoV-2 contamination in hospital settings. We examined the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosol samples and on environmental surfaces in a hospital designated for treating severe COVID-19 patients. Aerosol samples were collected by a microbial air sampler, and environmental surfaces were sampled using sterile premoistened swabs at multiple sites. Ninety surface swabs and 135 aerosol samples were collected. Only two swabs, sampled from the inside of a patient's mask, were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. All other swabs and aerosol samples were negative for the virus. Our study indicated that strict implementation of infection prevention and control procedures was highly effective in eliminating aerosol and environmental borne SARS-CoV-2 RNA thereby reducing the risk of cross-infection in hospitals.
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