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Huang J, Fraser A, Jiang X. Efficacy of three EPA-registered antimicrobials and steam against two human norovirus surrogates on nylon carpets with two backing types. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0038424. [PMID: 38786363 PMCID: PMC11218654 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00384-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Carpet cleaning guidelines currently do not include the use of an antimicrobial, except after a bodily fluid event. To address this gap, we compared the efficacy of three antimicrobials-two hydrogen peroxide-based (H2O2) products (A and B) and one chlorine-based product (C)-and a steam treatment against two norovirus surrogates, specifically feline calicivirus (FCV) and Tulane virus (TuV). These tests were performed on nylon carpets with either water-permeable or waterproof backing types. The effect of repeated antimicrobial use on carpet properties was also evaluated. For a carpet with water-permeable backing, products A, B, and C achieved a 0.8, 3.1, and 0.9 log10 PFU/coupon reduction of FCV and 0.3, 2.5, and 0.4 log10 TCID50/coupon reduction of TuV, respectively, following a 30 min contact time. For carpet with waterproof backing, only product B achieved a 5.0 log10 PFU/coupon reduction of FCV and >3.0 log10 TCID50/coupon reduction of TuV, whereas products A and C achieved a 2.4 and 1.6 log10 PFU/coupon reduction of FCV and a 1.2 and 1.2 log10 TCID50/coupon reduction of TuV, respectively. Steam treatment achieved a ≥ 5.2 log10 PFU/coupon reduction of FCV and a > 3.2 log10 TCID50/coupon reduction of TuV in 15 seconds on the carpet with both backing types. The repeated use of products A and B decreased the tensile strength of the carpet backing, while use of product B resulted in cracks on carpet fibers. Overall, steam treatment for 15 seconds was efficacious on both carpet types, but only product B achieved efficacy after a 30-minute exposure on the carpet with waterproof backing.IMPORTANCECarpets are common in long-term care facilities, despite its potential as a vehicle for transmission of agents associated with healthcare-associated infections, including human norovirus (NoV). Presently, our understanding of carpet disinfection is limited; hence, there are no commercial antimicrobials against norovirus available for use on carpets. Our findings showed that steam treatment, which minimally affected the properties of carpet fibers and backing, was more efficacious against human norovirus surrogates on carpets compared to the three chemical antimicrobials tested. Additionally, the two surrogates were more sensitive to chemical antimicrobials on the carpet with waterproof backing compared to carpets with water-permeable backing. These findings can inform development of antimicrobials for use on carpets contaminated with human norovirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinge Huang
- Department of Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Angela Fraser
- Department of Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Xiuping Jiang
- Department of Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
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Gu Z, Han J, Zhang L, Wang H, Luo X, Meng X, Zhang Y, Niu X, Lan Y, Wu S, Cao J, Lichtfouse E. Unanswered questions on the airborne transmission of COVID-19. ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS 2023; 21:725-739. [PMID: 36628267 PMCID: PMC9816530 DOI: 10.1007/s10311-022-01557-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Policies and measures to control pandemics are often failing. While biological factors controlling transmission are usually well explored, little is known about the environmental drivers of transmission and infection. For instance, respiratory droplets and aerosol particles are crucial vectors for the airborne transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the causation agent of the coronavirus 2019 pandemic (COVID-19). Once expectorated, respiratory droplets interact with atmospheric particulates that influence the viability and transmission of the novel coronavirus, yet there is little knowledge on this process or its consequences on virus transmission and infection. Here we review the effects of atmospheric particulate properties, vortex zones, and air pollution on virus survivability and transmission. We found that particle size, chemical constituents, electrostatic charges, and the moisture content of airborne particles can have notable effects on virus transmission, with higher survival generally associated with larger particles, yet some viruses are better preserved on small particles. Some chemical constituents and surface-adsorbed chemical species may damage peptide bonds in viral proteins and impair virus stability. Electrostatic charges and water content of atmospheric particulates may affect the adherence of virion particles and possibly their viability. In addition, vortex zones and human thermal plumes are major environmental factors altering the aerodynamics of buoyant particles in air, which can strongly influence the transport of airborne particles and the transmission of associated viruses. Insights into these factors may provide explanations for the widely observed positive correlations between COVID-19 infection and mortality with air pollution, of which particulate matter is a common constituent that may have a central role in the airborne transmission of the novel coronavirus. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10311-022-01557-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaolin Gu
- School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Han
- School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 People’s Republic of China
| | - Liyuan Zhang
- School of Water and Environment, Chang’an University, Xi’an, 710064 People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongliang Wang
- Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xilian Luo
- School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiangzhao Meng
- School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue Zhang
- School of Architecture, Chang’an University, Xi’an, 710064 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinyi Niu
- School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yang Lan
- School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 People’s Republic of China
| | - Shaowei Wu
- School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 People’s Republic of China
| | - Junji Cao
- Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029 People’s Republic of China
| | - Eric Lichtfouse
- State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 Shaanxi People’s Republic of China
- CNRS, IRD, INRAE, CEREGE, Aix-Marseille University, 13100, Aix-en-Provence, France
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Bonadonna L, Briancesco R, Coccia AM, Meloni P, Rosa GL, Moscato U. Microbial Air Quality in Healthcare Facilities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:6226. [PMID: 34207509 PMCID: PMC8296088 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18126226] [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: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that indoor air quality and contaminated surfaces provide an important potential source for transmission of pathogens in hospitals. Airborne hospital microorganisms are apparently harmless to healthy people. Nevertheless, healthcare settings are characterized by different environmental critical conditions and high infective risk, mainly due to the compromised immunologic conditions of the patients that make them more vulnerable to infections. Thus, spread, survival and persistence of microbial communities are important factors in hospital environments affecting health of inpatients as well as of medical and nursing staff. In this paper, airborne and aerosolized microorganisms and their presence in hospital environments are taken into consideration, and the factors that collectively contribute to defining the infection risk in these facilities are illustrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Bonadonna
- Department of Environment and Health, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (A.M.C.); (P.M.); (G.L.R.)
| | - Rossella Briancesco
- Department of Environment and Health, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (A.M.C.); (P.M.); (G.L.R.)
| | - Anna Maria Coccia
- Department of Environment and Health, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (A.M.C.); (P.M.); (G.L.R.)
| | - Pierluigi Meloni
- Department of Environment and Health, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (A.M.C.); (P.M.); (G.L.R.)
| | - Giuseppina La Rosa
- Department of Environment and Health, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (A.M.C.); (P.M.); (G.L.R.)
| | - Umberto Moscato
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
- Section of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Persistence of Pathogens on Inanimate Surfaces: A Narrative Review. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020343. [PMID: 33572303 PMCID: PMC7916105 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
For the prevention of infectious diseases, knowledge about transmission routes is essential. In addition to respiratory, fecal-oral, and sexual transmission, the transfer of pathogens via surfaces plays a vital role for human pathogenic infections-especially nosocomial pathogens. Therefore, information about the survival of pathogens on surfaces can have direct implications on clinical measures, including hygiene guidelines and disinfection strategies. In this review, we reviewed the existing literature regarding viral, bacterial, and fungal persistence on inanimate surfaces. In particular, the current knowledge of the survival time and conditions of clinically relevant pathogens is summarized. While many pathogens persist only for hours, common nosocomial pathogens can survive for days to weeks under laboratory conditions and thereby potentially form a continuous source of transmission if no adequate inactivation procedures are performed.
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Thevenin T, Lobert PE, Hober D. Inactivation of coxsackievirus B4, feline calicivirus and herpes simplex virus type 1: unexpected virucidal effect of a disinfectant on a non-enveloped virus applied onto a surface. Intervirology 2013; 56:224-30. [PMID: 23774583 DOI: 10.1159/000350556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2012] [Accepted: 03/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of a disinfectant onto viruses in suspension on the one hand and applied onto a surface on the other. METHODS A system combining flocked swabs to recover viruses dried onto stainless steel carriers and gel filtration to eliminate cytotoxic products has been developed to study the virucidal effect of a quaternary ammonium-based disinfectant towards herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), coxsackievirus B4 (CVB4) and feline calicivirus F9 (FCV). The recovery of FCV has been estimated by RT real-time PCR. RESULTS HSV-1, CVB4 and FCV had a titer over 10(4) TCID50 · ml(-1) after 2 h drying and were recovered from the carriers using flocked swabs. HSV-1 was inactivated in suspension and on stainless steel carriers by the disinfectant (a reduction factor of 4 and 2.83 log, respectively) whereas CVB4 was resistant. The reduction of infectious titer was moderate, 1.5 log in 30 min, when FCV was in suspension, whereas it was up to 4 log in 10 min when the virus was dried on a carrier. Dried FCV was efficiently recovered from carriers as demonstrated by RT real-time PCR. CONCLUSION A non-enveloped virus, FCV, applied on a surface, but not in suspension, was inactivated by a quaternary ammonium-based disinfectant. The resistance of viruses applied onto a surface to the effect of disinfectants should be investigated further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Thevenin
- University Lille 2, Faculty of Medicine, CHRU Lille Laboratory of Virology EA3610, Lille, France
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Nazir J, Haumacher R, Abbas MD, Marschang RE. Use of filter carrier technique to measure the persistence of avian influenza viruses in wet environmental conditions. J Virol Methods 2010; 170:99-105. [PMID: 20833205 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2010.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2010] [Revised: 08/30/2010] [Accepted: 09/02/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
A germ carrier technique was adapted for the determination of the persistence of influenza viruses in moist environments. The technique was employed with 3 low pathogenic avian influenza viruses (H4N6, H5N1, and H6N8), one human influenza virus (H1N1), and two model viruses (NDV and ECBO) in lake water at five different temperatures (30, 20, 10, 0, and -10°C). Viral quantitation was carried out at regular intervals on cell culture for a maximum duration of 16 weeks. Serial data were analyzed by linear regression model to calculate T-90 values (time required for one log reduction in the virus titer). Persistence of all of the viruses was highest at -10°C followed by 0, 10, 20, and 30°C. At -10°C, the single freeze-thaw cycle resulted in an abrupt decline in the virus titer, followed by long term persistence. Generally, influenza viruses persisted shorter than model viruses while ECBO has the highest survival time in lake water. Individual influenza viruses differed in their persistence at all temperatures. The findings of the present study suggest that AIV can remain infectious in lake water for extended periods of time at low temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jawad Nazir
- Institute of Environmental and Animal Hygiene, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 30, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
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Vasickova P, Pavlik I, Verani M, Carducci A. Issues Concerning Survival of Viruses on Surfaces. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2010; 2:24-34. [PMCID: PMC7091010 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-010-9025-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2009] [Accepted: 01/17/2010] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Viruses are the causative agents of an estimated 60% of human infections worldwide. The most common viral illnesses are produced by enteric and respiratory viruses. Transmission of these viruses from an infected person or animal to a new host can occur via several routes. Existing studies strongly suggest that contaminated fomites or surfaces play an important role in the spreading of viral diseases. The potential of viral spreading via contaminated surfaces depends particularly on the ability of the virus to maintain infectivity whilst it is in the environment. This is affected by a combination of biological, physical and chemical factors. This review summarises current knowledge about the influence of environmental factors on the survival and spread of viruses via contaminated surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Vasickova
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 621 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - I. Pavlik
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 621 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - M. Verani
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via S. Zeno, 35-56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - A. Carducci
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via S. Zeno, 35-56127 Pisa, Italy
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Baert L, Debevere J, Uyttendaele M. The efficacy of preservation methods to inactivate foodborne viruses. Int J Food Microbiol 2009; 131:83-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2009.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2008] [Revised: 01/26/2009] [Accepted: 03/13/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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