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Gopalan T, Muhamad MR, Wai Hoe VC, Hassandarvish P. N95 respirator hybrid decontamination method using Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) coupled with Microwave-Generated Steam (MGS). PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296871. [PMID: 38319932 PMCID: PMC10846690 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has induced a critical supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) especially N95 respirators. Utilizing respirator decontamination procedures to reduce the pathogen load of a contaminated N95 respirator can be a viable solution for reuse purposes. In this study, the efficiency of a novel hybrid respirator decontamination method of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) which utilizes ultraviolet-C (UV-C) rays coupled with microwave-generated steam (MGS) against feline coronavirus (FCoV) was evaluated. The contaminated 3M 1860 respirator pieces were treated with three treatments (UVGI-only, MGS-only, and Hybrid-UVGI + MGS) with variable time. The virucidal activity was evaluated using the TCID50 method. The comparison of decontamination efficiency of the treatments indicated that the hybrid method achieved at least a pathogen log reduction of 4 logs, faster than MGS and UVGI. These data recommend that the proposed hybrid decontamination system is more effective comparatively in achieving pathogen log reduction of 4 logs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thirumaaran Gopalan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Ridha Muhamad
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Centre of Advanced Manufacturing and Material Processing (AMMP Centre), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Victor Chee Wai Hoe
- Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Practice, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Pouya Hassandarvish
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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2
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Ludwig-Begall LF, Heyne B. aPDI meets PPE: photochemical decontamination in healthcare using methylene blue-where are we now, where will we go? Photochem Photobiol Sci 2024; 23:215-223. [PMID: 38165604 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-023-00514-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Personal protective equipment (PPE) reuse, first recommended in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, can mitigate shortages in crisis situations and can greatly reduce the environmental impact of typically single-use PPE. Prior to safe reuse, PPE must be sanitized and contaminating pathogens-in current circumstances viruses in particular-must be inactivated. However, many established decontamination procedures are not equitable and remain unavailable in low-resource settings. In mid-2020, an interdisciplinary consortium of researchers first studied the potential of implementing cheap and easy-to-use antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) using methylene blue as photosensitizer to decontaminate face masks and filtering facepiece respirators. In this perspective piece, we describe the development of this novel method, discuss recent advances, and offer insights into how equitable PPE decontamination via methylene blue-based aPDI may be integrated into circular economy policies in the healthcare sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa F Ludwig-Begall
- Veterinary Virology and Animal Viral Diseases, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, FARAH Research Centre, University of Liège, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Belinda Heyne
- Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
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3
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Frippiat T, Dams L, Wielick C, Delguste C, Ludwig-Begall LF, Art T, Thiry E. In vitro virucidal activity of nebulized citrate-complexed silver nanoparticles against equine herpesvirus-1 and murine norovirus. Virology 2023; 585:232-239. [PMID: 37406580 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2023.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Viruses can be involved in respiratory disorders in horses, with limited therapeutic options. Citrate-complexed silver nanoparticles (C-AgNP) have shown bactericidal properties after in vitro nebulization. The aim of the present study was to assess the virucidal activity of C-AgNP after in vitro instillation or nebulization on equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and murine norovirus (MNV), the latter used as surrogate for small non-enveloped viruses. Both viruses were instilled or nebulized with C-AgNP of increasing concentrations, and titres were determined via TCID50 method. We demonstrated efficient inactivation of enveloped EHV-1 following instillation and nebulization of C-AgNP (infectivity losses of ≥ three orders of magnitude). While tenacious MNV was inactivated via 2000 ppm C-AgNP instillation, nebulized C-AgNP did not lead to reduction in MNV titres. Nebulization of C-AgNP may represent a novel virucidal therapeutic approach in horses. Further investigations are needed to assess its safety and effective concentrations for in vivo use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibault Frippiat
- Equine Sports Medicine Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, Belgium; Sportpaardenarts - Equine Sports Medicine, Laren, the Netherlands.
| | - Lorène Dams
- Veterinary Virology and Animal Viral Diseases, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, FARAH Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, Belgium
| | - Constance Wielick
- Veterinary Virology and Animal Viral Diseases, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, FARAH Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, Belgium
| | - Catherine Delguste
- General Services, FARAH Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, Belgium
| | - Louisa F Ludwig-Begall
- Veterinary Virology and Animal Viral Diseases, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, FARAH Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, Belgium
| | - Tatiana Art
- Equine Sports Medicine Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, Belgium
| | - Etienne Thiry
- Veterinary Virology and Animal Viral Diseases, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, FARAH Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, Belgium
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4
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Armentano I, Barbanera M, Belloni E, Crognale S, Lelli D, Marconi M, Calabrò G. Design and Analysis of a Novel Ultraviolet-C Device for Surgical Face Mask Disinfection. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:34117-34126. [PMID: 36188306 PMCID: PMC9520726 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c03426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
This paper deals with the design of a compact sanitization device and the definition of a specific protocol for UV-C disinfection of a surgical face mask. The system was designed considering the material properties, face mask shape, and UV-C light distribution. DIALux software was used to evaluate the irradiance distribution provided by the lamps emitting in the UV-C range. The irradiance needed for UV-C-decontaminated bacteria and virus, and other contaminating pathogens, without compromising their integrity and guaranteeing inactivation of the bacteria, was evaluated. The face mask's material properties were analyzed with respect to UV-C exposure in terms of physicochemical properties, breathability, and bacterial filtration performance. Information on the effect of time-dependent passive decontamination at room temperature storage was provided. Single and multiple cycles of UV-C sanitization did not adversely affect respirator breathability and bacterial filtration efficiency. This multidisciplinal approach may provide important information on how it is possible to correctly sanitize a face mask and, in case of shortage, safely reuse the face mask.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Armentano
- Department
of Economics, Engineering, Society and Business Organization (DEIM), University of Tuscia, Viterbo 01100, Italy
| | - Marco Barbanera
- Department
of Economics, Engineering, Society and Business Organization (DEIM), University of Tuscia, Viterbo 01100, Italy
| | - Elisa Belloni
- Department
of Engineering, University of Perugia, Perugia 06125, Italy
| | - Silvia Crognale
- Department
for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Viterbo 01100, Italy
| | - Davide Lelli
- Department
for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Viterbo 01100, Italy
| | - Marco Marconi
- Department
of Economics, Engineering, Society and Business Organization (DEIM), University of Tuscia, Viterbo 01100, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Calabrò
- Department
of Economics, Engineering, Society and Business Organization (DEIM), University of Tuscia, Viterbo 01100, Italy
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Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide Decontamination of N95 Respirators, with Fit-Testing and Viral Inactivation, Demonstrates Feasibility for Reuse during the COVID-19 Pandemic. mSphere 2022; 7:e0030322. [PMID: 36040048 PMCID: PMC9599425 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00303-22] [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] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In response to the demand for N95 respirators by health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, we evaluated decontamination of N95 respirators using an aerosolized hydrogen peroxide (aHP) system. This system is designed to dispense a consistent atomized spray of aerosolized, 7% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) solution over a treatment cycle. Multiple N95 respirator models were subjected to 10 or more cycles of respirator decontamination, with a select number periodically assessed for qualitative and quantitative fit testing. In parallel, we assessed the ability of aHP treatment to inactivate multiple viruses absorbed onto respirators, including phi6 bacteriophage, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). For pathogens transmitted via respiratory droplets and aerosols, it is critical to address respirator safety for reuse. This study provided experimental validation of an aHP treatment process that decontaminates the respirators while maintaining N95 function. External National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) certification verified respirator structural integrity and filtration efficiency after 10 rounds of aHP treatment. Virus inactivation by aHP was comparable to the decontamination of commercial spore-based biological indicators. These data demonstrate that the aHP process is effective, with successful fit-testing of respirators after multiple aHP cycles, effective decontamination of multiple virus species, including SARS-CoV-2, successful decontamination of bacterial spores, and filtration efficiency maintained at or greater than 95%. While this study did not include extended or clinical use of N95 respirators between aHP cycles, these data provide proof of concept for aHP decontamination of N95 respirators before reuse in a crisis-capacity scenario. IMPORTANCE The COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented pressure on health care and research facilities to provide personal protective equipment. The respiratory nature of the SARS-CoV2 pathogen makes respirator facepieces a critical protective measure to limit inhalation of this virus. While respirator facepieces were designed for single use and disposal, the pandemic increased overall demand for N95 respirators, and corresponding manufacturing and supply chain limitations necessitated the safe reuse of respirators when necessary. In this study, we repurposed an aerosolized hydrogen peroxide (aHP) system that is regularly utilized to decontaminate materials in a biosafety level 3 (BSL3) facility, to develop a method for decontamination of N95 respirators. Results from viral inactivation, biological indicators, respirator fit testing, and filtration efficiency testing all indicated that the process was effective at rendering N95 respirators safe for reuse. This proof-of-concept study establishes baseline data for future testing of aHP in crisis-capacity respirator-reuse scenarios.
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Wielick C, Fries A, Dams L, Razafimahefa RM, Heyne B, Harcourt BH, Lendvay TS, Willaert JF, de Jaeger S, Haubruge E, Thiry E, Ludwig-Begall LF. Of masks and methylene blue—The use of methylene blue photochemical treatment to decontaminate surgical masks contaminated with a tenacious small nonenveloped norovirus. Am J Infect Control 2022; 50:871-877. [PMID: 35908825 PMCID: PMC9329083 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2022.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Background In the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, reuse of personal protective equipment, specifically that of medical face coverings, has been recommended. The reuse of these typically single-use only items necessitates procedures to inactivate contaminating human respiratory and gastrointestinal pathogens. We previously demonstrated decontamination of surgical masks and respirators contaminated with infectious SARS-CoV-2 and various animal coronaviruses via low concentration- and short exposure methylene blue photochemical treatment (10 µM methylene blue, 30 minutes of 12,500-lux red light or 50,000 lux white light exposure). Methods Here, we describe the adaptation of this protocol to the decontamination of a more resistant, non-enveloped gastrointestinal virus and demonstrate efficient photodynamic inactivation of murine norovirus, a human norovirus surrogate. Results Methylene blue photochemical treatment (100 µM methylene blue, 30 minutes of 12,500-lux red light exposure) of murine norovirus-contaminated masks reduced infectious viral titers by over four orders of magnitude on surgical mask surfaces. Discussion and Conclusions Inactivation of a norovirus, the most difficult to inactivate of the respiratory and gastrointestinal human viruses, can predict the inactivation of any less resistant viral mask contaminant. The protocol developed here thus solidifies the position of methylene blue photochemical decontamination as an important tool in the package of practical pandemic preparedness.
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Martinez E, Crèvecoeur S, Dams L, Rabecki F, Habraken S, Haubruge E, Daube G. Effect of five decontamination methods on face masks and filtering facepiece respirators contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Access Microbiol 2022; 4:000342. [PMID: 35693470 PMCID: PMC9175975 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction. In the context of the global pandemic due to SARS-CoV-2, procurement of personal protective equipment during the crisis was problematic. The idea of reusing and decontaminating personal surgical masks in facilities was explored in order to avoid the accumulation of waste and overcome the lack of equipment.
Hypothesis. Our hypothesis is that this work will show the decontamination methods assessed are effective for bacteria, such as
Staphylococcus aureus
and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
.
Aim. We aim to provide information about the effects of five decontamination procedures (UV treatment, dry heat, vaporized H2O2, ethanol treatment and blue methylene treatment) on
S. aureus
and
P. aeruginosa
. These bacteria are the main secondary bacterial pathogens responsible for lung infections in the hospital environment.
Methodology. The surgical masks and the filtering facepiece respirators were inoculated with two bacterial strains (
S. aureus
ATCC 29213 and
P. aeruginosa
S0599) and submitted to five decontamination treatments: vaporized H2O2 (VHP), UV irradiation, dry heat treatment, ethanol bath treatment and blue methylene treatment. Direct and indirect microbiology assessments were performed on three positive controls, five treated masks and one negative control.
Results. The five decontaminations showed significant (P<0.05) but different degrees of reductions of
S. aureus
and
P. aeruginosa
. VHP, dry heat treatment and ethanol treatment adequately reduced the initial contamination. The 4 min UV treatment allowed only a reduction to five orders of magnitude for face mask respirators. The methylene blue treatment induced a reduction to two orders of magnitude.
Conclusions. The three methods that showed a log10 reduction factor of 6 were the dry heat method, VHP and ethanol bath treatment. These methods are effective and their establishment in the medical field are easy but require economic investment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Martinez
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Liege, Belgium
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Food Sciences, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Elisa Martinez,
| | - Sébastien Crèvecoeur
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Liege, Belgium
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Food Sciences, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Lorène Dams
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Liege, Belgium
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | | | - Serge Habraken
- Centre Spatial de Liege, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Eric Haubruge
- TERRA Research Centre, Gembloux AgroBiotech, University of Liege, Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Georges Daube
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Liege, Belgium
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Food Sciences, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
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Brought to Light: How Ultraviolet Disinfection Can Prevent the Nosocomial Transmission of COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases. Appl Microbiol 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/applmicrobiol1030035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought to light the role of environmental hygiene in controlling disease transmission. Healthcare facilities are hot spots for infectious pathogens where physical distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) are not always sufficient to prevent disease transmission. Healthcare facilities need to consider adjunct strategies to prevent transmission of infectious pathogens. In combination with current infection control procedures, many healthcare facilities are incorporating ultraviolet (UV) disinfection into their routines. This review considers how pathogens are transmitted in healthcare facilities, the mechanism of UV microbial inactivation and the documented activity of UV against clinical pathogens. Emphasis is placed on the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) as well as multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs) that are commonly transmitted in healthcare facilities. The potential benefits and limitations of UV technologies are discussed to help inform healthcare workers, including clinical studies where UV technology is used in healthcare facilities.
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Noroviruses-The State of the Art, Nearly Fifty Years after Their Initial Discovery. Viruses 2021; 13:v13081541. [PMID: 34452406 PMCID: PMC8402810 DOI: 10.3390/v13081541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human noroviruses are recognised as the major global cause of viral gastroenteritis. Here, we provide an overview of notable advances in norovirus research and provide a short recap of the novel model systems to which much of the recent progress is owed. Significant advances include an updated classification system, the description of alternative virus-like protein morphologies and capsid dynamics, and the further elucidation of the functions and roles of various viral proteins. Important milestones include new insights into cell tropism, host and microbial attachment factors and receptors, interactions with the cellular translational apparatus, and viral egress from cells. Noroviruses have been detected in previously unrecognised hosts and detection itself is facilitated by improved analytical techniques. New potential transmission routes and/or viral reservoirs have been proposed. Recent in vivo and in vitro findings have added to the understanding of host immunity in response to norovirus infection, and vaccine development has progressed to preclinical and even clinical trial testing. Ongoing development of therapeutics includes promising direct-acting small molecules and host-factor drugs.
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