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Hofmaenner DA, Wendel Garcia PD, Duvnjak B, Chakrakodi B, Maier JD, Huber M, Huder J, Wolfensberger A, Schreiber PW, Schuepbach RA, Zinkernagel AS, Buehler PK, Brugger SD. Bacterial but no SARS-CoV-2 contamination after terminal disinfection of tertiary care intensive care units treating COVID-19 patients. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2021; 10:11. [PMID: 33436105 PMCID: PMC7802978 DOI: 10.1186/s13756-021-00885-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In intensive care units (ICUs) treating patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) invasive ventilation poses a high risk for aerosol and droplet formation. Surface contamination of severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or bacteria can result in nosocomial transmission.
Methods Two tertiary care COVID-19 intensive care units treating 53 patients for 870 patient days were sampled after terminal cleaning and preparation for regular use to treat non-COVID-19 patients. Results A total of 176 swabs were sampled of defined locations covering both ICUs. No SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) was detected. Gram-negative bacterial contamination was mainly linked to sinks and siphons. Skin flora was isolated from most swabbed areas and Enterococcus faecium was detected on two keyboards. Conclusions After basic cleaning with standard disinfection measures no remaining SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected. Bacterial contamination was low and mainly localised in sinks and siphons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Hofmaenner
- Institute of Intensive Care, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pedro David Wendel Garcia
- Institute of Intensive Care, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Branko Duvnjak
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bhavya Chakrakodi
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Julian D Maier
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Huber
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jon Huder
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Aline Wolfensberger
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Peter W Schreiber
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Reto A Schuepbach
- Institute of Intensive Care, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Annelies S Zinkernagel
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp K Buehler
- Institute of Intensive Care, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Silvio D Brugger
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Abstract
Three groups of four calves were used to determine whether Ehrlichia phagocytophila could be transmitted orally to calves via infected milk. Groups 1 and 2 consisted of four-week-old calves and group 3 of newborn calves. The calves in group 1 were fed for several days with milk from cows infected experimentally with E phagocytophila. The calves in groups 2 and 3 were fed 200 ml of whole blood containing E phagocytophila organisms; for group 2 the blood was added to milk before being fed, and for group 3 the blood was added to colostrum before being fed within three hours after birth. Blood samples for haematological, serological and cytological examination, and for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were collected from all the calves, starting on the first or only day of administration and then every four days for four weeks. The calves of groups 1 and 2 showed no clinical, haematological or serological changes, and there was no direct or indirect evidence of the agent. In contrast, all the calves in group 3 had mild pyrexia and seroconverted on day 8, and in one of them E phagocytophila organisms were visible in leucocytes, and the PCR on the buffy coat was positive on day 8.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Pusterla
- Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
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Fehr D, Dean GA, Huder J, Fan Z, Huettner S, Higgins JW, Pedersen NC, Lutz H. Nucleotide and predicted peptide sequence of feline interleukin-12 (IL-12). DNA Seq 1998; 8:77-82. [PMID: 9522125 DOI: 10.3109/10425179709020889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Feline Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a heterodimeric glycoprotein consisting of two disulfide linked subunits of about 40 kD (p40) and 35 kD (p35). It is a pleiotropic cytokine mediating biological activities on T- and NK-cells. One important function is the induction of a Th1 immune response. Here we report the cloning and sequencing of feline IL-12, the expression of the p40-protein in E. coli and production of monoclonal antibodies. At the nucleotide level, feline IL-12 shows between 87-90%, on the amino acid level between 82-87% identity to the bovine and human IL-12, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Fehr
- Dept. of Internal Veterinary Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
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Pusterla N, Huder J, Wolfensberger C, Braun U, Lutz H. Laboratory findings in cows after experimental infection with Ehrlichia phagocytophila. Clin Diagn Lab Immunol 1997; 4:643-7. [PMID: 9384282 PMCID: PMC170633 DOI: 10.1128/cdli.4.6.643-647.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The goal of this study was to assess various hematological variables in 10 cows after experimental infection with Ehrlichia phagocytophila. Blood samples were collected at regular intervals for examination of leukocytes for Ehrlichia organisms and for determination of hematological and biochemical variables. In addition, PCR amplification was performed throughout the disease period on blood and milk samples for the detection of E. phagocytophila organisms. The time of seroconversion and the duration of serum titers indicating positivity were determined by indirect immunofluorescence. For all cows, E. phagocytophila organisms were first detected microscopically in leukocytes 5 to 8 days postinfection and could be demonstrated for a period of 6 to 14 days. For all cows, the appearance of E. phagocytophila organisms in leukocytes coincided with transient erythropenia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia and a decrease in hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration. For five lactating cows, E. phagocytophila organisms were identified in leukocytes of milk samples during the acute phase of the disease, which, we believe, has not previously been reported. E. phagocytophila DNA was detected in blood samples by nested PCR from 1 to 2 days before to 2 to 12 days after the organisms were identified microscopically. In milk samples, E. phagocytophila DNA was detected for an average of 11 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Pusterla
- Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
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Abstract
This case report describes two dogs with granulocytic ehrlichiosis. Dog 1 was a male Labrador retriever with clinical signs of lymphosarcoma. Dog 2 was a female Airedale terrier, whose clinical signs included apathy, pyrexia, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Examination of blood smears revealed Ehrlichia organisms in the neutrophils of both dogs. There was thrombocytopenia in both dogs, and dog 2 also had leukopenia. In both dogs, bands of identical length were amplified from DNA of leukocytes via nested PCR. The bands had identical nucleotide sequences, which differed from the gene sequences of Ehrlichia equi and E. phagocytophila in three and two positions, respectively. Interestingly, the nucleotide sequence of the 16S rRNA was 100% homologous to that of a human granulocytic ehrlichia.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Pusterla
- Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
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