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Moore G, Rickard H, Stevenson D, Aranega-Bou P, Pitman J, Crook A, Davies K, Spencer A, Burton C, Easterbrook L, Love HE, Summers S, Welch SR, Wand N, Thompson KA, Pottage T, Richards KS, Dunning J, Bennett A. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 within the healthcare environment: a multi-centre study conducted during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in England. J Hosp Infect 2021; 108:189-196. [PMID: 33259882 PMCID: PMC7831847 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding how severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is spread within the hospital setting is essential in order to protect staff, implement effective infection control measures, and prevent nosocomial transmission. METHODS The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the air and on environmental surfaces around hospitalized patients, with and without respiratory symptoms, was investigated. Environmental sampling was undertaken within eight hospitals in England during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak. Samples were analysed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and virus isolation assays. FINDINGS SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected on 30 (8.9%) of 336 environmental surfaces. Cycle threshold values ranged from 28.8 to 39.1, equating to 2.2 x 105 to 59 genomic copies/swab. Concomitant bacterial counts were low, suggesting that the cleaning performed by nursing and domestic staff across all eight hospitals was effective. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in four of 55 air samples taken <1 m from four different patients. In all cases, the concentration of viral RNA was low and ranged from <10 to 460 genomic copies/m3 air. Infectious virus was not recovered from any of the PCR-positive samples analysed. CONCLUSIONS Effective cleaning can reduce the risk of fomite (contact) transmission, but some surface types may facilitate the survival, persistence and/or dispersal of SARS-CoV-2. The presence of low or undetectable concentrations of viral RNA in the air supports current guidance on the use of specific personal protective equipment for aerosol-generating and non-aerosol-generating procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Moore
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK.
| | - H Rickard
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - D Stevenson
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - P Aranega-Bou
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - J Pitman
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - A Crook
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - K Davies
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - A Spencer
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - C Burton
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - L Easterbrook
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - H E Love
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - S Summers
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - S R Welch
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - N Wand
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - K-A Thompson
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - T Pottage
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - K S Richards
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - J Dunning
- Emerging Infections and Zoonoses Unit, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Colindale, London, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, Liverpool, UK
| | - A Bennett
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
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Suwantarat N, Supple LA, Cadnum JL, Sankar T, Donskey CJ. Quantitative assessment of interactions between hospitalized patients and portable medical equipment and other fomites. Am J Infect Control 2017. [PMID: 28623002 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In an observational study, we demonstrated that hospitalized patients frequently had direct or indirect interactions with medical equipment and other fomites that are shared among patients, and these items were often contaminated with health care-associated pathogens. There is a need for protocols to ensure routine cleaning of shared portable equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuntra Suwantarat
- Research Service, Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
| | - Laura A Supple
- Research Service, Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
| | - Jennifer L Cadnum
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases & HIV Medicine, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH
| | - Thriveen Sankar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases & HIV Medicine, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH
| | - Curtis J Donskey
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH; Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH.
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Wolfe DF, Sinnett S, Vossler JL, Przepiora J, Engbretson BG. Bacterial colonization of respiratory therapists' pens in the intensive care unit. Respir Care 2009; 54:500-503. [PMID: 19327186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prevention of nosocomial infections is of paramount importance. Person-to-person transmission of microorganisms is well recognized, but the role of fomites in nosocomial infection is not as well understood. Incomplete cleaning of equipment and patient rooms, and medical devices used with multiple patients are well-described means of transmission, but little attention has been paid to nonmedical devices as fomites. We collected bacteria from writing implements (pens) used by respiratory therapists in an intensive care unit, following their work shifts. METHODS We obtained pens from 20 respiratory therapists, and cultured, enumerated, and identified the bacteria. RESULTS Bacteria were found on 17 of the 20 pens. The mean +/- SD number of colony-forming units was 126 +/- 277 (range 0-1,250). Coagulase-negative staphylococci were found on all 17 pens. Micrococcus species were found on 4 pens. CONCLUSIONS Although we found no organisms that are regularly associated with nosocomial infections (eg, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or Gram-negative bacilli), pens can be fomites responsible for nosocomial infections. Protocols to reduce the transmission of infectious agents may need to be extended to writing instruments. One possible measure is to assign specific writing instruments to specific rooms.
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Affiliation(s)
- David F Wolfe
- Department of Respiratory Therapy Education, Room 0213, AC Silverman Building, Upstate Medical University, State University of New York, Syracuse NY 13210, USA.
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Nelson W, Harris B. Flies, fingers, fomites, and food. Campylobacteriosis in New Zealand--food-associated rather than food-borne. N Z Med J 2006; 119:U2128. [PMID: 16924279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
AIMS New Zealand has a very high rate of seasonal, sporadic campylobacteriosis compared to other OECD countries. Can the seasonality of New Zealand cases fit with an explanation of food-borne transmission (especially by chicken meat), and where does the fly-transmission hypothesis fit? METHODS Analysis of seasonal campylobacteriosis reports at the District Health Board level compared to regional ambient temperatures, and chicken consumption data. Literature review particularly of food-associated disease risks and transmission routes. RESULTS Campylobacteriosis rates in New Zealand show a national annual increase at a rate similar to chicken consumption. A drastic reduction in chicken consumption was associated with significantly reduced campylobacteriosis cases in two European countries, further strengthening the link between disease risk and chicken consumption. However, serotype analysis of the Campylobacter isolates is ambiguous regarding chicken meat itself as the major source of infection. The seasonal colonisation pattern in live chickens follows the seasonal increase in human cases. Flies are a plausible vector, associated with increasing overwintered fly foraging activity, rather than a summer increase in fly numbers. CONCLUSION The typically sporadic rather than outbreak nature of campylobacteriosis, the disjoint between seasonal patterns of human and chicken infection, the seasonal pattern itself, and inconclusive serotype evidence indicates against chicken meat itself as the major source of infection. However, chicken consumption is a significant risk factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warrick Nelson
- 888 Management Ltd, PO Box 6393, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch.
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