SARS-CoV-2 surface and air contamination in an acute healthcare setting during the first and second pandemic waves.
Air contamination
COVID-19
Infection prevention and control
SARS-CoV-2
Surface contamination
Transmission
Variants of concern
Journal
The Journal of hospital infection
ISSN: 1532-2939
Titre abrégé: J Hosp Infect
Pays: England
ID NLM: 8007166
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Feb 2023
Feb 2023
Historique:
received:
01
09
2022
revised:
10
11
2022
accepted:
13
11
2022
pubmed:
27
11
2022
medline:
18
2
2023
entrez:
26
11
2022
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Surfaces and air in healthcare facilities can be contaminated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Previously, the authors identified SARS-CoV-2 RNA on surfaces and air in their hospital during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic (April 2020). To explore whether the profile of SARS-CoV-2 surface and air contamination had changed between April 2020 and January 2021. This was a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study in a multi-site London hospital. In January 2021, surface and air samples were collected from comparable areas to those sampled in April 2020, comprising six clinical areas and a public area. SARS-CoV-2 was detected using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and viral culture. Sampling was also undertaken in two wards with natural ventilation alone. The ability of the prevalent variants at the time of the study to survive on dry surfaces was evaluated. No viable virus was recovered from surfaces or air. Five percent (N=14) of 270 surface samples and 4% (N=1) of 27 air samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2, which was significantly lower than in April 2020 [52% (N=114) of 218 surface samples and 48% (N=13) of 27 air samples (P<0.001, Fisher's exact test)]. There was no clear difference in the proportion of surface and air samples positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA based on the type of ventilation in the ward. All variants tested survived on dry surfaces for >72 h, with a <3-log This study suggests that enhanced infection prevention measures have reduced the burden of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on surfaces and air in healthcare facilities.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Surfaces and air in healthcare facilities can be contaminated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Previously, the authors identified SARS-CoV-2 RNA on surfaces and air in their hospital during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic (April 2020).
AIM
OBJECTIVE
To explore whether the profile of SARS-CoV-2 surface and air contamination had changed between April 2020 and January 2021.
METHODS
METHODS
This was a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study in a multi-site London hospital. In January 2021, surface and air samples were collected from comparable areas to those sampled in April 2020, comprising six clinical areas and a public area. SARS-CoV-2 was detected using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and viral culture. Sampling was also undertaken in two wards with natural ventilation alone. The ability of the prevalent variants at the time of the study to survive on dry surfaces was evaluated.
FINDINGS
RESULTS
No viable virus was recovered from surfaces or air. Five percent (N=14) of 270 surface samples and 4% (N=1) of 27 air samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2, which was significantly lower than in April 2020 [52% (N=114) of 218 surface samples and 48% (N=13) of 27 air samples (P<0.001, Fisher's exact test)]. There was no clear difference in the proportion of surface and air samples positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA based on the type of ventilation in the ward. All variants tested survived on dry surfaces for >72 h, with a <3-log
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that enhanced infection prevention measures have reduced the burden of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on surfaces and air in healthcare facilities.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36435307
pii: S0195-6701(22)00357-7
doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2022.11.005
pmc: PMC9683853
pii:
doi:
Substances chimiques
RNA, Viral
0
Types de publication
Observational Study
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
36-45Subventions
Organisme : Medical Research Council
ID : MR/W005611/1
Pays : United Kingdom
Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2022 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.