SARS-CoV-2 in environmental samples of quarantined households
Author:
Döhla ManuelORCID, Wilbring Gero, Schulte Bianca, Kümmerer Beate Mareike, Diegmann ChristinORCID, Sib Esther, Richter Enrico, Haag Alexandra, Engelhart Steffen, Eis-Hübinger Anna Maria, Exner Martin, Streeck Hendrik, Schmithausen Ricarda MariaORCID
Abstract
AbstractThe role of environmental transmission of SARS-CoV-2 remains unclear. Particularly the close contact of persons living together or cohabitating in domestic quarantine could result in high risk for exposure to the virus within the households. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the whereabouts of the virus and whether useful precautions to prevent the dissemination can be given.21 households under quarantine conditions were randomly selected for this study. All persons living in each household were recorded in terms of age, sex and time of household quarantine. Throat swabs for analysis were obtained from all adult individuals and most of the children. Air, wastewater samples and surface swabs (commodities) were obtained and analysed by RT- PCR. Positive swabs were cultivated to analyse for viral infectivity.26 of all 43 tested adults (60.47 %) tested positive by RT-PCR. All 15 air samples were PCR- negative. 10 of 66 wastewater samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 (15.15 %) as well as 4 of 119 object samples (3.36 %). No statistically significant correlation between PCR-positive environmental samples and the extent of infection spread inside the household could be observed. No infectious virus could be isolated under cell culture conditions.As we cannot rule out transmission through surfaces, hygienic behavioural measures are important in the households of SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals to avoid potential transmission through surfaces. The role of the domestic environment, in particular the wastewater load in washbasins and showers, in the transmission of SARS CoV-2 should be further clarified.HighlightsWith public “shut downs” due to SARS-CoV-2, domestic infection is a main possible route of transmission.All analysed air samples were tested negative for SARS-CoV-2.15.15 % of all wastewater samples (washbasin, showers and toilets) were tested positive.Only 3.36 % of all object samples were tested positive: one remote control, two metallic door knobs and one wooden stove overlay.This study supports the hypothesis that indirect environmental transmission may only play a minor role, which needs clarifications in further studies.
Publisher
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Reference43 articles.
1. Anfinrud, P. , Stadnytskyi, V. , Bax, C.E. , Bax, A. , 2020. Visualizing Speech-Generated Oral Fluid Droplets with Laser Light Scattering. The New England journal of medicine. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMc2007800. 2. Air sampling procedure for evaluation of viral excretion level by vaccinated pigs infected with Aujeszky’s disease (pseudorabies) virus;Research in Veterinary Science,1992 3. Chia, P.Y. , Coleman, K.K. , Tan, Y.K. , Ong, S.W.X. , Gum, M. , Lau, S.K. , Sutjipto, S. , Lee, P.H. , Son, T.T. , Young, B.E. , Milton, D.K. , Gray, G.C. , Schuster, S. , Barkham, T. , De, P.P. , Vasoo, S. , Chan, M. , Ang, B.S.P. , Tan, B.H. , Leo, Y.S. , Ng, O.-T. , Wong, M.S.Y. , Marimuthu, K. , 2020. Detection of Air and Surface Contamination by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Hospital Rooms of Infected Patients. 4. Chin, A.W.H. , Chu, J.T.S. , Perera, M.R.A. , Hui, K.P.Y. , Yen, H.-L. , Chan, M.C.W. , Peiris, M. , Poon, L.L.M. , 2020. Stability of SARS-CoV-2 in different environmental conditions. The Lancet Microbe. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2666-5247(20)30003-3.
Cited by
51 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献
|
|