ABSTRACT
Highly sensitive airborne virus monitoring is critical for preventing and containing epidemics. However, the detection of airborne viruses at ultra-low concentrations remains challenging due to the lack of ultra-sensitive methods and easy-to-deployment equipment. Here, we present an integrated microfluidic cartridge that can accurately detect SARS-CoV-2 and various respiratory viruses with a sensitivity of 10 copies/mL. When seamlessly integrated with a high-flow aerosol sampler, our microdevice can achieve a sub-single molecule spatial resolution of 0.83 copies/m3 for airborne virus surveillance. We then designed a series of virus-in-aerosols monitoring systems (RIAMs), including versions of a multi-site sampling RIAMs (M-RIAMs), a stationary real-time RIAMs (S-RIAMs), and a roaming real-time RIAMs (R-RIAMs) for different application scenarios. Using M-RIAMs, we performed a comprehensive evaluation of 210 environmental samples from COVID-19 patient wards, including 30 aerosol samples. The highest positive detection rate of aerosol samples (60%) proved the aerosol-based SARS-CoV-2 monitoring represents an effective method for spatial risk assessment. The detection of 78 aerosol samples in real-world settings via S-RIAMs confirmed its reliability for ultra-sensitive and continuous airborne virus monitoring. Therefore, RIAMs shows the potential as an effective solution for mitigating the risk of airborne virus transmission.
Subject(s)
COVID-19ABSTRACT
Background: The global spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to threaten all human health worldwide. Although the symptoms, signs, responses, and outcomes associated with the disease varies for individuals, few studies have reported on pediatric patients with COVID-19.Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed the medical records from three tertiary hospitals in Anhui province, China, of 23 children with COVID-19. Here, epidemiologic characteristics, clinical features, laboratory test results, and treatment strategies for these pediatric patients are reported and analyzed.Results: In total, 23 children with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection were analyzed. All patients were given a nucleic acid detection test for SARS-CoV-2, and positive results confirmed the diagnosis of COVID-19. Ten patients (43.5%) were female, and 19 patients (82.6%) had defined exposure history and familial clustering. The youngest patient was 16 months of age, the oldest, 17 years. The clinical symptoms of all included pediatric patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were mild, with cough (12, 52.2%) and fever (10, 43.5%) being the most frequent, making their symptoms indistinguishable from common respiratory infections. There was no difference in clinical manifestation between males and females (P > 0.05). Eight patients (34.8%) showed changes on chest computed tomography imaging. The median level of each laboratory test parameter was within the normal reference range. Treatments primarily included antiviral therapies, traditional Chinese medicine therapies, and symptomatic supportive treatment.Conclusions: The symptoms of all 23 pediatric patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection included in this study were mild. Because the primary presenting symptoms were indistinguishable from common respiratory infections and because most patients had an exposure history and familial clustering, we recommend supporting the diagnosis of mild or atypical COVID-19 in children with detailed epidemiologic information and chest computed tomography imaging as well as with nucleic acid detection tests. Obtaining a correct diagnosis in the early stage of the disease will contribute to controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection and to providing more immediate relevant treatment for infected children.
Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections , Infections , Fever , Cough , Respiratory Tract Infections , COVID-19ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of severe risk factors and laboratory indicators of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in critically ill patients.