ABSTRACT
Human pathogenic viruses can be introduced into sewage sludge and soils via fecal material from a variety of human activities. These contaminated matrices can play a substantial role in the dispersion of pathogenic viruses in the environment, constituting a potential public health problem if they enter the water cycle or the food chain. However, the interactions between pathogenic viruses and these matrices have received less attention compared to other environmental compartments. Understanding the presence of viruses, their persistence and fate in solid or semi-solid matrices like sludge and soil is important for the effective control of the infections they may cause. In this chapter, we summarize current knowledge about human pathogenic viruses in sewage sludge and soil, their importance in public health, and the factors that govern their transport and persistence in soil matrices. We also review the occurrence and variety of common and emerging viruses excreted in the feces and their presence in sewage sludge and soil, as well as the potential use of certain viruses as indicators of fecal pollution. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
ABSTRACT
Human pathogenic viruses can be introduced into sewage sludge and soils via fecal material from a variety of human activities. These contaminated matrices can play a substantial role in the dispersion of pathogenic viruses in the environment, constituting a potential public health problem if they enter the water cycle or the food chain. However, the interactions between pathogenic viruses and these matrices have received less attention compared to other environmental compartments. Understanding the presence of viruses, their persistence and fate in solid or semi-solid matrices like sludge and soil is important for the effective control of the infections they may cause. In this chapter, we summarize current knowledge about human pathogenic viruses in sewage sludge and soil, their importance in public health, and the factors that govern their transport and persistence in soil matrices. We also review the occurrence and variety of common and emerging viruses excreted in the feces and their presence in sewage sludge and soil, as well as the potential use of certain viruses as indicators of fecal pollution. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
ABSTRACT
Background: On March 11th 2020, COVID-19 was categorized as a pandemic. Risk factors for poor outcomes in COVID-19 disease include a personal history of cancer. The purpose of this research is to explore what cancer patients (pts) know about COVID-19 and their perception of the risk of infection. Methods: From 14th March until 4th May, a total of 33 cancer pts from the 167 admitted in the hospitalisation ward of the Medical Oncology Department of University Hospital La Fe were included. Our questionnaire is a psychometric five points Likert scale with 25 questions and 5 additional open questions. A stratified analysis by age, gender, marital status, educational background, number of previous systemic treatments and cause of hospitalisation was carried out. χ2 test, Fisher’s exact test, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and Kendall rank correlation coefficient (Tau-b statistic or Tau-c) were performed when indicated for each category. The time delay between the appearance of symptoms and the seeking of medical help at our Hospital, due to fear of COVID-19, was also analyzed. Results: Of the 33 pts included in the study, 22 were male and 11 female. 20 pts received one or more previous systemic therapy. Median age was 57 years old. Their responses indicated that cancer pts felt they needed more information about COVID-19 and how it could affect them. When asked about the perception of the risk of infection, most pts were afraid of coronavirus disease (63.7%) but did feel safe in both the emergency department (57.6%) and the hospitalisation area (81.8%). When pts were asked about how they felt during this hospitalisation period compared with previous ones, they claimed that the quality of care received in the hospitalisation area by both nurses and doctors had not changed from other times (84.9%), in spite of the strict measures being implemented. Previously treated cancer pts were more aware of secondary effects of antineoplastic treatment than those pts who had not received any treatment, including the possibility of a SARS-CoV-2 infection with atypical symptoms (p = 0.005). About 50% of pts did delay seeking medical help;these pts were admitted in a poorer physical condition, their hospital stays were longer and more difficulties were found in treating the oncological process;a higher risk of death was also seen. Conclusions: We are experiencing an extraordinary scenario have never seen before. Now, cancer patients have spoken and it is our responsibility to solve their problems, listen to their fears and help them in these difficult months we are facing. Legal entity responsible for the study: Benjamin Domingo Arrué. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.