An optimised method for recovery and quantification of laboratory generated SARS-CoV-2 aerosols by plaque assay. (preprint)

We present an optimised method for the recovery of laboratory generated SARS-CoV-2 aerosols and quantification by plaque assays. This method allows easy incorporation into existing standard operating procedures of biological containment level 3 (CL3) laboratories.

The aerobiology of SARS-CoV-2 in UK hospitals and the impact of aerosol generating procedures (preprint)

BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 nosocomial transmission to patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) has occurred throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) seemed particularly risky, and policies have restricted their use in all settings. We examined the prevalence of aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 in the rooms of COVID-19 patients requiring AGP or supplemental oxygen compared to those on room air. MethodsSamples were collected prospectively near to adults hospitalised with COVID-19 at two tertiary care hospitals in the UK from November 2020 - October 2021. The Sartorius MD8 AirPort air sampler was used to collect air samples at a minimum distance of 1.5 meters from patients. RT-qPCR was used following overnight incubation of membranes in culture media and extraction. ResultsWe collected 219 samples from patients rooms: individuals on room air (n=67), receiving oxygen (n=65) or AGP (n=67). Of these, 54 (24.6%) samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA. The highest prevalence was identified in the air around patients receiving oxygen (32.3%, n=21, CI95% 22.2 to 44.3%) with AGP and room air recording prevalence of (20.7%, n=18, CI95% 14.1 - 33.7%) and (22.3%, n=15, CI95% 13.5 - 30.4%) respectively. We did not detect a significant difference in the observed frequency of viral RNA between interventions. InterpretationSARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was detected in the air of hospital rooms of COVID-19 patients, and AGPs did not appear to impact the likelihood of viral RNA. Enhanced respiratory protection and appropriate infection prevention and control measures are required to be fully and carefully implemented for all COVID-19 patients to reduce risk of aerosol transmission.

Evaluation of Eight Lateral Flow Tests For The Detection Of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies In A Vaccinated Population (preprint)

With the distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations across the globe and the limited access in many countries, quick determination of an individuals antibody status could be beneficial in allocating limited vaccine doses in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Antibody lateral flow tests (LFTs) have potential to address this need as a quick, point of care test, they also have a use case for identifying sero-negative individuals for novel therapeutics, and for epidemiology. Here we present a proof-of-concept evaluation of eight LFT brands using sera from 95 vaccinated individuals to determine sensitivity for detecting vaccination generated antibodies. All 95 (100%) participants tested positive for anti-spike antibodies by the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) reference standard post-dose two of their SARS-CoV-2 vaccine: BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech, n=60), AZD1222 (AstraZeneca, n=31), mRNA-1273 (Moderna, n=2) and Undeclared Vaccine Brand (n=2). Sensitivity increased from dose one to dose two in six out of eight LFTs with three tests achieving 100% sensitivity at dose two in detecting anti-spike antibodies. These tests are quick, low-cost point-of-care tools that can be used without prior training to establish antibody status and may prove valuable for allocating limited vaccine doses in LMICs to ensure those in at risk groups access the protection they need. Further investigation into their performance in vaccinated peoples is required before more widespread utilisation is considered.

Dynamics of IgG seroconversion and pathophysiology of COVID-19 infections (preprint)

We report dynamics of seroconversion to SARS-CoV-2 infections detected by IgG ELISA in 177 individuals diagnosed by RT-PCR. Longitudinal analysis identifies 2-8.5% of individuals who do not seroconvert even weeks after infection. They are younger than seroconverters who have increased co-morbidity and higher inflammatory markers such as C-Reactive Protein. Higher antibody responses are associated with non-white ethnicity. Antibody responses do not decline during follow up almost to 2 months. Serological assays increase understanding of disease severity. Their application in regular surveillance will clarify the duration and protective nature of humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2.

Rapid development of COVID-19 rapid diagnostics for low resource settings: accelerating delivery through transparency, responsiveness, and open collaboration (preprint)

In January, Mologic, embarked on a product development pathway for COVID-19 diagnostics focusing on ELISA and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), with anticipated funding from Wellcome Trust and DFID. 755 clinical samples from known COVID-19 patients and hospital negative controls were tested on Mologics IgG ELISA. The reported sensitivity on 191 SGUL prospectively enrolled patients was 95% on day 7 or more post diagnosis, and 97% 10 days or more post-diagnosis. A specificity panel comprising 564 samples pre-December 2019 were tested to include most common respiratory pathogens, other types of coronavirus, and flaviviruses. Specificity in this panel was 97%. This is the first in a series of Mologic products for COVID-19, which will be deployed for COVID-19 diagnosis, contact tracing and sero-epidemiological studies to estimate disease burden and transmission with a focus on ensuring access, affordability, and availability to lowest resource settings.