Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 RNA contamination of inanimate surfaces and virus viability in a health care emergency unit.
Clin Microbiol Infect
; 26(8): 1094.e1-1094.e5, 2020 Aug.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1023515
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
To detect possible severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA contamination of inanimate surfaces in areas at high risk of aerosol formation by patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).METHODS:
Sampling was performed in the emergency unit and the sub-intensive care ward. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was extracted from swabbed surfaces and objects and subjected to real-time RT-PCR targeting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and E genes. Virus isolation from positive samples was attempted in vitro on Vero E6 cells.RESULTS:
Twenty-six samples were collected and only two were positive for low-level SARS-CoV-2 RNA, both collected on the external surface of continuous positive airway pressure helmets. All transport media were inoculated onto susceptible cells, but none induced a cytopathic effect on day 7 of culture.CONCLUSIONS:
Even though daily contact with inanimate surfaces and patient fomites in contaminated areas may be a medium of infection, our data obtained in real-life conditions suggest that it might be less extensive than hitherto recognized.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
/
Viral Envelope Proteins
/
Fomites
/
Betacoronavirus
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Clin Microbiol Infect
Journal subject:
Communicable Diseases
/
Microbiology
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.cmi.2020.05.009
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