Your browser doesn't support javascript.
Development of an integrated environmental monitoring protocol for SARS-CoV-2 contamination. Applications at the IRCSS San Martino Polyclinic Hospital in Genoa, Italy.
Izzotti, A; Grasselli, E; Barbaresi, M; Bixio, M; Colombo, M; Pfeffer, U; Pulliero, A; Sossai, D; Borneto, A; Boccaccio, A; Manfredi, V; Bassetti, M; Nicosia, E; Tiso, M.
  • Izzotti A; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy. Electronic address: izzotti@unige.it.
  • Grasselli E; Life Sciences Department, University of Genoa, Italy. Electronic address: elena.grasselli@unige.it.
  • Barbaresi M; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy. Electronic address: maurizio.barbaresi@hsanmartino.it.
  • Bixio M; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy. Electronic address: mattia.bixio@hsanmartino.it.
  • Colombo M; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy. Electronic address: monica.colombo@hsanmartino.it.
  • Pfeffer U; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy. Electronic address: ulrich.pfeffer@hsanmartino.it.
  • Pulliero A; Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Italy. Electronic address: alessandra.pulliero@unige.it.
  • Sossai D; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy. Electronic address: dimitri.sossai@hsanmartino.it.
  • Borneto A; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy. Electronic address: alberto.borneto@hsanmartino.it.
  • Boccaccio A; Gadomed S.r.l., Genoa, Italy. Electronic address: boccaccio@gadomed.it.
  • Manfredi V; Gadomed S.r.l., Genoa, Italy. Electronic address: manfredi@gadomed.it.
  • Bassetti M; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy; Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Italy. Electronic address: matteo.bassetti@unige.it.
  • Nicosia E; Environmental Department, Ligurian Region, Italy. Electronic address: elena.nicosia@regione.liguria.it.
  • Tiso M; Life Sciences Department, University of Genoa, Italy; MICAMO Environmental and Molecular Microbiology - Spin-Off University of Genoa, Italy. Electronic address: micaela.tiso@unige.it.
Environ Res ; 209: 112790, 2022 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1654410
ABSTRACT
SCIENTIFIC

BACKGROUND:

Environmental sampling of SARS-CoV-2 is a fundamental tool for evaluating the effectiveness of non-specific prophylaxis measures in counteracting virus spread. The purpose of our work was to evaluate the effectiveness of the different sampling methods in the hospital setting to assess their correlation with the structural, functional, and operational situation of the monitored departments and to define the dynamics of the spread of the virus in indoor environments.

METHODS:

The monitoring (air bubbling sampling, surface wipe test) was carried out at the San Martino Polyclinic Hospital (Genoa, Italy) in the period since April 2020 to June 2021. The presence of viral RNA in the collected samples was evaluated by qPCR. The infection capacity of the samples collected was also evaluated by an in vitro challenge test on cells sensitive to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

RESULTS:

The percentage of positivity with respect to the number of tests performed (sensitivity) were air bubbler 50%, wipe test 17%, and challenge test 11%. Only 20% of the samples tested positive in the wipe test and 43% of the samples tested positive in the bubbler sampling were also positive in the challenge test. All the positivity obtained was detected at a distance of less than 2 m and height of less than 1.5 from COVID-19 patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

Environmental contamination from SARS-CoV-2 detected at the San Martino Polyclinic Hospital is found lower than similar assessments performed in other hospitals both in Italy and abroad. Our study predicted that environmental monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 must be carried out in an integrated way by not using a single sampling method, as each individual test has a different biological significance and performance. However, the virus detected by wipe test only is often a degraded viral fragment and not an intact infecting virion.
Subject(s)
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Environ Res Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Environ Res Year: 2022 Document Type: Article