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Extent of infectious SARS-CoV-2 aerosolisation as a result of oesophagogastroduodenoscopy or colonoscopy.
Hussain, Abdulzahra; Singhal, Tarun; El-Hasani, Shamsi.
  • Hussain A; Department of General Surgery, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospital, Doncaster, UK.
  • Singhal T; Department of General Surgery, Medical School, Sheffield University, UK.
  • El-Hasani S; Department of General Surgery, Princess Royal University Hospital, King's College Hospitals, London, UK.
Br J Hosp Med (Lond) ; 81(7): 1-7, 2020 Jul 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-690608
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

COVID-19 has caused an unprecedented pandemic and medical emergency that has changed routine care pathways. This article discusses the extent of aerosolisation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as a result of oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy.

METHODS:

PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for relevant publications, using the terms COVID-19 aerosolisation, COVID-19 infection, COVID-19 transmission, COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 and endoscopy, Endoscopy for COVID-19 patients.

RESULTS:

A total of 3745 articles were identified, 26 of which were selected to answer the question of the extent of SARS-CoV-2 aerosolisation during upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy. All studies suggested high infectivity from contact and droplet spread. No clinical study has yet reported the viral load in the aerosol and therefore the infective dose has not been accurately determined. However, aerosol-generating procedures are potentially risky and full personal protective equipment should be used.

CONCLUSIONS:

As it is a highly infectious disease, clinicians treating patients with COVID-19 require effective personal protective equipment. The main routes of infection are direct contact and droplets in the air and on surfaces. Aerosolisation carries a substantial risk of infection, so any aerosol-producing procedure, such as endoscopy, should be performed wearing personal protective equipment and with extra caution to protect the endoscopist, staff and patients from cross-infection via the respiratory system.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Volatilization / Endoscopy, Digestive System / Colonoscopy / Coronavirus Infections / Pandemics Type of study: Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials / Reviews Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Br J Hosp Med (Lond) Journal subject: Hospitals / Medicine Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Hmed.2020.0348

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Volatilization / Endoscopy, Digestive System / Colonoscopy / Coronavirus Infections / Pandemics Type of study: Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials / Reviews Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Br J Hosp Med (Lond) Journal subject: Hospitals / Medicine Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Hmed.2020.0348