Efficiency and sensitivity optimization of a protocol to quantify indoor airborne SARS-CoV-2 levels

Development of methodologies to quantify airborne micro-organisms is needed for the prevention and control of infections. It is difficult to conclude which is the most efficient and sensitive strategy to assess airborne SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels due to the disparity of results reported in clinical setti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of hospital infection 2022-12, Vol.130, p.44-51
Main Authors: Joan, Truyols-Vives, Kristiyan, Stiliyanov-Atanasov, Ernest, Sala-Llinàs, Nuria, Toledo-Pons, Herme, G. Baldoví, Josep, Mercader-Barceló
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bioaerosol
Droplet digital PCR
Impinger
SARS-CoV-2
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Summary:Development of methodologies to quantify airborne micro-organisms is needed for the prevention and control of infections. It is difficult to conclude which is the most efficient and sensitive strategy to assess airborne SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels due to the disparity of results reported in clinical settings. To improve our previously reported protocol of measuring SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels, which was based on bioaerosol collection with a liquid impinger and RNA quantification with droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR). Air samples were collected in COVID-19 patient rooms to assess efficiency and/or sensitivity of different air samplers, liquid collection media, and reverse transcriptases (RT). Mineral oil retains airborne RNA better than does hydrophilic media without impairing integrity. SARS-CoV-2 ORF1ab target was detected in 80% of the air samples using BioSampler with mineral oil. No significant differences in effectiveness were obtained with MD8 sampler equipped with gelatine membrane filters, but the SARS-CoV-2 copies/m3 air obtained with the latter were lower (28.4 ± 6.1 vs 9 ± 1.7). SuperScript II RT allows the detection of a single SARS-CoV-2 genome RNA molecule by ddPCR with high efficiency. This was the only RT that allowed the detection of SARS-CoV-2 N1 target in air samples. The collection efficiency and detection sensivity of a protocol to quantify SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels in indoor air has been improved in the present study. Such optimization is important to improve our understanding of the microbiological safety of indoor air.
ISSN:0195-6701
1532-2939
DOI:10.1016/j.jhin.2022.08.011