tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Am J Infect Control
. 2021 Oct 21;S0196-6553(21)00674-X.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2021.10.009. Online ahead of print.
SARS-CoV-2 Detection in Air Samples from Inside Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems- COVID Surveillance in Student Dorms
Sinan Sousan[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Ming Fan[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Kathryn Outlaw[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Sydney Williams[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Rachel L Roper[SUP] 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic affected universities and institutions and caused campus shutdowns with a transition to online teaching models. To detect infections that might spread on campus, we pursued research towards detecting SARS-CoV-2 in air samples inside student dorms.
Methods: We sampled air in two large dormitories for 3.5 months and a separate isolation suite containing a student who had tested positive for COVID-19. We developed novel techniques employing four methods to collect air samples: Filter Cassettes, Button Sampler, BioSampler, and AerosolSense sampler combined with direct qRT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 analysis.
Results: For the two large dorms with the normal student population, we detected SARS-CoV-2 in 11 samples. When compared with student nasal swab qRT-PCR testing, we detected SARS-CoV-2 in air samples when a PCR positive COVID-19 student was living on the same floor of the sampling location with a detection rate of 75%. For the isolation dorm, we had a 100% SARS-CoV-2 detection rate with Aerosol Sense sampler.
Conclusion: Our data suggest air sampling may be an important SARS-CoV-2 surveillance technique, especially for buildings with congregant living settings (dorms, correctional facilities, barracks). Future building designs and public health policies should consider implementation of HVAC surveillance.
Keywords: COVID-19; HVAC air sampling; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; qRT-PCR analysis; student dorms.
. 2021 Oct 21;S0196-6553(21)00674-X.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2021.10.009. Online ahead of print.
SARS-CoV-2 Detection in Air Samples from Inside Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems- COVID Surveillance in Student Dorms
Sinan Sousan[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Ming Fan[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Kathryn Outlaw[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Sydney Williams[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Rachel L Roper[SUP] 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 34688726
- DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2021.10.009
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic affected universities and institutions and caused campus shutdowns with a transition to online teaching models. To detect infections that might spread on campus, we pursued research towards detecting SARS-CoV-2 in air samples inside student dorms.
Methods: We sampled air in two large dormitories for 3.5 months and a separate isolation suite containing a student who had tested positive for COVID-19. We developed novel techniques employing four methods to collect air samples: Filter Cassettes, Button Sampler, BioSampler, and AerosolSense sampler combined with direct qRT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 analysis.
Results: For the two large dorms with the normal student population, we detected SARS-CoV-2 in 11 samples. When compared with student nasal swab qRT-PCR testing, we detected SARS-CoV-2 in air samples when a PCR positive COVID-19 student was living on the same floor of the sampling location with a detection rate of 75%. For the isolation dorm, we had a 100% SARS-CoV-2 detection rate with Aerosol Sense sampler.
Conclusion: Our data suggest air sampling may be an important SARS-CoV-2 surveillance technique, especially for buildings with congregant living settings (dorms, correctional facilities, barracks). Future building designs and public health policies should consider implementation of HVAC surveillance.
Keywords: COVID-19; HVAC air sampling; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; qRT-PCR analysis; student dorms.