Quantification of airborne SARS-CoV-2 genomic particles in different hospital settings

Author(s)

Amato-Lourenco, Luis Fernando ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Xavier Costa, Natalia de Souza ^[1] ; Dantas, Katia Cristina ^[1] ; Ferreira Spina Lombardi, Suzette Cleuza ^[4] ; Mendroni Junior, Alfredo ^[5] ; Lauletta Lindoso, Jose Angelo ^{[6, 7]} ; Lima, Felipe Gallego ^[8] ; Carvalho-Oliveira, Regiani ^[1] ; Mauad, Thais ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept Pathol, LIM 05, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Adv Studies IEA, Global Cities Program, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dr Arnaldo Ave 455, Room 1150, BR-01246903 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[4] Pro Blood Fdn, Blood Ctr Sao Paulo, Div Res & Transfus Med, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Hosp Clin HCFMUSP, Dept Hematol, Lab Med Invest Pathogenesis & Target, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[6] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Molestias Infecciosas & Parasitarias, Fac Med, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[7] Inst Infect Dis Infectol Emilio Ribas, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[8] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Heart Inst InCor, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 11, n. 1 OCT 28 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

We quantified the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the air of different hospital settings and the autopsy room of the largest medical centre in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Real-time reverse-transcription PCR was used to determine the presence of the envelope protein of SARS-CoV-2 and the nucleocapsid protein genes. The E-gene was detected in 5 out of 6 samples at the ICU-COVID-19 ward and in 5 out of 7 samples at the ward-COVID-19. Similarly, in the non-dedicated facilities, the E-gene was detected in 5 out of 6 samples collected in the ICU and 4 out of 7 samples in the ward. In the necropsy room, 6 out of 7 samples were positive for the E-gene. When both wards were compared, the non-COVID ward presented a significantly higher concentration of the E-gene than in the COVID-19 ward (p = 0.003). There was no significant difference in E-gene concentration between the ICU-COVID-19 and the ICU (p = 0.548). Likewise, there was no significant difference among E-gene concentrations found in the autopsy room versus the ICUs and wards (dedicated or not) (p = 0.245). Our results show the widespread presence of aerosol contamination in different hospital units. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/03397-5 - Identification and physical-chemical characterization of environmental microplastics in the atmosphere and in human lung tissues
• Grantee: Luís Fernando Amato Lourenço
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate