scholarly journals Environmental surface testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during prolonged isolation of an asymptomatic carrier

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (11) ◽  
pp. 1328-1330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyeong Seob Shin ◽  
Hee Sue Park ◽  
Jisu Lee ◽  
Joon Kee Lee
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Environmental Contamination ◽  
Asymptomatic Carrier ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Environmental Surface ◽  
Respiratory Coronavirus ◽  
Surface Testing

AbstractEnvironmental surface testing was performed to search for evidence of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) environmental contamination by an asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 carrier with persistently high viral loads under isolation. No evidence of environmental contamination was found. Further studies are needed to measure environmental contamination by SARS-CoV-2 carriers and to determine reasonable isolation periods.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 within-host diversity and transmission

Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 372 (6539) ◽  
pp. eabg0821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrina A. Lythgoe ◽  
Matthew Hall ◽  
Luca Ferretti ◽  
Mariateresa de Cesare ◽  
George MacIntyre-Cockett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Phylogenetic Tree ◽  
Immune Escape ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Diversity Patterns ◽  
Host Diversity ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Low Levels

Extensive global sampling and sequencing of the pandemic virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have enabled researchers to monitor its spread and to identify concerning new variants. Two important determinants of variant spread are how frequently they arise within individuals and how likely they are to be transmitted. To characterize within-host diversity and transmission, we deep-sequenced 1313 clinical samples from the United Kingdom. SARS-CoV-2 infections are characterized by low levels of within-host diversity when viral loads are high and by a narrow bottleneck at transmission. Most variants are either lost or occasionally fixed at the point of transmission, with minimal persistence of shared diversity, patterns that are readily observable on the phylogenetic tree. Our results suggest that transmission-enhancing and/or immune-escape SARS-CoV-2 variants are likely to arise infrequently but could spread rapidly if successfully transmitted.

scholarly journals Disinfection of SARS-CoV-2 Contaminated Surfaces of Personal Items with UVC-LED Disinfection Boxes

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 598
Author(s):  
Maren Bormann ◽  
Mira Alt ◽  
Leonie Schipper ◽  
Lukas van de Sand ◽  
Mona Otte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Credit Cards ◽  
Organic Matrix ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Small Aerosol ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
Respiratory Droplets ◽  
Glass Metal

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is transmitted from person to person by close contact, small aerosol respiratory droplets, and potentially via contact with contaminated surfaces. Herein, we investigated the effectiveness of commercial UVC-LED disinfection boxes in inactivating SARS-CoV-2-contaminated surfaces of personal items. We contaminated glass, metal, and plastic samples representing the surfaces of personal items such as smartphones, coins, or credit cards with SARS-CoV-2 formulated in an organic matrix mimicking human respiratory secretions. For disinfection, the samples were placed at different distances from UVC emitting LEDs inside commercial UVC-LED disinfection boxes and irradiated for different time periods (up to 10 min). High viral loads of SARS-CoV-2 were effectively inactivated on all surfaces after 3 min of irradiation. Even 10 s of UVC-exposure strongly reduced viral loads. Thus, UVC-LED boxes proved to be an effective method for disinfecting SARS-CoV-2-contaminated surfaces that are typically found on personal items.

scholarly journals COVID-19: Need of the hour to revisit asymptomatic prevalence of coronavirus pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Richard Avoi ◽  
Syed Sharizman Syed Abdul Rahim ◽  
Mohammad Saffree Jeffree ◽  
Visweswara Rao Pasupuleti
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Case Detection ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Exponential Increase ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients

  Since the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic unfolded in China (Huang et al., 2020) back in December 2019, thus far, more than five million people were infected with the virus and 333,401 death were recorded worldwide (WHO, 2020b). The exponential increase in number shows that COVID-19 spreads faster compared to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). A study (Zou et al., 2020) has shown that high viral loads of Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are detected in symptomatic patients soon after the onset of symptoms, wherein the load content is higher in their nose than in their throat. Furthermore, the same study has revealed similar viral loads between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Therefore, these findings may suggest the possibility of COVID-19 transmission earlier before the onset of symptoms itself. In the early stages of the pandemic, the control measures carried out have focused on screening of symptomatic person; at the time, the whole world thought that the spread of SARS-Cov-2 would only occur through symptomatic person-to-person transmission. In comparison, transmission in SARS would happen after the onset of illness, whereby the viral loads in the respiratory tract peaked around ten days after the development of symptoms by patients (Peiris et al., 2003). However, case detection for SARS (i.e. screening of symptomatic persons) will be grossly inadequate for the current COVID-19 pandemic, thus requiring different strategies to detect those infected with SARS-CoV-2 before they develop the symptoms.

scholarly journals Detection of Airborne Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Coronavirus and Environmental Contamination in SARS Outbreak Units

2005 ◽  
Vol 191 (9) ◽  
pp. 1472-1477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy F. Booth ◽  
Bill Kournikakis ◽  
Nathalie Bastien ◽  
Jim Ho ◽  
Darwyn Kobasa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Environmental Contamination ◽  
Respiratory Protection ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Air Samples ◽  
Aerosol Generation ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Viral Aerosol ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Droplet Transmission

Abstract Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is characterized by a risk of nosocomial transmission; however, the risk of airborne transmission of SARS is unknown. During the Toronto outbreaks of SARS, we investigated environmental contamination in SARS units, by employing novel air sampling and conventional surface swabbing. Two polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–positive air samples were obtained from a room occupied by a patient with SARS, indicating the presence of the virus in the air of the room. In addition, several PCR-positive swab samples were recovered from frequently touched surfaces in rooms occupied by patients with SARS (a bed table and a television remote control) and in a nurses’ station used by staff (a medication refrigerator door). These data provide the first experimental confirmation of viral aerosol generation by a patient with SARS, indicating the possibility of airborne droplet transmission, which emphasizes the need for adequate respiratory protection, as well as for strict surface hygiene practices

scholarly journals Cytokine Responses in Porcine Respiratory Coronavirus-Infected Pigs Treated with Corticosteroids as a Model for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (9) ◽  
pp. 4420-4428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinsheng Zhang ◽  
Konstantin Alekseev ◽  
Kwonil Jung ◽  
Anastasia Vlasova ◽  
Nagesh Hadya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Glucocorticoid Treatment ◽  
Th2 Cytokine ◽  
Local Immunosuppression ◽  
Cytokine Levels ◽  
Th1 Cytokine ◽  
Th1 Cytokines ◽  
Respiratory Coronavirus ◽  
Phosphate Buffered Saline ◽  
Porcine Respiratory

ABSTRACT The effectiveness and potential immunosuppressive effects of anti-inflammatory glucocorticoids in the lungs of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients are undefined. We treated porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV)-infected conventional pigs with the corticosteroid dexamethasone (DEX) as a model for SARS. Innate and Th1 cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and serum were elevated in PRCV-infected pigs compared to controls, but were decreased after DEX treatment in the PRCV-infected, DEX-treated (PRCV/DEX) pigs. Although decreased in BAL, Th2 cytokine levels were higher in serum after DEX treatment. Levels of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 in BAL and serum were decreased in PRCV/DEX pigs early but increased later compared to those in phosphate-buffered saline-treated, PRCV-infected pigs, corresponding to a similar trend for lung lesions. PRCV infection increased T-cell frequencies in BAL, but DEX treatment of PRCV-infected pigs reduced frequencies of T cells; interestingly B and SWC3a+ (monocytes/macrophages/granulocytes) cell frequencies were increased. DEX reduced numbers of PRCV-stimulated Th1 gamma interferon-secreting cells in spleen, tracheobroncheolar lymph nodes, and blood. Our findings suggest that future glucocorticoid treatment of SARS patients should be reconsidered in the context of potential local immunosuppression of immune responses in lung and systemic Th1 cytokine-biased suppression.

scholarly journals A realistic touch-transfer method reveals low risk of transmission for SARS-CoV-2 by contaminated coins and bank notes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Todt ◽  
Toni Luise Meister ◽  
Barbora Tamele ◽  
John Howes ◽  
Dajana Paulmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Transfer Efficiency ◽  
Bovine Coronavirus ◽  
Main Route ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Paper Currency ◽  
Transfer Method ◽  
The Stability

AbstractThe current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has created a significant threat to global health. While respiratory aerosols or droplets are considered as the main route of human-to-human transmission, secretions expelled by infected individuals can also contaminate surfaces and objects, potentially creating the risk of fomite-based transmission. Consequently, frequently touched objects such as paper currency and coins have been suspected as a potential transmission vehicle. To assess the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission by banknotes and coins, we examined the stability of SARS-CoV-2 and bovine coronavirus (BCoV), as surrogate with lower biosafety restrictions, on these different means of payment and developed a touch transfer method to examine transfer efficiency from contaminated surfaces to skin. Although we observed prolonged virus stability, our results, including a novel touch transfer method, indicate that the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via contaminated coins and banknotes is unlikely and requires high viral loads and a timely order of specific events.

scholarly journals The crystal structure of nsp10-nsp16 heterodimer from SARS-CoV-2 in complex with S-adenosylmethionine

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Rosas-Lemus ◽  
George Minasov ◽  
Ludmilla Shuvalova ◽  
Nicole L. Inniss ◽  
Olga Kiryukhina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Structural Genomics ◽  
Immune Surveillance ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Viral Mrna ◽  
Respiratory Complications ◽  
Mrna Transcripts ◽  
The World ◽  
Respiratory Coronavirus

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 is a member of the coronaviridae family and is the etiological agent of the respiratory Coronavirus Disease 2019. The virus has spread rapidly around the world resulting in over two million cases and nearly 150,000 deaths as of April 17, 2020. Since no treatments or vaccines are available to treat COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2, respiratory complications derived from the infections have overwhelmed healthcare systems around the world. This virus is related to SARS-CoV-1, the virus that caused the 2002-2004 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. In January 2020, the Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases implemented a structural genomics pipeline to solve the structures of proteins essential for coronavirus replication-transcription. Here we show the first structure of the SARS-CoV-2 nsp10-nsp16 2’-O-methyltransferase complex with S-adenosylmethionine at a resolution of 1.80 Å. This heterodimer complex is essential for capping viral mRNA transcripts for efficient translation and to evade immune surveillance.

scholarly journals The Natural History and Transmission Potential of Asymptomatic Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (10) ◽  
pp. 2679-2687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Van Vinh Chau ◽  
Vo Thanh Lam ◽  
Nguyen Thanh Dung ◽  
Lam Minh Yen ◽  
Ngo Ngoc Quang Minh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Asymptomatic Group ◽  
Transmission Potential ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Imported Cases ◽  
History Of ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals ◽  
A Prospective Study

Abstract Background Little is known about the natural history of asymptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Methods We conducted a prospective study at a quarantine center for coronavirus disease 2019 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. We enrolled quarantined people with reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)–confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, collecting clinical data, travel and contact history, and saliva at enrollment and daily nasopharyngeal/throat swabs (NTSs) for RT-PCR testing. We compared the natural history and transmission potential of asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals. Results Between 10 March and 4 April 2020, 14 000 quarantined people were tested for SARS-CoV-2; 49 were positive. Of these, 30 participated in the study: 13 (43%) never had symptoms and 17 (57%) were symptomatic. Seventeen (57%) participants imported cases. Compared with symptomatic individuals, asymptomatic people were less likely to have detectable SARS-CoV-2 in NTS collected at enrollment (8/13 [62%] vs 17/17 [100%]; P = .02). SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 20 of 27 (74%) available saliva samples (7 of 11 [64%] in the asymptomatic group and 13 of 16 [81%] in the symptomatic group; P = .56). Analysis of RT-PCR positivity probability showed that asymptomatic participants had faster viral clearance than symptomatic participants (P < .001 for difference over the first 19 days). This difference was most pronounced during the first week of follow-up. Two of the asymptomatic individuals appeared to transmit SARS-CoV-2 to 4 contacts. Conclusions Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection is common and can be detected by analysis of saliva or NTSs. The NTS viral loads fall faster in asymptomatic individuals, but these individuals appear able to transmit the virus to others.

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