Monitoring for airborne respiratory viruses in a general pediatric ward in Singapore
Respiratory viruses, aerosol, Surveillance, adenovirus, Influenza virus
There is an increasing body of evidence suggesting that transmission of respiratory viruses occurs through the inhalation of virus-laden particles. Our study describes the use of an aerosol sampling system to monitor the prevalence of airborne viruses in a hospital setting. Using SKC AirCheck Touch pumps, with National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) bioaerosol samplers and SKC filter cassette blanks, 28 aerosol samples were collected in a hospital ward in Singapore. Following DNA/RNA extraction, real-time RT-PCR/PCR was used for the detection of influenza A, B and D viruses, coronaviruses, enteroviruses, and adenoviruses. Airborne virus was detected in nine (32%) of 28 samples. Among the nine positive samples, eight were PCR-positive for adenovirus and one for influenza A virus. Our data suggest that bioaerosol sampling could be valuable in monitoring for airborne respiratory viruses in clinical environments to better understand the risk of infection during a hospital visit.
Su Yadana, Kristen Kelli Coleman, PhD, Tham Thi Nguyen, Christophe Hansen-Estruch, Shirin Kalimuddin, Koh Cheng Thoon, Jenny Guek-Hong Low, Gregory Charles Gray