20.500.12556/RUL-138601 Environmental contamination with SARS-CoV-2 in hospital COVID department antigen test, real-time RT-PCR and virus isolation Background: With the worldwide outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, an important question about virus transmission via contaminated surfaces is arising; therefore, research is needed to prove the persistence of viable viruses on surfaces. The purpose of the study was to determine the level of surface contamination with SARS-CoV-2 in a university clinical center. Methods: A study of environmental viral contamination in the rooms of an acute COVID department was performed. Rapid qualitative antigen tests, real-time RT-PCR, and virus isolation in cell cultures were used for virus detection. Results: None of the taken samples were antigen positive. The SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 10% of samples: one positive sample in an empty room after cleaning and disinfection; nine positive samples in occupied rooms. No viable virus was recovered on cell cultures. Conclusions: In our research, the rapid antigen tests did not prove to be effective for environmental samples, but we were able to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in 10% of samples using the RT-PCR method. The highest proportion of PCR-positive samples was from unused items in occupied multi-bed rooms. No viable virus was detected, therefore, infection by surface transmission is unlikely, but it remains prudent to maintain strict hand and environmental hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment. SARS-CoV-2 hospital environment antigenic tests real-time RT-PCR virus isolation true false true Angleški jezik Ni določen Članek v reviji 2022-08-02 12:36:16 2022-08-02 12:36:24 2022-09-15 04:16:57 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2022 0 0 Str. 1050-1056 iss. 8 Vol. 2 2022 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 2022-07-25 616.9 2673-8112 10.3390/covid2080077 117169667 Environmental-Kuhar.pdf Environmental-Kuhar.pdf 1 3E0BD505A2A4E10B162F100E87AA8360 2e567c86f86fb1a1d1fc7d31fbc1550a345aaf1a489912124306be9d8afcc8ff e3073a10-124f-11ed-8aca-00155dcfd717 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=158972 https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8112/2/8/77 1 b009185b-124e-11ed-8aca-00155dcfd717 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=158971 Veterinarska fakulteta 0 0 0