Environmental contamination with SARS-CoV-2 in hospital COVID department : antigen test, real-time RT-PCR and virus isolation

Rozman, Urška (author), Knez, Lea (author), Novak, Goran (author), Golob, Jernej (author), Pulko, Anita (author), Cimerman, Mojca (author), Ocepek, Matjaž (author), Kuhar, Urška (author), Šostar-Turk, Sonja (author)

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.

• Language: English
• Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, hospital environment, antigenic tests, real-time RT-PCR, virus isolation
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: VF - Veterinary Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 25.07.2022
• Year: 2022
• Number of pages: Str. 1050-1056
• Numbering: Vol. 2, iss. 8
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-138601
• UDC: 616.9
• ISSN on article: 2673-8112
• DOI: 10.3390/covid2080077
• COBISS.SI-ID: 117169667
• Publication date in RUL: 02.08.2022

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: COVID
• Publisher: MDPI AG
• ISSN: 2673-8112
• COBISS.SI-ID: 78587651

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.
• Licensing start date: 02.08.2022

Projects

• Funder: Other - Other funder or multiple funders
• Name: SANLAS Holding GmbH

• Funder: ARRS - Slovenian Research Agency
• Project number: P2-0118
• Name: Tekstilna kemija in napredni tekstilni materiali