The Size and Culturability of Patient-generated SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol

Overview

Journal J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

Specialties Environmental Health
Public Health

Date 2021 Aug 19

PMID 34408261

Citations 68

Authors

Joshua L Santarpia

Vicki L Herrera

Danielle N Rivera

Shanna Ratnesar-Shumate

St Patrick Reid

Daniel N Ackerman

Paul W Denton

Jacob W S Martens

Ying Fang

Nicholas Conoan

Michael V Callahan

James V Lawler

David M Brett-Major

John J Lowe

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Aerosol transmission of COVID-19 is the subject of ongoing policy debate. Characterizing aerosol produced by people with COVID-19 is critical to understanding the role of aerosols in transmission.

Objective: We investigated the presence of virus in size-fractioned aerosols from six COVID-19 patients admitted into mixed acuity wards in April of 2020.

Methods: Size-fractionated aerosol samples and aerosol size distributions were collected from COVID-19 positive patients. Aerosol samples were analyzed for viral RNA, positive samples were cultured in Vero E6 cells. Serial RT-PCR of cells indicated samples where viral replication was likely occurring. Viral presence was also investigated by western blot and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Results: SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected by rRT-PCR in all samples. Three samples confidently indicated the presence of viral replication, all of which were from collected sub-micron aerosol. Western blot indicated the presence of viral proteins in all but one of these samples, and intact virions were observed by TEM in one sample.

Significance: Observations of viral replication in the culture of submicron aerosol samples provides additional evidence that airborne transmission of COVID-19 is possible. These results support the use of efficient respiratory protection in both healthcare and by the public to limit transmission.

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Association between in situ ventilation and human-generated aerosol exposure in meatpacking plants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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