The size and culturability of patient-generated SARS-CoV-2 aerosol.

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

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SUBMITTER: Santarpia JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8372686 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature