Detection and quantification of airborne norovirus during outbreaks in healthcare facilities

Type de document

Études primaires

Année de publication

2015

Langue

Anglais

Titre de la revue

Clinical Infectious Diseases

Première page

299

Dernière page

304

Résumé

Background. Noroviruses are responsible for at least 50% of all gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide. Noroviruses GII can infect humans via multiple routes including direct contact with an infected person, fecal matter, or vomitus, and contact with contaminated surfaces. Although norovirus is an intestinal pathogen, aerosols could, if inhaled, settle in the pharynx and later be swallowed. The aims of this study were to investigate the presence of norovirus GII bioaerosols during gastroenteritis outbreaks in healthcare facilities and to study the in vitro effects of aerosolization and air sampling on the noroviruses using murine norovirus as a surrogate.

Methods. A total of 48 air samples were collected during norovirus outbreaks in 8 healthcare facilities. Samples were taken 1 m away from each patient, in front of the patient's room and at the nurses' station. The resistance to aerosolization stress of murine norovirus type 1 (MNV-1) bioaerosols was also tested in vitro using an aerosol chamber.

Results. Norovirus genomes were detected in 6 of 8 healthcare centers. The concentrations ranged from 1.35 × 101 to 2.35 × 103 genomes/m3 in 47% of air samples. MNV-1 preserved its infectivity and integrity during in vitro aerosol studies.

Conclusions. Norovirus genomes are frequently detected in the air of healthcare facilities during outbreaks, even outside patients' rooms. In addition, in vitro models suggest that this virus may withstand aerosolization.

Mots-clés

Aérosol, Aerosol, Évaluation de l'exposition, Exposure evaluation, Dynamique des particules en suspension, Particle dynamics, Hôpital, Hospital, Affection gastro-intestinale, Gastrointestinal disease

Numéro de projet IRSST

0099-9060

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