Abstract
BackgroundBioaerosol sampling devices are necessary for the characterization of infectious bioaerosols emitted by naturally‐infected hosts with acute respiratory virus infections. Assessment of these devices under multiple experimental conditions will provide insight for device use.ObjectivesThe primary objective of this study was to assess and compare bioaerosol sampling devices using a) an in vitro, environmentally‐controlled artificial bioaerosol system at a range of different RH conditions and b) an in vivo bioaerosol system of influenza virus‐infected ferrets under controlled environmental conditions. Secondarily, we also sought to examine the impact of NSAIDs on bioaerosol emission in influenza virus‐infected ferrets to address its potential as a determinant of bioaerosol emission.MethodsWe examined the performance of low and moderate volume bioaerosol samplers for the collection of viral RNA and infectious influenza virus in vitroand in vivo using artificial bioaerosols and the ferret model of influenza virus infection. The following samplers were tested: the polytetrafluoroethylene filter (PTFE filter), the 2‐stage National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health cyclone sampler (NIOSH cyclone sampler) and the 6‐stage viable Andersen impactor (Andersen impactor).ResultsThe PTFE filter and NIOSH cyclone sampler collected similar amounts of viral RNA and infectious virus from artificially‐generated aerosols under a range of relative humidities (RH). Using the ferret model, the PTFE filter, NIOSH cyclone sampler and the Andersen impactor collected up to 3.66 log10copies of RNA/L air, 3.84 log10copies of RNA/L air and 6.09 log10copies of RNA/L air respectively at peak recovery. Infectious virus was recovered from the PTFE filter and NIOSH cyclone samplers on the peak day of viral RNA recovery.ConclusionThe PTFE filter and NIOSH cyclone sampler are useful for influenza virus RNA and infectious virus collection and may be considered for clinical and environmental settings.
Highlights
IntroductionInfluenza virus remains a public health concern due to associated seasonal burden of disease and pandemic potential.[1,2] Person‐ to‐person transmission occurs by direct and indirect contact, by droplets (particles ≥10 μm) and potentially through droplet nuclei (particles ≤5 μm) which may be inhaled into the lower airways.[3,4,5,6] Lower respiratory tract infection is associated with increased dis‐ ease severity and mortality compared to infection of the upper respiratory tract.[7,8] Understanding determinants of influenza A virus (IAV) bioaerosol‐mediated transmission including environ‐ mental factors such as RH and temperature is relevant to mitigating spread.[9,10] RH can influence virion size, infectivity, and bioaerosol sampler performance
We sought to examine the impact of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on bioaerosol emission in influenza virus–infected ferrets to address its potential as a determinant of bioaerosol emission
There was no significant difference between bioaerosol sam‐ pler collection at different RH conditions for RNA or infectious virus (P > .05, Table 1) except significantly less H3N2 RNA was collected by the NIOSH cyclone sampler at medium RH compared to low RH (P = .032; Table 2)
Summary
Influenza virus remains a public health concern due to associated seasonal burden of disease and pandemic potential.[1,2] Person‐ to‐person transmission occurs by direct and indirect contact, by droplets (particles ≥10 μm) and potentially through droplet nuclei (particles ≤5 μm) which may be inhaled into the lower airways.[3,4,5,6] Lower respiratory tract infection is associated with increased dis‐ ease severity and mortality compared to infection of the upper respiratory tract.[7,8] Understanding determinants of influenza A virus (IAV) bioaerosol‐mediated transmission including environ‐ mental factors such as RH and temperature is relevant to mitigating spread.[9,10] RH can influence virion size, infectivity, and bioaerosol sampler performance. Bioaerosol sampling devices are necessary for the characterization of infectious bioaerosols emitted by naturally‐infected hosts with acute respiratory virus infections. Assessment of these devices under multiple experimental conditions will provide insight for device use. Methods: We examined the performance of low and moderate volume bioaerosol samplers for the collection of viral RNA and infectious influenza virus in vitro and in vivo using artificial bioaerosols and the ferret model of influenza virus infection. Conclusion: The PTFE filter and NIOSH cyclone sampler are useful for influenza virus RNA and infectious virus collection and may be considered for clinical and environ‐ mental settings
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