Abstract
Detecting infectious aerosols is central for gauging and countering airborne threats. In this regard, the Coriolis® µ cyclonic air sampler is a practical, commercial collector that can be used with various analysis methods to monitor pathogens in air. However, information on how to operate this unit under optimal sampling and biosafety conditions is limited. We investigated Coriolis performance in aerosol dispersal experiments with polystyrene microspheres and Bacillus globigii spores. We report inconsistent sample recovery from the collector cone due to loss of material when sampling continuously for more than 30 min. Introducing a new collector cone every 10 min improved this shortcoming. Moreover, we found that several surfaces on the device become contaminated during sampling. Adapting a high efficiency particulate air-filter system to the Coriolis prevented contamination without altering collection efficiency or tactical deployment. A Coriolis modified with these operative and technical improvements was used to collect aerosols carrying microspheres released inside a Biosafety Level-3 laboratory during simulations of microbiological spills and aerosol dispersals. In summary, we provide operative and technical solutions to the Coriolis that optimize microbiological air sampling and improve biosafety.
Highlights
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, measles virus, influenza virus and other highly contagious human pathogens transmit through air, either by aerosol or droplet transmission (Riley et al, 1978; Bloch et al, 1985; Remington et al, 1985; Fennelly et al, 2004; Yang et al, 2011; Cowling et al, 2013; Patterson et al, 2017)
(1 μm) FluoSpheres were aerosolized in the aerosol chamber in the presence of the Coriolis and airborne particles measured in real-time with an IBAC sensor and a Lighthouse particle counter, respectively
When the Coriolis was turned on the number of airborne particles recorded in the chamber began to steadily decay and decreased about 1.5 orders of magnitude in 2 hrs (Fig. 2A-B)
Summary
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, measles virus, influenza virus and other highly contagious human pathogens transmit through air, either by aerosol or droplet transmission (Riley et al, 1978; Bloch et al, 1985; Remington et al, 1985; Fennelly et al, 2004; Yang et al, 2011; Cowling et al, 2013; Patterson et al, 2017) These airborne pathogens pose a heavy burden on society by incurring a spectrum of outcomes ranging from death to morbidity to absence from work due to sickness. Airborne microbes are of particular concern in enclosed, crowded environments, where occupants are readily exposed to respired air and at risk of inhaling infectious bioaerosols carrying viruses, bacteria or fungi. This is well-recognized during infection with M. tuberculosis where congregate settings such as prisons, homeless shelters, slums and refugee camps are recognized hotspots of transmission (WHO, 2009). Since individuals spend the majority of the working hours of the day indoors (Diffey, 2011), enclosed environments pose a general risk for acquiring airborne infections
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