Airborne Disease Research Articles

Interactive Simulation of Nonpharmaceutical Interventions of Airborne Disease Transmission in Office Settings

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions to workplace safety and productivity. A browser-based interactive disease transmission simulation was developed to enable managers and individuals (agents) to optimize safe office work activities during pandemic conditions. The application provides a user interface to evaluate the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) policies on airborne disease exposure based on agents’ meeting patterns and room properties. Exposure is empirically calibrated using CO2 as a proxy for viral aerosol dispersion. For the building studied, the major findings are that the cubicles during low occupancy produce unexpectedly high exposure, upgrading meetings to larger rooms reduces total average exposure by 44%, and when all meetings are conducted in large rooms, a 79% exposure reduction is realized.

Breathing time: a longue-durée multidisciplinary study of respiratory illnesses and airborne diseases in Switzerland (16th–21st century CE)

Breathing time: a longue-durée multidisciplinary study of respiratory illnesses and airborne diseases in Switzerland (16th–21st century CE)

Synthesis of a Quaternary Ammonium-Halamine and Preparation on the Modified Nanofibrous Filter with Superior Sterilization, Air Filtration, and Biodegradability.

The outbreak of the 2019 coronavirus pandemic has raised worldwide attention about self-protection from airborne diseases. Air filtration and wearing mask have been proven to be effective measures in reducing the pathogenic aerosol's transmission. Those lead to an increasing demand of high-efficient filters. However, the nonbiodegradable polymeric materials used in filters can accumulate in landfills or ecosystems, potentially causing pollution after improper disposals. Sustainable and biodegradable alternatives to current filter materials are urgently needed. Yet, very few commercial filters meet these needs. In this paper, a novel quaternary ammonium-halamine compound containing Schiff base and a sandwich-structured preparation strategy were developed. The obtained multifunctional filter consists of a PLA fleece as a support layer, an antimicrobial coating for bactericidal function, and a nanofibrous membrane for the particle removal. The filter demonstrates strong bactericidal properties, killing 97% of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus at a biocide concentration of only 1 mg/mL. It can rapidly kill bacteria within 5 min contact without leaching antimicrobial substances. Furthermore, it boasts a filtration performance with a success rate over 99.99% and a pressure drop of 45 Pa, which surpasses that of commercial N95 filters for PM0.3. Even under humid conditions, it maintains excellent filtration performance. Our reusability testing result of the developed filters shows that a simple halogenation treatment can renew the halamines and restore the filter's antimicrobial activity. The filters can degrade in natural soil. The successful development of this sustainable and biodegradable filter material offers a new alternative for high-performance air quality control that protect public health.

Risk factors for non-isolation of patients admitted for pulmonary tuberculosis in a high-incidence département: a single-center retrospective study

Pulmonary tuberculosis (PT) is an airborne disease, justifying the identification of suspect patients on admission, and their hospitalization in individual rooms with the implementation of Airborne Supplementary Precautions (ASP). The aim of this study was to identify, in a high-prevalence hospital, the frequency of non-isolated PT and the factors associated with the delay in implementing ASP.This was a retrospective observational study, including patients with at least one Mycobacterium tuberculosis-positive specimen. Patient demographic and clinical data, as well as data related to the mode of admission, were collected. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed.During the study period, 256 patients were included. Among them 134 (52.3%) had PT. These included 100 (75%) men, median age 39, 70% foreign-born. Among these patients, 46 (34%) were isolated beyond the 24th hour of admission. The average time to implement ASP was 4.3 days, and 7 patients (5.2%) were not isolated throughout their stay. Three classes of factors were associated by multivariate analysis with isolation. Previous consultation with a general practitioner was protective whereas admission through emergency department was not. Presence of so-called cardinal clinical signs and a suggestive chest X-ray were protective factors. Finally, European patients were less frequently isolated.In our study, 34% of patients admitted with PT were not isolated on admission. The risk of non-isolation was 3 times higher in cases of admission via the emergency department, and European patients were less well isolated. The presence of cardinal signs and prior consultation with a general practitioner were associated with a higher frequency of isolation.

The Potential of Microorganisms for the Control of Grape Downy Mildew-A Review.

Plasmopara viticola (Berk.et Curtis) Berl. Et de Toni is the pathogen that causes grape downy mildew, which is an airborne disease that severely affects grape yield and causes huge economic losses. The usage of effective control methods can reduce the damage to plants induced by grape downy mildew. Biocontrol has been widely used to control plant diseases due to its advantages of environmental friendliness and sustainability. However, to date, only a few comprehensive reviews on the biocontrol of grape downy mildew have been reported. In this review, we summarize the biological characteristics of P. viticola and its infection cycle, followed by a detailed overview of current biocontrol agents, including bacteria and fungi that could be used to control grape downy mildew, and their control effects. Furthermore, potential control mechanisms of biocontrol agents against grape downy mildew are discussed. Lastly, suggestions for future research on the biocontrol of grape downy mildew are provided. This review provides the basis for the application of grape downy mildew biocontrol.

The Role of Macrophages in Airway Disease Focusing on Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus and the Treatment with Antioxidant Nanoparticles.

Lung macrophage cells play a critical role in various lung diseases, and their state can change depending on the progression of the disease by inducing either an inflammatory or anti-inflammatory state. In this review, the potential therapeutic effects of treatment with antioxidant nanoparticles in air-borne diseases focusing on porcine reproductive and respiratory virus (PRRSV), considering reactive oxygen species (ROS) as one of the factors that regulate M1 and M2 macrophages in the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory states, respectively, was described. In addition, the author examines the status of protein structure research on CD163 (one of the markers of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages) in human and veterinary lung diseases.

Ventilation effectiveness and incomplete mixing in air distribution design for airborne transmission

How ventilation should be arranged to be effective at reasonable air change rates is one key question as ventilation criteria and standard airborne disease transmission models are based on the well-mixed assumption, but air distribution patterns lead to non-uniform spatial concentrations. In this study a new method for ventilation effectiveness application in ventilation design for airborne transmission was developed and tested with tracer gas measurements in 22 rooms. Contrary to existing ventilation effectiveness values measured with distributed source, the developed method uses a couple of point source locations corresponding to an infector to quantify infection risk for each occupant. Novelty of the method is new ventilation effectiveness indicator that makes it possible to describe the effect of spatial variation of concentration and risk with single parameter. Quanta were used as input data to calculate the ventilation rate supplied by air distribution system corresponding to a specified risk level, but the differences between studied cases do not significantly depend on the quanta values. Application of the method to measured rooms showed that simple ventilation effectiveness calculation from average concentration at the breathing height, not requiring quanta data, provided lower ventilation effectiveness and higher ventilation rate in all cases. In many cases the difference in required ventilation rates was only a few percent, but in some large spaces it exceeded 10% with maximum of 39% in large open plan office with high concentration differences. Measured ventilation effectiveness values ranging from 0.5 to 1.4 indicate a substantial improvement potential in many cases.

Smart filtering facepiece respirator with self-adaptive fit and wireless humidity monitoring

The widespread emergence of airborne diseases has transformed our lifestyle, and respirators have become an essential part of daily life. Nevertheless, finding respirators that fit well can be challenging due to the variety of human facial sizes and shapes, potentially compromising protection. In addition, the current respirators do not inform the user of the air quality in case of continuous long-term use. Here, we introduce a smart filtering facepiece respirator incorporating a humidity sensor and pressure sensory feedback for self-fit adjusting and maintaining an adequate fit. The humidity detection sensor uses laser-induced graphene, and the pressure sensor array based on the dielectric elastomeric sponge monitors the respirator contact on the user's face, providing real-time closed-loop feedback and the wearer's fitting status. Those membrane sensors show outstanding performance, such as a low humidity hysteresis of 0.131 % and a precise pressure detection limit of 0.23 ± 0.02 kPa. As a result of the self-fit adjusting mode, the overall fit factor is increased by 10 % on average compared to the commercial respirator. This significant improvement in fit factor, coupled with the innovative design, has the potential to develop next-generation facepiece respirators as essential personal protective equipment.

Ableism in the Air: Disability Panic in Stephen King’s The Stand

Abstract This article uses Stephen King’s 1990, uncut release of his famous 1978 horror novel The Stand to reveal the ways the contemporary horror genre implements the language of pandemics and contagious disease to promote ableist ideas about disability. The horror novel villainizes an antagonist as a central function of its plot. When the antagonist is an airborne disease that inflicts disability and death upon its victims, the novel can be a site of production for what I term “disability panic,” a fear and disgust at the possibility of becoming disabled, and a contempt for those who already are. This article argues that The Stand calls attention to how stereotypes and misconceptions around illness-induced disability form in times of crisis. This article merges genre studies in horror, disability language, and rhetoric of disease in literature to uncover how King reveals that the language of the horror novel can contribute to a cultural fear and hatred of disability. This novel, though written decades ago, mimics the language of corona virus disease 2019 in current popular media. This article demonstrates how fear of airborne disease in a horror novel can increase fear of real-life pandemics and contribute to ableist views of those suffering from illness-related disability.

Airborne Toxicity in Don DeLillo’s White Noise

Abstract In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, people across the world came to realize the significant relationship between air and human health. This pandemic, which changed the course of many lives, demonstrated how air serves as a transmitter of viruses. However, this quality of air is not new, with air acting as a significant tool in transmitting diseases, pollution, and even death. It is crucial to understand that airborne diseases include but are not limited to epidemics or pandemics such as the black death, influenza, or COVID-19. Since the Chernobyl disaster, it is perceived that the previously feared disasters were replaced by new and human-made hazards such as toxicity and radioactivity. Environmental disasters such as the Bhopal disaster, Donora Smog, and the Chernobyl disaster emphasize the impact of toxic chemicals on humans and more-than-human lives. These disasters show that toxic substances that threaten the lives of all living things imperceptibly seep into the soil, water, and air, causing harm to ecosystems, and entering into human and more-than-human bodies. Exposure to toxicity and radioactivity can happen in the blink of an eye, transmitted through the air we breathe. Don DeLillo’s novel White Noise presents a significant example of toxicity through its striking portrayal of an airborne toxic event. This event, the appearance of a cloud of the fictional chemical Nyodene D., presents an environmental crisis through which relationships between air and environments can be explored. Similar to the issues and reflections experienced after the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the characters in White Noise experience chaos, uncertainty, and fear following the abrupt occurrence of an airborne toxic event.

Sick Building Syndrome Overview- UK’S Indoor Sick Building Syndrome Formation Analysis

Building-related illnesses pose a critical risk to public health and have consistently been a source of concern. The illnesses are collectively referred to as Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) and are used to elaborate on a situation in which the occupants of a house experience headaches discomfort-related effects or symptoms of air borne diseases that seems to be connected to the time spent in houses. Symptoms are many, but in general, occupants may experience throat, eye, and nose discomfort, as well as fatigue and, on occasion, dizziness. The increased prevalence of this syndrome has prompted substantial research. Although there is no known specific cause of SBS, some experts have concluded that indoor pollutants have a significant role in exacerbating the illness. The sources of indoor pollutants include biological contaminants, chemical contaminants, and particulate matter. These contaminants include bacteria, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and dust, respectively. This study will examine the role of indoor pollutants in Sick Building Syndrome symptoms, investigate the causes and effects, and recent progress in understanding and controlling SBS caused by these contaminants.And also outlines an overview of the UK’s SBS issues.

Energy recovery ventilators to combat indoor airborne disease transmission: A sustainable approach

Ventilation plays a crucial role in preventing indoor airborne disease transmission. Nevertheless, ventilation increases the energy consumption of HVAC systems. Therefore, energy efficiency measures or alternative methods must be adopted to reduce the energy demand of HVAC systems, which is necessary to achieve sustainability in the building sector. This study proposes a method of utilizing an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) to provide supplementary ventilation to reduce airborne disease transmission. The proposed method is tested for an office building with one source room (with an infected occupant) and two connected rooms (no infection source). The contributions of the present study are (i) the development and verification of a new supplement ventilation method using an ERV to reduce the probability of infection from airborne pathogens and (ii) providing the economic and environmental benefits of the proposed method to promote its adaption by the building managers/HVAC engineers. The results of the present study show that the proposed method can reduce the probability of infection by 10 to 40% and demonstrate that utilizing an ERV is a sustainable and economical method to improve ventilation to reduce indoor airborne disease transmission.

Jaringan Saraf Tiruan (JST) Memprediksi Penyakit Rubella Menggunakan Metode Backpropagation

The development of Information Technology is now entering various sectors, including health, and is implemented in Bidadari Binjai Hospital. As a health institution that is committed to excellent service and quality, Bidadari Binjai Hospital needs to innovate technology. One health issue that requires attention is rubella, an airborne infectious disease that has the potential to cause serious disorders such as hearing loss, cataracts, speech delay, and heart failure in toddlers and children. The initial symptoms of rubella are often similar to other common diseases, so public understanding of these symptoms is very important for quick treatment. This research aims to develop an information technology-based system that is able to predict rubella using the backpropagation method. This method is expected to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and make it easier for people to recognize rubella symptoms early on. The proposed system aims to provide better diagnosis support at Bidadari Binjai Hospital, as well as increase public awareness and knowledge about rubella disease. From the research conducted, the results of the accuracy rate obtained when conducting a test program were selected according to the symptoms and the results obtained were rubella disease with a 100% accuracy rate.

Enhancing healthcare facility resilience: utilizing machine learning model for airborne disease infection prediction

During this pandemic, advanced epidemiological models have been widely used to determine intervention strategies for controlling the spread of the disease in public and healthcare settings. These models played a crucial role by providing predictive insights into disease transmission dynamics, informing resource allocation and guiding policy decisions. However, the accuracy of these predictions depends on the substantial amount of input data, which was not readily available at the onset of the pandemic. Another concern with the existing models is their inability to adequately account for the complex indoor built environments, which has been shown to significantly impact infection risk. To tackle these issues, this paper discusses the potential of developing a joint modelling technique that integrates machine learning models, building information models and agent-based models to assess the risk of nosocomial airborne infections. With limited available data, machine learning models can determine infection risk with high confidence.

Effects of application methods of microbial mixture on early blight disease (Alternaria solani) and growth of potato

Early blight (Alternaria solani) is one of important diseases in potato in Indonesia. In previous study, a microbial consortium (Trichoderma harzianum, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas sp.) suppressed the bacterial wilt disease in potato. For application, the microbial consortium was mixed with compost (10%). As the microbial consortium is originally intended for controlling soil-borne diseases, this study examined the ability of the microbial consortium to suppress early blight disease and the effects of application methods on its efficacy. The application methods examined were the methods that targeted for soil-borne as well as airborne diseases. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Department of Plants and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, West Java, Indonesia. The experiment used Randomized Complete Block Design with 10 treatments and three replications. The treatments included application of microbes mixed with compost in planting hole solely or in combination with soaking the potato tubers in suspension of the microbes, drenching water extract of the mixture at 2, 4, 6 weeks after planting (WAP) with or without foliar application of the water extract. The result showed that application method influenced the abilities of the microbial mixture in suppressing early blight disease and supporting the potato growth. Even though the application of microbe-compost in planting medium inhibited the development of early blight disease by 37.8-39.5%, the regular foliar spray of the water extract of the mixture enhanced the disease suppression. Combination between application of the microbe-compost in the planting hole, drenching its water extract at 2, 4, 6 WAP and weekly foliar spray of the water extract suppressed early blight disease by 80.8%. This combination of application methods also supported better plant height, numbers of potato leaflets, roots fresh weight and production of potato tuber.

Sustained Release Microparticles Inhalation for Tuberculosis Treatment: Present Issues and Prospects

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the primary cause of tuberculosis in humans, is a transmissible airborne disease. One of the most significant medical advances of the 20th century was the development of medications to cure tuberculosis. It makes sense to create strategies for administering antitubercular medications orally, or through the respiratory system. The pulmonary route lowers systemic toxicity, necessitates a lower dose, and has instantaneous drug release, first pass hepatic metabolism, and side effects. Presently, the most prevalent patterns in study aim to offer the optimal dry powders in the appropriate fraction for inhalation, which can release the medication before it is eliminated through natural mechanisms.

A comprehensive analysis of removal of hazardous dust particulates from chemical and process industries off gases by advanced wet scrubbing techniques – A review

The entire globe has been suffering from the hazardous effects of air pollution since the last century. Particulate matter (PM), being one of the primary concerns of atmospheric hazard, leads to several acute and chronic health hazards of present times. This specific research briefs us about the wide spread PM health impacts, sources of particulate nuisance, some specific control measures, and their advancement over the years. It has been observed recently that the rising concern of world population, global urbanization, and artificial intervention are the prime causes of air pollution. The immediate effects of such PM lead to an overall increased rate of mortality and morbidity in the human race. The rate of transmission of several airborne diseases through the atmospheric medium in form of droplet-aerosol imposes severe threat over the deep respiratory organs of several lifeforms. The study portrays vast characterization cum classification of several wet scrubbing techniques used till date. There is a clear comparison between conventional and modified treatment options for handling PM in an efficient manner. Since huge amount of mass transfer phenomena has been conducted for the efficient removal of PM via various modes of wet scrubbers, it was quite necessary to focus on the extensive literature related to such novel technologies. Numerous associated techniques can be clubbed in assembly with the available conventional system which works best in modified variants as proposed research. Moreover, zero discharge, environmental sustainability, and cost effectiveness can be taken into account for achieving the best outcomes.

Optimal operations of gaspers for minimizing the exposure risks of airborne disease transmission in an economy-class aircraft cabin

Overhead gaspers with adjustable open ratios and flow directions can alter the airflow pattern in aircraft cabins and consequently influence airborne infectious diseases transmission. To achieve the optimal operations of gaspers for minimizing the passengers’ exposure risks, this study developed a Bayesian optimization method based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD). A seven-row, single-aisle, fully occupied, economy-class aircraft cabin was used for the numerical investigation. Two air distribution systems, i.e., a mixing ventilation system and a personalized displacement ventilation system, were considered. First, the open ratios of all the gaspers were optimized by the CFD-based Bayesian optimization method. The optimal operations of gaspers were determined with only 20 trials calculated by CFD using the Bayesian optimization. With the optimal open ratios of all the gaspers, the number of relatively high-risk passengers (exposure index over 0.95) was effectively reduced by at least 55% and 86% under the mixing ventilation and the personalized displacement ventilation, respectively, when compared with the results with all the gaspers turned off. Next, the optimal open ratios and flow directions of the gaspers near the index passenger were also determined by the proposed method. With the optimized operations of gaspers, the number of relatively high-risk passengers was effectively reduced by at least 50% and 67% under the mixing ventilation and the personalized displacement ventilation, respectively.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of LTBI at Madura Boarding School as a High-Risk Congregate Setting

Highlights: Boarding school is a high-risk location for TB transmission. Therefore, stricter early prevention measures are required. Gender and knowledge level were significantly related to LTBI, but there was no significant relationship between age and nutritional status. Low level of knowledge was the highest risk factor compared to other factors, with a five times greater risk of contracting LTBI. Abstract Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), is a highly contagious airborne disease. High-risk environments with frequent close interactions contribute to the spread of TB. This study examined latent TB infection (LTBI) epidemiology in such settings to inform public health interventions and strategies to curb TB transmission in similar environments. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study, conducted from January to August 2022 at two boarding schools in Bangkalan, involved 100 adolescents aged 10-18 years old tested for LTBI using interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) release assay (IGRA). Data were collected via questionnaires. Bivariate analysis was used to determine the correlation between LTBI prevalence and each research variable using Pearson correlation and odds ratio (OR). A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: This study found that 30% of 100 adolescents in boarding schools had LTBI. Risk analysis showed a significant association between gender and LTBI, with males having a 1.02 times higher risk (p-value 0.000). Additionally, lower education levels were significantly associated with a 5.2 times higher risk of LTBI (p-value 0.021). Conclusion: Boarding schools pose a TB transmission risk. Early LTBI screening is essential for TB eradication in Indonesia, and these findings emphasize the need to improve LTBI detection and prophylaxis therapy as a preventive measure against TB outbreaks.

Instant Disinfecting Face Masks Utilizing Electroporation Powered by Respiration‐Driven Triboelectric Nanogenerators

AbstractWearing face masks is an effective non‐pharmaceutical strategy to inhibit the transmission of airborne diseases. Nonetheless, most commercial face masks lack disinfecting capabilities, posing risks of secondary transmission, while those with antimicrobial coatings are incapable of instant pathogen inactivation. Herein, a proof‐of‐concept instant disinfecting face mask is demonstrated consisting of a Cu(OH)2‐nanowire electroporation filter powered by a respiration‐driven triboelectric nanogenerator (R‐TENG). The R‐TENG comprises electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes. A dome‐shaped PVA membrane is specifically designed to maximize the effective contact area. Coupling the novel dome‐shape design with maximized β‐phase crystallites of PVDF, the enhanced R‐TENG generates an open‐circuit voltage of 120 V under the normal breathing rate of an adult, resulting in an amplified electric field of 19 MV m−1 at the nanowire tips of the electroporation filter. Under this high localized electric field, effective inactivation of bacteria (>99.9%) is achieved via a synergy of electroporation and physical penetration. Conversely, when the R‐TENG is disconnected, only partial inactivation (90%–99%) via physical penetration is realized. For the first time, it shows that R‐TENG powered electroporation is a viable solution to achieve instant, effective disinfection, paving the way for next‐generation face masks.