Improved Recovery of Captured Airborne Bacteria and Viruses with Liquid-Coated Air Filters.

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the importance of the detection of airborne pathogens. Here, we present composite air filters featuring a bioinspired liquid coating that facilitates the removal of captured aerosolized bacteria and viruses for further analysis. We tested three types of air filters: commercial polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is well known for creating stable liquid coatings, commercial high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, which are widely used, and in-house-manufactured cellulose nanofiber mats (CNFMs), which are made from sustainable materials.

Statewide Passive Surveillance of and Associated Pathogens in Maine.

The blacklegged tick, , is the primary vector of multiple human pathogens, including the causative agents of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. Both and its associated pathogens have expanded their geographic range throughout the northeastern Unites States and into northern New England. Through this study, we present an updated distribution of in Maine and report the first statewide passive surveillance infection and coinfection prevalence of , , and within the state's population.