Publications by authors named "E Clyde Smoot"
The maturation of genomic surveillance in the past decade has enabled tracking of the emergence and spread of epidemics at an unprecedented level. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, genomic data revealed that local epidemics varied considerably in the frequency of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) lineage importation and persistence, likely due to a combination of COVID-19 restrictions and changing connectivity. Here, we show that local COVID-19 epidemics are driven by regional transmission, including across international boundaries, but can become increasingly connected to distant locations following the relaxation of public health interventions.
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- Effective detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants through wastewater analysis can complement existing clinical testing methods, especially in resource-limited areas where traditional testing may be biased.* -
- The study implemented improved virus concentration techniques and software to enhance the sequencing of multiple virus strains from wastewater, resulting in high-resolution data over 295 days at a university and its surrounding county.* -
- Wastewater surveillance identified emerging variants up to 14 days earlier than clinical methods and revealed instances of virus spread that clinical testing missed, highlighting its potential for public health monitoring.*
Surface sampling for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection has shown considerable promise to detect exposure of built environments to infected individuals shedding virus who would not otherwise be detected. Here, we compare two popular sampling media (VTM and SDS) and two popular workflows (Thermo and PerkinElmer) for implementation of a surface sampling program suitable for environmental monitoring in public schools. We find that the SDS/Thermo pipeline shows superior sensitivity and specificity, but that the VTM/PerkinElmer pipeline is still sufficient to support surface surveillance in any indoor setting with stable cohorts of occupants (e.
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- A study investigates using sentinel cards for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 traces in indoor environments, especially schools, to support safe in-person learning.* -
- The research tests various cleaning solutions to maintain the effectiveness of these cards while preventing interference from previously detected viral loads.* -
- RNase Away proved the best cleaner for all conditions, helping differentiate between new infections and residual virus, thereby offering a practical monitoring solution in settings with privacy concerns.*
Article Synopsis
- Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces can help identify past exposure, especially in places like hospitals and schools, by detecting viral RNA left by infected individuals.
- A study collected samples from isolation housing units to investigate where SARS-CoV-2 accumulates, finding high viral loads on frequently touched surfaces like light switches but also on untouched ones like floors.
- The bacterial community in these environments seems to predict the presence of SARS-CoV-2, suggesting a potential link between certain bacterial types and higher viral detection.