Airborne SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected during deliveries with unmasked patients.

Background: Healthcare workers in obstetric clinics may be exposed to airborne SARS-CoV-2 when treating patients with COVID-19.

Method: In this study, performed during the midst of the pandemic, air samples were collected in delivery rooms during childbirth and analysed for SARS-CoV-2 RNA content.

Result: Six of 28 samples collected inside delivery rooms were positive for SARS-CoV-2, but none in anterooms or corridors.

Decontamination of patient bathroom surfaces with 405 nm violet-blue light irradiation in a real-life setting.

Background: Irradiation with violet-blue light (VBL), in the spectrum of 405-450 nm, has been reported to be effective against pathogenic bacteria.

Aim: To investigate whether VBL irradiation could reduce the level of surface contamination at seven shared patient bathrooms in two wards at a hospital in Sweden.

Methods: Repeated sampling of five separate surfaces (door handle, tap water handle, floor, toilet seat, and toilet armrest) was performed in the bathrooms where 405 nm light-emitting diode spotlights had been installed.

Infectivity of exhaled SARS-CoV-2 aerosols is sufficient to transmit covid-19 within minutes.

Exhaled SARS-CoV-2-containing aerosols contributed significantly to the rapid and vast spread of covid-19. However, quantitative experimental data on the infectivity of such aerosols is missing. Here, we quantified emission rates of infectious viruses in exhaled aerosol from individuals within their first days after symptom onset from covid-19.

Generation of Aerosols by Noninvasive Respiratory Support Modalities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Importance: Infection control guidelines have historically classified high-flow nasal oxygen and noninvasive ventilation as aerosol-generating procedures that require specialized infection prevention and control measures.

Objective: To evaluate the current evidence that high-flow nasal oxygen and noninvasive ventilation are associated with pathogen-laden aerosols and aerosol generation.

Data Sources: A systematic search of EMBASE and PubMed/MEDLINE up to March 15, 2023, and CINAHL and ClinicalTrials.

The First Swedish Outbreak with VIM-2-Producing , Occurring between 2006 and 2007, Was Probably Due to Contaminated Hospital Sinks.

Multidrug-resistant is an increasing clinical problem worldwide. The aim of this study was to describe the first outbreak of a Verona integron-borne metallo-ß-lactamase (VIM)-2-producing strain in Sweden and its expansion in the region. A cluster of multidrug-resistant appeared at two neighbouring hospitals in 2006.

Proteomic characteristics and diagnostic potential of exhaled breath particles in patients with COVID-19.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to predominantly infect the airways and the respiratory tract and too often have an unpredictable and different pathologic pattern compared to other respiratory diseases. Current clinical diagnostical tools in pulmonary medicine expose patients to harmful radiation, are too unspecific or even invasive. Proteomic analysis of exhaled breath particles (EBPs) in contrast, are non-invasive, sample directly from the pathological source and presents as a novel explorative and diagnostical tool.

Size distribution of exhaled aerosol particles containing SARS-CoV-2 RNA.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 in exhaled aerosols is considered an important contributor to the spread of COVID-19. However, characterizing the size distribution of virus-containing aerosol particles has been challenging as high concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 in exhaled air is mainly present close to symptom onset. We present a case study of a person with COVID-19 who was able to participate in extensive measurements of exhaled aerosols already on the day of symptom onset and then for the following three days.

SARS-CoV-2 in Exhaled Aerosol Particles from COVID-19 Cases and Its Association to Household Transmission.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission via exhaled aerosol particles has been considered an important route for the spread of infection, especially during super-spreading events involving loud talking or singing. However, no study has previously linked measurements of viral aerosol emissions to transmission rates.

Methods: During February-March 2021, COVID-19 cases that were close to symptom onset were visited with a mobile laboratory for collection of exhaled aerosol particles during breathing, talking, and singing, respectively, and of nasopharyngeal and saliva samples.

Airborne Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Hospitals: Effects of Aerosol-Generating Procedures, HEPA-Filtration Units, Patient Viral Load, and Physical Distance.

Background: Transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can occur through inhalation of fine droplets or aerosols containing infectious virus. The objective of this study was to identify situations, patient characteristics, environmental parameters, and aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) associated with airborne severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus.

Methods: Air samples were collected near hospitalized COVID-19 patients and analyzed by RT-qPCR.

Nowcasting (Short-Term Forecasting) of COVID-19 Hospitalizations Using Syndromic Healthcare Data, Sweden, 2020.

We report on local nowcasting (short-term forecasting) of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) hospitalizations based on syndromic (symptom) data recorded in regular healthcare routines in Östergötland County (population ≈465,000), Sweden, early in the pandemic, when broad laboratory testing was unavailable. Daily nowcasts were supplied to the local healthcare management based on analyses of the time lag between telenursing calls with the chief complaints (cough by adult or fever by adult) and COVID-19 hospitalization. The complaint cough by adult showed satisfactory performance (Pearson correlation coefficient r>0.

Risk of environmental transmission of norovirus infection from prior room occupants.

Background: Environmental contamination of norovirus (NoV) is believed to be a significant source for further transmission in hospitals.

Aim: To investigate the risk of acquiring NoV in a cleaned room previously occupied by a patient with NoV infection. The risk of having a roommate with recent NoV infection was also assessed.

Post-outbreak serological screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers at a Swedish University Hospital.

Background: Nosocomial outbreaks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can have devastating consequences from both a resource cost and patient healthcare perspective. Relying on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for identifying infected individuals may result in missed cases. Screening for antibodies after an outbreak can help to find missed cases and better illuminate routes of transmission.

Catheter-related infections: A Scandinavian observational study on the impact of a simple hygiene insertion bundle.

Background: Catheter-related infections (CRIs) and catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are among the most frequent hospital acquired infections. CRI/CRBSI studies in Scandinavian cohorts are scarce. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the CRI/CRBSI incidence and the association between potential risk factors, including the introduction of a simple hygiene insertion bundle and CRIs at a large university hospital in Sweden.

Sources of Airborne Norovirus in Hospital Outbreaks.

Background: Noroviruses are the major cause of viral gastroenteritis. Disease transmission is difficult to prevent and outbreaks in health-care facilities commonly occur. Contact with infected persons and contaminated environments are believed to be the main routes of transmission.

Risk factors for hospital norovirus outbreaks: impact of vomiting, genotype, and multi-occupancy rooms.

Background: Norovirus is frequently introduced to the hospital and is a frequent cause of hospital outbreaks. Recognition of the factors that facilitate or impede norovirus transmission is an important step to effectively prevent hospital outbreaks.

Aim: To investigate risk factors for norovirus outbreaks in hospital settings.

Incidence of Hospital Norovirus Outbreaks and Infections Using 2 Surveillance Methods in Sweden.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate 2 different methods of surveillance and to estimate the incidence of norovirus (NoV) outbreaks in hospitals. DESIGN Prospective observational study. SETTING All 194 hospital wards in southern Sweden during 2 winter seasons (2010-2012).

Clinical appearance of erythema migrans caused by Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii--effect of the patient's sex.

Aim: The aim in this survey was to study the clinical characteristics of infections caused by Borrelia genospecies in patients with erythema migrans where borrelial origin was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. The aim was also to study factors influencing the clinical appearance of erythema migrans.

Methods: The study was conducted in southern Sweden from May 2001 to December 2003 on patients 18 years and older attending with erythema migrans at outpatient clinics.

In vitro activities of three carbapenems against recent bacterial isolates from severely ill patients at Swedish hospitals.

To study the in vitro activity of imipenem, meropenem and ertapenem against common pathogens isolated from patients in intensive care, haematology and dialysis/nephrology units at 7 Swedish university hospitals, a total of 788 isolates were collected during 2002-2003. The distribution of the isolates was as follows: Escherichia coli (n = 140), Klebsiella spp. (n = 132), Proteus spp.