Environmental surveillance of surface contamination is an unexplored tool for understanding transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in community settings. We conducted longitudinal swab sampling of high-touch non-porous surfaces in a Massachusetts town during a COVID-19 outbreak from April to June 2020. Twenty-nine of 348 (8.3%) surface samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, including crosswalk buttons, trash can handles, and door handles of essential business entrances (grocery store, liquor store, bank, and gas station). The estimated risk of infection from touching a contaminated surface was low (less than 5 in 10,000) by quantitative microbial risk assessment, suggesting fomites play a minimal role in SARS-CoV-2 community transmission. The weekly percentage of positive samples (out of = 33 unique surfaces per week) best predicted variation in city-level COVID-19 cases with a 7-day lead time. Environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on high-touch surfaces may be a useful tool to provide early warning of COVID-19 case trends.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7927285PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00875DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

sars-cov-2 rna
12
rna high-touch
8
high-touch surfaces
8
environmental surveillance
8
sars-cov-2 community
8
sars-cov-2
5
longitudinal monitoring
4
monitoring sars-cov-2
4
surfaces
4
surfaces community
4

Similar Publications

MHCI trafficking signal-based mRNA vaccines strengthening immune protection against RNA viruses.

Bioeng Transl Med

January 2025

Department of Critical Care Medicine Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University Chengdu Sichuan China.

The major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) trafficking signal (MITD) plays a pivotal role in enhancing the efficacy of mRNA vaccines. However, there was a lack of research investigating its efficacy in enhancing immune responses to RNA virus infections. Here, we have developed an innovative strategy for the formulation of mRNA vaccines.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Omicron variants, and XBB sub-variants, contributes to the number of coronavirus cases worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 is a positive RNA virus with a genome of 29.9 kb that encodes four structural proteins: spike glycoprotein (S), envelope glycoprotein (E), membrane glycoprotein (M), and nucleocapsid glycoprotein (N).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), from the family Coronaviridae, is the seventh known coronavirus to infect humans and cause acute respiratory syndrome. Although vaccination efforts have been conducted against this virus, which emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and has spread rapidly around the world, the lack of an Food and Drug Administration-approved antiviral agent has made drug repurposing an important approach for emergency response during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of H1-antihistamines as antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase enzyme.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The global pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in millions of people experiencing long COVID condition, a range of persistent symptoms following the acute phase, with an estimated prevalence of 27%-64%.

Materials And Methods: To understand its pathophysiology, we conducted a longitudinal study on viral load and cytokine dynamics in individuals with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. We used reverse transcriptase droplet digital PCR to quantify viral RNA from nasopharyngeal swabs and employed multiplex technology to measure plasma cytokine levels in a cohort of people with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In silico evaluation of bisphosphonates identifies leading candidates for SARS-CoV-2 RdRp inhibition.

J Mol Graph Model

January 2025

School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia; Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK. Electronic address:

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in 777 million confirmed cases and over 7 million deaths worldwide, with insufficient treatment options. Innumerable efforts are being made around the world for faster identification of therapeutic agents to treat the deadly disease. Post Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 (PASC), also called Long COVID, is still being understood and lacks treatment options as well.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!