Hamster study evaluates airborne and fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2: Findings support efforts to reduce SARS-CoV-2 indoor airborne transmission - Science Daily

National Institutes of Health scientists studying SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, have defined in Syrian hamsters how different routes of virus exposure are linked to disease severity. Their study, published in Nature Communications, details the efficiency of airborne transmission between hamsters and examines how the virus replicates and causes disease throughout the respiratory system. Their work also shows that virus transmission via fomites -- exposure from contaminated surface contact -- is markedly less efficient than airborne transmission but does occur.

Scientists from NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases conducted the experiments at Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, Montana.

To investigate how different routes of exposure affected disease development, the scientists exposed hamsters to SARS-CoV-2 via both aerosols and fomites. For aerosol exposure, the scientists used equipment that controlled the size of virus-loaded droplets. For fomite exposure, they placed a dish contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 in the animal cages.

The scientists found that aerosol exposure directly deposited SARS-CoV-2 deep into the lungs, whereas fomite exposure resulted in initial virus replication in the nose. Regardless of exposure route, animals had SARS-CoV-2 replicating in the lungs, but lung damage was more severe in aerosol-exposed animals compared to the fomite group.

A second part of the study compared animal-to-animal transmission of the virus through the air and in contaminated cage environments (fomites). Airborne transmission was markedly more efficient compared to fomite transmission, suggesting that airborne droplets are a key SARS-CoV-2 transmission route. An additional experiment, using air flowing from infected to uninfected animals, supported the finding: Reversing the airflow from uninfected to infected animals greatly reduced transmission efficiency.

The findings support public health guidance focused on interventions to reduce indoor airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. These efforts include masking, increasing air filtration and social distancing, as well as handwashing and regular surface disinfection, particularly in clinical settings.

Story Source:

Materials provided by NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Adblock test (Why?)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Keto crotch: Is it real and how to treat it

Image
hpv vaginal discharge :: Article Creator Cervical Cancer: Signs & Symptoms Your cervix is the lowest part of your uterus. It connects your uterus to your vagina. Cervical cancer is when cells in your cervix grow out of control. Cervical cancer is an overgrowth of cells in your cervix, which is the opening between your vagina and uterus. (Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images) Anyone with a cervix is at risk for cervical cancer. However, the most common cause is long-term infection with certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV). When cervical cancer is diagnosed early, it's very treatable. In the early stages, cervical precancers or cancers generally cause no pain or other symptoms. That's why it's vital for people with a cervix to get regular pelvic exams and Pap tests to detect cancer in its early stages when it's still highly treatable. The early stages of cervical cancer are stages I and II.  Stage I cancer i...
Read more

Shave your pubic hair if you want, but not at these times

Image
thrush on genital area :: Article Creator Vaginal Thrush: What's Up 'down There'? There are a number of myths circulating about vaginal thrush - like that a lack of hygiene is the cause or that yoghurt-dipped tampons are a home remedy. Here's what every woman should know about this common cause for itching and burning. Christin Klose/dpa With symptoms that include itching and burning, vaginal thrush is no fun. Many women are understandably reluctant to talk about it, although medical experts say that three out of four get it at least once in their lifetime. Also called vaginal yeast infection or vulvovaginal candidiasis, vaginal thrush is caused by an overgrowth of candida, a type of yeast, which is a type of fungus. The most prevalent microorganisms in a healthy vagina, lactobacilli, create a mildly acidic environment that inhibits the proliferation of pathogens. When the natural balance of bacteria and yeast is disrupted, infec...
Read more