A tracing method of airborne bacteria transmission across built environments

Abstract

A B S T R A C TDisease transmission across built environments has been found to be a serious health risk. Airborne transmission is a vital route of disease infection caused by bacteria and virus. However, tracing methods of airborne bacteria in both lab and field research failed to veritably express the transporting process of microorganism in the air. A new tracing method of airborne bacteria used for airborne transmission was put forward and demonstrated its feasibility by conducting a field evaluation on the basis of genetic modification and bioaerosol technology. A specific gene fragment (pFPV-mCherry fluorescent protein plasmid) was introduced into nonpathogenic E. coli DH5α as tracer bacteria by high-voltage electroporation. Gel electrophoresis and DNA sequencing proved the success of the synthesis. Genetic stability, effect of aerosolization on the survival rate of tracer bacteria, and the application of the tracer bacteria to the airborne bacteria transmission were examined in both lab and field. Both the introduced plasmid stability rates of tracer E. coli in pre-aerosolization and post-aerosolization were above 95% in five test days. Survival rate of tracer E. coli at 97.5% ± 1.2% through aerosolization was obtained by an air-atomizer operated at an air pressure of 30 Psi. In the field experiment, the airborne transmission of E. coli between poultry houses was proved and emitted E. coli was more easily transmitted into self-house than adjacent house due to the ventilation design and weather condition. Our results suggested that the tracing method of airborne bacteria was available for the investigation of airborne microbial transmission across built environments.

Healthcare-associated infection impact with bioaerosol treatment and COVID-19 mitigation measures

“…Non-respiratory fomites in virally infected animals are readily aerosolized and airborne [ 40 ]. Also, genetically traced and aerosolized Escherichia coli has been demonstrated in adjacent homes demonstrating airborne transmission between built environments [ 41 ]. Certainly, some human activities and/or engineering solutions may impart airborne transmissibility to traditionally non-airborne diseases, but what activity, to what degree, and what is the clinical outcome?…”

The role of computational fluid dynamics tools on investigation of pathogen transmission: Prevention and control

“…Simplifying the transmission process of pathogens by defining them as particles or gaseous pollutants is an effective method, however, ignoring the biological characteristics of microorganisms may prevent researchers from understanding the migration of pathogens. In Li et al (2019a) investigation, they used a tracing method to analyze the bacteria transmission in the building environment. It can be divided into three steps in their research: Culturing and filtering the suitable bacteria; Aerosolizing the bacteria particles and conveying into measuring environment; Analyzing the airborne transmission of E. coli by using PCR.…”

Assessment of Indoor Air Quality in an Air-Conditioning Split Units (Acsu) Office Building

“…A previous study by also found that the total bacterial count and total fungal count were higher in ACSU Malaysian mosques compared with non-ACSU mosques. The airborne disease infection across the built environment can be spread by bacteria and virus (Li et al, 2019). A study by Zock et al, (2002) on dampness at home found that indoor microbe growth had a negative impact on adult asthma.…”