Diagnostic performance of respirators for collection and detection of SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Respirators, called as face mask, have been used to protect the wearer from the outside harmful air environment and prevent any virus from being released to neighbors from potentially infected exhaled breath. The antiviral effectiveness of respirators has not only been researched scientifically, but has also become a global issue due to society's obligation to wear respirators. In this paper, we report the results of a study on the collection and detection of viruses contained in exhaled breath using respirators. The inner electrostatic filter was carefully selected for virus collection because it does not come in direct contact with either human skin or the external environment. In the study of a healthy control group, it was confirmed that a large amount of DNA and biomolecules such as exosomes were collected from the respirator exposed to exhalation, and the amount of collection increased in proportion to the wearing time. We conducted experiments using a total of 72 paired samples with nasopharyngeal swabs and respirator samples. Out of these samples, fifty tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and twenty-two tested negative. The PCR results of the NPS and respirator samples showed a high level of agreement, with a positive percent agreement of ≥ 90% and a negative percent agreement of ≥ 99%. Furthermore, there was a notable level of concordance between RCA-flow tests and PCR when examining the respirator samples. These results suggest that this is a non-invasive, quick and easy method of collecting samples from subjects using a respirator, which can significantly reduce the hassle of waiting at airports or public places and concerns about cross-contamination. Furthermore, we expect miniaturized technologies to integrate PCR detection into respirators in the near future.

The Application of Biomaterials for the Vaccine, Treatment, and Detection of SARS-CoV-2

“…Therefore, the application of biomaterials in COVID-19 vaccine adjuvants and delivery systems development has been extensively explored to improve immunogenicity and stability, and minimize side effects (Table ). In addition to vaccines, anti-SARS-CoV-2 strategies, and antiviral protective equipment and early diagnosis also play a vital role in controlling the spread of COVID-19. − This review discussed the application of biomaterials as vaccine adjuvants and treatments and for early diagnostics and protective equipment, highlighting their importance in the fight against COVID-19.…”

Functionalized N95 Face Mask with a Chemical-Free Paper-Based Collector for Exhaled Breath Analysis: SARS-CoV-2 Detection with a Printed Immunosensor as a Case Study

“…25,26 Furthermore, the N95 face mask was chosen from the available face masks because it is a certified protective respirator that can efficiently collect 95% of the aerosolized particles. 27 The combination of an inert paper-based collector and an N95 respirator allows for both the safe collection of human exhaled breath and the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein from the breath by using a selective magnetic immunoprobe. Once the analyte had been extracted from the exhaled breath matrix, a sandwich configuration was made with an alkaline phosphatase-labeled secondary antibody, ensuring the electrochemical quantification of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein on carbon black-modified screen-printed electrodes using differential pulse voltammetry.…”

“…In our configuration, the exhaled breath collector consisted solely of office paper, being a cost-effective and easy-to-manage biomaterial with an added benefit of being incinerable to prevent cross-contamination. , Furthermore, the N95 face mask was chosen from the available face masks because it is a certified protective respirator that can efficiently collect 95% of the aerosolized particles …”