Viral cultures for assessing fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Onakpoya, Igho; Heneghan, Carl; Spencer, Elizabeth; Brassey, Jon; Roşca, Elena Cecilia; Maltoni, Susanna; Plüddemann, Annette; Evans, David H.; Conly, John; Jefferson, Tom

doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2022.09.007

Cited by 13 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 54 publications

(182 reference statements)

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“…Our findings suggest a Ct of 30 or greater indicates a low likelihood of the presence of replication-competent virus, consistent with findings from our recent review on fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2. [ 22 ] This replicable observation suggests that a Ct of 30, regardless of the PCR testing platform used, may be a useful and reasonable proxy to rule out infectious SARS-CoV-2 as there is a consistent correlation between a rising Ct value and likelihood of isolating replication-competent virus. Such a value would be useful to guide clinicians managing these difficult patients, particularly if there were repeated values in this range.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Viral cultures, cycle threshold values and viral load estimation for assessing SARS-CoV-2 infectiousness in haematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplant patients: a systematic review

Jefferson¹,

Spencer²,

Conly³

et al. 2023

Journal of Hospital Infection

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Viral cultures, cycle threshold values and viral load estimation for assessing SARS-CoV-2 infectiousness in haematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplant patients: a systematic review

Jefferson¹,

Spencer²,

Conly³

et al. 2023

Journal of Hospital Infection

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“…Evidence from the available studies suggests that transmission on the DP was associated with close proximity [ 35 ] and potentially with common source exposure events [ 25 , 30 ]. More recent viral culture research reports significant amounts of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in the environment [ 45 , 46 , 47 ]. Although no live virus was found on cruise ships on fomites, a recent systematic review focusing on high-quality studies found that replication-competent SARS-CoV-2 was present on fomites [ 47 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More recent viral culture research reports significant amounts of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in the environment [ 45 , 46 , 47 ]. Although no live virus was found on cruise ships on fomites, a recent systematic review focusing on high-quality studies found that replication-competent SARS-CoV-2 was present on fomites [ 47 ]. Replication-competent SARS-CoV-2 is significantly more likely when the PCR Ct for clinical specimens and fomite samples is <30.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Associated with Cruise Ship Travel: A Systematic Review

et al. 2022

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Background: Maritime and river travel may be associated with respiratory viral spread via infected passengers and/or crew and potentially through other transmission routes. The transmission models of SARS-CoV-2 associated with cruise ship travel are based on transmission dynamics of other respiratory viruses. We aimed to provide a summary and evaluation of relevant data on SARS-CoV-2 transmission aboard cruise ships, report policy implications, and highlight research gaps. Methods: We searched four electronic databases (up to 26 May 2022) and included studies on SARS-CoV-2 transmission aboard cruise ships. The quality of the studies was assessed based on five criteria, and relevant findings were reported. Results: We included 23 papers on onboard SARS-CoV-2 transmission (with 15 reports on different aspects of the outbreak on Diamond Princess and nine reports on other international cruises), 2 environmental studies, and 1 systematic review. Three articles presented data on both international cruises and the Diamond Princess. The quality of evidence from most studies was low to very low. Index case definitions were heterogeneous. The proportion of traced contacts ranged from 0.19 to 100%. Studies that followed up >80% of passengers and crew reported attack rates (AR) up to 59%. The presence of a distinct dose–response relationship was demonstrated by findings of increased ARs in multi-person cabins. Two studies performed viral cultures with eight positive results. Genomic sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were performed in individuals from three cruises. Two environmental studies reported PCR-positive samples (cycle threshold range 26.21–39.00). In one study, no infectious virus was isolated from any of the 76 environmental samples. Conclusion: Our review suggests that crowding and multiple persons per cabin were associated with an increased risk of transmission on cruise ships. Variations in design, methodology, and case ascertainment limit comparisons across studies and quantification of transmission risk. Standardized guidelines for conducting and reporting studies on cruise ships of acute respiratory infection transmission should be developed.

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“…The viral RNA detection after 7 days, albeit at lower levels, indicates there is potential for SARS-CoV-2 transmission via contaminated vegetables even after refrigerator storage. However, RNA persistence does not necessarily mean viable or infectious virus is still present (Kampf et al, 2020;Onakpoya et al, 2022). Follow-up infectivity assays are warranted to ascertain if refrigerated cabbage still poses an infection risk after 1 week.…”

Section: Effect Of Simultaneous Use Of Disinfectants and Virus Inocul...mentioning

confidence: 99%

SARS-COV-2 RNA removal rates from fresh cabbage during fridge storage, disinfection with neutral electrolyzed water and calcium hypochlorite

Aliakbar,

Farid,

Nastaran

et al. 2024

Preprint

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The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has raised concerns over viral transmission via contaminated fresh produce. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of Neutral Electrolyzed Water (NEW) in comparison to calcium hypochlorite (Ca(ClO)2) for the removal of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA from vegetables stored at refrigeration temperature over a one-week period. Vegetables were inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 viral particles and subsequently treated by immersion in NEW, Ca(ClO)2, or sterile water (control) solutions. Viral RNA was extracted from the produce on days 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 post-immersion and quantified using RT-qPCR. We demonstrate that NEW solutions reduced over 99% of detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA on vegetables within the first 24 hours. Comparatively, Ca(ClO)2 treatment resulted in less pronounced viral RNA reduction over the 7-day experiment. At identical concentrations, NEW led to significantly higher SARS-CoV-2 RNA removal from contaminated vegetables versus Ca(ClO)2. Given the on-site production feasibility, lower environmental impacts, and reduced costs associated with NEW solutions, our findings position NEW as a promising alternative to conventional chlorine-based sanitizers for mitigation of SARS-CoV-2 presence on fresh produce.

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Viral cultures for assessing fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Cited by 13 publications

References 54 publications

Viral cultures, cycle threshold values and viral load estimation for assessing SARS-CoV-2 infectiousness in haematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplant patients: a systematic review

Viral cultures, cycle threshold values and viral load estimation for assessing SARS-CoV-2 infectiousness in haematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplant patients: a systematic review

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Associated with Cruise Ship Travel: A Systematic Review

SARS-COV-2 RNA removal rates from fresh cabbage during fridge storage, disinfection with neutral electrolyzed water and calcium hypochlorite

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