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Respiratory virus RNA is detectable in airborne and droplet particles
Author(s) -
Gralton Jan,
Tovey Euan R.,
McLaws MaryLouise,
Rawlinson William D.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.23698
Subject(s) - rna , virology , virus , respiratory system , transmission (telecommunications) , human metapneumovirus , rhinovirus , biology , rna extraction , viral load , microbiology and biotechnology , respiratory tract infections , gene , biochemistry , electrical engineering , anatomy , engineering
Aerosol transmission routes of respiratory viruses have been classified by the WHO on the basis of equilibrium particle size. Droplet transmission is associated with particles sized >5 µm in diameter and airborne transmission is associated with particles sized ≤5 µm in diameter. Current infection control measures for respiratory viruses are directed at preventing droplet transmission, although epidemiological evidence suggests concurrent airborne transmission also occurs. Understanding the size of particles carrying viruses can be used to inform infection control procedures and therefore reduce virus transmission. This study determined the size of particles carrying respiratory viral RNA produced on coughing and breathing by 12 adults and 41 children with symptomatic respiratory infections. A modified six‐stage Andersen Sampler collected expelled particles. Each stage was washed to recover samples for viral RNA extraction. Influenza A and B, parainfluenza 1, 2 and 3, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus and human rhinoviruses (hRV) were detected using RT‐PCR. On breathing, 58% of participants produced large particles (>5 µm) containing viral RNA and 80% produced small particles (≤5 µm) carrying viral RNA. On coughing, 57% of participants produced large particles containing viral RNA and 82% produced small particles containing viral RNA. Forty five percent of participants produced samples positive for hRV viral RNA and 26% of participants produced samples positive for viral RNA from parainfluenza viruses. This study demonstrates that individuals with symptomatic respiratory viral infections produce both large and small particles carrying viral RNA on coughing and breathing. J. Med. Virol. 85:2151–2159, 2013 . © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.