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Detection of airborne respiratory syncytial virus in a pediatric acute care clinic
Author(s) -
Grayson Stephanie A.,
Griffiths Pamela S.,
Perez Miriam K.,
Piedimonte Giovanni
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
pediatric pulmonology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.866
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1099-0496
pISSN - 8755-6863
DOI - 10.1002/ppul.23630
Subject(s) - medicine , aerosol , airborne transmission , transmission (telecommunications) , pneumovirinae , covid-19 , pneumovirus , bioaerosol , virus , pediatrics , respiratory system , emergency medicine , virology , paramyxoviridae , viral disease , meteorology , disease , physics , infectious disease (medical specialty) , electrical engineering , engineering
Summary Objective: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of respiratory illness in infants and young children, but this virus is also capable of re‐infecting adults throughout life. Universal precautions to prevent its transmission consist of gown and glove use, but masks and goggles are not routinely required because it is believed that RSV is unlikely to be transmitted by the airborne route. Our hypothesis was that RSV is present in respirable‐size particles aerosolized by patients seen in a pediatric acute care setting. Study Design: RSV‐laden particles were captured using stationary 2‐stage bioaerosol cyclone samplers. Aerosol particles were separated into three size fractions (<1, 1–4.1, and ≥4.1 μm) and were tested for the presence of RSV RNA by real‐time PCR. Samplers were set 152 cm (“upper”) and 102 cm (“lower”) above the floor in each of two examination rooms. Results: Of the total, 554 samples collected over 48 days, only 13 (or 2.3%) were positive for RSV. More than 90% of the RSV‐laden aerosol particles were in the ≥4.1 μm size range, which typically settle to the ground within minutes, whereas only one sample (or 8%) was positive for particles in the 1–4.1 μm respirable size range. Conclusions: Our data indicate that airborne RSV‐laden particles can be detected in pediatric outpatient clinics during the epidemic peak. However, RSV airborne transmission is highly inefficient. Thus, the logistical and financial implications of mandating the use of masks and goggles to prevent RSV spread seem unwarranted in this setting. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:684–688. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.