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Bacteriophage phi X-174 as an aerobiological marker for surgical plume generated by the electromagnetic field
J A Price1, W Yamanashi, J M McGee
1Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, COM-OSU, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74107.
Abstract:
The aerosol of surgical plume could be measured effectively with the use of bacteriophage phi X-174 as a biological marker, in contrast to previous methodologies reported by others. Recovery of virus plaque-forming units was highest from hydrophobic polytetrafluoro-ethylene membranes compared to hydrophobic polycarbonate screen filters or polyvinylidene difluoride depth filters, indicating that the method of virus recovery strongly affects the utility of a virus as an aerobiological marker. With this new method, surgical plume was indeed found in significant amounts when cutting tissue phantoms made with agar containing virus. The Electromagnetic Field Focusing System was used, which is a new thermal surgical device. The nominal power setting did not appear to be a factor in the amount of virus recovered. However, when pulse modulating the power by adjusting the crest factor from 1.4 to 4.3, a measure of the duty cycle for power delivery which adjusted the device from its cutting to haemostatic mode, a nearly five-fold increase in surgical plume, as evidence by the recovery of phi X-174 plaque forming units, was seen. The data indicate that bacteriophage phi X-174 can be used effectively as an aerobiological marker for aerosols generated during clinical procedures, and reinforce the need to use a safety vacuum during aerosol generating procedures. The availability of a safe and economical biological marker for aerosols from clinical procedures, which may lead to acquired infections in hospital personnel, makes evaluation of procedures and containment systems markedly easier. The data also indicates that surgical plume biohazard may be present in other techniques that employ pulse modulation including surgical lasers and electrocauteries.
Insights
Bacteriophage phi X-174 effectively marks surgical plume aerosols. Pulse modulation significantly increases plume generation, highlighting the need for safety vacuums during procedures.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Aerobiology
- Infectious Disease Control
Background:
- Surgical plume poses an infection risk to healthcare personnel.
- Accurate measurement of surgical plume aerosols is crucial for safety assessments.
- Existing methods for aerosol detection lack efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate bacteriophage phi X-174 as a biological marker for surgical plume aerosols.
- To investigate the impact of power settings and pulse modulation on aerosol generation.
- To assess the efficacy of different filter types for virus recovery.
Main Methods:
- Utilized bacteriophage phi X-174 as a biological tracer aerosol.
- Employed hydrophobic polytetrafluoro-ethylene membranes for optimal virus recovery.
- Used an Electromagnetic Field Focusing System, analyzing effects of power and pulse modulation (crest factor).
- Quantified recovered virus plaque-forming units to measure aerosol presence.
Main Results:
- Bacteriophage phi X-174 recovery was highest using polytetrafluoro-ethylene membranes.
- Significant amounts of surgical plume were detected when cutting virus-containing tissue phantoms.
- Pulse modulation (crest factor 1.4 to 4.3) increased surgical plume by nearly five-fold.
- Nominal power settings did not significantly affect virus recovery.
Conclusions:
- Bacteriophage phi X-174 is a viable and economical biological marker for clinical aerosols.
- Pulse modulation in surgical devices can substantially increase bioaerosol generation.
- Recommends using safety vacuums during aerosol-generating procedures.
- Suggests potential biohazard from pulse-modulated techniques like lasers and electrocautery.