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Swabbing the Urban Environment - A Pipeline for Sampling and Detection of SARS-CoV-2 From Environmental Reservoirs
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SARS-CoV-2 surveillance with environmental surface sampling in public areas
Kristina Mihajlovski1, Mark P Buttner1, Patricia Cruz1
1Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, United States of America.
Plos One
|November 23, 2022
Summary
SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected on 10.3% of surfaces in Las Vegas public areas, including restrooms and floors. This highlights the need for improved environmental monitoring and infection control to prevent COVID-19 transmission.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- Contaminated surfaces are a potential transmission route for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- Limited environmental sampling data exists for SARS-CoV-2 in nonclinical public settings.
- Understanding surface contamination is crucial for effective infection control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect and quantify SARS-CoV-2 RNA on environmental surfaces in public areas of Las Vegas, Nevada.
- To assess the prevalence and distribution of SARS-CoV-2 contamination in high-congregate locations and a public health facility.
- To evaluate the sensitivity of different gene assays for SARS-CoV-2 environmental detection.
Main Methods:
- Collected 300 surface samples from high-touch surfaces in public locations and a public health facility (PHF).
- Analyzed samples using quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) targeting three SARS-CoV-2 genes.
- Compared the sensitivity of N, S, and ORF gene assays for SARS-CoV-2 detection.
Main Results:
- 10.3% (31/300) of surface samples tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA.
- Higher contamination rates were found at the PHF (24/300) compared to high-congregate public locations (7/300).
- SARS-CoV-2 was detected on various surfaces, including restrooms, floors, and mop water, with viral concentrations ranging from 10^2 to 10^6 particles/mL.
Conclusions:
- Environmental surfaces in public areas in Las Vegas are frequently contaminated with SARS-CoV-2.
- The N gene PCR assay demonstrated superior sensitivity for SARS-CoV-2 environmental monitoring.
- This study provides a method for environmental monitoring to improve infection control and prevent indirect COVID-19 transmission.
