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Updated: May 15, 2025
Quantification and Whole Genome Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Wastewater and Air Samples
Published on: June 30, 2023
COVID-19 patient variables associated with the detection of airborne SARS-CoV-2
Joan Truyols-Vives1, Gabriel Escarrer-Garau1, Laura Arbona-González1
1Molecular Biology, Health Geography, and One Health Research Group (MolONE), University of the Balearic Islands, Palma 07122, Spain.
Background:
Understanding the COVID-19 patient characteristics that impact environmental SARS-CoV-2 load is essential for improving infection risk management. In this study, we analyzed the influence of patient variables on airborne SARS-CoV-2 genome detection.
Methods:
Sixty-nine COVID-19 patients were recruited across three independent studies with airborne SARS-CoV-2 genome assessed in individual hospital rooms using droplet digital PCR.
Results:
In the bivariate analysis, the odds of airborne SARS-CoV-2 detection were significantly higher for patients with obesity, chronic respiratory diseases, pneumonia at admission, sampling, and discharge, and lower lymphocytes count. No significant associations were found between airborne SARS-CoV-2 detection and symptoms presence or duration, nor with the results of the most recent positive nasopharyngeal PCR test prior to air sampling. In the multivariate analysis, the best-fit model included patient age, type of admission, and symptoms duration. Patient age significantly contributed to the risk of airborne SARS-CoV-2 detection in the multivariate analysis.
Conclusions:
Our findings highlight the variability in individual responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and suggest that factors linked to COVID-19 severity, symptomatology, and immunocompetence influence the airborne SARS-CoV-2 detection. Our results may support the development of more precise preventive measures in healthcare settings.
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