Deakin University
Browse

Detection of influenza and other respiratory viruses in air sampled from a university campus: A longitudinal study

Version 2 2024-06-02, 23:02
Version 1 2023-07-17, 05:11
journal contribution
posted on 2023-07-17, 05:11 authored by C Xie, EHY Lau, T Yoshida, H Yu, X Wang, H Wu, J Wei, B Cowling, M Peiris, Y Li, HL Yen
Background. Respiratory virus-laden particles are commonly detected in the exhaled breath of symptomatic patients or in air sampled from healthcare settings. However, the temporal relationship of detecting virus-laden particles at nonhealthcare locations vs surveillance data obtained by conventional means has not been fully assessed. Methods. From October 2016 to June 2018, air was sampled weekly from a university campus in Hong Kong. Viral genomes were detected and quantified by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Logistic regression models were fitted to examine the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of ecological and environmental factors associated with the detection of virus-laden airborne particles. Results. Influenza A (16.9% [117/694]) and influenza B (4.5% [31/694]) viruses were detected at higher frequencies in air than rhinovirus (2.2% [6/270]), respiratory syncytial virus (0.4% [1/270]), or human coronaviruses (0% [0/270]). Multivariate analyses showed that increased crowdedness (aOR, 2.3 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.5-3.8]; P < .001) and higher indoor temperature (aOR, 1.2 [95% CI, 1.1-1.3]; P < .001) were associated with detection of influenza airborne particles, but absolute humidity was not (aOR, 0.9 [95% CI, .7-1.1]; P = .213). Higher copies of influenza viral genome were detected from airborne particles >4 μm in spring and <1 μm in autumn. Influenza A(H3N2) and influenza B viruses that caused epidemics during the study period were detected in air prior to observing increased influenza activities in the community. Conclusions. Air sampling as a surveillance tool for monitoring influenza activity at public locations may provide early detection signals on influenza viruses that circulate in the community.

History

Journal

Clinical Infectious Diseases

Volume

70

Pagination

850-858

Location

United States

ISSN

1058-4838

eISSN

1537-6591

Language

en

Publication classification

C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Issue

5

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)