Environmental Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Virus RNA in Health Facilities in Brazil and a Systematic Review on Contamination Sources

Vania Aparecida Vicente, Bruno Paulo Rodrigues Lustosa, Maria Eduarda Grisolia, Caroline Pavini Beato, Eduardo Balsanelli, Viviane de Souza Gubert Fruet, Meri Bordignon Nogueira, Sonia Maria Raboni, Katherine Athayde Teixeira Carvalho, Izadora Cervelin Flôr, Morgana Ferreira Voidaleski, Ramiro Gonçalves Etchepare, Jacques F. Meis, Vanete Thomaz Soccol and Emanuel Maltempi Souza
Additional contact information
Vania Aparecida Vicente: Engineering Bioprocess and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil
Bruno Paulo Rodrigues Lustosa: Engineering Bioprocess and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil
Maria Eduarda Grisolia: Engineering Bioprocess and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil
Caroline Pavini Beato: Laboratory of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil
Eduardo Balsanelli: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil
Viviane de Souza Gubert Fruet: Municipal Health Secretary of Curitiba, Curitiba 80060-130, Brazil
Meri Bordignon Nogueira: Virology Laboratory, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 80060-900, Brazil
Sonia Maria Raboni: Virology Laboratory, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 80060-900, Brazil
Katherine Athayde Teixeira Carvalho: The Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Institute, Child and Adolescent Health Research & Pequeno Príncipe Faculties and Pequeno Príncipe Hospital, Curitiba 802450-0260, Brazil
Izadora Cervelin Flôr: Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Graduate Program, Department of Basic Pathology, Microbiology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil
Morgana Ferreira Voidaleski: Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Graduate Program, Department of Basic Pathology, Microbiology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil
Ramiro Gonçalves Etchepare: Technology Sector, Department of Hydraulics and Sanitation, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil
Jacques F. Meis: Engineering Bioprocess and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil
Vanete Thomaz Soccol: Engineering Bioprocess and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil
Emanuel Maltempi Souza: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 7, 1-12

Abstract: SARS-CoV-2 environmental monitoring can track the rate of viral contamination and can be used to establish preventive measures. This study aimed to detect by RT-PCR the presence of SARS-CoV-2 from inert surface samples in public health settings with a literature review about surface contamination and its burden on spread virus. Samples were collected from health settings in Curitiba, Brazil, between July and December 2020. A literature review was conducted using PRISMA. A total of 711 environmental surface samples were collected from outpatient areas, dental units, doctors’ offices, COVID-19 evaluation areas, and hospital units, of which 35 (4.9%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The frequency of environmental contamination was higher in primary care units than in hospital settings. The virus was detected on doctors’ personal items. Remarkably, the previously disinfected dental chair samples tested positive. These findings agree with those of other studies in which SARS-CoV-2 was found on inanimate surfaces. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on surfaces in public health settings, including those not meant to treat COVID-19, indicates widespread environmental contamination. Therefore, the intensification of disinfection measures for external hospital areas may be important for controlling community COVID-19 dissemination.

Keywords: coronavirus; environmental contamination; public health; COVID-19; inanimate surfaces (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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