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

Engineering Bioprocess and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil

Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Graduate Program, Department of Basic Pathology, Microbiology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil

Laboratory of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil

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Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil

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Municipal Health Secretary of Curitiba, Curitiba 80060-130, Brazil

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Virology Laboratory, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 80060-900, Brazil

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The Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Institute, Child and Adolescent Health Research & Pequeno Príncipe Faculties and Pequeno Príncipe Hospital, Curitiba 802450-0260, Brazil

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Technology Sector, Department of Hydraulics and Sanitation, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil

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Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Academic Editor: Paul B. Tchounwou

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(7), 3824; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18073824

Received: 24 February 2021 / Revised: 1 April 2021 / Accepted: 2 April 2021 / Published: 6 April 2021

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Microbiology)

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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. View Full-Text

Keywords: coronavirus; environmental contamination; public health; COVID-19; inanimate surfaces

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MDPI and ACS Style

Vicente, V.A.; Lustosa, B.P.R.; Grisolia, M.E.; Pavini Beato, C.; Balsanelli, E.; de Souza Gubert Fruet, V.; Bordignon Nogueira, M.; Raboni, S.M.; Carvalho, K.A.T.; Flôr, I.C.; Ferreira Voidaleski, M.; Etchepare, R.G.; Meis, J.F.; Soccol, V.T.; Souza, E.M. Environmental Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Virus RNA in Health Facilities in Brazil and a Systematic Review on Contamination Sources. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 3824. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18073824

AMA Style

Vicente VA, Lustosa BPR, Grisolia ME, Pavini Beato C, Balsanelli E, de Souza Gubert Fruet V, Bordignon Nogueira M, Raboni SM, Carvalho KAT, Flôr IC, Ferreira Voidaleski M, Etchepare RG, Meis JF, Soccol VT, Souza EM. Environmental Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Virus RNA in Health Facilities in Brazil and a Systematic Review on Contamination Sources. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18(7):3824. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18073824

Chicago/Turabian Style

Vicente, Vania Aparecida, 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. 2021. "Environmental Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Virus RNA in Health Facilities in Brazil and a Systematic Review on Contamination Sources" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 7: 3824. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18073824

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

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