Detection of viable SARS-CoV-2 on the hands of hospitalized children with COVID-19

0575183 - ÚOCHB 2024 RIV CA eng J - Článek v odborném periodiku
Haas, M. - Fürhacker, P. - Hodek, Jan - Stangl, P. - Alon, I. - Kainz, K. - Fajgelj, V. - Mädel, C. - Dotzler, S. - Götzinger, F. - Ulrychová, Lucie - Preuner, S. - Fortschegger, M. - Schinnerl, D. - Walter, C. - Obrová, K. - Weber, Jan - Zacharasiewicz, A. - Lion, T.
Detection of viable SARS-CoV-2 on the hands of hospitalized children with COVID-19.
Clinical Microbiology and Infection. Roč. 29, č. 9 (2023), s. 1211-1213. ISSN 1198-743X. E-ISSN 1469-0691
Grant CEP: GA MŠMT(CZ) LX22NPO5103
Institucionální podpora: RVO:61388963
Klíčová slova: hand hygiene * infectivity * paediatric * palmar hand swab * respiratory virus * smear infection
Obor OECD: Virology
Impakt faktor: 14.2, rok: 2022
Způsob publikování: Open access
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmi.2023.06.012

Potential routes of SARS-CoV-2 transmission have been a matter of debate since the early phase of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Similar to other respiratory viruses, airborne droplets exhaled by an infected individual and inhaled by another susceptible person were identified as the dominant route of transmission. However, indirect routes of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 are still under investigation. Transmission by indirect contact has been reported for other respiratory viruses, and therefore, it was intuitive to place great emphasis on the importance of appropriate hand disinfection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, data providing firm evidence for the presence and quantity of potentially infectious virus carried on the hands of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 remained scarce. We provide here the first experimental evidence supporting the notion that hand-borne SARS-CoV-2 from infected patients can display infectious potential, thus confirming the possibility of virus transmission via an indirect route. Our observation emphasizes the role of frequent hand hygiene as a preventive measure and supports established recommendations - particularly during active infection. The observations presented should serve as a basis for further assessment of the potential role of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via virus-contaminated hands, particularly in epidemiologically critical settings, to facilitate the implementation of optimized strategies for preventing uncontrolled spread of the infection in the current pandemic and any future outbreaks.
Trvalý link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0345012