Journal article
Infectious SARS-CoV-2 Is Emitted in Aerosol Particles
mBio, Vol.12(5), pp.e0252721-e0252721
10/26/2021
DOI: 10.1128/mBio.02527-21
PMCID: PMC8524342
PMID: 34663099
Abstract
Respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 are transmitted in respiratory droplets and aerosol particles, which are released during talking, breathing, coughing, and sneezing. Noncontact transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has been demonstrated, suggesting transmission via virus carried through the air. Here, we demonstrate that golden Syrian hamsters produce infectious SARS-CoV-2 in aerosol particles prior to and concurrent with the onset of mild clinical signs of disease. The average emission rate in this study was 25 infectious virions/hour on days 1 and 2 postinoculation, with average viral RNA levels 200-fold higher than infectious virus in aerosol particles. The majority of virus was contained within particles <5 μm in size. Thus, we provide direct evidence that, in hamsters, SARS-CoV-2 is an airborne virus.
SARS-CoV-2 is a respiratory virus and has been isolated from the air near COVID-19 patients. Here, using a hamster model of infection, we demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 is emitted in aerosol particles prior to and concurrent with the onset of mild disease. Virus is contained primarily within aerosol particles <5 μm in size, which can remain airborne and be inhaled. These findings indicate that SARS-CoV-2 is an airborne virus and support the use of ventilation to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Infectious SARS-CoV-2 Is Emitted in Aerosol Particles
- Creators
- Seth A Hawks - Virginia TechAaron J Prussin II - Virginia TechSarah C Kuchinsky - Virginia–Maryland College of Veterinary MedicineJin Pan - Virginia TechLinsey C Marr - Virginia TechNisha K Duggal - Virginia–Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- mBio, Vol.12(5), pp.e0252721-e0252721
- DOI
- 10.1128/mBio.02527-21
- PMID
- 34663099
- PMCID
- PMC8524342
- NLM abbreviation
- mBio
- ISSN
- 2161-2129
- eISSN
- 2150-7511
- Grant note
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens (Virginia Tech) R01 NS124204 / NINDS NIH HHS VT | Institute for Critical Technologies and Applied Science, Virginia Tech (ICTAS) R01NS124204 / HHS | NIH | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/26/2021
- Academic Unit
- Occupational and Environmental Health
- Record Identifier
- 9984787460702771
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