Existence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on ambient particulate matter samples: A nationwide study in Turkey
Yükleniyor...
Dosyalar
Tarih
2021
Dergi Başlığı
Dergi ISSN
Cilt Başlığı
Yayıncı
Elsevier
Erişim Hakkı
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Özet
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and has been affecting the world since
the end of 2019. The disease led to significant mortality and morbidity in Turkey, since the first case was reported
on March 11th, 2020. Studies suggest a positive association between air pollution and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The
aim of the present study was to investigate the role of ambient particulate matters (PM), as potential carriers for
SARS-CoV-2. Ambient PM samples in various size ranges were collected from 13 sites including urban and urbanbackground locations and hospital gardens in 10 cities across Turkey between 13th of May and 14th of June 2020
to investigate the possible presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on ambient PM. A total of 203 daily samples (TSP, n =
80; PM2.5, n = 33; PM2.5–10, n = 23; PM10μm, n = 19; and 6 size segregated PM, n = 48) were collected using
various samplers. The N1 gene and RdRP gene expressions were analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, as suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to real time (RT)-PCR and threedimensional (3D) digital (d) PCR analysis, dual RdRP and N1 gene positivity were detected in 20 (9.8%) samples.
Ambient PM-bound SARS-CoV-2 was analyzed quantitatively and the air concentrations of the virus ranged from
0.1 copies/m3 to 23 copies/m3
. The highest percentages of virus detection on PM samples were from hospital gardens in Tekirdağ, Zonguldak, and Istanbul, especially in PM2.5 mode. Findings of this study have suggested that
SARS-CoV-2 may be transported by ambient particles, especially at sites close to the infection hot-spots. However, whether this has an impact on the spread of the virus infection remains to be determined.
Açıklama
The authors thank Koc University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM) for funding the laboratory analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in PM samples. The authors thank to officials of Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University Science and Technology Research Center, and Health Medical Research and Application Center for device andworkforce support during sample collection.
Anahtar Kelimeler
SARS-CoV-2, Particulate Matter, Airborne, 3D-dPCR
Kaynak
Science of the Total Environment
WoS Q Değeri
Q1
Scopus Q Değeri
Q1
