Abstract Title
Aerosol deposition of HuNoV models on surfaces and food
Presenter
Linda SANKA, Université Laval
Co-Author(s)
Linda Amayele Sanka1*, Éric Jubinville1, Nathalie Turgeon2, Valérie Goulet-Beaulieu1, Caroline Duchaine2, Julie Jean1
1.Université Laval, Département des sciences des aliments, Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), Québec, Canada
2. Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec-Université Laval, Département de biochimie, de microbiologie et de bio-informatique, Faculté des sciences et de génie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
Abstract Category
Food & Environmental Virology-I (Food)
Abstract
Human norovirus (HuNoV) is the leading cause of viral gastroenteritis, causing 685 million cases yearly. Although its transmission via the faecal-oral route is well documented, recent research suggests the involvement of aerosols, particularly via their deposition on surfaces or food a secondary route of transmission that still largely ignored.
We conducted an experimental study in a sealed experimental chamber using MS2 and PhiX-174 phages as models of HuNoV. Phages were diluted in buffer or in artificial vomitus solution based on the INFOGEST 2.0 protocol. Phages were aerosolized in the chamber containing ten stainless steel discs and ten apple peels. Air and surfaces were sampled either 2 h or 24 h after aerosolization.
At 2-h post-aerosolization, infectious phages were detected in the air (4,70 ± 0,26 log) and on all surfaces (3,01 ± 0,54 log), regardless of the solution. At 24-h, no phages were found in the air, but infectious quantities persisted on discs and peels (1,77± 0,55 log).
These results show that viral aerosols can settle and contaminate surfaces and food, representing a secondary route of transmission. Ongoing studies with additional HuNoV models will help clarify airborne persistence and refine our understanding of HuNoV behavior. This underlines the need to include aerosol parameters in prevention and control strategies, particularly during vomiting events.
We conducted an experimental study in a sealed experimental chamber using MS2 and PhiX-174 phages as models of HuNoV. Phages were diluted in buffer or in artificial vomitus solution based on the INFOGEST 2.0 protocol. Phages were aerosolized in the chamber containing ten stainless steel discs and ten apple peels. Air and surfaces were sampled either 2 h or 24 h after aerosolization.
At 2-h post-aerosolization, infectious phages were detected in the air (4,70 ± 0,26 log) and on all surfaces (3,01 ± 0,54 log), regardless of the solution. At 24-h, no phages were found in the air, but infectious quantities persisted on discs and peels (1,77± 0,55 log).
These results show that viral aerosols can settle and contaminate surfaces and food, representing a secondary route of transmission. Ongoing studies with additional HuNoV models will help clarify airborne persistence and refine our understanding of HuNoV behavior. This underlines the need to include aerosol parameters in prevention and control strategies, particularly during vomiting events.