Viral respiratory infections in close communities: microbiological environmental monitoring and wastewater based surveillance for better prevention
1
Biology, University Of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Viral Acute Respiratory Infections (VARIs) pose a significant challenge in indoor settings, in particular, in enclosed and vulnerable communities. To contribute to the preparedness towards these infections, structured programs of environmental monitoring and early warning could be implemented. This abstract describes the results of a pilot study carried out in Tuscany, Northern Italy in three settings (a nursing home-NH, a prison and a school), in the context of a wider project “Integrated environmental and clinical surveillance for the prevention of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in indoor environments and vulnerable communities” (Stell-ARI) (1).
METHODS:
Air and surface monitoring was carried out monthly for 1 year, looking for bacterial indexes (Toral Bacterial Count, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli ) and respiratory viruses (SARS-CoV-2, Human Adenovirus - HAdV, Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza Virus). A global risk index (GRI) was calculated from bacterial and viral detections. For the same viruses a Wastewater Based Surveillance (WBS) was carried out weekly in the NH and prison.
RESULTS:
Among viruses, only HAdV and SARS-COV- were detected: in the NH HAdV was found in 9% of air samples and in 16% of surfaces, while SARS-CoV-2 respectively in 2% and 5%. The average GRI was 2.9 (low). In prison the corresponding values were: HAdV: 10.3% and 23.5%. SARS-CoV-2: 5.9% and 3.6%. Average GRI: 3.4 (intermediate). In school: HAdV: 2% and 11%. SARS-CoV- 2: 4% and 5% on surfaces. Average GRI:3.6 (intermediate) The WBS for SARS-CoV-2 showed a higher detection rate in NH (16%) than in prison (3%), in time coincidence with clinical cases in both settings.
CONCLUSIONS:
The microbiological and virological ambient monitoring can be useful for risk assessment in close communities and wastewater surveillance can indicate the viral circulation, thus anticipating the results of clinical surveillance and helping timely decision for prevention and infection control.
Viral Acute Respiratory Infections (VARIs) pose a significant challenge in indoor settings, in particular, in enclosed and vulnerable communities. To contribute to the preparedness towards these infections, structured programs of environmental monitoring and early warning could be implemented. This abstract describes the results of a pilot study carried out in Tuscany, Northern Italy in three settings (a nursing home-NH, a prison and a school), in the context of a wider project “Integrated environmental and clinical surveillance for the prevention of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in indoor environments and vulnerable communities” (Stell-ARI) (1).
METHODS:
Air and surface monitoring was carried out monthly for 1 year, looking for bacterial indexes (Toral Bacterial Count, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli ) and respiratory viruses (SARS-CoV-2, Human Adenovirus - HAdV, Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza Virus). A global risk index (GRI) was calculated from bacterial and viral detections. For the same viruses a Wastewater Based Surveillance (WBS) was carried out weekly in the NH and prison.
RESULTS:
Among viruses, only HAdV and SARS-COV- were detected: in the NH HAdV was found in 9% of air samples and in 16% of surfaces, while SARS-CoV-2 respectively in 2% and 5%. The average GRI was 2.9 (low). In prison the corresponding values were: HAdV: 10.3% and 23.5%. SARS-CoV-2: 5.9% and 3.6%. Average GRI: 3.4 (intermediate). In school: HAdV: 2% and 11%. SARS-CoV- 2: 4% and 5% on surfaces. Average GRI:3.6 (intermediate) The WBS for SARS-CoV-2 showed a higher detection rate in NH (16%) than in prison (3%), in time coincidence with clinical cases in both settings.
CONCLUSIONS:
The microbiological and virological ambient monitoring can be useful for risk assessment in close communities and wastewater surveillance can indicate the viral circulation, thus anticipating the results of clinical surveillance and helping timely decision for prevention and infection control.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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