Detection of SARS-CoV-2 genome on inanimate surfaces in COVID-19 intensive care units and emergency care cohort.

INTRODUCTION: Understanding the different transmission routes of SARS-CoV-2 is crucial in planning effective interventions in healthcare institutions. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of SARS-Cov-2 genome on inanimate surfaces in COVID-19 intensive care unit and emergency care cohorts. METHODS: This is a prospective cross-sectional study. Samples of the environmental surface of objects and furniture were collected between July 15 and October 15, 2020, at COVID-19 intensive and emergency care units. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 genome was determined by quantitative RT-qPCR. The positivity rate for SARS-Cov-2 genome is presented as the arithmetic mean of the sum of the values obtained in each collection. Values of 1.0, 0.5, and 0.0 were assigned for positive, indeterminate, and negative events, respectively. RESULTS: In the intensive care unit, 86% of samples collected at the stethoscope and bed rail surfaces were positive. In the emergency care unit, 43% of bathroom tap, bed rails, and bedside table samples were positive. SARS-CoV-2 genome was not detected at the computer mouse and keyboard. At the emergency care unit, 14.3% of the samples from the collection room armchair were positive. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 genome can be found at the environmental surface of objects and furniture at COVID-19 care units. They can represent a potential source of indirect transmission pathway for COVID-19, especially within health service institutions.

Prevalência de infecções bucais em ambiente hospitalar / Prevalence of oral infections in a hospital environment

Objetivo: Verificar a prevalência de infecções bucais em ambiente hospitalar no período de 13 meses. Materiais e métodos: Estudo transversal, realizado no Centro de Terapia Intensiva (CTI) e na Clínica Neurológica da Santa Casa de Caridade de Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Foram analisados todos os dados referentes às infecções bucais e hospitalares, ocorridas no período de março de 2017 a março de 2018, obtidos pela Comissão de Controle de Infecção Hospitalar da instituição. A população estudada compreendeu todos os pacientes desses setores, com idade acima de 16 anos, de ambos os sexos e que tiveram infecção bucal após 48 horas de internação. Resultados: Dentro do total de 2.703 pacientes a prevalência de infecção bucal foi de 1,15% (n=31) dentro do período de 13 meses, sendo a candidíase de maior ocorrência. A prevalência de infecção hospitalar foi de 2,85%. Conclusão: A prevalência das infecções bucais foi maior no CTI, em comparação à Clínica Neurológica, sendo a infecção mais prevalente a candidíase oral. Sugere-se maior atenção à saúde bucal dos pacientes hospitalizados, diante da maior vulnerabilidade dosmesmos às infecções bucais

Aim: To verify the oral infections prevalence in a hospital environment within a period of 13 months. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Intensive Care Center and Neurological Clinic of Santa Casa de Caridade, in Diamantina,Minas Gerais, Brasil. All data referring to oral and hospital infections occurred in the period from March 2017 to March 2018 were obtained. The research source was the Hospital Infection Control Committee of the institution. The sample comprised all the patients of these sectors, aged over 16 years, of both genders and who had oral infection after 48 hours of hospitalization. Results: Within 2703 patients, the oral infection prevalence was 1.15% (n=31) within 13 months, being candidiasis the most frequent. The prevalence of nosocomial infection was 2.85%. Conclusion:The prevalence of oral infections was higher in the Intensive Care Center compared to Neurological Clinic, being candidiasis the most common oral infection. More attention should be given tothe hospitalized patients's oral health, considering their greater vulnerability to oral infections