ArticlePloS one2020
Increased microbial loading in aerosols produced by non-contact air-puff tonometer and relative suggestions for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Article in PloS one, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed, 15 citations in OpenAlex.
- Aerosolization ocular surface microorganisms accumulation effect during non-contact tonometer measurements.BMC ophthalmology · 2024Article
- Evaluating the effects of air disinfectants in decontamination of COVID-19 aerosols.Health science reports · 2023Article
- Effects of baffle and intraocular pressure on aerosols generated in the noncontact tonometer measurement during COVID-19.International journal of ophthalmology · 2022Article
- Validity of aerosolization detection with an air quality indicator in noncontact tonometry using corneal phantoms.Frontiers in ophthalmology · 2022Article
- SARS-CoV-2 RNA and Supermarket Surfaces: A Real or Presumed Threat?International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Article
- First Detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 on the Surfaces of Tourist-Recreational Facilities in Italy.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
9 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveTo evaluate the microbial loading in aerosols produced after air-puff by non-contact tonometer (NCT) as well as the effect of alcohol disinfection on the inhibition of microbes and thus to provide suggestions for the prevention and control of COVID-19 in ophthalmic departments of hospitals or clinics during the great pandemics.
methodsA cross-sectional study was carried out in this study. A NIDEK NCT was used for intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement for patients who visited Department of Ophthalmology in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University during March 18-25 2020. After ultra-violate (UV) light disinfection, the room air was sampled for 5 minutes. Before and after alcohol disinfection, the air samples and nozzle surface samples were respectively collected by plate exposure method and sterile moist cotton swab technique after predetermined times of NCT air-puff. Microbial colony counts were calculated after incubation for 48 hours. Finally, mass spectrometry was performed for the accurate identification of microbial species.
resultsIncreased microbial colonies were detected from air samples close to NCT nozzle after air-puff compared with air samples at a distance of 1 meter from the nozzle (p = 0.001). Interestingly, none microbes were detected on the surface of NCT nozzle. Importantly, after 75% alcohol disinfection less microbes were detected in the air beside the nozzle (p = 0.003). Microbial species identification showed more than ten strains of microbes, all of which were non-pathogenic.
conclusionAerosols containing microbes were produced by NCT air-puff in the ophthalmic consultation room, which may be a possible virus transmission route in the department of ophthalmology during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alcohol disinfection for the nozzle and the surrounding air was efficient at decreasing the microbes contained in the aerosols and theoretically this prevention measure could also inhibit the virus. This will give guidance for the prevention of virus transmission and protection of hospital staff and patients.
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