Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33105071›Full record

SynthesisReviews in medical virology2021

Airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via aerosols.

Laura Comber, Eamon O Murchu, Linda Drummond, Paul G Carty, Kieran A Walsh, Cillian F De Gascun, Máire A Connolly, Susan M Smith, Michelle O'Neill, Máirín Ryan and 1 more

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Reviews in medical virology, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 37 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
37citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

37 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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  17. Human Development Index Is Associated with COVID-19 Case Fatality Rate in Brazil: An Ecological Study.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Laura ComberHealth Technology Assessment Directorate, Health Information and Quality Authority, Dublin, Ireland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2752-6558
Eamon O MurchuHealth Technology Assessment Directorate, Health Information and Quality Authority, Dublin, Ireland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3926-0179
Linda DrummondHealth Technology Assessment Directorate, Health Information and Quality Authority, Dublin, Ireland.
Paul G CartyHealth Technology Assessment Directorate, Health Information and Quality Authority, Dublin, Ireland.
Kieran A WalshHealth Technology Assessment Directorate, Health Information and Quality Authority, Dublin, Ireland.
Cillian F De GascunNational Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Máire A ConnollySchool of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.
Susan M SmithDepartment of General Practice, Health Research Board Centre for Primary Care Research, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
Michelle O'NeillHealth Technology Assessment Directorate, Health Information and Quality Authority, Dublin, Ireland.
Máirín RyanHealth Technology Assessment Directorate, Health Information and Quality Authority, Dublin, Ireland.
Patricia HarringtonHealth Technology Assessment Directorate, Health Information and Quality Authority, Dublin, Ireland.

Funding

Health Research Board HRB-CICER-2016-1871
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

A key consideration in the Covid-19 pandemic is the dominant modes of transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. The objective of this review was to synthesise the evidence for the potential airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via aerosols. Systematic literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, Europe PMC and National Health Service UK evidence up to 27 July 2020. A protocol was published and Cochrane guidance for rapid review methodology was adhered to throughout. Twenty-eight studies were identified. Seven out of eight epidemiological studies suggest aerosol transmission may occur, with enclosed environments and poor ventilation noted as possible contextual factors. Ten of the 16 air sampling studies detected SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid; however, only three of these studies attempted to culture the virus with one being successful in a limited number of samples. Two of four virological studies using artificially generated aerosols indicated that SARS-CoV-2 is viable in aerosols. The results of this review indicate there is inconclusive evidence regarding the viability and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosols. Epidemiological studies suggest possible transmission, with contextual factors noted. Viral particles have been detected in air sampling studies with some evidence of clinical infectivity, and virological studies indicate these particles may represent live virus, adding further plausibility. However, there is uncertainty as to the nature and impact of aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and its relative contribution to the Covid-19 pandemic compared with other modes of transmission.

Indexed as

AerosolsCOVID-19HumansRetrospective StudiesRNA, ViralSARS-CoV-2UncertaintyAerosolsRNA, ViralaerosolscoronavirusCovid-19infection controlreviewSARS-CoV-2transmission

Identifiers

PMID33105071
PMCPMC7645866

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.