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Mpox virus DNA contamination can still be detected by qPCR analysis after autoclaving
Summary
Not relevant to microplastics — this paper examines the persistence of mpox virus DNA on surfaces after autoclaving, relevant to hospital infection control during the 2022 mpox outbreak.
Environmental sampling played an important role in evaluating levels of environmental contamination present in hospitals and outpatient settings during the mpox 2022 outbreak This allowed validation of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures and identification of potential routes of transmission when caring for infected patients. Investigations typically focussed on sampling in high-risk settings, using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to identify the presence of mpox virus (MPXV) DNA ( 1 Marimuthu K. Wong J.C.C. Lim P.L. Octavia S. Huan X. Ng Y.K. et al. Viable mpox virus in the environment of a patient room. International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2023; 131: 40-45 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2) Google Scholar , 2 Atkinson B. Spencer A. Onianwa O. Furneaux J. Grieves J. Nicholls I. et al. Longitudinal mpox virus surface sampling in an outpatient setting. Journal of Hospital Infection. 2023; Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (1) Google Scholar , 3 Nörz D. Pfefferle S. Brehm T.T. Franke G. Grewe I. Knobling B. et al. Evidence of surface contamination in hospital rooms occupied by patients infected with monkeypox, Germany, June 2022. Eurosurveillance. 2022; 272200477 Crossref Scopus (40) Google Scholar , 4 Gould S. Atkinson B. Onianwa O. Spencer A. Furneaux J. Grieves J. et al. Air and surface sampling for monkeypox virus in a UK hospital: an observational study. Lancet Microbe. 2022; 3: e904-e911 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (22) Google Scholar ). On occasion, MPXV DNA contamination was detected outside controlled areas such as corridors outside of isolation rooms. However, these occurrences usually identified extremely low levels of DNA ( [4] Gould S. Atkinson B. Onianwa O. Spencer A. Furneaux J. Grieves J. et al. Air and surface sampling for monkeypox virus in a UK hospital: an observational study. Lancet Microbe. 2022; 3: e904-e911 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (22) Google Scholar ). While such findings may reflect ineffective IPC measures, other explanations for detection of low levels of DNA in ‘clean’ areas include qPCR false-positivity and DNA deposition from autoclaved, reusable personal protective equipment (PPE). While most PPE is typically single-use, items such as autoclavable rubber clogs can be reused if suitably sterilised, thereby offering robust foot protection in addition to other benefits such as a reduction of waste and pollution, predictable availability, and economic viability ( [5] Mantelakis A. Spiers H.V.M. Lee C.W. Chambers A. Joshi A. Availability of Personal Protective Equipment in NHS Hospitals During COVID-19: A National Survey. Ann Work Expo Health. 2021; 65: 136-140 Crossref PubMed Scopus (20) Google Scholar , [6] Khan M.T. Shah I.A. Hossain M.F. Akther N. Zhou Y. Khan M.S. et al. Personal protective equipment (PPE) disposal during COVID-19: An emerging source of microplastic and microfiber pollution in the environment. Sci Total Environ. 2023; 860160322 Crossref PubMed Scopus (8) Google Scholar ).