UV-C Light Intervention as a Barrier against Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2
Background: SARS-CoV-2 continues to impact human health globally, with airborne transmission being a significant mode of transmission. In addition to tools like vaccination and testing, countermeasures that reduce viral spread in indoor settings are critical. This study aims to assess the efficacy o...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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Series: | Viruses |
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Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/16/1/89 |
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author | Izabela Ragan Jessie Perez Wilson Davenport Lindsay Hartson Branden Doyle |
author_facet | Izabela Ragan Jessie Perez Wilson Davenport Lindsay Hartson Branden Doyle |
author_sort | Izabela Ragan |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Background: SARS-CoV-2 continues to impact human health globally, with airborne transmission being a significant mode of transmission. In addition to tools like vaccination and testing, countermeasures that reduce viral spread in indoor settings are critical. This study aims to assess the efficacy of UV-C light, utilizing the Violett sterilization device, as a countermeasure against airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the highly susceptible Golden Syrian hamster model. Methods: Two cohorts of naïve hamsters were subjected to airborne transmission from experimentally infected hamsters; one cohort was exposed to air treated with UV-C sterilization, while the other cohort was exposed to untreated air. Results: Treatment of air with UV-C light prevented the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from the experimentally exposed hamster to naïve hamsters. Notably, this protection was sustained over a multi-day exposure period during peak viral shedding by hamsters. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the efficacy of the UV-C light to mitigate against airborne SARS-CoV-2 transmission. As variants continue to emerge, UV-C light holds promise as a tool for reducing infections in diverse indoor settings, ranging from healthcare facilities to households. This study reinforces the urgency of implementing innovative methods to reduce airborne disease transmission and safeguard public health against emerging biological threats. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-08T10:32:59Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-f17a848467554431834f525848f5eca0 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 1999-4915 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-08T10:32:59Z |
publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
publisher | MDPI AG |
record_format | Article |
series | Viruses |
spelling | doaj.art-f17a848467554431834f525848f5eca02024-01-26T18:48:07ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152024-01-011618910.3390/v16010089UV-C Light Intervention as a Barrier against Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2Izabela Ragan0Jessie Perez1Wilson Davenport2Lindsay Hartson3Branden Doyle4Department of Biomedical Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USAViolett Inc., Gig Harbor, WA 98332, USAViolett Inc., Gig Harbor, WA 98332, USADepartment of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USAViolett Inc., Gig Harbor, WA 98332, USABackground: SARS-CoV-2 continues to impact human health globally, with airborne transmission being a significant mode of transmission. In addition to tools like vaccination and testing, countermeasures that reduce viral spread in indoor settings are critical. This study aims to assess the efficacy of UV-C light, utilizing the Violett sterilization device, as a countermeasure against airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the highly susceptible Golden Syrian hamster model. Methods: Two cohorts of naïve hamsters were subjected to airborne transmission from experimentally infected hamsters; one cohort was exposed to air treated with UV-C sterilization, while the other cohort was exposed to untreated air. Results: Treatment of air with UV-C light prevented the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from the experimentally exposed hamster to naïve hamsters. Notably, this protection was sustained over a multi-day exposure period during peak viral shedding by hamsters. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the efficacy of the UV-C light to mitigate against airborne SARS-CoV-2 transmission. As variants continue to emerge, UV-C light holds promise as a tool for reducing infections in diverse indoor settings, ranging from healthcare facilities to households. This study reinforces the urgency of implementing innovative methods to reduce airborne disease transmission and safeguard public health against emerging biological threats.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/16/1/89SARS-CoV-2transmissionrespiratoryviruseshealthcaresterilization |
spellingShingle | Izabela Ragan Jessie Perez Wilson Davenport Lindsay Hartson Branden Doyle UV-C Light Intervention as a Barrier against Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Viruses SARS-CoV-2 transmission respiratory viruses healthcare sterilization |
title | UV-C Light Intervention as a Barrier against Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 |
title_full | UV-C Light Intervention as a Barrier against Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 |
title_fullStr | UV-C Light Intervention as a Barrier against Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 |
title_full_unstemmed | UV-C Light Intervention as a Barrier against Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 |
title_short | UV-C Light Intervention as a Barrier against Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 |
title_sort | uv c light intervention as a barrier against airborne transmission of sars cov 2 |
topic | SARS-CoV-2 transmission respiratory viruses healthcare sterilization |
url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/16/1/89 |
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