Contamination by respiratory viruses on outer surface of medical masks used by hospital healthcare workers

• DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4109-x
• Publication Date: 2019-06-03T16:02:52Z
• Authors: Abrar Ahmad Chughtai; Sacha Stelzer-Braid; William Rawlinson; Giulietta Pontivivo; Quanyi Wang; Yang Pan; Daitao Zhang; Yi Zhang; Lili Li; C. Raina MacIntyre
• Keywords: Medical microbiology

Medical masks are commonly used in health care settings to protect healthcare workers (HCWs) from respiratory and other infections. Airborne pathogens may settle on the surface of layers, resulting contamination. The main aim this study was presence viruses medical masks.Two pilot studies laboratory clinical were carried out determine areas likely contain maximum viral particles. A using a mannequin fluorescent spray showed particles concentrated upper right, middle left sections masks. These findings confirmed through small study. then conducted high-risk wards three selected hospitals Beijing China. Participants (n = 148) asked wear for shift (6-8 h) or as long they could tolerate. Used samples tested masks, line with studies.Overall virus positivity rate 10.1% (15/148). Commonly isolated adenovirus 7), bocavirus 2), syncytial 2) influenza 2). Virus significantly higher worn > 6 h (14.1%, 14/99 versus 1.2%, 1/49, OR 7.9, 95% CI 1.01-61.99) by participants who examined 25 patients per day (16.9%, 12/71 3.9%, 3/77, 5.02, 1.35-18.60). Most (83.8%, 124/148) reported at least one problem associated mask use. problems pressure face 25/148), breathing difficulty (12.2%, 18/148), discomfort (9.5% 14/148), trouble communicating patient (7.4%, 11/148) headache (6.1%, 9/148).Respiratory outer result self-contamination. risk is longer duration use (> rates contact. Protocols should specify time continuous use, consider guidance high contact settings. Viruses around 10% samples, but also be contaminated. HCWs aware these risks order themselves people them.