scholarly journals Ventilation of general hospital wards for mitigating infection risks of three kinds of viruses including Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 514-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.C. Yu ◽  
K.W. Mui ◽  
L.T. Wong ◽  
H.S. Chu

This study investigates the effectiveness of ventilation design strategies for general hospital wards in terms of virus removal capacity. A typical semi-enclosed six-bed general ward of Hong Kong hospitals and three respiratory viruses, namely Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS- CoV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS- CoV) and H1N1 influenza virus, were chosen for the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of airflow field and virus dispersion inside the ward. The results demonstrated that the location of an infected patient would affect the infection risks to other occupants and healthcare workers inside the same hospital ward, and an increased air change rate in the ward could reduce the risk of infection from direct contact and inhalation. It was found that an air change rate of 9 h−1 could effectively minimize the deposition and floating time of respiratory virus particles while maximizing energy efficiency. This study should provide a useful source of reference for the hospital management to mitigate the risk of infection with MERS or other airborne transmitted viruses through better ventilation design strategies.

Author(s):  
Minki Sung ◽  
Seongmin Jo ◽  
Sang-Eun Lee ◽  
Moran Ki ◽  
Bo Choi ◽  
...  

In this study, the results of an airflow investigation conducted on 7 June 2015 as part of a series of epidemiologic investigations at Pyeongtaek St. Mary’s Hospital, South Korea, were investigated. The study involved 38 individuals who were infected directly and indirectly with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), by a super-spreader patient. Tracer gas experiments conducted on the eighth floor, where the initial patient was hospitalized, confirmed that the tracer gas spread to adjacent patient rooms and rooms across corridors. In particular, the experiment with an external wind direction and speed similar to those during the hospitalization of the initial patient revealed that the air change rate was 17–20 air changes per hour (ACH), with air introduced through the window in the room of the infected patient (room 8104). The tracer gas concentration of room 8110, which was the farthest room, was 7.56% of room 8104, indicating that a high concentration of gas has spread from room 8104 to rooms across the corridor. In contrast, the tracer gas was barely detected in a maternity ward to the south of room 8104, where there was no secondary infected patient. Moreover, MERS is known to spread mainly by droplets through close contact, but long-distance dispersion is probable in certain environments, such as that of a super-spreader patient hospitalized in a room without ventilation, hospitals with a central corridor type, and indoor airflow dispersion due to external wind.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Al Ghobain ◽  
Turki Aldrees ◽  
Abdullah Alenezi ◽  
Saleh Alqaryan ◽  
Dana Aldabeeb ◽  
...  

Introduction. Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreaks have had a considerable negative impact on health systems in Saudi Arabia. We aimed to study the psychological impact of a Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak on emergency room resident physicians (ERRPs).Methods. We assessed the MERS-related psychological impact and concerns of ERRPs using a self-report questionnaire.Results. The majority (91%) of the ERRPs agreed that their work put them at risk of infection, but most (65%) did not agree that they should not be looking after patients infected with MERS. Despite that, 54% of ERRPs reported being afraid of contracting the infection from infected patients and only 4.2% of them were willing to change their current job. The majority of the ERRPs (85%) felt that their job would expose their families to risk of infection.Conclusions. Our study demonstrated the considerable psychological impact of MERS outbreaks on ERRPs. The ERRPs’ concerns and the psychological impact of MERS outbreaks should be considered in greater detail by hospital policymakers.


Pneumologie ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 69 (04) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Becher ◽  
J von Recum ◽  
K Schierhorn ◽  
T Wolff ◽  
M Tönnies ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (06) ◽  
pp. 422-426
Author(s):  
C. Rau ◽  
J. Lindert ◽  
S. Kotsias-Konopelska ◽  
R. Kobbe

ZusammenfassungErkrankungen der Atemwege gehören zu den häufigsten Gesundheitsproblemen von Kindern und treten regelhaft auch während und nach Reisen auf. Virale Atemwegsinfektionen können die Reisefähigkeit von Kindern – und damit auch ihren Angehörigen – ungünstig beeinflussen, beispielsweise durch Fieber, bronchiale Obstruktion und Schwierigkeiten beim Druckausgleich während des Fliegens durch Schwellungen und Sekretionen der Schleimhäute und der eustachi‘schen Röhre. Zu den reisemedizinisch relevanten aerogen übertragenen Krankheiten zählen neben banalen, viralen Erkältungen auch potenziell schwer verlaufende Viruserkrankungen, allen voran die saisonale Influenza und die Masern, sowie bakterielle Infektionen durch Meningokokken und die Tuberkulose. Gegen einige dieser Erkrankungen stehen effektive Impfstoffe zur Verfügung. Auch seltene, schwer verlaufende Atemwegsinfektionen, die unter bestimmten epidemiologischen Umständen außerhalb Europas erworben werden können, sollen im Folgenden exemplarisch an den Erkrankungen Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) und der Histoplasmose dargestellt werden.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Mostafijur Rahman ◽  
Md. Bayejid Hosen ◽  
M. Zakir Hossain Howlader ◽  
Yearul Kabir

Background: 3C-like protease also called the main protease is an essential enzyme for the completion of the life cycle of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus. In our study we predicted compounds which are capable of inhibiting 3C-like protease, and thus inhibit the lifecycle of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus using in silico methods. </P><P> Methods: Lead like compounds and drug molecules which are capable of inhibiting 3C-like protease was identified by structure-based virtual screening and ligand-based virtual screening method. Further, the compounds were validated through absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion filtering. Results: Based on binding energy, ADME properties, and toxicology analysis, we finally selected 3 compounds from structure-based virtual screening (ZINC ID: 75121653, 41131653, and 67266079) having binding energy -7.12, -7.1 and -7.08 Kcal/mol, respectively and 5 compounds from ligandbased virtual screening (ZINC ID: 05576502, 47654332, 04829153, 86434515 and 25626324) having binding energy -49.8, -54.9, -65.6, -61.1 and -66.7 Kcal/mol respectively. All these compounds have good ADME profile and reduced toxicity. Among eight compounds, one is soluble in water and remaining 7 compounds are highly soluble in water. All compounds have bioavailability 0.55 on the scale of 0 to 1. Among the 5 compounds from structure-based virtual screening, 2 compounds showed leadlikeness. All the compounds showed no inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes, no blood-brain barrier permeability and no toxic structure in medicinal chemistry profile. All the compounds are not a substrate of P-glycoprotein. Our predicted compounds may be capable of inhibiting 3C-like protease but need some further validation in wet lab.


Author(s):  
Talita Stelling de Araujo ◽  
Glauce Moreno Barbosa ◽  
Karoline Sanches ◽  
Jéssica M. Azevedo ◽  
Katia Maria dos Santos Cabral ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Sumathi Sivapalasingam ◽  
George A Saviolakis ◽  
Kirsten Kulcsar ◽  
Aya Nakamura ◽  
Thomas Conrad ◽  
...  

Abstract Background REGN3048 and REGN3051 are human monoclonal antibodies (mAb) targeting the spike glycoprotein on the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which binds to the receptor dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) and is necessary for infection of susceptible cells. Methods Preclinical study: REGN3048, REGN3051 and isotype immunoglobulin G (IgG) were administered to humanized DPP4 (huDPP4) mice 1 day prior to and 1 day after infection with MERS-CoV (Jordan strain). Virus titers and lung pathology were assessed. Phase 1 study: healthy adults received the combined mAb (n = 36) or placebo (n = 12) and followed for 121 days. Six dose levels were studied. Strict safety criteria were met prior to dose escalation. Results Preclinical study: REGN3048 plus REGN3051, prophylactically or therapeutically, was substantially more effective for reducing viral titer, lung inflammation, and pathology in huDPP4 mice compared with control antibodies and to each antibody monotherapy. Phase 1 study: REGN3048 plus REGN3051 was well tolerated with no dose-limiting adverse events, deaths, serious adverse events, or infusion reactions. Each mAb displayed pharmacokinetics expected of human IgG1 antibodies; it was not immunogenic. Conclusions REGN3048 and REGN3051 in combination were well tolerated. The clinical and preclinical data support further development for the treatment or prophylaxis of MERS-CoV infection.


Author(s):  
Melissa McDiarmid ◽  
Marian Condon ◽  
Joanna Gaitens

Pandemic diseases of this century have differentially targeted healthcare workers globally. These infections include Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome SARS, the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Ebola. The COVID-19 pandemic has continued this pattern, putting healthcare workers at extreme risk. Just as healthcare workers have historically been committed to the service of their patients, providing needed care, termed their “duty of care”, so too do healthcare employers have a similar ethical duty to provide care toward their employees arising from historical common law requirements. This paper reports on results of a narrative review performed to assess COVID-19 exposure and disease development in healthcare workers as a function of employer duty of care program elements adopted in the workplace. Significant duty of care deficiencies reported early in the pandemic most commonly involved lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) availability. Beyond worker safety, we also provide evidence that an additional benefit of employer duty of care actions is a greater sense of employee well-being, thus aiding in the prevention of healthcare worker burnout.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document