Persistence of Influenza A (H1N1) Virus on Stainless Steel Surfaces

Abstract

As annual influenza epidemics continue to cause significant morbidity and economic burden, an understanding of viral persistence and transmission is critical for public health officials and health care workers to better protect patients and their family members from infection. The infectivity and persistence of two influenza A (H1N1) virus strains (A/New Caledonia/20/1999 and A/Brisbane/59/2007) on stainless steel (SS) surfaces were evaluated using three different surface matrices (2% fetal bovine serum, 5 mg/ml mucin, and viral medium) under various absolute humidity conditions (4.1 ؋ 10 5 mPa, 6.5 ؋ 10 5 mPa, 7.1 ؋ 10 5 mPa, 11.4 ؋ 10 5 mPa, 11.2 ؋ 10 5 mPa, and 17.9 ؋ 10 5 mPa) for up to 7 days. Influenza A virus was deposited onto SS coupons (7.07 cm 2 ) and recovered by agitation and sonication in viral medium. Viral persistence was quantified using a tissue culturebased enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine the median (50%) tissue culture infective dose (TCID 50 ) of infectious virus per coupon. Overall, both strains of influenza A virus remained infectious on SS coupons, with an approximate 2 log 10 loss over 7 days. Factors that influenced viral persistence included absolute humidity, strain-absolute humidity interaction, and time (P < 0.01). Further studies on the transfer of influenza A virus from fomites by hand and the impact of inanimate surface contamination on transmission should be performed, as this study demonstrates prolonged persistence on nonporous surfaces. IMPORTANCEThis study tested the ability of two influenza A (H1N1) virus strains to persist and remain infectious on stainless steel surfaces under various environmental conditions. It demonstrated that influenza A (H1N1) viruses can persist and remain infectious on stainless steel surfaces for 7 days. Additional studies should be conducted to assess the role played by contaminated surfaces in the transmission of influenza A virus.

Persistence of Pathogens on Inanimate Surfaces: A Narrative Review

“…In contrast, Firquet et al observed infectious Influenza A virus (strain H1N1 A/PR/8/34) on plastic petri dishes was inactivated after 5 days at RT [ 23 ]. Perry et al observed that two strains of Influenza A virus remained infective on steel after 7 days under various environmental conditions (18 °C + 20% RH, 25 °C + 20% RH, 18 °C + 35% RH, 25 °C + 35% RH, 18 °C + 55% RH, 25 °C + 55% RH) [ 45 ]. To examine the influence of light on the survival of Influenza A virus, Thompson et al surveyed five different strains on three materials (cotton, microfiber and stainless steel) in light and dark environment [ 46 ].…”

“…Likewise, the virus was viable on plastic after 9 h, with a slightly greater reduction (4.2-log). On silver containing cloth, soft toys and light switch material, Influenza A virus survived for more than 4 h and less than 9 h. And on J-cloth ® , window glass, telephone handset, kitchen work surface, computer keyboard, aluminum, pine, varnished and unvarnished oak, the virus was not detectable after 4 h. Greatorex [45]. To examine the influence of light on the survival of Influenza A virus, Thompson et al surveyed five different strains on three materials (cotton, microfiber and stainless steel) in light and dark environment [46].…”

Humidity and Deposition Solution Play a Critical Role in Virus Inactivation by Heat Treatment of N95 Respirators

“…Ultimately, it is important to understand the extent of inactivation when viruses are deposited in the actual matrices found on N95 respirators. The limited studies that have compared artificial and more realistic deposition matrices (e.g., human saliva) suggest that laboratory-made solutions (e.g., cell culture media or artificial saliva) are not fully representative of respiratory droplets and aerosols ( 29 , 34 , 35 , 56 ). For this reason, we tested human saliva as a more realistic deposition solution and compared the results to those obtained with the other deposition solutions.…”

Bayesian evidence and epidemiological implications of environmental contamination from acute respiratory infection in long-term care facilities

“…Previous data have suggested that the physical environment plays a prominent role in respiratory disease transmission. Influenza A H1N1 has been shown to survive on common surfaces for up to 17 days, remaining infectious for at least a week [14, 15]. Other respiratory pathogens such as coronavirus 229E remain infectious for at least 5 days on a variety of materials including ceramics, rubber and glass [16].…”