Towards the direct detection of viral materials at the surface of protective face masks via infrared spectroscopy

Abstract

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic represents a considerable risk for the general public and especially for health care workers. To avoid an overloading of the health care system and to control transmission chains, the development of rapid and cost-effective techniques allowing for the reliable diagnosis of individuals with acute respiratory infections are crucial. Uniquely, the present study focuses on the development of a direct face mask sampling approach, as worn (i.e., used) disposable face masks contain exogenous environmental constituents, as well as endogenously exhaled breath aerosols. Optical techniques—and specifically infrared (IR) molecular spectroscopic techniques—are promising tools for direct virus detection at the surface of such masks. In the present study, a rapid and non-destructive approach for monitoring exposure scenarios via medical face masks using attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy is presented. Complementarily, IR external reflection spectroscopy was evaluated in comparison for rapid mask analysis. The utility of a face mask-based sampling approach was demonstrated by differentiating water, proteins, and virus-like particles sampled onto the mask. Data analysis using multivariate statistical algorithms enabled unambiguously classifying spectral signatures of individual components and biospecies. This approach has the potential to be extended towards the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2—as shown herein for the example of virus-like particles which are morphologically equivalent to authentic virus—without any additional sample preparation or elaborate testing equipment at laboratory facilities. Therefore, this strategy may be implemented as a routine large-scale monitoring routine, e.g., at health care institutions, nursing homes, etc. ensuring the health and safety of medical personnel.

Mask device as a new wearable sampler for breath analysis: what can we expect in the future?

“…As shown in Fig. 1 , exhaled bioparticles such as microdroplets, bacteria, proteins, and viruses can be directly filtered onto a common mask [ 16 ]. Although small volatile molecules such as breath metabolites can pass through the pore of mask, many exhaled volatile metabolites can be selectively collected onto modified masks using different sorbents [ 17 , 18 ].…”

“…A mask sampler coupled with immunochemistry analysis (ICA) was applied to analyze the exhaled cytokines [ 18 ]. Schorer et al [ 16 ] investigated the microdroplets, proteins, and virus-like particles sprayed onto surgical masks via infrared (IR) spectroscopy, showing that the IR optical technique is a promising tool for direct virus detection at the surface of masks. Davies et al [ 27 ] applied Henderson apparatus (HA) to test the effectiveness of homemade cotton T-shirt fabric surgical masks using Bacillus atrophaeus , bacteriophage MS2 produced during coughing.…”

Contributions of vibrational spectroscopy to virology: A review

“…In terms of clinical applications, Schorer et al explored the use of ATR-IR for diagnosis of infection in a direct face mask sampling approach, differentiating water, proteins, and virus-like particles sampled on the mask [176] . On the basis of their characteristic spectral signatures, Barauna et al argued the potential to establish COVID-19 positivity in human saliva samples using IR spectroscopic screening [177] .…”

Rapid and low-cost detection of human corona virus using MEMS ATR-FTIR spectroscopy

“…Recently, studies have investigated the detection of SARS-CoV-2 using FTIR ATR spectroscopy and machine learning [5], [6] using either a swab suspension fluid or using saliva samples, demonstrating a valid approach for viral identification and providing an alternative to traditional methods. Another approach that was studied, is the direct measurement of the face mask instead of extracting the biological fluids [7], which could prove to be a faster and a more convenient method. This work aims to develop a unique, fast and low-cost solution for corona viral detection using Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) based ATR-FTIR spectroscopy [8]- [13] and artificial intelligence (AI).…”