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Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2018 Feb 20. pii: 201716771. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1716771115. [Epub ahead of print]
Defining the sizes of airborne particles that mediate influenza transmission in ferrets.
Zhou J1, Wei J2, Choy KT1, Sia SF1, Rowlands DK3, Yu D1, Wu CY4, Lindsley WG5, Cowling BJ1, McDevitt J6, Peiris M7, Li Y2, Yen HL7.
Author information
Abstract
Epidemics and pandemics of influenza are characterized by rapid global spread mediated by non-mutually exclusive transmission modes. The relative significance between contact, droplet, and airborne transmission is yet to be defined, a knowledge gap for implementing evidence-based infection control measures. We devised a transmission chamber that separates virus-laden particles by size and determined the particle sizes mediating transmission of influenza among ferrets through the air. Ferret-to-ferret transmission was mediated by airborne particles larger than 1.5 ?m, consistent with the quantity and size of virus-laden particles released by the donors. Onward transmission by donors was most efficient before fever onset and may continue for 5 days after inoculation. Multiple virus gene segments enhanced the transmissibility of a swine influenza virus among ferrets by increasing the release of virus-laden particles into the air. We provide direct experimental evidence of influenza transmission via droplets and fine droplet nuclei, albeit at different efficiency.
KEYWORDS:
airborne particles; airborne transmission; droplet transmission; ferrets; influenza virus
PMID: 29463703 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1716771115
Free full text
Defining the sizes of airborne particles that mediate influenza transmission in ferrets.
Zhou J1, Wei J2, Choy KT1, Sia SF1, Rowlands DK3, Yu D1, Wu CY4, Lindsley WG5, Cowling BJ1, McDevitt J6, Peiris M7, Li Y2, Yen HL7.
Author information
Abstract
Epidemics and pandemics of influenza are characterized by rapid global spread mediated by non-mutually exclusive transmission modes. The relative significance between contact, droplet, and airborne transmission is yet to be defined, a knowledge gap for implementing evidence-based infection control measures. We devised a transmission chamber that separates virus-laden particles by size and determined the particle sizes mediating transmission of influenza among ferrets through the air. Ferret-to-ferret transmission was mediated by airborne particles larger than 1.5 ?m, consistent with the quantity and size of virus-laden particles released by the donors. Onward transmission by donors was most efficient before fever onset and may continue for 5 days after inoculation. Multiple virus gene segments enhanced the transmissibility of a swine influenza virus among ferrets by increasing the release of virus-laden particles into the air. We provide direct experimental evidence of influenza transmission via droplets and fine droplet nuclei, albeit at different efficiency.
KEYWORDS:
airborne particles; airborne transmission; droplet transmission; ferrets; influenza virus
PMID: 29463703 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1716771115
Free full text