Title
The Cough Cylinder: A tool to study measures against airborne spread of (myco-) bacteria
Author
van den Driessche, K.
Marais, B.J.
Wattenberg, M.
Magis-Escurra, C.
Reijers, M.
Tuinman, I.L.
Boeree, M.J.
van Soolingen, D.
de Groot, R.
Cotton, M.F.
Publication year
2013
Abstract
BACKGROUND: 'Covering your cough' reduces droplet number, but its effect on airborne pathogen transmission is less clear. The World Health Organization specifically recommends cough etiquette to prevent the spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but implementation is generally poor and evidence supporting its value is lacking. METHODS: We constructed a model to assess 'real life' transmission risk by counting viable pathogens from aerosols produced by coughing patients, thus allowing the assessment of outward protection measures in a standardised fashion. During the validation process, we focused on rod-shaped bacteria as surrogates for M. tuberculosis. RESULTS: The Cough Cylinder enabled us to sample Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and mycobacteria from aerosols produced by patients with cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dyskinesia and tuberculosis. Pathogens in droplets and in airborne particles could be sampled. Delayed air sampling allowed specific measurement of persistent airborne particles. CONCLUSION: This novel experimental system allows measurement of aerosol pathogen spread in a highly standardised fashion. It also offers the possibility to assess the impact of different interventions to limit aerosol transmission. © 2013 The Union.
Subject
Life
CBRN - CBRN Protection
EELS - Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences
Biology
Industrial Innovation
Aerosol transmission
Cough etiquette
Infection control
Respiratory hygiene
Tuberculosis
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http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:1f3cc03e-d1b2-4e56-b96f-a4d8ce41b108
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.12.0289
TNO identifier
466853
ISSN
1027-3719
Source
International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 17 (1)
Document type
article