Detection of Common Respiratory Viruses and Mycoplasma pneumoniae in Patient-Occupied Rooms in Pediatric Wards

Wan, Gwo-Hwa; Huang, Chung-Guei; Chung, Fen-Fang; Lin, Tzou-Yien; Tsao, Kuo-Chien; Huang, Yhu-Chering

To our knowledge, this study is the first to examine the distributions of aerosol particles of M pneumoniae and the viruses common in children in patient-occupied rooms in pediatric wards. Adenovirus and M pneumoniae were detected in the air samples obtained at both the short and long distance relative to the head of the patient's bed. RSV was only detected at the short distance, and influenza A virus was only detected at the long distance. Surprisingly, there was no enterovirus RNA in the air samples or object surface swabs. The absence of enterovirus from the air samples indicates that the likelihood of air and/or droplet transmission of this virus was extremely low. Its absence from the objects in the rooms housing the children with enteroviral infections is most likely explained by our periodic disinfection of these rooms with a 0.5% sodium hypochlorite solution. Our detection of RSV RNA in air samples collected only at the short distance (60-180 cm) is at odds with a previous study showing RSV in air samples collected 30 to 700 cm from the head of the patients' beds. 34 Additionally, influenza A virus RNA was detected in 15% of the air samples obtained at the long distance but in no air samples obtained at the short distance. It is likely that differences in sampling flow rates, sampling durations at different distances, and the activities of the patients in the rooms affect the detection rates of these pathogens. To reduce the exposure risk of patients, their families, and healthcare workers, the ventilation system in pediatric wards should be maintained and inspected routinely. In our previous study, adenovirus and M pneumoniae were the most prevalent airborne pathogens in the pediatric outpatient department and emergency rooms. 41 In this study, aerosol particles containing adenovirus and M pneumoniae were also found in the ward rooms at the 2 locations tested. Collectively, these findings indicate that there is a risk of airborne or droplet transmission of both adenovirus and M pneumoniae in pediatric ward rooms.