Environmental contamination related to SARS-CoV-2 in ICU-patients

Lomont, Alexandra; Boubaya, Marouane; Khamis, Warda; Deslandes, Antoine; Cordel, Hugues; Seytre, Delphine; Alloui, Chakib; Malaure, Célie; Bonnet, Nicolas; Carbonnelle, Etienne; Cohen, Yves; Nunes, Hilario; Bouchaud, Olivier; Zahar, Jean-Ralph; Tandjaoui-Lambiotte, Yacine

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak is a main concern and data are lacking concerning risk of 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) environmental contamination. OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 environmental contamination in Covid-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: Prospective single center 1 day study in the ICU. Four surfaces (1/ the ventilator control screen, 2/ the control buttons of syringe pump 3/ bed rails, and 4/ the computer table located at more than a meter away of the patient) were systematically swabbed at least 8 h after any cleaning process. We analysed clinical, microbiological and radiological data to identify risk factor of SARS-CoV-2 environmental contamination. RESULTS: Forty percent of ICU patients did contaminate their environment. No particular trend emerged regarding the type of surface contaminated. Modality of oxygen support (high flow nasal cannula oxygenation, invasive mechanical ventilation, standard oxygen mask) was not associated with the risk of environmental contamination. By univariate analysis lymphopenia<0.7 G·L(−1) was associated to environmental contamination. CONCLUSION: Despite small effective, our study generate surprising results. Modality of oxygen support is not associated with risk of environmental contamination. Further studies are needed.