Ventilation does not affect close- range transmission of influenza virus in a ferret playpen setup

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Rockey, Nicole C.; Le Sage, Valerie; Shephard, Meredith; Vargas-Maldonado, Nahara; Vu, Michelle N.; Brown, Cambria A.; Patel, Krishna; French, Andrea J.; Merrbach, Grace A.; Walter, Sydney; Ferreri, Lucas M.; Holmes, Katie E.; Vaninsberghe, David; Clack, Herek L.; Prussin II, Aaron J.; Lowen, Anice C.; Marr, Linsey C.; Lakdawala, Seema S.
• 署名单位: Pennsylvania Commonwealth System of Higher Education (PCSHE); University of Pittsburgh; Emory University; University of Michigan System; University of Michigan; Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University; Duke University
• 刊物名称: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0027-10219
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2322660121
• 发表日期: 2024-08-13
• 关键词: respiratory droplet transmission; pandemic influenza; household transmission; medical masks; a virus; infection; CHALLENGE; routes; IMPACT; MODEL

摘要

Sustained community spread of influenza viruses relies on efficient person-to-person transmission. Current experimental transmission systems do not mimic environmental conditions (e.g., air exchange rates, flow patterns), host behaviors, or exposure durations relevant to real- world settings. Therefore, results from these traditional systems may not be representative of influenza virus transmission in humans. To address this pitfall, we developed a close-range transmission setup that implements a play-based scenario and used it to investigate the impact of ventilation rates on transmission. In this setup, four immunologically naive recipient ferrets were exposed to a donor ferret infected with a genetically barcoded 2009 H1N1 virus (H1N1pdm09) for 4 h. The ferrets interacted in a shared space that included toys, similar to a childcare setting. Transmission efficiency was assessed under low and high ventilation, with air exchange rates of similar to 1.3 h-1 and studies were similar between ventilation conditions. The presence of infectious virus or viral RNA on surfaces and in air throughout the exposure area was also not impacted by the ventilation rate. While high viral genetic diversity in donor ferret nasal washes was maintained during infection, recipient ferret nasal washes displayed low diversity, the frequency and duration of ferret physical touches revealed no link between these interactions and a successful transmission event. Our findings indicate that exposures characterized by frequent, close-range interactions and the presence of fomites can overcome the benefits of increased ventilation.