Abstract:
Investigations into the suspected airborne transmission of pathogens in healthcare environments have posed a challenge to researchers for more than a century. With each pathogen demonstrating a unique response to environmental conditions and the mechanical stresses it experiences, the choice of sampling device is not obvious. Our aim was to review bioaerosol sampling, sampling equipment, and methodology. A comprehensive literature search was performed, using electronic databases to retrieve English language papers on bioaerosol sampling. The review describes the mechanisms of popular bioaerosol sampling devices such as impingers, cyclones, impactors, and filters, explaining both their strengths and weaknesses, and the consequences for microbial bioefficiency. Numerous successful studies are described that point to best practice in bioaerosol sampling, from the use of small personal samplers to monitor workers\' pathogen exposure through to large static samplers collecting airborne microbes in various healthcare settings. Of primary importance is the requirement that studies should commence by determining the bioefficiency of the chosen sampler and the pathogen under investigation within laboratory conditions. From such foundations, sampling for bioaerosol material in the complexity of the field holds greater certainty of successful capture of low-concentration airborne pathogens. From the laboratory to use in the field, this review enables the investigator to make informed decisions about the choice of bioaerosol sampler and its application.
摘要:
一个多世纪以来,对医疗保健环境中可疑病原体通过空气传播的调查对研究人员构成了挑战。每种病原体都对环境条件和它所经历的机械应力表现出独特的反应,采样装置的选择不明显。我们的目的是回顾生物气溶胶采样,取样设备,和方法论。进行了全面的文献检索,使用电子数据库检索有关生物气溶胶采样的英文论文。该综述描述了流行的生物气溶胶采样装置的机制,例如撞击器,旋风,冲击器,和过滤器,解释他们的优点和缺点,以及对微生物生物效率的影响。描述了许多成功的研究,这些研究指出了生物气溶胶采样的最佳实践,从使用小型个人采样器监测工人的病原体暴露,到在各种医疗保健环境中收集空气传播微生物的大型静态采样器。最重要的是,要求研究应通过在实验室条件下确定所选采样器和病原体的生物效率来开始。从这样的基础上,在该领域的复杂性中对生物气溶胶材料进行采样具有成功捕获低浓度空气传播病原体的更大确定性。从实验室到现场使用,这篇综述使研究者能够就生物气溶胶采样器的选择及其应用做出明智的决定.