Does respiratory co-infection facilitate dispersal of SARS-CoV-2? investigation of a super-spreading event in an open-space office
Abstract Background Super-spreaders are individuals infecting disproportionately large numbers of contacts. They probably play a crucial role in the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We describe a super-spreading event within a team working in an open-spac...
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doaj-0a70ab533fb446ecbee6007ac6b4739a2020-12-06T12:03:35ZengBMCAntimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control2047-29942020-12-01911810.1186/s13756-020-00861-zDoes respiratory co-infection facilitate dispersal of SARS-CoV-2? investigation of a super-spreading event in an open-space officeDana Weissberg0Jürg Böni1Silvana K. Rampini2Verena Kufner3Maryam Zaheri4Peter W. Schreiber5Irene A. Abela6Michael Huber7Hugo Sax8Aline Wolfensberger9Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of ZurichInstitute of Medical Virology, University of ZurichDepartment of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, University of ZurichInstitute of Medical Virology, University of ZurichInstitute of Medical Virology, University of ZurichDivision of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of ZurichDivision of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of ZurichInstitute of Medical Virology, University of ZurichDivision of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of ZurichDivision of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of ZurichAbstract Background Super-spreaders are individuals infecting disproportionately large numbers of contacts. They probably play a crucial role in the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We describe a super-spreading event within a team working in an open-space office and investigate factors potentially having facilitated SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, semi-structured telephone interviews with all team members were carried out to identify symptoms, contacts, and adherence to basic hygiene measures. During site visits, we gathered information about workplace and seating arrangements. The secondary attack rate in office and households was calculated. Potential respiratory viral co-infections were assessed by multiplex PCR. SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequencing was performed using a tiled-amplicon sequencing approach. Results Of 13 team members, 11 fell ill with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Due to the sequence of events and full genome sequence data, one person was considered the index case for this outbreak, directly infecting 67 to 83% of the teammates. All team members reported repetitive close contacts among themselves during joint computer work, team meetings and a “Happy Birthday” serenade. Two individuals shared nuts and dates. The arrangement of the office and meeting rooms precluded sufficient adherence to physical distancing. The index case and a further individual were diagnosed with an adenovirus serotype 4 co-infection. Conclusion We identified several environmental and behavioral factors that probably have facilitated the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The relevance of the adenovirus co-infection remains unclear and merits further investigation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-020-00861-zCOVID-19SARS-CoV-2Super-spreadingCo-infectionAdenovirusTransmission |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Dana Weissberg Jürg Böni Silvana K. Rampini Verena Kufner Maryam Zaheri Peter W. Schreiber Irene A. Abela Michael Huber Hugo Sax Aline Wolfensberger |
spellingShingle |
Dana Weissberg Jürg Böni Silvana K. Rampini Verena Kufner Maryam Zaheri Peter W. Schreiber Irene A. Abela Michael Huber Hugo Sax Aline Wolfensberger Does respiratory co-infection facilitate dispersal of SARS-CoV-2? investigation of a super-spreading event in an open-space office Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 Super-spreading Co-infection Adenovirus Transmission |
author_facet |
Dana Weissberg Jürg Böni Silvana K. Rampini Verena Kufner Maryam Zaheri Peter W. Schreiber Irene A. Abela Michael Huber Hugo Sax Aline Wolfensberger |
author_sort |
Dana Weissberg |
title |
Does respiratory co-infection facilitate dispersal of SARS-CoV-2? investigation of a super-spreading event in an open-space office |
title_short |
Does respiratory co-infection facilitate dispersal of SARS-CoV-2? investigation of a super-spreading event in an open-space office |
title_full |
Does respiratory co-infection facilitate dispersal of SARS-CoV-2? investigation of a super-spreading event in an open-space office |
title_fullStr |
Does respiratory co-infection facilitate dispersal of SARS-CoV-2? investigation of a super-spreading event in an open-space office |
title_full_unstemmed |
Does respiratory co-infection facilitate dispersal of SARS-CoV-2? investigation of a super-spreading event in an open-space office |
title_sort |
does respiratory co-infection facilitate dispersal of sars-cov-2? investigation of a super-spreading event in an open-space office |
publisher |
BMC |
series |
Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control |
issn |
2047-2994 |
publishDate |
2020-12-01 |
description |
Abstract Background Super-spreaders are individuals infecting disproportionately large numbers of contacts. They probably play a crucial role in the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We describe a super-spreading event within a team working in an open-space office and investigate factors potentially having facilitated SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, semi-structured telephone interviews with all team members were carried out to identify symptoms, contacts, and adherence to basic hygiene measures. During site visits, we gathered information about workplace and seating arrangements. The secondary attack rate in office and households was calculated. Potential respiratory viral co-infections were assessed by multiplex PCR. SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequencing was performed using a tiled-amplicon sequencing approach. Results Of 13 team members, 11 fell ill with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Due to the sequence of events and full genome sequence data, one person was considered the index case for this outbreak, directly infecting 67 to 83% of the teammates. All team members reported repetitive close contacts among themselves during joint computer work, team meetings and a “Happy Birthday” serenade. Two individuals shared nuts and dates. The arrangement of the office and meeting rooms precluded sufficient adherence to physical distancing. The index case and a further individual were diagnosed with an adenovirus serotype 4 co-infection. Conclusion We identified several environmental and behavioral factors that probably have facilitated the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The relevance of the adenovirus co-infection remains unclear and merits further investigation. |
topic |
COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 Super-spreading Co-infection Adenovirus Transmission |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-020-00861-z |
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