Environmental stability of coronaviruses
In collaboration with Prof Katie Laird (De Montfort University) and various industries, we conducted studies investigating the survival and environmental stability of coronaviruses on various surfaces, particularly focusing on porous surfaces such as textiles.
The stability of model human coronaviruses on textiles in the environment and during health care laundering.
During 2020/2021, there was limited research about the survival of coronaviruses on porous surfaces, and the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via fomites was not clear. Here, we investigated the persistence of seasonal common cold-causing human coronaviruses OC43 and 229E on various textiles.
We found that we could recover infectious OC43 from polyester inoculated with the virus after 72 hours (the maximum time tested), while on cotton, the virus was below the level of detection by 48 hours. 229E was less stable on all textiles.
We also evaluated transfer of OC43 from the textiles to either hard plastic surfaces or porous textiles. Cotton, polycotton, and polyester textiles are typically used in various settings in the healthcare sector, and we wanted to evaluate the risk of fomite transmission of coronaviruses from these surfaces. Transfer of infectious virus was detected on the recipient surfaces after contact with polyester that had been inoculated with OC43 up to 72 hours prior, suggesting that surface transmission of the virus could occur from contaminated polyester. No transfer was observed from cotton or polycotton donor surfaces.
Finally, we investigated the efficacy of removal of OC43 from contaminated cotton textile by laundering.
Results showed that industrial laundry conditions removed all traces of the virus
Domestic also, although when virus was in presence of interfering substances (artificial saliva) we saw some virus.
In the UK, some healthcare workers are required to launder their uniforms at home, and we
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The published journal article is available here.
Investigation of the stability and risks of fomite transmission of human coronavirus OC43 on leather.
In initial screens of various natural-product compounds, we identified mangiferin, a naturally occurring xanthone, to have anti-coronavirus activity. We found that mangiferin showed significant inhibition of infection by the common cold-causing human coronavirus OC43.
The effect of climbing chalk powder on the infectivity of human coronavirus OC43.
In initial screens of various natural-product compounds, we identified mangiferin, a naturally occurring xanthone, to have anti-coronavirus activity. We found that mangiferin showed significant inhibition of infection by the common cold-causing human coronavirus OC43.