Virus transference and stability — to assess level of transfer of virus particles from skin to surfaces and stability of viruses on those surfaces.
Fomites are inanimate objects and surfaces that can carry infectious agents, such as viral particles, and play a significant role in the spread of infectious disease. Understanding the ability of infectious viruses to persist and transfer to and from fomites is of paramount importance in understanding infection control and the unique stability characteristics of viruses and their variants.
BluTest Laboratories — A Tentamus Company have supported several clients investigating this effect using model contact surfaces and state-of-the-art synthetic skin substrates. This type of project was particularly useful during the Covid-19 pandemic to assess how coronaviruses were transferred to common substrates after repeated touching. We also looked at the reverse, inoculating the contact surface and investigating transfer back to the skin. Stability and viability were then assessed by recovering the virus from each substrate at intervals and assaying for levels of infectivity. This then allows us to measure how the numbers of infectious virus particles changes during transfer and over time.
By helping our clients understanding the level of virus transfer to and from fomites, and then the stability of the remaining virus, we helped inform the development of guidelines and practices aiming to protect the health of the public during the pandemic.
BluTest Laboratories — A Tentamus Company can perform similar bespoke studies on a range of contact substrates to help you understand virus stability, risk assess high contact areas of your facilities and products, and ensure you can develop effective infection control strategies.