Asante Ivy A, Magnusen Vanessa, Darban Isaac, Oppong-Atuahene Michael, Quarcoo Joseph A, Ntim Nana A A, Asamoah Isabella, Sagoe Kwamena Wc, Commey Joseph O, Adusei-Poku Mildred A
Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Diseases (WACCBIP).
Ghana Med J. 2025 Jun;59(2):76-86. doi: 10.4314/gmj.v59i2.5.
This study aimed to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material on frequently touched surfaces in Accra and assess its potential infectivity. It evaluated whether detected viruses were viable, providing insights into the possible role of environmental surfaces in COVID-19 transmission.
A cross-sectional study with a convenient sampling approach.
Conducted in clinical (two COVID-19 isolation centres and a testing laboratory) and non-clinical (two schools and two banks) settings in Accra, Ghana, from May to September 2022.
Frequently touched surfaces were sampled at two points: morning (before disinfection) and afternoon (after work). Sterile oropharyngeal swabs moistened in Universal Transport Medium were used to swab surfaces like door handles, tables, handrails, taps, benches, washrooms, classrooms, and banking halls. RT-qPCR was used to detect viral RNA, and Vero E6 cells were used to attempt virus isolation from positive samples.
SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected on 6.29% (37/588) of surfaces. Morning samples showed a positive rate of 4.08% (12/294), while afternoon samples showed a rate of 8.50% (25/294). Clinical settings had higher detection rates (7.5%) than non-clinical (3.41%), though not statistically significant (p = 0.060). The testing lab showed a significant difference between morning (2.08%) and afternoon (8.05%) detections. Positive samples were most commonly found on plastics (14/37) and metals (14/37).
SARS-CoV-2 RNA was identified on frequently touched surfaces in selected areas of Accra, Ghana. This highlights the need for thorough hygiene and disinfection practices to prevent the spread of potential viruses.
Study was funded by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) through the NMIMR Office for Research Support Fund (Fund ID EC/P25421/03).
本研究旨在检测阿克拉市经常接触表面上是否存在严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2（SARS-CoV-2）的遗传物质，并评估其潜在传染性。研究评估了检测到的病毒是否具有活性，从而深入了解环境表面在2019冠状病毒病（COVID-19）传播中可能发挥的作用。
采用方便抽样方法的横断面研究。
于2022年5月至9月在加纳阿克拉的临床场所（两个COVID-19隔离中心和一个检测实验室）和非临床场所（两所学校和两家银行）开展研究。
在两个时间点对经常接触的表面进行采样：上午（消毒前）和下午（下班后）。使用在通用运输培养基中浸湿的无菌口咽拭子对门把手、桌子、扶手、水龙头、长凳、洗手间、教室和银行大厅等表面进行擦拭取样。采用逆转录定量聚合酶链反应（RT-qPCR）检测病毒核糖核酸（RNA），并使用非洲绿猴肾细胞（Vero E6细胞）从阳性样本中尝试分离病毒。
在6.29%（37/588）的表面检测到SARS-CoV-2 RNA。上午样本的阳性率为4.08%（12/294），而下午样本的阳性率为8.50%（25/294）。临床场所的检测率（7.5%）高于非临床场所（3.41%），但差异无统计学意义（p = 0.060）。检测实验室上午（2.08%）和下午（8.05%）的检测结果存在显著差异。阳性样本最常见于塑料制品（14/37）和金属制品（14/37）上。
在加纳阿克拉选定区域的经常接触表面上检测到了SARS-CoV-2 RNA。这凸显了采取全面卫生和消毒措施以预防潜在病毒传播的必要性。
本研究由诺古奇医学研究所（NMIMR）通过NMIMR研究支持基金办公室（基金编号EC/P25421/03）资助。
