Sampling of viruses and new emerging infections: A systematic review

The rapid emergence of the SARS-COV-2 and its variants has shown the importance of transmitting infectious diseases through airborne particles. Bioaerosols are generally airborne either directly or by using other particles as a substrate. The ability of viruses to become airborne plays an important role in its spread. For this reason, sampling and air analysis are very important for qualitative and quantitative detection of viruses in preventing and controlling their spread. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the advantages and limitations of previously reported sampling methods for airborne viruses, especially those have been used for the new coronaviruses. In this study, more than 100 articles focusing on sampling and evaluation of airborne viruses, characteristics and factors affecting the accuracy and precision of sampling have been investigated. To date, many sampling methods such as liquid impingers, impactors, filters, electrostatic precipitators have been proposed for sampling airborne viruses. Efficiency and effectiveness of virus sampling methods can be affected by some factors such as the aerodynamic diameter of viruses, the challenges of quantifying sampled viruses, the impossibility of differentiating between active and inactive viruses in the collected samples, the possibility of damage/inactivation during sampling and analysis and other environmental factors. Thus, each of these methods has advantages and disadvantages that limit their application.