Efficient elimination of airborne pathogens: a study on aerosolized Mycobacterium tuberculosis and SARS-CoV-2 using ZeBox technology

Abstract

Background: Despite multifactorial evidence, the safe and effective elimination of free-floating micro-organisms remains a significant scientific challenge. ZeBox Technology exploits microbial Zeta Potential, to extract and eliminate them from free-flowing air, using a non-ionizing electric field, in combination with a microbicidal surface.

Aim: Evaluation of ZeBox Technology against aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis under controlled conditions.

Methods: SARS-CoV-2 and M. tuberculosis H37Ra were used in this study. Individual micro-organisms were aerosolized using a Collison nebulizer inside an air-sealed test chamber. Air samples were collected from the chamber on to a Mixed Cellulose Ester membrane, at various time points, and used for enumeration. SARS-CoV-2 was enumerated using qRT-PCR, while M. tuberculosis H37Ra was quantified using standard microbiological procedures.

Findings: We established a viable aerosolized microbial load of ∼10E9 and ∼10E6 for SARS-CoV-2 and M. tuberculosis H37Ra, respectively, inside the test chamber. Under ideal conditions, the floating microbial load was at a steady-state level of 10E9 for SARS-CoV-2 and 10E6 for M. tuberculosis. When the ZeBox-Technology-enabled device was operated, the microbial load reduced significantly. A reduction of ∼10E4.7 was observed for M. tuberculosis, while a reduction of ∼10E7 for SARS-CoV-2 was observed within a short duration. The reduction in airborne SARS-CoV-2 load was qualitatively and quantitatively measured using fluorescence analysis and qRT-PCR methods, respectively.

Conclusion: This validation demonstrates the efficacy of the developed technology against two of the deadliest micro-organisms that claim millions of lives worldwide. In conjunction with the existing reports, the present validation proved the true broad-spectrum elimination capability of ZeBox technology.

Keywords: Airborne infection; Airborne transmission; Mtb; Respiratory infection; SARS-CoV-2.

Figure 1

ZeBox abolishes aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 within the test chamber. SARS-CoV-2 was aerosolized within the air-sealed test chamber, and ZeBox operation was initiated. The virus collected from the air samples of the test chamber was used to infect Vero E6 cells and incubated for 48 h. SARS-CoV-2 virus stock was used a virus control. (a) Immunofluorescence assay images showing SARS-CoV-2 spike positive cells (green) and nuclei (blue) for samples from different conditions. (b) quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis of viral RNA copy number from different conditions as indicated.

Figure 2

Reduction in Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra load inside the test chamber. As observed, the microbial load inside the chamber settled down by ∼1 log when the chamber was undisturbed; when ZeBox was operated, the microbial reduction was ∼4.5 log_10, indicating a 99.99% reduction in airborne M. tuberculosis H37Ra under a controlled environment.