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Observational Study
. 2022 Nov 23;12(11):e061029.
doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061029.

Investigating transmission of SARS-CoV-2 using novel face mask sampling: a protocol for an observational prospective study of index cases and their contacts in a congregate setting

Thomas Jaenisch  1   2 , Molly M Lamb  3 , Emily N Gallichotte  4 , Brian Adams  5 , Charles Henry  6 , Jeannine Riess  7 , Joni Triantis van Sickle  7 , Kellie L Hawkins  8 , Brian T Montague  9 , Cody Coburn  9 , Leisha Conners Bauer  10 , Jennifer Kovarik  10 , Mark T Hernandez  11 , Amy Bronson  12 , Lucy Graham  13 , Stephanie James  14 , Stephanie Hanenberg  15 , James Kovacs  16 , John S Spencer  4 , Mark Zabel  4 , Philip D Fox  4 , Olivia Pluss  5 , William Windsor  5 , Geoffrey Winstanley  5 , Daniel Olson  5 , Michael Barer  17 , Stephen Berman  5 , Gregory Ebel  4 , May Chu  5
Affiliations
Observational Study

Investigating transmission of SARS-CoV-2 using novel face mask sampling: a protocol for an observational prospective study of index cases and their contacts in a congregate setting

Thomas Jaenisch et al. BMJ Open. .

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to measure how transmission of SARS-CoV-2 occurs in communities and to identify conditions that lend to increased transmission focusing on congregate situations. We will measure SARS-CoV-2 in exhaled breath of asymptomatic and symptomatic persons using face mask sampling-a non-invasive method for SARS-CoV-2 detection in exhaled air. We aim to detect transmission clusters and identify risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 transmission in presymptomatic, asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals.

Methods and analysis: In this observational prospective study with daily follow-up, index cases and their respective contacts are identified at each participating institution. Contact definitions are based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health department guidelines. Participants will wear masks with polyvinyl alcohol test strips adhered to the inside for 2 hours daily. The strips are applied to all masks used over at least 7 days. In addition, self-administered nasal swabs and (optional) finger prick blood samples are performed by participants. Samples are tested by standard PCR protocols and by novel antigen tests.

Ethics and dissemination: This study was approved by the Colorado Multiple Institutional Review Board and the WHO Ethics Review Committee. From the data generated, we will analyse transmission clusters and risk factors for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in congregate settings. The kinetics of asymptomatic transmission and the evaluation of non-invasive tools for detection of transmissibility are of crucial importance for the development of more targeted control interventions-and ultimately to assist with keeping congregate settings open that are essential for our social fabric.

Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov (#NCT05145803).

Keywords: COVID-19; Diagnostic microbiology; Virology.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: TJ, MML, WW, BA, GE and MC report grant support from WHO for this study for salaries or equipment/reagents. SB, OP, AB, CH, JR, JKovacs and MZ report grant/salary support for unrelated research without conflict of interest. EG, MH, CC, DO, SH, JKovarik, LCB, JTvS, SJ, JSS and LG report no conflict of interest. MZ reports speaker honoraria at academic institutions. BM reports industry support from Regeneron and Eli Lilly Foundation (as investigator, to the institution), MB reports support from the UK National Core Study on Transmission, and PF reports stock in Darwin Biosciences and support (equipment and reagents) from Ceres Nanosciences.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Two polyvinyl alcohol test strips adhered to the inside of a face mask. Photo credit: Michael Barer.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) mask strip study, sampling plan for index case and contact.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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