Sign in Subscribe
Biomedical laboratories

Ultra-Sensitive Droplet Digital PCR Detects Influenza in Hospital Environment

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers have developed an ultra-sensitive method to detect the presence of influenza A and B viruses in hospital environments, patient wards, and personal protective equipment (PPE). The study, conducted by a team from the Guangxi Medical University, utilized ultra-sensitive droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) to assess contamination in hospital laboratories, patient wards, and PPE. The results showed that the method can simultaneously detect the RNA of influenza A and B at a minimum concentration of 0.08 copies/μL, demonstrating exceptional stability and sensitivity. The study found that influenza RNA was detected on 27.27% of high-touch surfaces in the laboratory environment and on the PPE of laboratory staff. Additionally, the overall positive rate of the wards housing influenza patients was 20%.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study employed ultra-sensitive droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) to detect contamination of influenza A and B in hospital laboratories, patient wards, and PPE.
  • The analytical performance of ddPCR for detecting influenza A and B viruses was assessed using virus transport medium (VTM) simulation samples and real simulation samples.
  • The study collected 22 high-touch surface samples from the laboratory environment, 5 PPE samples from laboratory staff, and 42 environmental surface samples from wards of patients infected with influenza A and B.
  • The results indicated that ddPCR can simultaneously detect the RNA of influenza A and B at a minimum concentration of 0.08 copies/μL in both VTM and real simulation samples.
  • In the laboratory environment, influenza RNA was detected on 6 out of 22 high-touch surfaces, resulting in a positivity rate of 27.27%.
  • The overall positive rate of the wards housing influenza patients was 20%, with no influenza RNA detected on two air outlet fans or on the PPE of health care workers (HCWs).
  • The study concluded that ultra-sensitive ddPCR can effectively detect trace amounts of the influenza virus in the environment, providing compelling evidence for its use in epidemic prevention and control.

Statistics:

  • 27.27% of high-touch surfaces in the laboratory environment had influenza RNA detected.
  • 20% of patient wards had influenza RNA detected.
  • 0.08 copies/μL was the minimum concentration of influenza A and B RNA that could be detected using ddPCR.
  • 22 high-touch surface samples were collected from the laboratory environment.
  • 5 PPE samples were collected from laboratory staff.
  • 42 environmental surface samples were collected from wards of patients infected with influenza A and B.

Sources:

  • Huang Y, Zhai N, Tang R, Wang C, Huang Y, Long Y, Luo J, Qin J, and Huang Z. Assessment of Hospital Environmental and Personal Protective Equipment Contamination With Influenza a and B Viruses By Ultrasensitive Droplet Digital Pcr. Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease, 2025;113(3).
  • NewsRx. New Findings on Influenza Described by Investigators at Guangxi Medical University (Assessment of Hospital Environmental and Personal Protective Equipment Contamination With Influenza a and B Viruses By Ultrasensitive Droplet Digital Pcr). Virus Weekly. November 4, 2025; p 536.

Read more