Studying the Indoor Air Transmission of Staphylococcus aureus

Lauren Esp

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

2024

Abstract

When humans exhale, they release the microbes into the air and many factors support the airborne transmission of microbes. We’re using Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) to model this phenomenon, as it is found in 40% of healthy humans. We’re investigating the relationship between temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels in the detection of S. aureus in air samples and other variables such as room size, occupancy, movement, and masking. We’re using a Trio.Bas air sampler with mannitol salt agar (MSA) plates to select for S. aureus in various rooms with differing occupancy levels at 30-minute and 60-minute intervals, and an additional sample was taken when the room was unoccupied. Samples were incubated for 24-48 hours, and S. aureus colonies were counted. Preliminary data suggests that CO2 levels and occupancy correlated with the amount of Staphylococcus found. We’re conducting further analysis to determine if significant differences exist between our variables.

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