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Journals / Kocatepe Tıp Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 26 Sayı: 3

EVALUATION OF VIRAL DISPERSION FROM MECHANICAL VENTILATION OUTLETS IN INTENSIVE CARE UNITS AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF UV-C STERILIZATION

YOĞUN BAKIM ÜNİTELERİNDE MEKANİK VENTİLASYON ÇIKIŞINDAN KAYNAKLANAN VİRÜS YAYILIMININ DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ VE UV-C STERİLİZASYONUNUN ETKİSİ

Elif Kağa(Afyonkarahisar Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi, Tıbbi Hizmetler ve Teknikler Bölümü)0000-0002-2279-6105
Sadık Kağa(Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi, Biyomedikal Mühendisliği Bölümü)0000-0002-6303-7981
Ugur Fidan(Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi, Biyomedikal Mühendisliği Bölümü)0000-0003-0356-017X
Ahmet Murat Koyuncu(Afyonkarahisar Devlet Hastanesi, Genel Cerrahi AB.)0000-0002-4331-2704
Gizem Fatma Ergüner(Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi, Biyomedikal Mühendisliği Bölümü)0000-0002-6436-6891
Abdullah Yalçın(Afyonkarahisar Devlet Hastanesi, Anesteziyoloji ve Reanimasyon AD.)0000-0001-7732-8213
Pages
233–239
Publication Date
2025-07-16
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings suggest that the risk of aerosolized virus spreading into the ambient air from patients receiving mechanical ventilation is low.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to test aerosol-based viral dispersion originating from mechanical ventilation devices in intensive care units, examine virus viability parameters, and investigate the effect of UV-C sterilization.
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Key Findings & Data:MATERIAL AND METHODS: A UV-C sterilizer was integrated into the mechanical ventilation device outlet line connected to 14 volunteer patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
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Conclusion & Impact:The findings suggest that the risk of aerosolized virus spreading into the ambient air from patients receiving mechanical ventilation is low.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Yoğun Bakım · Ventilasyon · COVID-19

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to test aerosol-based viral dispersion originating from mechanical ventilation devices in intensive care units, examine virus viability parameters, and investigate the effect of UV-C sterilization. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A UV-C sterilizer was integrated into the mechanical ventilation device outlet line connected to 14 volunteer patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Filter samples were collected under sterile conditions to detect patient-related viral contamination. Viral inoculation and RT-PCR tests were performed in the Virological Diagnostic Laboratory. RESULTS: According to the data from the inoculation test, no virus growth occurred in the samples obtained from the filters used in the ‘UV on’ and ‘UV off’ modes. However, even if COVID-19 was positive according to the PCR test in the patients' swab samples, the PCR result was detected as negative in the samples obtained from the outlet line of the mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: Within the scope of the study, aerosol virus detection and activity tests were performed from the outlet line of the mechanical ventilation device to which 14 volunteer patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were connected. The findings suggest that the risk of aerosolized virus spreading into the ambient air from patients receiving mechanical ventilation is low.

Özet

AMAÇ: Bu çalışmanın amacı, yoğun bakım servislerinde, mekanik ventilasyon cihazlarından kaynaklı aerosol viral yayılımın test edilmesi, virus canlılık parametrelerinin incelenmesi ve UV-C sterilizasyonun etkisinin araştırılmasıdır. GEREÇ VE YÖNTEM: COVID-19 tanısı almış 14 adet gönüllü hastanın bağlı olduğu mekanik ventilasyon cihazı çıkış hattına UV-C sterilizatör entegre edilmiştir. Hasta kaynaklı viral bulaşın tespiti için steril şartlarda filtre örnekleri toplanmıştır. Virolojik Teşhis Laboratuvarı’nda virüs inokülasyonu ve RT-PCR testi yapılmıştır. BULGULAR: Aşılama testinden elde edilen verilere göre, ‘UV açık’ ve ‘UV kapalı’ modlarında kullanılan filtrelerden alınan örneklerde virüs üremesi görülmedi. Bununla beraber hastaların sürüntü örneklerinde, PCR testine göre COVID-19 pozitif çıksa bile, mekanik ventilasyon çıkış hattından elde edilen örneklerde PCR sonucu negatif olarak tespit edilmiştir. SONUÇ: Çalışma kapsamında COVID-19 tanısı almış 14 gönüllü hastanın bağlı olduğu mekanik ventilasyon cihazının çıkış hattından aerosol virüs tespiti ve aktivite testleri yapıldı. Çalışmada mekanik ventilasyon alan hastaların solunumlarından aerosol virüsünün ortam havasına yayılma riskinin düşük olduğu belirlendi.

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Cite This Article

Kağa, E., Kağa, S., Fidan, U., Koyuncu, A. M., Ergüner, G. F., Yalçın, A. (2025). EVALUATION OF VIRAL DISPERSION FROM MECHANICAL VENTILATION OUTLETS IN INTENSIVE CARE UNITS AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF UV-C STERILIZATION. Kocatepe Tıp Dergisi, Cilt: 26 Sayı: 3, 233–239. https://doi.org/10.18229/kocatepetip.1637686

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