The impact of environmental conditions on the prevalence and aerosol transmission of Streptococcus pyogenes
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Civil & Environmental Engineering
Abstract
This project will focus on genetic strains of S. pyogenes best adapted to airborne survival which
are being identified and isolated during an ongoing MRC project. This project will utilise
established techniques and develop new approaches to investigate the environmental factors
which influence survival in air, and use fieldwork to contextualise and inform potential enhanced
outbreak control guidelines.
Objectives:
Establish CELEBS instrument in ICL category 3 laboratory and validate stability of S.
pyogenes generation, levitation and capturability
Adapt current Bioaerosol Generation Chamber to allow control of environmental
conditions (T & RH) and compare stability and culture forming potential to CELEBS
Adapt CELEBS and biological aerosol chamber to facilitate co-exposure to gaseous and
aerosol pollution sources
Investigate S. pyogenes survivability with variations in ambient concentrations of oxidising
gases (NO2, O3), organic and inorganic aerosols.
Undertake field work with UKHSA to sample bioaerosols, culture and compare to
laboratory strains. Assess environmental conditions prevailing during outbreaks to
contextualise laboratory experiments.
Establishing the CELEBS instrument at Imperial College London will significantly enhance the
capabilities of the laboratory to assess the environmental factors that influence survivability of S.
pyogenes and other airborne infectious diseases.
Furthermore, by comparing this with the established laboratory approach, and enhancing both to
investigate the influence of a broader range of atmospheric factors, we hope to gain insight into
the established periodicity of S. pyogenes outbreaks. This are not correlated with term times, and
instead occur in spring time; this indicates a potential environmental influence.
By relating the conditions in which outbreaks occur to the laboratory investigation, there is an
opportunity to contextualise the environmental conditions and provide insight into updated
guidelines for outbreak management.
are being identified and isolated during an ongoing MRC project. This project will utilise
established techniques and develop new approaches to investigate the environmental factors
which influence survival in air, and use fieldwork to contextualise and inform potential enhanced
outbreak control guidelines.
Objectives:
Establish CELEBS instrument in ICL category 3 laboratory and validate stability of S.
pyogenes generation, levitation and capturability
Adapt current Bioaerosol Generation Chamber to allow control of environmental
conditions (T & RH) and compare stability and culture forming potential to CELEBS
Adapt CELEBS and biological aerosol chamber to facilitate co-exposure to gaseous and
aerosol pollution sources
Investigate S. pyogenes survivability with variations in ambient concentrations of oxidising
gases (NO2, O3), organic and inorganic aerosols.
Undertake field work with UKHSA to sample bioaerosols, culture and compare to
laboratory strains. Assess environmental conditions prevailing during outbreaks to
contextualise laboratory experiments.
Establishing the CELEBS instrument at Imperial College London will significantly enhance the
capabilities of the laboratory to assess the environmental factors that influence survivability of S.
pyogenes and other airborne infectious diseases.
Furthermore, by comparing this with the established laboratory approach, and enhancing both to
investigate the influence of a broader range of atmospheric factors, we hope to gain insight into
the established periodicity of S. pyogenes outbreaks. This are not correlated with term times, and
instead occur in spring time; this indicates a potential environmental influence.
By relating the conditions in which outbreaks occur to the laboratory investigation, there is an
opportunity to contextualise the environmental conditions and provide insight into updated
guidelines for outbreak management.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/S023593/1 | 01/04/2019 | 30/09/2027 | |||
| 2879696 | Studentship | EP/S023593/1 | 30/09/2023 | 30/09/2027 | Phoebe French |