Surface Sampling and Processing Tool for Microbial Contamination Detection

ABSTRACT:Sampling surfaces to investigate disease transmission is a common practice. Current environmental surface sampling methods using swabs, wipes, or sponges require both hands for optimal use and an additional step to release captured contents, which is time-consuming, ineffective, and inconsistent. We propose to develop a one-handed, environmental surface-sampling and concentration device– the Squeegee-Aspirator for Surface Sampling (SASS). Brushing, squeegee, and vacuum actions recover water or wetting buffer after being used to “wash” surfaces, and its effective, fast and near-complete liquid sample collection means that the sample is immediately available for extraction and molecular detection. Super-absorbent beads also concentrate the recovered fluid. In Phase I, we will build and test this device’s efficiency through a variety of surfaces of different roughness, orientation, and areas to be compared against swabs, wipes, or sponges. A complementary automated sample preparation device will also be developed. Two nationally recognized experts in environmental monitoring and molecular diagnostics will validate our technology. The final product allows technicians to determine if sample areas are disinfected properly. This will reduce the spread of organisms such as SARS-CoV-2, Clostridioides difficile, Acinetobacter baumannii, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and other antibiotic-resistant organisms (e.g., Neisseria gonorrhoeae) in hospital, clinic, or nursing home settings.