Аэрогенный механизм передачи больничных патогенов

For decades, there have been a number of controversial issues regarding the airborne transmission of hospital pathogens. Here we decided to perform a critical review on this topic in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic. We summarise the existing knowledge on biological aerosols including techniques of their generation, propagation of bioaerosol particles in a hospital environment, particle size-, shape- and composition-dependent airborne transmission, and microorganisms inhabitating such particles. It is still unclear which of the particles transfer the pathogens, which of the pathogens are capable of adhering to the particulate matter, and whether such adhesion affects pathogen virulence. Intriguingly, viruses, bacteria and fungi seemingly have distinct patterns of interactions with the bioaerosols. Moreover, particle formation and their colonization may be separated in time, further complicating the puzzle. Apparently, pathogen interactions with the particulate matter are of paramount importance to better understand the role of bioaerosol particles as a potential pathogen reservoir in the hospital environment and to properly assess the influence of environmental pollutants, novel biomedical materials and treatment technologies on airborne transmission of hospital pathogens.