Use of biological sample representative of a passenger cabin on an aircraft to identify all known microorganisms and non-described emerging pathogens
A method for collecting and testing particulates from aircraft air is disclosed. The method includes capturing particulates in at least one of an outlet flow path or a recirculation flow path with a collector over a period of time, removing the collector from at least one of the outlet flow path or the recirculation flow path for testing, concentrating the collected sample, conducting a test on at least one particulate captured in the collector, relaying a result of the test to a central data center to store the results, and identifying a previously non-described emerging pathogens within the results.
1 . A system for monitoring aircraft air comprising:
a collector for collecting particulate samples positioned within at least one of an outlet flow path or a recirculation flow path, the collector comprising:
a test vial and a reagent disposed within the test vial,
an adaptor configured to be accessible from within an aircraft cabin and configured to extend at least partially into the outflow path, and
a local filter material disposed within the adaptor, wherein the local filter material is configured to direct the particulate samples to the test vial for mixing with the reagent;
at least one of an outflow valve positioned in the outlet flow path downstream from the collector or a HEPA filter positioned in the recirculation flow path downstream from the collector; and
a storage unit or database for storing collected samples or analyzed sample materials of previously non-described emerging pathogens within the collected particulate samples.
2 . The system of claim 1 , the storage unit is at a remote location with respect to the aircraft.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the collector is configured to concentrate the samples at a concentration suitable for a direct genetic PCR test-throughout a duration of a flight.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the database includes DNA and RNA sequences.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the database includes DNA and RNA sequences with previously unassigned disease identifiers.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the collector includes a buffer-cyclonic current.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the test vial is removable from the adaptor.
8 . A method for collecting particulates from aircraft air comprising:
capturing particulates with an aircraft cabin air with a collector for a period of time, the collector comprising:
a test vial and a reagent disposed within the test vial,
an adaptor configured to be accessible from within an aircraft cabin and configured to extend at least partially into the outflow path, and
a local filter material disposed within the adaptor, wherein the local filter material is configured to direct the particulate samples to the test vial for mixing with the reagent;
removing the collector from for testing;
conducting a test on at least one particulate captured in the collector;
relaying a result of the test to a central data center to store the results; and
identifying all previously known pathogens and non-described emerging microorganisms within the results.
9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising aggregating a plurality of tests to develop a pattern of genetic sequences.
10 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising receiving an alarm to aggregate a particular type of result.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the test includes phylogenetic analysis, symptom comparison, or identification of new biological lineages.
12 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising communicating test results to corresponding health authorities.
13 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising communicating test results aggregates to corresponding health authorities.
14 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the test includes a pathogen/contaminant diagnostic device.
15 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the test includes a chemical or irritant detector.