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González-Aravena M, Galbán-Malagón C, Castro-Nallar E, Barriga GP, Neira V, Krüger L, Adell AD, Olivares-Pacheco J. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater Associated with Scientific Stations in Antarctica and Possible Risk for Wildlife. Microorganisms 2024; 12:743. [PMID: 38674687 PMCID: PMC11051888 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Before December 2020, Antarctica had remained free of COVID-19 cases. The main concern during the pandemic was the limited health facilities available at Antarctic stations to deal with the disease as well as the potential impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Antarctic wildlife through reverse zoonosis. In December 2020, 60 cases emerged in Chilean Antarctic stations, disrupting the summer campaign with ongoing isolation needs. The SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in the wastewater of several scientific stations. In Antarctica, treated wastewater is discharged directly into the seawater. No studies currently address the recovery of infectious virus particles from treated wastewater, but their presence raises the risk of infecting wildlife and initiating new replication cycles. This study highlights the initial virus detection in wastewater from Antarctic stations, identifying viral RNA via RT-qPCR targeting various genomic regions. The virus's RNA was found in effluent from two wastewater plants at Maxwell Bay and O'Higgins Station on King George Island and the Antarctic Peninsula, respectively. This study explores the potential for the reverse zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to Antarctic wildlife due to the direct release of viral particles into seawater. The implications of such transmission underscore the need for continued vigilance and research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cristóbal Galbán-Malagón
- GEMA, Center for Genomics, Ecology & Environment, Universidad Mayor, Santiago 8580745, Chile;
- Anillo en Ciencia y Tecnología Antártica POLARIX, Santiago 8370146, Chile;
- Institute for Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Eduardo Castro-Nallar
- Anillo en Ciencia y Tecnología Antártica POLARIX, Santiago 8370146, Chile;
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Talca, Campus Talca, Talca 3481118, Chile
- Centro de Ecología Integrativa, Universidad de Talca, Campus Talca, Talca 3460000, Chile
| | - Gonzalo P. Barriga
- Laboratorio de Virus Emergentes, Programa de Virología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile;
| | - Víctor Neira
- Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile;
| | - Lucas Krüger
- Departamento Científico, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Punta Arenas 6200985, Chile;
- Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Aiko D. Adell
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago 9350841, Chile;
- Millennium Initiative for Collaborative Research on Bacterial Resistance, MICROB-R, Santiago 7550000, Chile
| | - Jorge Olivares-Pacheco
- Millennium Initiative for Collaborative Research on Bacterial Resistance, MICROB-R, Santiago 7550000, Chile
- Grupo de Resistencia Antimicrobiana en Bacterias Patógenas y Ambientales, GRABPA, Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2373223, Chile
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Parkins MD, Lee BE, Acosta N, Bautista M, Hubert CRJ, Hrudey SE, Frankowski K, Pang XL. Wastewater-based surveillance as a tool for public health action: SARS-CoV-2 and beyond. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0010322. [PMID: 38095438 PMCID: PMC10938902 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00103-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) has undergone dramatic advancement in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The power and potential of this platform technology were rapidly realized when it became evident that not only did WBS-measured SARS-CoV-2 RNA correlate strongly with COVID-19 clinical disease within monitored populations but also, in fact, it functioned as a leading indicator. Teams from across the globe rapidly innovated novel approaches by which wastewater could be collected from diverse sewersheds ranging from wastewater treatment plants (enabling community-level surveillance) to more granular locations including individual neighborhoods and high-risk buildings such as long-term care facilities (LTCF). Efficient processes enabled SARS-CoV-2 RNA extraction and concentration from the highly dilute wastewater matrix. Molecular and genomic tools to identify, quantify, and characterize SARS-CoV-2 and its various variants were adapted from clinical programs and applied to these mixed environmental systems. Novel data-sharing tools allowed this information to be mobilized and made immediately available to public health and government decision-makers and even the public, enabling evidence-informed decision-making based on local disease dynamics. WBS has since been recognized as a tool of transformative potential, providing near-real-time cost-effective, objective, comprehensive, and inclusive data on the changing prevalence of measured analytes across space and time in populations. However, as a consequence of rapid innovation from hundreds of teams simultaneously, tremendous heterogeneity currently exists in the SARS-CoV-2 WBS literature. This manuscript provides a state-of-the-art review of WBS as established with SARS-CoV-2 and details the current work underway expanding its scope to other infectious disease targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D. Parkins
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- O’Brien Institute of Public Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Bonita E. Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nicole Acosta
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Maria Bautista
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Casey R. J. Hubert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Steve E. Hrudey
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kevin Frankowski
- Advancing Canadian Water Assets, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Xiao-Li Pang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Provincial Health Laboratory, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Ossio A, Flores-Rodríguez F, Heredia N, García S, Merino-Mascorro JA. Foodborne Viruses and Somatic Coliphages Occurrence in Fresh Produce at Retail from Northern Mexico. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2024; 16:109-119. [PMID: 38198031 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-023-09578-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Foodborne disease outbreaks linked to consumption of vegetables have been often attributed to human enteric viruses, such as Norovirus (NoV), Hepatitis A virus (HAV), and Rotavirus (RoV). Information about the occurrence of these viruses is scarce in many fresh-producing countries. Viral contamination detection of indicators, such as somatic coliphages, could indirectly reflect the presence of viral pathogens, being a valuable tool for better viral risk assessment in food industry. This study aimed to establish the occurrence and correlation of foodborne viruses and somatic coliphages in leafy greens in northern Mexico. A total of 320 vegetable samples were collected, resulting in 80 composite rinses, 40 of lettuce and 40 of parsley. Somatic coliphages were determined using the EPA 1602 method, while foodborne viruses (HAV, RoV, NoV GI, and GII) were determined by qPCR. The occurrence of RoV was 22.5% (9/40, mean 2.11 log gc/g) in lettuce and 20% (8/40, mean 1.91 log gc/g) in parsley. NoV and HAV were not detected in any samples. Somatic coliphages were present in all lettuce and parsley samples, with mean levels of 1.85 log PFU/100 ml and 2.28 log PFU/100 ml, respectively. Spearman analysis established the correlation of somatic coliphages and genomic copies of RoV, resulting in an r2 value of - 0.026 in lettuce and 0.349 in parsley. Although NoV or HAV were undetected in the samples, the presence of RoV is a matter of concern as leafy greens are usually eaten raw, which poses a potential risk of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Ossio
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Genética de Microorganismos, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, 66455, San Nicolas de los Garza, N.L., Mexico
| | - Fernanda Flores-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Genética de Microorganismos, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, 66455, San Nicolas de los Garza, N.L., Mexico
| | - Norma Heredia
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Genética de Microorganismos, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, 66455, San Nicolas de los Garza, N.L., Mexico
| | - Santos García
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Genética de Microorganismos, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, 66455, San Nicolas de los Garza, N.L., Mexico
| | - Jose Angel Merino-Mascorro
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Genética de Microorganismos, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, 66455, San Nicolas de los Garza, N.L., Mexico.
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Lekhanya T, Musvuugwa T, Mashifana T, Modley LAS. Measurement of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater: A case study of the Northern Cape, South Africa. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2023; 88:355-366. [PMID: 37522438 PMCID: wst_2023_197 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2023.197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in the infection and death of many South Africans. This is in part due to a lack of testing facilities, equipment, and staff in many areas, particularly those with low population densities. The study focused on the infection dynamics of the virus in the Northern Cape province in all five municipalities investigating wastewater-based surveillance for the province. Reverse transcription was used to identify the virus, and SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in a batch of wastewater from four of the five areas sampled and was collected in the months that fall within the third wave of COVID as well as the winter season (May-July). The detection of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA correlated with infection statistics as well as the seasonality of the virus. This research showed a positive result in using wastewater epidemiology to track the spread of the virus but also highlighted the need for improved methodology when it comes to this surveillance. This includes sampling smaller areas and frequent sampling in multiple areas to show clear patterns within smaller, sparsely populated communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thapelo Lekhanya
- Department of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa E-mail:
| | - Tendai Musvuugwa
- Department of Biological and Agricultural Sciences, Sol Plaatjie University, Kimberley, South Africa
| | - Tebogo Mashifana
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein 2088, South Africa
| | - Lee-Ann Sade Modley
- Department of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Forés E, Rusiñol M, Itarte M, Martínez-Puchol S, Calvo M, Bofill-Mas S. Evaluation of a virus concentration method based on ultrafiltration and wet foam elution for studying viruses from large-volume water samples. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 829:154431. [PMID: 35278558 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Assessing the presence of viruses in large-volume samples involves cumbersome methods that require specialized training and laboratory equipment. In this study, a large volume concentration (LVC) method, based on dead-end ultrafiltration (DEUF) and Wet Foam Elution™ technology, was evaluated in different type of waters and different microorganisms. Its recovery efficiency was evaluated through different techniques (infectivity assays and molecular detection) by spiking different viral surrogates (bacteriophages PhiX174 and MS2 and Coxsackie virus B5 (CVB5) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Furthermore, the application of a secondary concentration step was evaluated and compared with skimmed milk flocculation. Viruses present in river water, seawater and groundwater samples were concentrated by applying LVC method and a centrifugal ultrafiltration device (CeUF), as a secondary concentration step and quantified with specific qPCR Human adenoviruses (HAdV) and noroviruses (NoVs). MS2 was used as process control, obtaining a mean viral recovery of 22.0 ± 12.47%. The presence of other viruses was also characterized by applying two different next-generation sequencing approaches. LVC coupled to a secondary concentration step based on CeUF allowed to detect naturally occurring viruses such as HAdV and NoVs in different water matrices. Using HAdV as a human fecal indicator, the highest viral pollution was found in river water samples (100% of positive samples), followed by seawater (83.33%) and groundwater samples (66.67%). The LVC method has also proven to be useful as a virus concentration method in the filed since HAdV and NoVs were detected in the river water and groundwater samples concentrated in the field. All in all, LVC method presents high concentration factor and a low limit of detection and provides viral concentrates useful for subsequent molecular analysis such as PCR and massive sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Forés
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Genetics, Microbiology & Statistics Department at the University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; The Water Research Institute (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Marta Rusiñol
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Genetics, Microbiology & Statistics Department at the University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institute of Environmental Assessment & Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Marta Itarte
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Genetics, Microbiology & Statistics Department at the University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; The Water Research Institute (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sandra Martínez-Puchol
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Genetics, Microbiology & Statistics Department at the University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; The Water Research Institute (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Miquel Calvo
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Genetics, Microbiology & Statistics Department at the University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sílvia Bofill-Mas
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Genetics, Microbiology & Statistics Department at the University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; The Water Research Institute (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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Luz IDS, Vasconcellos L, Medeiros VDM, Miranda CAC, Rosas CDO, Pimenta MMA, Ferreira FC, Romão CMCPA, Brandão MLL, Miagostovich MP. Assessment of the microbiological quality of natural mineral waters according to the manufacturing time of 20 L returnable packs in Brazil. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2020; 367:5873008. [PMID: 32678435 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnaa120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the microbiological quality of natural mineral waters commercialized in 20 L returnable packs in Brazil by investigating the presence of bacteria and viruses in packs with different manufacturing times (Tm). With this purpose, 99 water samples from 33 lots (n = 3/batch) of 15 brands, obtained from packs with three intervals of Tm, were analyzed. Total coliforms (16.2%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.9%), sulphite-reducing Clostridium (5.0%) and Escherichia coli (2.0%) were detected but enterococci and norovirus GII not. Regarding brands, 11 (73.3%) presented unsatisfactory results for at least one of the lots analyzed. Pseudomonas aeruginosa analysis revealed six sequence types and strains were susceptible to all antibiotics tested and were able to produce biofilms. Human adenovirus (4) and norovirus GI (9) were also identified in nine samples randomly selected. Natural mineral waters commercialized in 20 L packs with Tm ≥ 2 years presented more microbiological contamination (P ≤ 0.012) than ones with a Tm of 0-1 year or a Tm of 1-2 years. These results suggest that the validity period of reusable 20 L packs should be reduced or that they can no longer be reused.
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