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Boogaerts T, Van Wichelen N, Quireyns M, Burgard D, Bijlsma L, Delputte P, Gys C, Covaci A, van Nuijs ALN. Current state and future perspectives on de facto population markers for normalization in wastewater-based epidemiology: A systematic literature review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 935:173223. [PMID: 38761943 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) and wastewater surveillance have become a valuable complementary data source to collect information on community-wide exposure through the measurement of human biomarkers in influent wastewater (IWW). In WBE, normalization of data with the de facto population that corresponds to a wastewater sample is crucial for a correct interpretation of spatio-temporal trends in exposure and consumption patterns. However, knowledge gaps remain in identifying and validating suitable de facto population biomarkers (PBs) for refinement of WBE back-estimations. WBE studies that apply de facto PBs (including hydrochemical parameters, utility consumption data sources, endo- and exogenous chemicals, biological biomarkers and signalling records) for relative trend analysis and absolute population size estimation were systematically reviewed from three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS) according to the PRISMA guidelines. We included in this review 81 publications that accounted for daily variations in population sizes by applying de facto population normalization. To date, a wide range of PBs have been proposed for de facto population normalization, complicating the comparability of normalized measurements across WBE studies. Additionally, the validation of potential PBs is complicated by the absence of an ideal external validator, magnifying the overall uncertainty for population normalization in WBE. Therefore, this review proposes a conceptual tier-based cross-validation approach for identifying and validating de facto PBs to guide their integration for i) relative trend analysis, and ii) absolute population size estimation. Furthermore, this review also provides a detailed evaluation of the uncertainty observed when comparing different de jure and de facto population estimation approaches. This study shows that their percentual differences can range up to ±200 %, with some exceptions showing even larger variations. This review underscores the need for collaboration among WBE researchers to further streamline the application of de facto population normalization and to evaluate the robustness of different PBs in different socio-demographic communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Boogaerts
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Exposome Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Natan Van Wichelen
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Exposome Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Maarten Quireyns
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Exposome Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Dan Burgard
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA, USA
| | - Lubertus Bijlsma
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Castellón, Spain
| | - Peter Delputte
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Infla-Med Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Celine Gys
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Exposome Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Exposome Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Alexander L N van Nuijs
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Exposome Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
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El-Malah SS, Saththasivam J, K AK, Abdul Jabbar K, Gomez TA, Wahib S, Lawler J, Tang P, Mirza F, Al-Hail H, Ouararhni K, Abdul Azis TK, Abu Raddad LJ, Chemaitelly HS, Abu Halaweh HA, Khalife S, Bertollini R, Mahmoud KA. Leveraging wastewater surveillance for managing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and concerned pathogens during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Heliyon 2024; 10:e30267. [PMID: 38711666 PMCID: PMC11070812 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been proven effective for the monitoring of infectious disease outbreaks during mass gathering events and for timely public health interventions. As part of Qatar's efforts to monitor and combat the spread of infectious diseases during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ (FWC'22), wastewater surveillance was used to monitor the spread of SARS-CoV-2, human enterovirus, and poliovirus. The screening covered five major wastewater treatment plants servicing the event locations between October 2022 and January 2023. Viruses were concentrated from the wastewater samples by PEG precipitation, followed by qRT-PCR to measure the viral load in the wastewater. As expected, SARS-CoV-2 and enterovirus RNA were detected in all samples, while poliovirus was not detected. The concentration of SARS-CoV-2 was correlated with population density, such as areas surrounding the World Cup venues, and with the number of reported clinical cases. Additionally, we observed temporal fluctuations in viral RNA concentrations, with peak levels coinciding with the group stage matches of the FWC'22. This study has been useful in providing public health authorities with an efficient and cost-effective surveillance system for potential infectious disease outbreaks during mega-events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimaa S. El-Malah
- Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, P. O. Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jayaprakash Saththasivam
- Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, P. O. Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Arun K. K
- Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, P. O. Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Khadeeja Abdul Jabbar
- Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, P. O. Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tricia A. Gomez
- Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, P. O. Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sara Wahib
- Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, P. O. Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jenny Lawler
- Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, P. O. Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Patrick Tang
- Department of Pathology, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Faheem Mirza
- Department of Pathology, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hamad Al-Hail
- Department of Pathology, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Khalid Ouararhni
- Genomics Core, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Laith Jamal Abu Raddad
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hiam S. Chemaitelly
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hussein A. Abu Halaweh
- Drainage Network Operation & Maintenance Department, Public Works Authority, Doha, Qatar
| | | | | | - Khaled A. Mahmoud
- Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, P. O. Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
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Baz Lomba JA, Pires J, Myrmel M, Arnø JK, Madslien EH, Langlete P, Amato E, Hyllestad S. Effectiveness of environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 as an early-warning system: Update of a systematic review during the second year of the pandemic. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2024; 22:197-234. [PMID: 38295081 PMCID: wh_2023_279 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2023.279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
The aim of this updated systematic review was to offer an overview of the effectiveness of environmental surveillance (ES) of SARS-CoV-2 as a potential early-warning system (EWS) for COVID-19 and new variants of concerns (VOCs) during the second year of the pandemic. An updated literature search was conducted to evaluate the added value of ES of SARS-CoV-2 for public health decisions. The search for studies published between June 2021 and July 2022 resulted in 1,588 publications, identifying 331 articles for full-text screening. A total of 151 publications met our inclusion criteria for the assessment of the effectiveness of ES as an EWS and early detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants. We identified a further 30 publications among the grey literature. ES confirms its usefulness as an EWS for detecting new waves of SARS-CoV-2 infection with an average lead time of 1-2 weeks for most of the publication. ES could function as an EWS for new VOCs in areas with no registered cases or limited clinical capacity. Challenges in data harmonization and variant detection require standardized approaches and innovations for improved public health decision-making. ES confirms its potential to support public health decision-making and resource allocation in future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Antonio Baz Lomba
- Department of Infection Control and Preparedness, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway E-mail:
| | - João Pires
- Department of Infection Control and Preparedness, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; ECDC fellowship Programme, Public Health Microbiology path (EUPHEM), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Solna, Sweden
| | - Mette Myrmel
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Virology Unit, Norwegian University of Life Science (NMBU), Oslo, Norway
| | - Jorunn Karterud Arnø
- Department of Infection Control and Preparedness, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Elisabeth Henie Madslien
- Department of Infection Control and Preparedness, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Petter Langlete
- Department of Infection Control and Preparedness, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ettore Amato
- Department of Infection Control and Preparedness, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Susanne Hyllestad
- Department of Infection Control and Preparedness, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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Chemaitelly H, Ayoub HH, Tang P, Coyle PV, Yassine HM, Al Thani AA, Al-Khatib HA, Hasan MR, Al-Kanaani Z, Al-Kuwari E, Jeremijenko A, Kaleeckal AH, Latif AN, Shaik RM, Abdul-Rahim HF, Nasrallah GK, Al-Kuwari MG, Butt AA, Al-Romaihi HE, Al-Thani MH, Al-Khal A, Bertollini R, Abu-Raddad LJ. History of primary-series and booster vaccination and protection against Omicron reinfection. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh0761. [PMID: 37792951 PMCID: PMC10550237 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh0761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Laboratory evidence suggests a possibility of immune imprinting for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We investigated the differences in the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in a cohort of persons who had a primary Omicron infection, but different vaccination histories using matched, national, retrospective, cohort studies. Adjusted hazard ratio for reinfection incidence, factoring adjustment for differences in testing rate, was 0.43 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.39 to 0.49] comparing history of two-dose vaccination to no vaccination, 1.47 (95% CI: 1.23 to 1.76) comparing history of three-dose vaccination to two-dose vaccination, and 0.57 (95% CI: 0.48 to 0.68) comparing history of three-dose vaccination to no vaccination. Divergence in cumulative incidence curves increased markedly when the incidence was dominated by BA.4/BA.5 and BA.2.75* Omicron subvariants. The history of primary-series vaccination enhanced immune protection against Omicron reinfection, but history of booster vaccination compromised protection against Omicron reinfection. These findings do not undermine the public health utility of booster vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiam Chemaitelly
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Doha, Qatar
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Disease Epidemiology Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Viral Hepatitis, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation – Education City, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Houssein H. Ayoub
- Mathematics Program, Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Patrick Tang
- Department of Pathology, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Peter V. Coyle
- Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queens University, Belfast, UK
| | - Hadi M. Yassine
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Asmaa A. Al Thani
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hebah A. Al-Khatib
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hanan F. Abdul-Rahim
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Gheyath K. Nasrallah
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Adeel A. Butt
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
- Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Laith J. Abu-Raddad
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Doha, Qatar
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Disease Epidemiology Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Viral Hepatitis, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation – Education City, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
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Keshaviah A, Diamond MB, Wade MJ, Scarpino SV. Wastewater monitoring can anchor global disease surveillance systems. Lancet Glob Health 2023; 11:e976-e981. [PMID: 37202030 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(23)00170-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
To inform the development of global wastewater monitoring systems, we surveyed programmes in 43 countries. Most programmes monitored predominantly urban populations. In high-income countries (HICs), composite sampling at centralised treatment plants was most common, whereas grab sampling from surface waters, open drains, and pit latrines was more typical in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Almost all programmes analysed samples in-country, with an average processing time of 2·3 days in HICs and 4·5 days in LMICs. Whereas 59% of HICs regularly monitored wastewater for SARS-CoV-2 variants, only 13% of LMICs did so. Most programmes share their wastewater data internally, with partnering organisations, but not publicly. Our findings show the richness of the existing wastewater monitoring ecosystem. With additional leadership, funding, and implementation frameworks, thousands of individual wastewater initiatives can coalesce into an integrated, sustainable network for disease surveillance-one that minimises the risk of overlooking future global health threats.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matthew J Wade
- Analytics & Data Science Directorate, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Samuel V Scarpino
- Institute for Experiential AI, Network Science Institute, Department of Health Sciences, and Khoury College of Computer Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA; Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM, USA; Vermont Complex Systems Center, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA.
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Franco-Urquijo PA, Sierra-Martínez M, Jarquín-Martínez M, Martínez-Roque MA, García-Velásquez VM, Acosta-Altamirano G, Ruiz-Pérez NJ, Toscano-Garibay JD, Alvarez-Salas LM. Fluorescence-Linked Aptamer Assay for SARS-CoV-2 Spike-Protein: A Step-by-Step Performance Analysis in Clinical Samples. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12112829. [PMID: 36428893 PMCID: PMC9689637 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12112829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a main concern over the last two years and has become one of the most important crises in the history of human health. Today, there is still a need for affordable and reliable diagnostic tests for massive disease monitoring. Previously, a set of highly specific DNA-aptamers (C7/C9) binding to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein were isolated but its performance in clinical samples remained to be tested. Here, 242 samples were collected through three different methods and subjected to florescence-linked aptamer assays (FLAA) based on C7/C9 aptamers through two readout protocols. Then, a step-by-step statistical approach which included agreement tests, proportion comparisons and binomial and multinomial logistic regressions was used to predict optimal conditions for the novel C7/C9 FLAA test. RTqPCR threshold cycles, symptoms onset and processing time were influential factors on FLAA test results. Naturally occurring mutations on S were also detected and analyzed. Aminoacidic substitutions D614G and T732A appeared relevant for aptamer recognition although further studies are necessary. The methodology presented here is the first step to determine the performance and diagnosis across a range of clinical contexts and it might serve as a base for a complete analysis applicable to other designs of new diagnostic tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Alberto Franco-Urquijo
- Laboratorio de Terapia Génica, Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Mónica Sierra-Martínez
- Unidad de Investigación en Salud, Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Ixtapaluca, Ixtapaluca 56530, Mexico
| | - Mariana Jarquín-Martínez
- Unidad de Investigación en Salud, Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Ixtapaluca, Ixtapaluca 56530, Mexico
| | - Mateo Alejandro Martínez-Roque
- Laboratorio de Terapia Génica, Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Victor Miguel García-Velásquez
- Laboratorio de Terapia Génica, Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | | | | | - Julia Dolores Toscano-Garibay
- Unidad de Desarrollo en Soluciones Diagnósticas, Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Ixtapaluca, Ixtapaluca 56530, Mexico
- Correspondence: (J.D.T.-G.); (L.M.A.-S.); Tel.: +52-(55)5972-9800 (ext. 1202) (J.D.T.-G.); +52-(55)5747-3800 (ext. 5387 or 5388) (L.M.A.-S.)
| | - Luis Marat Alvarez-Salas
- Laboratorio de Terapia Génica, Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
- Correspondence: (J.D.T.-G.); (L.M.A.-S.); Tel.: +52-(55)5972-9800 (ext. 1202) (J.D.T.-G.); +52-(55)5747-3800 (ext. 5387 or 5388) (L.M.A.-S.)
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