1
|
Hadi M, Kheiri R, Baghban M, Sayahi A, Nasseri S, Alimohammadi M, Khastoo H, Aminabad MS, Vaghefi KA, Vakili B, Tashauoei H, Borji SH, Iravani E. The occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in Tehran's municipal wastewater: performance of treatment systems and feasibility of wastewater-based epidemiology. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE & ENGINEERING 2024; 22:281-293. [PMID: 38887767 PMCID: PMC11180145 DOI: 10.1007/s40201-024-00897-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Analyzing municipal wastewater for the presence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) helps to evaluate the efficacy of treatment systems in mitigating virus-related health risks. This research investigates wastewater treatment plants' (WWTPs) performance in the reduction of SARS-CoV-2 from municipal wastewater in Tehran, Iran. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was measured within sewers, at the inlets, and after the primary and secondary treatment stages of three main WWTPs. Within sewers, the average virus titer stood at 58,600 gc/L, while at WWTP inlets, it measured 38,136 gc/L. A substantial 67% reduction in virus titer was observed at the inlets, accompanied by a 2-log reduction post-primary treatment. Remarkably, the biological treatment process resulted in complete virus elimination across all plants. Additionally, a notable positive correlation (r > 0.8) was observed between temperature and virus titer in wastewater. Using wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) technique and the estimated SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding rates, the infection prevalence among populations served by WWTPs found to be between 0.128% to 0.577%. In conclusion, this research not only advances our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 dynamics within wastewater treatment systems but also provides practical insights for enhancing treatment efficiency and implementing the feasibility of WBE strategies in Tehran. These implications contribute to the broader efforts to protect public health and mitigate the impact of future viral outbreaks. Graphical abstract
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Hadi
- Center for Water Quality Research (CWQR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roohollah Kheiri
- Water Quality Control Office, Alborz Province Water and Wastewater Company, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mahtab Baghban
- Reference Laboratory of Water and Wastewater, Tehran Province Water and Wastewater Company, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Sayahi
- Office of R&D and Industrial Relations of Water and Wastewater Engineering Company, Tehran, Iran
| | - Simin Nasseri
- Center for Water Quality Research (CWQR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmood Alimohammadi
- Center for Water Quality Research (CWQR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Khastoo
- Office of R&D and Industrial Relations of Water and Wastewater Engineering Company, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehri Solaimany Aminabad
- Center for Water Quality Research (CWQR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kooshiar Azam Vaghefi
- Manager of Water Quality Control Bureau, National Water and Wastewater Engineering Company, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behnam Vakili
- Office of Improvement on Wastewater Operation Procedures, National Water and Wastewater Engineering Company, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Tashauoei
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Hemmati Borji
- Center for Water Quality Research (CWQR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elnaz Iravani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
D'Arpino MC, Sineli PE, Goroso G, Watanabe W, Saavedra ML, Hebert EM, Martínez MA, Migliavacca J, Gerstenfeld S, Chahla RE, Bellomio A, Albarracín VH. Wastewater monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 gene for COVID-19 epidemiological surveillance in Tucumán, Argentina. J Basic Microbiol 2024:e202300773. [PMID: 38712352 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202300773] [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: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology provides temporal and spatial information about the health status of a population. The objective of this study was to analyze and report the epidemiological dynamics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the province of Tucumán, Argentina during the second and third waves of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) between April 2021 and March 2022. The study aimed to quantify SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater, correlating it with clinically reported COVID-19 cases. Wastewater samples (n = 72) were collected from 16 sampling points located in three cities of Tucumán (San Miguel de Tucumán, Yerba Buena y Banda del Río Salí). Detection of viral nucleocapsid markers (N1 gene) was carried out using one-step reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Viral loads were determined for each positive sample using a standard curve. A positive correlation (p < 0.05) was observed between viral load (copies/mL) and the clinically confirmed COVID-19 cases reported at specific sampling points in San Miguel de Tucumán (SP4, SP7, and SP8) in both months, May and June. Indeed, the high viral load concurred with the peaks of COVID-19 cases. This method allowed us to follow the behavior of SARS-CoV-2 infection during epidemic outbreaks. Thus, wastewater monitoring is a valuable epidemiological indicator that enables the anticipation of increases in COVID-19 cases and tracking the progress of the pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 genome-based surveillance should be implemented as a routine practice to prepare for any future surge in infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Cecilia D'Arpino
- Laboratory of Molecular and Ultraestructural Microbiology, Centro Integral de Microscopía Electrónica, (CIME-UNT-CONICET), Facultad de Agronomía, Zootecnia y Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Pedro Eugenio Sineli
- Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos (PROIMI-CONICET), Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Gustavo Goroso
- Laboratorio de Processamento de Sinais e Modelagem de Sistemas Biológicos. Núcleo de Pesquisas Tecnológicas, Universidade Mogi das Cruzes, Sao Paulo, Brasil
| | - William Watanabe
- Laboratorio de Processamento de Sinais e Modelagem de Sistemas Biológicos. Núcleo de Pesquisas Tecnológicas, Universidade Mogi das Cruzes, Sao Paulo, Brasil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Augusto Bellomio
- Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Tucumán), Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Virginia Helena Albarracín
- Laboratory of Molecular and Ultraestructural Microbiology, Centro Integral de Microscopía Electrónica, (CIME-UNT-CONICET), Facultad de Agronomía, Zootecnia y Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ryon MG, Langan LM, Brennan C, O'Brien ME, Bain FL, Miller AE, Snow CC, Salinas V, Norman RS, Bojes HK, Brooks BW. Influences of 23 different equations used to calculate gene copies of SARS-CoV-2 during wastewater-based epidemiology. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 917:170345. [PMID: 38272099 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170345] [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: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Following the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in late 2019, the use of wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) has increased dramatically along with associated infrastructure globally. However, due to the global nature of its application, and various workflow adaptations (e.g., sample collection, water concentration, RNA extraction kits), numerous methods for back-calculation of gene copies per volume (gc/L) of sewage have also emerged. Many studies have considered the comparability of processing methods (e.g., water concentration, RNA extraction); however, for equations used to calculate gene copies in a wastewater sample and subsequent influences on monitoring viral trends in a community and its association with epidemiological data, less is known. Due to limited information on how many formulas exist for the calculation of SARS-CoV-2 gene copies in wastewater, we initially attempted to quantify how many equations existed in the referred literature. We identified 23 unique equations, which were subsequently applied to an existing wastewater dataset. We observed a range of gene copies based on use of different equations, along with variability of AUC curve values, and results from correlation and regression analyses. Though a number of individual laboratories appear to have independently converged on a similar formula for back-calculation of viral load in wastewater, and share similar relationships with epidemiological data, differential influences of various equations were observed for variation in PCR volumes, RNA extraction volumes, or PCR assay parameters. Such observations highlight challenges when performing comparisons among WBS studies when numerous methodologies and back-calculation methods exist. To facilitate reproducibility among studies, the different gc/L equations were packaged as an R Shiny app, which provides end users the ability to investigate variability within their datasets and support comparisons among studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mia G Ryon
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97266, Waco, TX 76798, USA; Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97178, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - Laura M Langan
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97266, Waco, TX 76798, USA; Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97178, Waco, TX 76798, USA.
| | - Christopher Brennan
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, TAMU 2475, College Station, TX 77843-2475, USA
| | - Megan E O'Brien
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97266, Waco, TX 76798, USA; Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97178, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - Fallon L Bain
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97266, Waco, TX 76798, USA; Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97178, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - Aubree E Miller
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97266, Waco, TX 76798, USA; Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97178, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - Christine C Snow
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97266, Waco, TX 76798, USA; Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97178, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - Victoria Salinas
- Environmental Epidemiology and Disease Registries, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, TX 78756, USA
| | - R Sean Norman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly St., Columbia, SC 28208, USA
| | - Heidi K Bojes
- Environmental Epidemiology and Disease Registries, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, TX 78756, USA
| | - Bryan W Brooks
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97266, Waco, TX 76798, USA; Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97178, Waco, TX 76798, USA; Department of Public Health, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97343, Waco, TX 76798, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yan C, Hu YN, Gui ZC, Lai TN, Ali W, Wan NH, He SS, Liu S, Li X, Jin TX, Nasir ZA, Alcega SG, Coulon F. Quantitative SARS-CoV-2 exposure assessment for workers in wastewater treatment plants using Monte-Carlo simulation. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 248:120845. [PMID: 37976948 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120845] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Several studies on COVID-19 pandemic have shown that the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) originating from human stool are detected in raw sewage for several days, leading to potential health risks for workers due to the production of bioaerosols and droplets during wastewater treatment process. In this study, data of SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in wastewater were gathered from literatures, and a quantitative microbial risk assessment with Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate the daily probability of infection risk through exposure to viable infectious viral airborne particles of the workers during four seasons and under six environmental conditions. Inhalation of bioaerosols and direct ingestion of wastewater droplets were selected as exposure pathways. Spearman rank correlation coefficients were used for sensitivity analysis to identify the variables with the greatest influence on the infection risk probability. It was found that the daily probability of infection risk decreased with temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) increase. The probability of direct droplet ingestion exposure pathway was higher than that of the bioaerosol inhalation pathway. The sensitivity analysis indicated that the most sensitive variable for both exposure pathways was the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in stool. So, appropriate aeration systems, covering facilities, and effective ventilation are suggested to implement in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to reduce emission concentration. Further to this, the exposure time (t) had a larger variance contribution than T and RH for the bioaerosol inhalation pathway. Implementing measures such as adding more work shifts, mandating personal protective equipment for all workers, and implementing coverage for treatment processes can significantly reduce the risk of infection among workers at WWTPs. These measures are particularly effective during environmental conditions with low temperatures and humidity levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Yan
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental Water Science in the Yangtze River Basin, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China.
| | - Yi-Ning Hu
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Zi-Cheng Gui
- CCDI (Suzhou) exploration and design consultant Co., Ltd., Suzhou 215123, PR China
| | - Tian-Nuo Lai
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Wajid Ali
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Nian-Hong Wan
- Central & Southern China Municipal Engineering Design and Research Institute Co, Ltd., Wuhan 430010, PR China
| | - Shan-Shan He
- Central & Southern China Municipal Engineering Design and Research Institute Co, Ltd., Wuhan 430010, PR China
| | - Sai Liu
- CITIC Treated Water into River Engineering Investment Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430200, PR China
| | - Xiang Li
- Three Gorges Base Development Co., Ltd., Yichang 443002, PR China
| | - Ting-Xu Jin
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, PR China; School of Public Health, the Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, PR China
| | - Zaheer Ahmad Nasir
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Sonia Garcia Alcega
- School of Physical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK6 7AA, UK
| | - Frederic Coulon
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Acosta N, Dai X, Bautista MA, Waddell BJ, Lee J, Du K, McCalder J, Pradhan P, Papparis C, Lu X, Chekouo T, Krusina A, Southern D, Williamson T, Clark RG, Patterson RA, Westlund P, Meddings J, Ruecker N, Lammiman C, Duerr C, Achari G, Hrudey SE, Lee BE, Pang X, Frankowski K, Hubert CRJ, Parkins MD. Wastewater-based surveillance can be used to model COVID-19-associated workforce absenteeism. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:165172. [PMID: 37379934 PMCID: PMC10292917 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) of infectious diseases is a powerful tool for understanding community COVID-19 disease burden and informing public health policy. The potential of WBS for understanding COVID-19's impact in non-healthcare settings has not been explored to the same degree. Here we examined how SARS-CoV-2 measured from municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) correlates with workforce absenteeism. SARS-CoV-2 RNA N1 and N2 were quantified three times per week by RT-qPCR in samples collected at three WWTPs servicing Calgary and surrounding areas, Canada (1.4 million residents) between June 2020 and March 2022. Wastewater trends were compared to workforce absenteeism using data from the largest employer in the city (>15,000 staff). Absences were classified as being COVID-19-related, COVID-19-confirmed, and unrelated to COVID-19. Poisson regression was performed to generate a prediction model for COVID-19 absenteeism based on wastewater data. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 95.5 % (85/89) of weeks assessed. During this period 6592 COVID-19-related absences (1896 confirmed) and 4524 unrelated absences COVID-19 cases were recorded. A generalized linear regression using a Poisson distribution was performed to predict COVID-19-confirmed absences out of the total number of absent employees using wastewater data as a leading indicator (P < 0.0001). The Poisson regression with wastewater as a one-week leading signal has an Akaike information criterion (AIC) of 858, compared to a null model (excluding wastewater predictor) with an AIC of 1895. The likelihood-ratio test comparing the model with wastewater signal with the null model shows statistical significance (P < 0.0001). We also assessed the variation of predictions when the regression model was applied to new data, with the predicted values and corresponding confidence intervals closely tracking actual absenteeism data. Wastewater-based surveillance has the potential to be used by employers to anticipate workforce requirements and optimize human resource allocation in response to trackable respiratory illnesses like COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Acosta
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Xiaotian Dai
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Maria A Bautista
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Barbara J Waddell
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Jangwoo Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Kristine Du
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Janine McCalder
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Puja Pradhan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Chloe Papparis
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Xuewen Lu
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Thierry Chekouo
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada; Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Alexander Krusina
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Danielle Southern
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Tyler Williamson
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Rhonda G Clark
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Raymond A Patterson
- Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, SH 250, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | | | - Jon Meddings
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Norma Ruecker
- Water Services, City of Calgary, 625 25 Ave SE, Calgary, Alberta T2G 4k8, Canada
| | - Christopher Lammiman
- Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), City of Calgary, 673 1 St NE, Calgary, Alberta T2E 6R2, Canada
| | - Coby Duerr
- Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), City of Calgary, 673 1 St NE, Calgary, Alberta T2E 6R2, Canada
| | - Gopal Achari
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calgary, 622 Collegiate Pl NW, T2N 4V8, Canada
| | - Steve E Hrudey
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada; Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Bonita E Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada; Women & Children's Health Research Institute, 116 St. and 85 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada; Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Xiaoli Pang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada; Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada; Alberta Precision Laboratories, Public Health Laboratory, Alberta Health Services, 116 St. and 85 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Kevin Frankowski
- Advancing Canadian Water Assets, University of Calgary, 3131 210 Ave SE, Calgary, Alberta T0L 0X0, Canada
| | - Casey R J Hubert
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Michael D Parkins
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xue B, Guo X, Cao J, Yang S, Qiu Z, Wang J, Shen Z. The occurrence, ecological risk, and control of disinfection by-products from intensified wastewater disinfection during the COVID-19 pandemic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:165602. [PMID: 37478942 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165602] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Increased disinfection of wastewater to preserve its microbiological quality during the coronavirus infectious disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have inevitably led to increased production of toxic disinfection by-products (DBPs). However, there is limited information on such DBPs (i.e., trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, nitrosamines, and haloacetonitriles). This review focused on the upsurge of chlorine-based disinfectants (such as chlorine, chloramine and chlorine dioxide) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the global response to COVID-19. The formation and distribution of DBPs in wastewater were then analyzed to understand the impacts of these large-scale usage of disinfectants in WWTPs. In addition, potential ecological risks associated with DBPs derived from wastewater disinfection and its receiving water bodies were summarized. Finally, various approaches for mitigating DBP levels in wastewater and suggestions for further research into the environmental risks of increased wastewater disinfection were provided. Overall, this study presented a comprehensive overview of the formation, distribution, potential ecological risks, and mitigating approaches of DBPs derived from wastewater disinfection that will facilitate appropriate wastewater disinfection techniques selection, potential ecological risk assessment, and removal approaches and regulations consideration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Xue
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment and Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Xuan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Academy of Military Science, Beijing 102205, China
| | - Jinrui Cao
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment and Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Shuran Yang
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment and Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Zhigang Qiu
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment and Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Jingfeng Wang
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment and Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China.
| | - Zhiqiang Shen
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment and Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Mohamed AM, Matar E, Isa HM, Moosa AK, Hasan WF, Mohamed AG, Al Sayyad AS, Sanad MY, Alhajeri M, Abu Alfatah N, Alaraibi QM. Presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in wastewater in the Kingdom of Bahrain during the COVID-19 pandemic. Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2023; 17:e13194. [PMID: 37964990 PMCID: PMC10642395 DOI: 10.1111/irv.13194] [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: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Several countries, including Bahrain, used wastewater surveillance for disease activity monitoring. This study aimed to determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in untreated wastewater and to correlate it with the disease spread. Methods A retrospective review was conducted for all wastewater samples tested for SARS-CoV-2 in public health laboratories from November 2020 to October 2022. Samples were collected weekly between February and October 2022 from different areas across Bahrain. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to test for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, and the results were correlated with the number of COVID-19 cases in the same area. Results Of 387 wastewater samples, 103 (26.6%) samples tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. In late 2020, of 42 samples collected initially, four (9.5%) samples tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the four locations that hosted COVID-19 isolation facilities. Between February and October 2022, 345 specimens of wastewater were tested, and 99 (28.7%) were positive. The highest detection rate was in February, June, and July (60%, 45%, and 43%, respectively), which corresponded to COVID-19 peaks during 2022, and the lowest detection rate was in August and September (11% and 0%, respectively), corresponding to the low number of COVID-19 cases. Conclusion The detection rate of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater samples from Bahrain was high and was significantly correlated with the number of reported COVID-19 cases. Wastewater surveillance can aid the existing surveillance system in monitoring SARS-CoV-2 spread.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hasan M. Isa
- Pediatric Department, Salmaniya Medical ComplexArabian Gulf UniversityManamaBahrain
| | | | | | | | - Adel Salman Al Sayyad
- Family Medicine, Epidemiology & Public Health, Disease Control Section, Ministry of Health. Family and Community Medicine, CMMSAGUManamaBahrain
| | - Maryam Y. Sanad
- Food and Water Microbiological Analysis, Public Health DirectorateMinistry of HealthManamaBahrain
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Harrison K, Snead D, Kilts A, Ammerman ML, Wigginton KR. The Protective Effect of Virus Capsids on RNA and DNA Virus Genomes in Wastewater. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:13757-13766. [PMID: 37656816 PMCID: PMC10516120 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03814] [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: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Virus concentrations measured in municipal wastewater help inform both the water treatment necessary to protect human health and wastewater-based epidemiology. Wastewater measurements are typically PCR-based, and interpreting gene copy concentrations requires an understanding of the form and stability of the nucleic acids. Here, we study the persistence of model virus genomes in wastewater, the protective effects provided by the virus capsids, and the relative decay rates of the genome and infectious viruses. In benchtop batch experiments in wastewater influent at 25 °C, extraviral (+)ssRNA and dsDNA amplicons degraded by 90% within 15-19 min and 1.6-1.9 h, respectively. When encapsidated, the T90 for MS2 (+)ssRNA increased by 424× and the T90 for T4 dsDNA increased by 52×. The (+)ssRNA decay rates were similar for a range of amplicon sizes. For our model phages MS2 and T4, the nucleic acid signal in untreated wastewater disappeared shortly after the viruses lost infectivity. Combined, these results suggest that most viral genome copies measured in wastewater are encapsidated, that measured concentrations are independent of assay amplicon sizes, and that the virus genome decay rates of nonenveloped (i.e., naked) viruses are similar to inactivation rates. These findings are valuable for the interpretation of wastewater virus measurements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine
R. Harrison
- Department of Civil &
Environmental Engineering, University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Delaney Snead
- Department of Civil &
Environmental Engineering, University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Anna Kilts
- Department of Civil &
Environmental Engineering, University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Michelle L. Ammerman
- Department of Civil &
Environmental Engineering, University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Krista R. Wigginton
- Department of Civil &
Environmental Engineering, University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Bowes D, Darling A, Driver EM, Kaya D, Maal-Bared R, Lee LM, Goodman K, Adhikari S, Aggarwal S, Bivins A, Bohrerova Z, Cohen A, Duvallet C, Elnimeiry RA, Hutchison JM, Kapoor V, Keenum I, Ling F, Sills D, Tiwari A, Vikesland P, Ziels R, Mansfeldt C. Structured Ethical Review for Wastewater-Based Testing in Support of Public Health. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:12969-12980. [PMID: 37611169 PMCID: PMC10484207 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based testing (WBT) for SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly expanded over the past three years due to its ability to provide a comprehensive measurement of disease prevalence independent of clinical testing. The development and simultaneous application of WBT measured biomarkers for research activities and for the pursuit of public health goals, both areas with well-established ethical frameworks. Currently, WBT practitioners do not employ a standardized ethical review process, introducing the potential for adverse outcomes for WBT professionals and community members. To address this deficiency, an interdisciplinary workshop developed a framework for a structured ethical review of WBT. The workshop employed a consensus approach to create this framework as a set of 11 questions derived from primarily public health guidance. This study retrospectively applied these questions to SARS-CoV-2 monitoring programs covering the emergent phase of the pandemic (3/2020-2/2022 (n = 53)). Of note, 43% of answers highlight a lack of reported information to assess. Therefore, a systematic framework would at a minimum structure the communication of ethical considerations for applications of WBT. Consistent application of an ethical review will also assist in developing a practice of updating approaches and techniques to reflect the concerns held by both those practicing and those being monitored by WBT supported programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Devin
A. Bowes
- Biodesign
Center for Environmental Health Engineering, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Ave, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- Center on
Forced Displacement, Boston University, 111 Cummington Mall, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Amanda Darling
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1145 Perry Street, 415 Durham Hall; Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Erin M. Driver
- Biodesign
Center for Environmental Health Engineering, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Ave, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Devrim Kaya
- School of
Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, 105 26th St, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
- School of
Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego and Imperial Valley, California 92182, United States
| | - Rasha Maal-Bared
- Quality
Assurance and Environment, EPCOR Water Services Inc., EPCOR Tower, 2000−10423 101
Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta T5H 0E7, Canada
| | - Lisa M. Lee
- Department
of Population Health Sciences and Division of Scholarly Integrity
and Research Compliance, Virginia Tech, 300 Turner St. NW, Suite 4120 (0497), Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Kenneth Goodman
- Institute
for Bioethics and Health Policy, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33101, United States
| | - Sangeet Adhikari
- Biodesign
Center for Environmental Health Engineering, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Ave, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Srijan Aggarwal
- Department
of Civil, Geological, and Environmental Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1764 Tanana Loop, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, United States
| | - Aaron Bivins
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Louisiana State University, 3255 Patrick F. Taylor Hall, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, United States
| | - Zuzana Bohrerova
- The Ohio
State University, Department of Civil, Environmental
and Geodetic Engineering, 2070 Neil Avenue, 470 Hitchcock Hall, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Alasdair Cohen
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1145 Perry Street, 415 Durham Hall; Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
- Department
of Population Health Sciences, Virginia
Tech, 205 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Claire Duvallet
- Biobot
Analytics, Inc., 501
Massachusetts Avenue; Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Rasha A. Elnimeiry
- Public
Health Outbreak Coordination, Informatics, Surveillance (PHOCIS) Office—Surveillance
Section, Division of Disease Control and Health Statistics, Washington State Department of Health, 111 Israel Rd SE, Tumwater, Washington 98501, United States
| | - Justin M. Hutchison
- Department
of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Kansas, 1530 W 15th St, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, United States
| | - Vikram Kapoor
- School
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Construction Management, University of Texas at San Antonio, 1 UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States
| | - Ishi Keenum
- Complex
Microbial Systems Group, National Institute
of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Dr, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Fangqiong Ling
- Department
of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Deborah Sills
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania 17837, United States
| | - Ananda Tiwari
- Department
of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöberginkatu 2,
P.O. Box 66, FI 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Expert
Microbiology Unit, Finnish Institute for
Health and Welfare, FI 70600 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Peter Vikesland
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1145 Perry Street, 415 Durham Hall; Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Ryan Ziels
- Department
of Civil Engineering, The University of
British Columbia, 6250
Applied Science Ln #2002, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Cresten Mansfeldt
- Department
of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, UCB 428, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
- Environmental
Engineering Program, University of Colorado
Boulder, UCB 607, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wadi VS, Daou M, Zayed N, AlJabri M, Alsheraifi HH, Aldhaheri SS, Abuoudah M, Alhammadi M, Aldhuhoori M, Lopes A, Alalawi A, Yousef AF, Hasan SW, Alsafar H. Long-term study on wastewater SARS-CoV-2 surveillance across United Arab Emirates. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 887:163785. [PMID: 37149161 PMCID: PMC10156646 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) demonstrates an efficient tool to monitor and predict SARS-CoV-2 community distribution. Many countries across the world have adopted the technique, however, most of these studies were conducted for a short duration with a limited sampling size. In this study, long-term reliability and quantification of wastewater SARS-CoV-2 surveillance is reported via analyzing 16,858 samples collected from 453 different locations across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from May 2020 to June 2022. The collected composite samples were first incubated at 60 °C followed by filtration, concentration, and then RNA extraction using commercially available kits. The extracted RNA was then analyzed by one-step RT-qPCR and RT-ddPCR, and the data was compared to the reported clinical cases. The average positivity rate in the wastewater samples was found to be 60.61 % (8.41-96.77 %), however, the positivity rate obtained from the RT-ddPCR was significantly higher than the RT-qPCR suggesting higher sensitivity of RT-ddPCR. Time-lagged correlation analysis indicated an increase in positive cases in the wastewater samples when the clinical positive cases declined suggesting that wastewater data are highly affected by the unreported asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic and recovering individuals. The weekly SARS-CoV-2 viral count in the wastewater samples are positively correlated with the diagnosed new clinical cases throughout the studied period and the studied locations. Viral count in wastewater peaked approximately one to two weeks prior to the peaks appearing in active clinical cases indicating that wastewater viral concentrations are effective in predicting clinical cases. Overall, this study further confirms the long-term sensitivity and robust approach of WBE to detect trends in SARS-CoV-2 spread and helps contribute to pandemic management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vijay S Wadi
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mariane Daou
- Department of Biology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Noora Zayed
- Center for Biotechnology (BTC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Maryam AlJabri
- Center for Biotechnology (BTC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hamad H Alsheraifi
- Center for Biotechnology (BTC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Saeed S Aldhaheri
- Center for Biotechnology (BTC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Miral Abuoudah
- Center for Biotechnology (BTC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammad Alhammadi
- Emirates Bio-Research Center, Ministry of Interior, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Malika Aldhuhoori
- Emirates Bio-Research Center, Ministry of Interior, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Alvaro Lopes
- Emirates Bio-Research Center, Ministry of Interior, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abdulrahman Alalawi
- Department of Health, Safety and Environment, Department of Energy, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahmed F Yousef
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Department of Biology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shadi W Hasan
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Habiba Alsafar
- Center for Biotechnology (BTC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Emirates Bio-Research Center, Ministry of Interior, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zhao L, Geng Q, Corchis-Scott R, McKay RM, Norton J, Xagoraraki I. Targeting a free viral fraction enhances the early alert potential of wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2: a methods comparison spanning the transition between delta and omicron variants in a large urban center. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1140441. [PMID: 37546328 PMCID: PMC10400354 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1140441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Wastewater surveillance has proven to be a valuable approach to monitoring the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Recognizing the benefits of wastewater surveillance as a tool to support public health in tracking SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens, numerous wastewater virus sampling and concentration methods have been tested for appropriate applications as well as their significance for actionability by public health practices. Methods Here, we present a 34-week long wastewater surveillance study that covers nearly 4 million residents of the Detroit (MI, United States) metropolitan area. Three primary concentration methods were compared with respect to recovery of SARS-CoV-2 from wastewater: Virus Adsorption-Elution (VIRADEL), polyethylene glycol precipitation (PEG), and polysulfone (PES) filtration. Wastewater viral concentrations were normalized using various parameters (flow rate, population, total suspended solids) to account for variations in flow. Three analytical approaches were implemented to compare wastewater viral concentrations across the three primary concentration methods to COVID-19 clinical data for both normalized and non-normalized data: Pearson and Spearman correlations, Dynamic Time Warping (DTW), and Time Lagged Cross Correlation (TLCC) and peak synchrony. Results It was found that VIRADEL, which captures free and suspended virus from supernatant wastewater, was a leading indicator of COVID-19 cases within the region, whereas PEG and PES filtration, which target particle-associated virus, each lagged behind the early alert potential of VIRADEL. PEG and PES methods may potentially capture previously shed and accumulated SARS-CoV-2 resuspended from sediments in the interceptors. Discussion These results indicate that the VIRADEL method can be used to enhance the early-warning potential of wastewater surveillance applications although drawbacks include the need to process large volumes of wastewater to concentrate sufficiently free and suspended virus for detection. While lagging the VIRADEL method for early-alert potential, both PEG and PES filtration can be used for routine COVID-19 wastewater monitoring since they allow a large number of samples to be processed concurrently while being more cost-effective and with rapid turn-around yielding results same day as collection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zhao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Qiudi Geng
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Ryland Corchis-Scott
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Michael McKay
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
- Great Lakes Center for Fresh Waters and Human Health, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, United States
| | - John Norton
- Great Lakes Water Authority, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Irene Xagoraraki
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abelson S, Penso J, Alsuliman B, Babler K, Sharkey M, Stevenson M, Grills G, Mason CE, Solo-Gabriele H, Kumar N. COVID-19 Case and Mortality Surveillance using Daily SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater Samples adjusting for Meteorological Conditions and Sample pH. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.07.12.23292570. [PMID: 37502918 PMCID: PMC10370245 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.12.23292570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Background Wastewater monitoring is increasingly used for community surveillance of infectious diseases, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic as the genomic footprints of pathogens shed by infected individuals can be traced in the environment. However, detection and concentration of pathogens in the environmental samples and their efficacy in predicting infectious diseases can be influenced by meteorological conditions and quality of samples. Objectives This research examines whether meteorological conditions and sample pH affect SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in wastewater samples, and whether the association of SARS-CoV-2 with COVID-19 cases and mortality improves when adjusted for meteorological conditions and sample pH value in Miami-Dade County, FL. Methods Daily wastewater samples were collected from Miami-Dade Wastewater Treatment Plant in Key Biscayne, Florida from August 2021 to August 2022. The samples were analyzed for pH and spiked with OC43. RNA was extracted from the concentrated wastewater sample and SARS-CoV-2 was quantified using qPCR. COVID-19 and mortality data were acquired from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and meteorological data from the National Climatic Data Center. COVID-19 case and mortality rates were modelled with respect to time-lagged wastewater SARS-CoV-2 adjusting for meteorological conditions, and sample pH value and OC43 recovery. Results Temperature, dew point, pH values and OC43 recovery showed significant associations with wastewater SARS-CoV-2. Time-lagged wastewater SARS-CoV-2 showed significant associations with COVID-19 case and mortality incidence rates. This association improved when wastewater SARS-CoV-2 levels were adjusted for (or instrumented on) meteorological conditions, OC43 recovery, and sample pH. A 0.47% change in COVID-19 case incidence rate was associated with 1% change in wastewater SARS-CoV-2 (β ~ 0.47; 95% CI = 0.29 - 0.64; p < 0.001). A 0.12 % change in COVID-19 mortality rate was associated with 1 % change in SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater 44 days prior. A 0.07% decline in COVID-19 mortality rate was associated with a unit increase in ambient temperature 28 days prior. Discussion Time lagged wastewater SARS-CoV-2 (and its adjustment for sample pH and RNA recovery) and meteorological conditions can be used for the surveillance of COVID-19 case and mortality. These findings can be extrapolated to improve the surveillance of other infectious diseases by proactive measurements of infectious agent(s) in the wastewater samples, adjusting for meteorological conditions and sample pH value.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Abelson
- Department of Public Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Johnathon Penso
- Department of Public Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Bader Alsuliman
- Department of Public Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Kristina Babler
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida
| | - Mark Sharkey
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, US
| | - Mario Stevenson
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, US
| | - George Grills
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, US
| | - Christopher E Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University
| | - Helena Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida
| | - Naresh Kumar
- Department of Public Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ashraf MA, Nawaz M, Asif A, Ali MA, Mehmood A, Aziz MW, Shabbir MZ, Mukhtar N, Shabbir MAB, Raza S, Yaqub T. Temporal study of wastewater surveillance from September 2020 to March 2021: an estimation of COVID-19 patients in Lahore, Pakistan. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:80855-80862. [PMID: 37308626 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28041-7] [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: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The first aim of study was to quantify the viral load in the wastewater samples by RT-qPCR testing in Lahore population to estimate the number of patients affected and predict the next resurgence of COVID-19 wave in the city. The second aim of the study was to determine the hotspot areas of Lahore which remained positive more often for virus with high viral load. In this study, n = 420 sewage samples were collected on an average of two weeks intervals from 30 different sewage water disposal stations (14 sampling events) from Sept 2020 to March 2021. RNA was extracted and quantified by RT-qPCR without concentrating the virus in samples. Number of positive disposal sites (7-93%), viral load from sewage samples (100.296 to 103.034), and estimated patients (660-17,030) ranged from low to high according to the surge and restrain of 2nd and 3rd COVID-19 waves in the country. The viral load and estimated patients were reported high in January 2021 and March 2021 which were similar to the peak of 2nd and 3rd waves in Pakistan. Site 18 (Niaz Baig village DS) showed the highest viral load among all sites. Findings of the present study helped to estimate the number of patients and track the resurgence in COVID-19 waves in Lahore particularly, and in Punjab generally. Furthermore, it emphasizes the role of wastewater-based epidemiology to help policymakers strengthen the quarantine measures along with immunization to overcome enteric viral diseases. Local and national stake holders should work in collaboration to improve the environmental hygiene to control the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Adnan Ashraf
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Nawaz
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan.
| | - Ali Asif
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Asad Ali
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Adnan Mehmood
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Waqar Aziz
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Zubair Shabbir
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Nadia Mukhtar
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | | | - Sohail Raza
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Tahir Yaqub
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ciannella S, González-Fernández C, Gomez-Pastora J. Recent progress on wastewater-based epidemiology for COVID-19 surveillance: A systematic review of analytical procedures and epidemiological modeling. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 878:162953. [PMID: 36948304 PMCID: PMC10028212 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), whose causative agent is the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a pandemic. This virus is predominantly transmitted via respiratory droplets and shed via sputum, saliva, urine, and stool. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been able to monitor the circulation of viral pathogens in the population. This tool demands both in-lab and computational work to be meaningful for, among other purposes, the prediction of outbreaks. In this context, we present a systematic review that organizes and discusses laboratory procedures for SARS-CoV-2 RNA quantification from a wastewater matrix, along with modeling techniques applied to the development of WBE for COVID-19 surveillance. The goal of this review is to present the current panorama of WBE operational aspects as well as to identify current challenges related to it. Our review was conducted in a reproducible manner by following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for systematic reviews. We identified a lack of standardization in wastewater analytical procedures. Regardless, the reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) approach was the most reported technique employed to detect and quantify viral RNA in wastewater samples. As a more convenient sample matrix, we suggest the solid portion of wastewater to be considered in future investigations due to its higher viral load compared to the liquid fraction. Regarding the epidemiological modeling, the data-driven approach was consistently used for the prediction of variables associated with outbreaks. Future efforts should also be directed toward the development of rapid, more economical, portable, and accurate detection devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Ciannella
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock 79409, TX, USA.
| | - Cristina González-Fernández
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock 79409, TX, USA; Departamento de Ingenierías Química y Biomolecular, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. Los Castros, s/n, 39005 Santander, Spain.
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Bowes DA, Darling A, Driver EM, Kaya D, Maal-Bared R, Lee LM, Goodman K, Adhikari S, Aggarwal S, Bivins A, Bohrerova Z, Cohen A, Duvallet C, Elnimeiry RA, Hutchison JM, Kapoor V, Keenum I, Ling F, Sills D, Tiwari A, Vikesland P, Ziels R, Mansfeldt C. Structured Ethical Review for Wastewater-Based Testing. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.06.12.23291231. [PMID: 37398480 PMCID: PMC10312843 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.12.23291231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based testing (WBT) for SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly expanded over the past three years due to its ability to provide a comprehensive measurement of disease prevalence independent of clinical testing. The development and simultaneous application of the field blurred the boundary between measuring biomarkers for research activities and for pursuit of public health goals, both areas with well-established ethical frameworks. Currently, WBT practitioners do not employ a standardized ethical review process (or associated data management safeguards), introducing the potential for adverse outcomes for WBT professionals and community members. To address this deficiency, an interdisciplinary group developed a framework for a structured ethical review of WBT. The workshop employed a consensus approach to create this framework as a set of 11-questions derived from primarily public health guidance because of the common exemption of wastewater samples to human subject research considerations. This study retrospectively applied the set of questions to peer- reviewed published reports on SARS-CoV-2 monitoring campaigns covering the emergent phase of the pandemic from March 2020 to February 2022 (n=53). Overall, 43% of the responses to the questions were unable to be assessed because of lack of reported information. It is therefore hypothesized that a systematic framework would at a minimum improve the communication of key ethical considerations for the application of WBT. Consistent application of a standardized ethical review will also assist in developing an engaged practice of critically applying and updating approaches and techniques to reflect the concerns held by both those practicing and being monitored by WBT supported campaigns. Abstract Figure Synopsis Development of a structured ethical review facilitates retrospective analysis of published studies and drafted scenarios in the context of wastewater-based testing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Devin A. Bowes
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ, 85287
- Center on Forced Displacement, Boston University, 111 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA, 02215
| | - Amanda Darling
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1145 Perry Street; 415 Durham Hall; Blacksburg, VA 24061
| | - Erin M. Driver
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ, 85287
| | - Devrim Kaya
- School of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, 105 26th St, Corvallis, Oregon 97331
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego and Imperial Valley, CA
| | - Rasha Maal-Bared
- Quality Assurance and Environment, EPCOR Water Services Inc., EPCOR Tower, 2000–10423 101 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta, CA
| | - Lisa M. Lee
- Department of Population Health Sciences and Division of Scholarly Integrity and Research Compliance, Virginia Tech, 300 Turner St. NW, Suite 4120 (0497), Blacksburg, VA 24061
| | - Kenneth Goodman
- Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Sangeet Adhikari
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ, 85287
| | - Srijan Aggarwal
- Department of Civil, Geological, and Environmental Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1764 Tanana Loop, Fairbanks, AK 99775
| | - Aaron Bivins
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Louisiana State University, 3255 Patrick F. Taylor Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
| | - Zuzana Bohrerova
- The Ohio State University, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, 2070 Neil Avenue, 470 Hitchcock Hall, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Alasdair Cohen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1145 Perry Street; 415 Durham Hall; Blacksburg, VA 24061
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, 205 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061
| | - Claire Duvallet
- Biobot Analytics, Inc., 501 Massachusetts Avenue; Cambridge, MA; 02139
| | - Rasha A. Elnimeiry
- Public Health Outbreak Coordination, Informatics, Surveillance (PHOCIS) Office – Surveillance Section, Division of Disease Control and Health Statistics, Washington State Department of Health, 111 Israel Rd SE, Tumwater, WA 98501
| | - Justin M. Hutchison
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Kansas, 1530 W 15th St, Lawrence, KS 66045
| | - Vikram Kapoor
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Construction Management, University of Texas at San Antonio, 1 UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249
| | - Ishi Keenum
- Complex Microbial Systems Group, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Dr, Gaithersburg, MD 20899
| | - Fangqiong Ling
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130
| | - Deborah Sills
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, 17837
| | - Ananda Tiwari
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöberginkatu 2 P.O. Box 66 FI 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Peter Vikesland
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1145 Perry Street; 415 Durham Hall; Blacksburg, VA 24061
| | - Ryan Ziels
- Department of Civil Engineering, the University of British Columbia, 6250 Applied Science Ln #2002, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4
| | - Cresten Mansfeldt
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, UCB 428, Boulder, CO 80309
- Environmental Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, UCB 607, Boulder, CO 80309
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Belmonte-Lopes R, Barquilha CER, Kozak C, Barcellos DS, Leite BZ, da Costa FJOG, Martins WL, Oliveira PE, Pereira EHRA, Filho CRM, de Souza EM, Possetti GRC, Vicente VA, Etchepare RG. 20-Month monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater of Curitiba, in Southern Brazil. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-27926-x. [PMID: 37243767 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27926-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the collapse of healthcare systems and led to the development and application of several approaches of wastewater-based epidemiology to monitor infected populations. The main objective of this study was to carry out a SARS-CoV-2 wastewater based surveillance in Curitiba, Southern Brazil Sewage samples were collected weekly for 20 months at the entrance of five treatment plants representing the entire city and quantified by qPCR using the N1 marker. The viral loads were correlated with epidemiological data. The correlation by sampling points showed that the relationship between the viral loads and the number of reported cases was best described by a cross-correlation function, indicating a lag between 7 and 14 days amidst the variables, whereas the data for the entire city presented a higher correlation (0.84) with the number of positive tests at lag 0 (sampling day). The results also suggest that the Omicron VOC resulted in higher titers than the Delta VOC. Overall, our results showed that the approach used was robust as an early warning system, even with the use of different epidemiological indicators or changes in the virus variants in circulation. Therefore, it can contribute to public decision-makers and health interventions, especially in vulnerable and low-income regions with limited clinical testing capacity. Looking toward the future, this approach will contribute to a new look at environmental sanitation and should even induce an increase in sewage coverage rates in emerging countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Belmonte-Lopes
- Graduate Program On Pathology, Parasitology, and Microbiology, Federal University of Paraná, 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
- Basic Pathology Department, Biological Sciences Sector, Microbiological Collections of Paraná Network, Room 135/136. 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
- Basic Pathology Department, Federal University of Paraná, 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
| | - Carlos E R Barquilha
- Graduate Program On Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hydraulics and Sanitation Department, Federal University of Paraná, 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
- Hydraulics and Sanitation Department, Federal University of Paraná, 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
| | - Caroline Kozak
- Environment Department, Maringa State University, SESI Block, 1800 Ângelo Moreira da Fonseca AvenueRoom 15, Parque Danielle, Umuarama, PR, 87506-370, Brazil
| | - Demian S Barcellos
- Hydraulics and Sanitation Department, Federal University of Paraná, 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Z Leite
- Research and Innovation Management, Paraná Sanitation Company (SANEPAR), 1376 Eng. Rebouças St, Rebouças, Curitiba, PR, 80215-900, Brazil
| | - Fernanda J O Gomes da Costa
- Research and Innovation Management, Paraná Sanitation Company (SANEPAR), 1376 Eng. Rebouças St, Rebouças, Curitiba, PR, 80215-900, Brazil
| | - William L Martins
- Basic Pathology Department, Federal University of Paraná, 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
| | - Pâmela E Oliveira
- Hydraulics and Sanitation Department, Federal University of Paraná, 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
| | - Edy H R A Pereira
- Hydraulics and Sanitation Department, Federal University of Paraná, 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
| | - Cesar R Mota Filho
- Sanitary and Environmental Engineering Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), 6627 Antonio Carlos Avenue, Block 1, Room 4529, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Emanuel M de Souza
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Federal University of Paraná, 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
| | - Gustavo R C Possetti
- Research and Innovation Management, Paraná Sanitation Company (SANEPAR), 1376 Eng. Rebouças St, Rebouças, Curitiba, PR, 80215-900, Brazil
| | - Vania A Vicente
- Basic Pathology Department, Biological Sciences Sector, Microbiological Collections of Paraná Network, Room 135/136. 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
- Basic Pathology Department, Federal University of Paraná, 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
| | - Ramiro G Etchepare
- Hydraulics and Sanitation Department, Federal University of Paraná, 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Maida CM, Tramuto F, Giammanco GM, Palermo R, Priano W, De Grazia S, Purpari G, La Rosa G, Suffredini E, Lucentini L, Palermo M, Pollina Addario W, Graziano G, Immordino P, Vitale F, Mazzucco W. Wastewater-Based Epidemiology as a Tool to Detect SARS-CoV-2 Circulation at the Community Level: Findings from a One-Year Wastewater Investigation Conducted in Sicily, Italy. Pathogens 2023; 12:748. [PMID: 37375438 PMCID: PMC10305655 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060748] [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: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology is a well-established tool for detecting and monitoring the spread of enteric pathogens and the use of illegal drugs in communities in real time. Since only a few studies in Italy have investigated the correlation between SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater and the prevalence of COVID-19 cases from clinical testing, we conducted a one-year wastewater surveillance study in Sicily to correlate the load of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater and the reported cumulative prevalence of COVID-19 in 14 cities from October 2021 to September 2022. Furthermore, we investigated the role of SARS-CoV-2 variants and subvariants in the increase in the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Our findings showed a significant correlation between SARS-CoV-2 RNA load in wastewater and the number of active cases reported by syndromic surveillance in the population. Moreover, the correlation between SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater and the active cases remained high when a lag of 7 or 14 days was considered. Finally, we attributed the epidemic waves observed to the rapid emergence of the Omicron variant and the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. We confirmed the effectiveness of wastewater monitoring as a powerful epidemiological proxy for viral variant spread and an efficient complementary method for surveillance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Massimo Maida
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Regional Reference Laboratory of Western Sicily for the Emergence of COVID-19, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabio Tramuto
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Regional Reference Laboratory of Western Sicily for the Emergence of COVID-19, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Maurizio Giammanco
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberta Palermo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Walter Priano
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Simona De Grazia
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Purpari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Marinuzzi, 90129 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Giuseppina La Rosa
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.L.R.)
| | - Elisabetta Suffredini
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.L.R.)
| | - Luca Lucentini
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.L.R.)
| | - Mario Palermo
- Regional Health Authority of Sicily, Via Vaccaro 5, 90145 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Giorgio Graziano
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Regional Reference Laboratory of Western Sicily for the Emergence of COVID-19, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Palmira Immordino
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Vitale
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Regional Reference Laboratory of Western Sicily for the Emergence of COVID-19, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Walter Mazzucco
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Regional Reference Laboratory of Western Sicily for the Emergence of COVID-19, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Plaza-Garrido A, Ampuero M, Gaggero A, Villamar-Ayala CA. Norovirus, Hepatitis A and SARS-CoV-2 surveillance within Chilean rural wastewater treatment plants based on different biological treatment typologies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 863:160685. [PMID: 36476771 PMCID: PMC9721186 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater from WWTPs became an interesting source of epidemiological surveillance. However, there is uncertainty about the influence of treatment type on virus removal. The aim of this study was to assess viral surveillance within wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) based on different biological treatments. Seasonal monitoring (autumn-winter and spring-summer) was conducted in 10 Chilean rural WWTPs, which were based on activated sludge, aerated lagoons, bio-discs, constructed wetlands, vermifilters and mixed systems. Viruses were measured (influent/effluent) by the RT-qPCR technique, using a commercial kit for SARS-CoV-2, NoV GI, NoV GII, and HAV. The detection of SARS-CoV-2 viral variants by genotyping was performed using SARS-CoV-2 Mutation Assays (ThermoFisher Scientific, USA). JC polyomavirus detection (control), as well as a qPCR technique. Results showed that SARS-CoV-2, NoV GI and GII were detected in influents at values between <5 and 462, 0 to 28, and 0 to 75 GC/mL, respectively. HAV was not detected among the studied WWTPs. The monitored WWTPs removed these viruses at percentages between 0 and 100 %. WWTPs based on activated sludge with bio-discs demonstrated to be the most efficient at removing SARS-CoV-2 (up to 98 %) and NoV GI and GII (100 %). Meanwhile, bio-discs technologies were the least efficient for viral removal, due to biofilm detachment, which could also adsorb viral aggregates. A correlation analysis established that solids, pH, and temperature are the most influential parameters in viral removal. Wastewater-based surveillance at WWTP allowed for the detection of Omicron before the Chilean health authorities notified its presence in the population. In addition, surveillance of viruses and other microorganisms could help assess the potential public health risk of wastewater recycling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Plaza-Garrido
- Departamento de Ingeniería en Obras Civiles, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Santiago de Chile (USACH), Av. Victor Jara 3659, Estación Central, Santiago, Chile
| | - Manuel Ampuero
- Programa de Virología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Aldo Gaggero
- Programa de Virología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile.
| | - Cristina Alejandra Villamar-Ayala
- Departamento de Ingeniería en Obras Civiles, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Santiago de Chile (USACH), Av. Victor Jara 3659, Estación Central, Santiago, Chile.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Balakrishnan A, Jacob MM, Senthil Kumar P, Kapoor A, Ponnuchamy M, Sivaraman P, Sillanpää M. Strategies for safe management of hospital wastewater during the COVID-19 pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : IJEST 2023; 20:1-16. [PMID: 36817164 PMCID: PMC9925218 DOI: 10.1007/s13762-023-04803-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Management of hospital wastewater is a challenging task, particularly during the situations like coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The hospital effluent streams are likely to contain many known and unknown contaminants including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) along with a variety of pollutants arising from pharmaceuticals, life-style chemicals, drugs, radioactive species, and human excreta from the patients. The effluents are a mixed bag of contaminants with some of them capable of infecting through contact. Hence, it is essential to identify appropriate treatment strategies for hospital waste streams. In this work, various pollutants emerging in the context of COVID-19 are examined. A methodical review is conducted on the occurrence and disinfection methods of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. An emphasis is given to the necessity of addressing the challenges of handling hospital effluents dynamically involved during the pandemic scenario to ensure human and environmental safety. A comparative evaluation of disinfection strategies makes it evident that the non-contact methods like ultraviolet irradiation, hydrogen peroxide vapor, and preventive approaches such as the usage of antimicrobial surface coating offer promise in reducing the chance of disease transmission. These methods are also highly efficient in comparison with other strategies. Chemical disinfection strategies such as chlorination may lead to further disinfection byproducts, complicating the treatment processes. An overall analysis of various disinfection methods is presented here, including developing methods such as membrane technologies, highlighting the merits and demerits of each of these processes. Finally, the wastewater surveillance adopted during the COVID-19 outbreak is discussed. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13762-023-04803-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A. Balakrishnan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Rourkela, Odisha 769008 India
| | - M. M. Jacob
- Department of Chemical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203 India
| | - P. Senthil Kumar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Kalavakkam, Chennai 603203 India
- Centre of Excellence in Water Research (CEWAR), Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Kalavakkam, Chennai 603203 India
- School of Engineering, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
- Department of Biotechnology Engineering and Food Technology, Chandigarh University, Mohali, 140413 India
| | - A. Kapoor
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Harcourt Butler Technical University, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208002 India
| | - M. Ponnuchamy
- Department of Chemical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203 India
| | - P. Sivaraman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203 India
| | - M. Sillanpää
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451 Saudi Arabia
- School of Resources and Environment, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), NO. 2006, Xiyuan Ave., West High-Tech Zone, Chengdu, Sichuan 611731 People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Alahdal HM, Ameen F, AlYahya S, Sonbol H, Khan A, Alsofayan Y, Alahmari A. Municipal wastewater viral pollution in Saudi Arabia: effect of hot climate on COVID-19 disease spreading. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:25050-25057. [PMID: 34138435 PMCID: PMC8210523 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14809-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The viral RNA of SARS-Coronavirus-2 is known to be contaminating municipal wastewater. We aimed to assess if COVID-19 disease is spreading through wastewater. We studied the amount of viral RNA in raw sewage and the efficiency of the sewage treatment to remove the virus. Sewage water was collected before and after the activated sludge process three times during summer 2020 from three different sewage treatment plants. The sewage treatment was efficient in removing SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA. Each sewage treatment plant gathered wastewater from one hospital, of which COVID-19 admissions were used to describe the level of disease occurrence in the area. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA-specific target genes (N1, N2, and E) was confirmed using RT-qPCR analysis. However, hospital admission did not correlate significantly with viral RNA. Moreover, viral RNA loads were relatively low, suggesting that sewage might preserve viral RNA in a hot climate only for a short time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hadil M Alahdal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fuad Ameen
- Department of Botany & Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Sami AlYahya
- National Center for Biotechnology, King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hana Sonbol
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anas Khan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Global Center for Mass Gatherings Medicine, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 11461, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yousef Alsofayan
- Global Center for Mass Gatherings Medicine, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 11461, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Alahmari
- Global Center for Mass Gatherings Medicine, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 11461, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Kadadou D, Tizani L, Wadi VS, Banat F, Alsafar H, Yousef AF, Hasan SW. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in clinical and environmental samples using highly sensitive reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-based biosensor. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL (LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND : 1996) 2023; 453:139750. [PMID: 36267422 PMCID: PMC9557116 DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.139750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) is the most commonly used diagnostic tool for SARS-CoV-2 detection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite its sensitivity and accuracy, qRT-PCR is a time-consuming method that requires expensive laboratories with highly trained personnel. In this work, on-site detection of SARS-CoV-2 in municipal wastewater was investigated for the first time. The wastewater was unprocessed and did not require any prefiltration, prior spiking with virus, or viral concentration in order to be suitable for use with the biosensor. The prototype reported here is a reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-based biosensor for rapid, sensitive and selective detection of SARS-CoV-2. The biosensor achieved a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.5 fg/mL in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and exhibited specificity when exposed to various analytes. The response time was measured to be around 240 ms. To further explore the capabilities of the biosensor in real clinical and municipal wastewater samples, three different tests were performed to determine the presence or absence of the virus: (i) qRT-PCR, (ii) a rapid antigen-based commercially available test (COVID-19 Test Strips), and (iii) the biosensor constructed and reported here. Taken together, our results demonstrate that a biosensor that can detect SARS-CoV-2 in clinical samples as well as unfiltered and unprocessed municipal wastewater is feasible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dana Kadadou
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Lina Tizani
- Center for Biotechnology (BTC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Vijay S Wadi
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fawzi Banat
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Habiba Alsafar
- Center for Biotechnology (BTC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Emirates Bio-research Center, Ministry of Interior, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahmed F Yousef
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Biology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shadi W Hasan
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Burnet JB, Cauchie HM, Walczak C, Goeders N, Ogorzaly L. Persistence of endogenous RNA biomarkers of SARS-CoV-2 and PMMoV in raw wastewater: Impact of temperature and implications for wastewater-based epidemiology. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159401. [PMID: 36240930 PMCID: PMC9554201 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 biomarkers in wastewater should guide wastewater-based epidemiology users in selecting best RNA biomarkers for reliable detection of the virus during current and future waves of the pandemic. In the present study, the persistence of endogenous SARS-CoV-2 were assessed during one month for six different RNA biomarkers and for the pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) at three different temperatures (4, 12 and 20 °C) in one wastewater sample. All SARS-CoV-2 RNA biomarkers were consistently detected during 6 days at 4° and differences in signal persistence among RNA biomarkers were mostly observed at 20 °C with N biomarkers being globally more persistent than RdRP, E and ORF1ab ones. SARS-CoV-2 signal persistence further decreased in a temperature dependent manner. At 12 and 20 °C, RNA biomarker losses of 1-log10 occurred on average after 6 and 4 days, and led to a complete signal loss after 13 and 6 days, respectively. Besides the effect of temperature, SARS-CoV-2 RNA signals were more persistent in the particulate phase compared to the aqueous one. Finally, PMMoV RNA signal was highly persistent in both phases and significantly differed from that of SARS-CoV-2 biomarkers. We further provide a detailed overview of the latest literature on SARS-CoV-2 and PMMoV decay rates in sewage matrices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Baptiste Burnet
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Environmental Research & Innovation Department, 41 rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Henry-Michel Cauchie
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Environmental Research & Innovation Department, 41 rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Cécile Walczak
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Environmental Research & Innovation Department, 41 rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Nathalie Goeders
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Environmental Research & Innovation Department, 41 rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Leslie Ogorzaly
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Environmental Research & Innovation Department, 41 rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in municipal wastewater to monitor COVID-19 status in urban clusters in Malaysia. Arch Microbiol 2023; 205:76. [PMID: 36708390 PMCID: PMC9884128 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03417-y] [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: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 has attracted considerable attention worldwide to complement the existing clinical-based surveillance system. In this study, we report our first successful attempt to prove the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 genes in Malaysian urban wastewater. A total of 18 wastewater samples were obtained from a regional sewage treatment plant that received municipal sewage between February 2021 and May 2021. Using the quantitative PCR assay targeting the E and RdRp genes of SARS-CoV-2, we confirmed that both genes were detected in the raw sewage, while no viral RNA was found in the treated sewage. We were also able to show that the trend of COVID-19 cases in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor was related to the changes in SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels in the wastewater samples. Overall, our study highlights that monitoring wastewater for SARS-CoV-2 should help local health professionals to obtain additional information on the rapid and silent circulation of infectious agents in communities at the regional level.
Collapse
|
24
|
Sabzchi-Dehkharghani H, Samadi Kafil H, Majnooni-Heris A, Akbarzadeh A, Naderi-Ahranjani R, Fakherifard A, Mosaferi M, Gilani N, Noury M, Eydi P, Sayyari Sis S, Toghyanian N, Yegani R. Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA contamination in water supply resources of Tabriz metropolitan during a peak of COVID-19 pandemic. SUSTAINABLE WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 2022; 9:21. [PMID: 36570697 PMCID: PMC9759279 DOI: 10.1007/s40899-022-00809-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
It is crucial to have access to clean water resources during the COVID-19 pandemic for hygiene, since virus infection through wastewater leaks in metropolitan areas can be a threat. Accurate monitoring of urban water resources during the pandemic seems to be the only way to confirm safe and infected resources. Here, in this study, the amount of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2's Ribonucleic Acid (SARS-CoV-2 RNA) in the Tabriz urban water network located in the northwest of Iran was investigated by an extensive sampling of the city's water sources at a severe peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The sampling process comprised a range of water sources, including wells, qanats, water treatment facilities, dams, and reservoirs. For each sample, a combination of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and sodium chloride (NaCl) was used for concentration and a laboratory RNA-based method was conducted for quantification. Before applying the extraction and quantification procedure to real samples, the proposed concentration method was verified with synthetic serum samples for the first time. After the concentration, RNA extraction was done by the BehPrep extraction column method, and Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) detection of the virus was done by Covitech COVID-19 RT-PCR kit. In none of the water supply resources, SARS-COV-2 RNA has been detected except in a sample grabbed from a well adjacent to an urban wastewater discharge point downstream. The results of molecular analysis for the positive sample showed that the CT value and concentration of the virus genome were equal to 32.57 and 5720 copies/L, respectively. Quantitative analysis of real samples shows that the city's water network was safe at the time of the study. However, given that the positive sample was exposed to wastewater leakage, periodic sampling from wells and qanats is suggested during the pandemic until it can be proven that the leakage to these water sources is impossible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hossein Samadi Kafil
- Drug Applied Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | | | - Rana Naderi-Ahranjani
- Membrane Technology Research Center, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, PO. BOX 51335/1996, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ahmad Fakherifard
- Department of Water Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mosaferi
- Health and Environment Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Neda Gilani
- Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Noury
- Iranian Water Resources Management Company, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parisa Eydi
- Membrane Technology Research Center, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, PO. BOX 51335/1996, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sajjad Sayyari Sis
- Membrane Technology Research Center, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, PO. BOX 51335/1996, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Reza Yegani
- Membrane Technology Research Center, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, PO. BOX 51335/1996, Tabriz, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Bonanno Ferraro G, Veneri C, Mancini P, Iaconelli M, Suffredini E, Bonadonna L, Lucentini L, Bowo-Ngandji A, Kengne-Nde C, Mbaga DS, Mahamat G, Tazokong HR, Ebogo-Belobo JT, Njouom R, Kenmoe S, La Rosa G. A State-of-the-Art Scoping Review on SARS-CoV-2 in Sewage Focusing on the Potential of Wastewater Surveillance for the Monitoring of the COVID-19 Pandemic. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2022; 14:315-354. [PMID: 34727334 PMCID: PMC8561373 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-021-09498-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of coronavirus infectious disease-2019 (COVID-19), caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has rapidly spread throughout the world. Several studies have shown that detecting SARS-CoV-2 in untreated wastewater can be a useful tool to identify new outbreaks, establish outbreak trends, and assess the prevalence of infections. On 06 May 2021, over a year into the pandemic, we conducted a scoping review aiming to summarize research data on SARS-CoV-2 in sewage. Papers dealing with raw sewage collected at wastewater treatment plants, sewer networks, septic tanks, and sludge treatment facilities were included in this review. We also reviewed studies on sewage collected in community settings such as private or municipal hospitals, healthcare facilities, nursing homes, dormitories, campuses, airports, aircraft, and cruise ships. The literature search was conducted using the electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, and Web Science Core Collection. This comprehensive research yielded 1090 results, 66 of which met the inclusion criteria and are discussed in this review. Studies from 26 countries worldwide have investigated the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage of different origin. The percentage of positive samples in sewage ranged from 11.6 to 100%, with viral concentrations ranging from ˂LOD to 4.6 × 108 genome copies/L. This review outlines the evidence currently available on wastewater surveillance: (i) as an early warning system capable of predicting COVID-19 outbreaks days or weeks before clinical cases; (ii) as a tool capable of establishing trends in current outbreaks; (iii) estimating the prevalence of infections; and (iv) studying SARS-CoV-2 genetic diversity. In conclusion, as a cost-effective, rapid, and reliable source of information on the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in the population, wastewater surveillance can enhance genomic and epidemiological surveillance with independent and complementary data to inform public health decision-making during the ongoing pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Bonanno Ferraro
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - P Mancini
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - M Iaconelli
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - E Suffredini
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - L Bonadonna
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - L Lucentini
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - A Bowo-Ngandji
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - C Kengne-Nde
- Research Monitoring and Planning Unit, National Aids Control Committee, Douala, Cameroon
| | - D S Mbaga
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - G Mahamat
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - H R Tazokong
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - J T Ebogo-Belobo
- Medical Research Centre, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - R Njouom
- Virology Department, Centre Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - S Kenmoe
- Virology Department, Centre Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - G La Rosa
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Lancaster E, Byrd K, Ai Y, Lee J. Socioeconomic status correlations with confirmed COVID-19 cases and SARS-CoV-2 wastewater concentrations in small-medium sized communities. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 215:114290. [PMID: 36096171 PMCID: PMC9458761 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Over two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, it is apparent that some populations across the world are more susceptible than others to SARS-CoV-2 infection and spread. Understanding how populations with varying demographic patterns are impacted by COVID-19 may highlight which factors are most important in targeting to combat global suffering. The first objective of this study was to investigate the association of various socioeconomic status (SES) parameters and confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state of Ohio, USA. This study examines the largest and capital city of Ohio (Columbus) and various small-medium-sized communities. The second objective was to determine the relationship between SES parameters and community-level SARS-CoV-2 concentrations using municipal wastewater samples from each city's respective wastewater treatment plants from August 2020 to January 2021. SES parameters include population size, median income, poverty, race/ethnicity, education, health care access, types of COVID-19 testing sites, and social vulnerability index. Statistical analysis results show that confirmed (normalized and/or non-normalized) COVID-19 cases were negatively associated with White percentage and registered hospitals, and positively associated with registered physicians and various COVID-19 testing sites. Wastewater viral concentrations were negatively associated with poverty, and positively associated with median income, community health centers, and onsite rapid testing locations. Additional analyses conclude that population is a significant factor in determining COVID-19 cases and SARS-CoV-2 wastewater concentrations. Results indicate that community healthcare parameters relate to a negative health outcome (COVID-19) and that demographic parameters can be associated with community-level SARS-CoV-2 wastewater concentrations. As the first study that examines the association between socioeconomic parameters and SARS-CoV-2 wastewater concentrations as well as confirmed COVID-19 cases, it is apparent that social determinants have an impact in determining the health burden of small-medium sized Ohioan cities. This study design and innovative approach are scalable and applicable for endemic and pandemic surveillance across the world.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma Lancaster
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Environmental Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kendall Byrd
- Environmental Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Yuehan Ai
- Department of Food Science & Technology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jiyoung Lee
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Environmental Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Food Science & Technology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Infectious Diseases Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
A safe haven of SARS-CoV-2 in the environment: Prevalence and potential transmission risks in the effluent, sludge, and biosolids. GEOSCIENCE FRONTIERS 2022; 13. [PMID: 37521134 PMCID: PMC8861126 DOI: 10.1016/j.gsf.2022.101373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which has caused millions of death globally is recognized to be unstable and recalcitrant in the environment, especially in the way it has been evolving to form new and highly transmissible variants. Of particular concerns are human-environment interactions and the handling and reusing the environmental materials, such as effluents, sludge, or biosolids laden with the SARS-CoV-2 without adequate treatments, thereby suggesting potential transmission and health risks. This study assesses the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in effluents, sludge, and biosolids. Further, we evaluate the environmental, ecological, and health risks of reusing these environmental materials by wastewater/sludge workers and farmers. A systematic review of literature from the Scopus database resulted in a total of 21 articles (11 for effluents, 8 for sludge, and 2 for biosolids) that met the criteria for meta-analysis, which are then subdivided into 30 meta-analyzed studies. The prevalence of SAR-CoV-2 RNA in effluent and sludge based on random-effect models are 27.51 and 1012.25, respectively, with a 95% CI between 6.14 and 48.89 for the effluent, and 104.78 and 1019.71 for the sludge. However, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the biosolids based on the fixed-effect model is 30.59, with a 95% CI between 10.10 and 51.08. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in environmental materials indicates the inefficiency in some of the treatment systems currently deployed to inactivate and remove the novel virus, which could be a potential health risk concern to vulnerable wastewater workers in particular, and the environmental and ecological issues for the population at large. This timely review portends the associated risks in handling and reusing environmental materials without proper and adequate treatments.
Collapse
|
28
|
Guérin-Rechdaoui S, Bize A, Levesque-Ninio C, Janvier A, Lacroix C, Le Brizoual F, Barbier J, Amsaleg CR, Azimi S, Rocher V. Fate of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in wastewater treatment sludge during storage and thermophilic anaerobic digestion. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 214:114057. [PMID: 35995225 PMCID: PMC9391084 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Since the COVID-19 outbreak has started in late 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has been widely detected in human stools and in urban wastewater. No infectious SARS-CoV-2 particles have been detected in raw wastewater until now, but it has been reported occasionally in human stools. This has raised questions on the fate of SARS-CoV-2 during wastewater treatment and notably in its end-product, wastewater treatment sludge, which is classically valorized by land spreading for agricultural amendment. In the present work, we focused on SARS-CoV-2 stability in wastewater treatment sludge, either during storage (4 °C, room temperature) or thermophilic anaerobic digestion (50 °C). Anaerobic digestion is one of the possible processes for sludge valorization. Experiments were conducted in laboratory pilots; SARS-CoV-2 detection was based on RT-quantitative PCR or RT-digital droplet PCR. In addition to SARS-CoV-2, Bovine Coronavirus (BCoV) particles were used as surrogate virus. The RNA from SARS-CoV-2 particles, inactivated or not, was close to the detection limit but stable in wastewater treatment sludge, over the whole duration of the assays at 4 °C (55 days) and at ambient temperature (∼20 °C, 25 days). By contrast, the RNA levels of BCoV and inactivated SARS-CoV-2 particles decreased rapidly during the thermophilic anaerobic digestion of wastewater treatment sludge lasting for 5 days, with final levels that were close to the detection limit. Although the particles' infectivity was not assessed, these results suggest that thermophilic anaerobic digestion is a suitable process for sludge sanitation, consistent with previous knowledge on other coronaviruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ariane Bize
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, PROSE, Antony, 92160, France
| | - Camille Levesque-Ninio
- LABOCEA, Fougères. BioAgroPolis, 10 Rue Claude Bourgelat CS 30616 - Javené, Fougères Cedex, 35306, France
| | - Alice Janvier
- LABOCEA, Fougères. BioAgroPolis, 10 Rue Claude Bourgelat CS 30616 - Javené, Fougères Cedex, 35306, France
| | - Carlyne Lacroix
- SIAAP, Innovation Department, 82 Avenue Kléber, Colombes, 92700, France
| | - Florence Le Brizoual
- LABOCEA, Fougères. BioAgroPolis, 10 Rue Claude Bourgelat CS 30616 - Javené, Fougères Cedex, 35306, France
| | - Jérôme Barbier
- ID Solutions, Development Department, Grabels, 34790, France
| | | | - Sam Azimi
- SIAAP, Innovation Department, 82 Avenue Kléber, Colombes, 92700, France
| | - Vincent Rocher
- SIAAP, Innovation Department, 82 Avenue Kléber, Colombes, 92700, France
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Martins RM, Carvalho T, Bittar C, Quevedo DM, Miceli RN, Nogueira ML, Ferreira HL, Costa PI, Araújo JP, Spilki FR, Rahal P, Calmon MF. Long-Term Wastewater Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2: One-Year Study in Brazil. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112333. [PMID: 36366431 PMCID: PMC9692902 DOI: 10.3390/v14112333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a tool involving the analysis of wastewater for chemicals and pathogens at the community level. WBE has been shown to be an effective surveillance system for SARS-CoV-2, providing an early-warning-detection system for disease prevalence in the community via the detection of genetic materials in the wastewater. In numerous nation-states, studies have indicated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. Herein, we report the primary time-course monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater samples in São José do Rio Preto-SP/Brazil in order to explain the dynamics of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA during one year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and analyze possible relationships with other environmental parameters. We performed RNA quantification of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR using N1 and N2 targets. The proportion of positive samples for every target resulted in 100% and 96.6% for N1 and N2, respectively. A mean lag of -5 days is observed between the wastewater signal and the new SARS-CoV-2-positive cases reported. A correlation was found between the air and wastewater temperatures and therefore between the SARS-CoV-2 viral titers for N1 and N2 targets. We also observed a correlation between SARS-CoV-2 viral titers and media wastewater flow for the N1 target. In addition, we observed higher viral genome copies within the wastewater samples collected on non-rainy days for the N1 target. Thus, we propose that, based on our results, monitoring raw wastewater may be a broadly applicable strategy that might contribute to resolving the pressing problem of insufficient diagnostic testing; it may represent an inexpensive and early-warning method for future COVID-19 outbreaks, mainly in lower- and middle-income countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renan Moura Martins
- Laboratory of Genomic Studies, Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences (IBILCE), São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Tamara Carvalho
- Laboratory of Genomic Studies, Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences (IBILCE), São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Cintia Bittar
- Laboratory of Genomic Studies, Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences (IBILCE), São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniela Muller Quevedo
- Institute of Exact and Technological Sciences (ICET), University Feevale, Novo Hamburgo 93525-075, RS, Brazil
| | - Rafael Nava Miceli
- SeMAE-Autonomous Municipal Water and Sewage Service, São José do Rio Preto 15048-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Lacerda Nogueira
- Virology Research Laboratory (LPV), Faculty of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Helena Lage Ferreira
- Applied Preventive Veterinary Medicine Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering (FZEA), University of São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Paulo Inácio Costa
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14801-360, SP, Brazil
| | - João Pessoa Araújo
- Biotechnology Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18607-440, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernando Rosado Spilki
- Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, University Feevale, Novo Hamburgo 93525-075, RS, Brazil
| | - Paula Rahal
- Laboratory of Genomic Studies, Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences (IBILCE), São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Marilia Freitas Calmon
- Laboratory of Genomic Studies, Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences (IBILCE), São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Islam A, Hossen F, Rahman A, Sultana KF, Hasan MN, Haque A, Sosa-Hernández JE, Oyervides-Muñoz MA, Parra-Saldívar R, Ahmed T, Islam T, Dhama K, Sangkham S, Bahadur NM, Reza HM, Jakariya, Al Marzan A, Bhattacharya P, Sonne C, Ahmed F. An opinion on Wastewater-Based Epidemiological Monitoring (WBEM) with Clinical Diagnostic Test (CDT) for detecting high-prevalence areas of community COVID-19 Infections. CURRENT OPINION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & HEALTH 2022; 31:100396. [PMID: 36320818 PMCID: PMC9612100 DOI: 10.1016/j.coesh.2022.100396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater-Based Epidemiological Monitoring (WBEM) is an efficient surveillance tool during the COVID-19 pandemic as it meets all requirements of a complete monitoring system including early warning, tracking the current trend, prevalence of the disease, detection of genetic diversity as well asthe up-surging SARS-CoV-2 new variants with mutations from the wastewater samples. Subsequently, Clinical Diagnostic Test is widely acknowledged as the global gold standard method for disease monitoring, despite several drawbacks such as high diagnosis cost, reporting bias, and the difficulty of tracking asymptomatic patients (silent spreaders of the COVID-19 infection who manifest nosymptoms of the disease). In this current reviewand opinion-based study, we first propose a combined approach) for detecting COVID-19 infection in communities using wastewater and clinical sample testing, which may be feasible and effective as an emerging public health tool for the long-term nationwide surveillance system. The viral concentrations in wastewater samples can be used as indicatorsto monitor ongoing SARS-CoV-2 trends, predict asymptomatic carriers, and detect COVID-19 hotspot areas, while clinical sampleshelp in detecting mostlysymptomaticindividuals for isolating positive cases in communities and validate WBEM protocol for mass vaccination including booster doses for COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aminul Islam
- COVID-19 Diagnostic Lab, Department of Microbiology, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali-3814, Bangladesh
- Advanced Molecular Lab, Department of Microbiology, President Abdul Hamid Medical College, Karimganj, Kishoreganj, Bangladesh
| | - Foysal Hossen
- COVID-19 Diagnostic Lab, Department of Microbiology, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali-3814, Bangladesh
| | - Arifur Rahman
- COVID-19 Diagnostic Lab, Department of Microbiology, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali-3814, Bangladesh
| | - Khandokar Fahmida Sultana
- COVID-19 Diagnostic Lab, Department of Microbiology, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali-3814, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Nayeem Hasan
- Department of Statistics, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
- Joint Rohingya Response Program, Food for the Hungry, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
| | - Atiqul Haque
- Key Lab of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonoses of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Science, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh
| | | | | | | | - Tanvir Ahmed
- Department of Civil Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
| | | | - Kuldeep Dhama
- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izzatnagar-243 122, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sarawut Sangkham
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Muang District, 56000, Phayao, Thailand
| | - Newaz Mohammed Bahadur
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Noakhali Science and TechnologyUniversity, Noakhali-3814, Bangladesh
| | - Hasan Mahmud Reza
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka, 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Jakariya
- Department of Environmental Science and Management, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka-1229, Bangladesh
| | - Abdullah Al Marzan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, 3114, Bangladesh
| | - Prosun Bhattacharya
- COVID-19 Research@KTH, Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 10B, SE 114 28 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christian Sonne
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Firoz Ahmed
- COVID-19 Diagnostic Lab, Department of Microbiology, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali-3814, Bangladesh
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Mousazadeh M, Kabdaşlı I, Khademi S, Sandoval MA, Moussavi SP, Malekdar F, Gilhotra V, Hashemi M, Dehghani MH. A critical review on the existing wastewater treatment methods in the COVID-19 era: What is the potential of advanced oxidation processes in combatting viral especially SARS-CoV-2? JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING 2022; 49:103077. [PMID: 35990175 PMCID: PMC9381433 DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2022.103077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 epidemic has put the risk of virus contamination in water bodies on the horizon of health authorities. Hence, finding effective ways to remove the virus, especially SARS-CoV-2, from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has emerged as a hot issue in the last few years. Herein, this study first deals with the fate of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in WWTPs, then critically reviews and compares different wastewater treatment methods for combatting COVID-19 as well as to increase the water quality. This critical review sheds light the efficiency of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) to inactivate virus, specially SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Although several physicochemical treatment processes (e.g. activated sludge) are commonly used to eliminate pathogens, AOPs are the most versatile and effective virus inactivation methods. For instance, TiO2 is the most known and widely studied photo-catalyst innocuously utilized to degrade pollutants as well as to photo-induce bacterial and virus disinfection due to its high chemical resistance and efficient photo-activity. When ozone is dissolved in water and wastewater, it generates a wide spectrum of the reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are responsible to degrade materials in virus membranes resulting in destroying the cell wall. Furthermore, electrochemical advanced oxidation processes act through direct oxidation when pathogens react at the anode surface or by indirect oxidation through oxidizing species produced in the bulk solution. Consequently, they represent a feasible choice for the inactivation of a wide range of pathogens. Nonetheless, there are some challenges with AOPs which should be addressed for application at industrial-scale.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Milad Mousazadeh
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Işık Kabdaşlı
- İstanbul Technical University, Civil Engineering Faculty, Environmental Engineering Department, Ayazağa Campus, 34469 Maslak, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Sara Khademi
- Health, Safety, and Environment Specialist, North Drilling Company, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Miguel Angel Sandoval
- Universidad de Santiago de Chile USACH, Facultad de Química y Biología, Departamento de Química de los Materiales, Laboratorio de Electroquímica Medio Ambiental, LEQMA, Casilla 40, Correo 33, Santiago, Chile
- Universidad de Guanajuato, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Noria Alta S/N, 36050, Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | | | - Fatemeh Malekdar
- Department of Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine Production, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Karaj, Iran
| | - Vishakha Gilhotra
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - Marjan Hashemi
- Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hadi Dehghani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Institute for Environmental Research, Center for Solid Waste Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Castro GB, Bernegossi AC, Sousa BJDO, De Lima E Silva MR, Silva FRD, Freitas BLS, Ogura AP, Corbi JJ. Global occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in environmental aquatic matrices and its implications for sanitation and vulnerabilities in Brazil and developing countries. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2022; 32:2160-2199. [PMID: 34310248 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2021.1949437] [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: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This paper includes a systematic review of the SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in environmental aquatic matrices and a critical sanitation analysis. We discussed the interconnection of sanitation services (wastewater, water supply, solid waste, and stormwater drainage) functioning as an important network for controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in waters. We collected 98 studies containing data of the SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in aquatic matrices around the world, of which 40% were from developing countries. Alongside a significant number of people infected by the virus, developing countries face socioeconomic deficiencies and insufficient public investment in infrastructure. Therefore, our study focused on highlighting solutions to provide sanitation in developing countries, considering the virus control in waters by disinfection techniques and sanitary measures, including alternatives for the vulnerable communities. The need for multilateral efforts to improve the universal coverage of sanitation services demands urgent attention in a pandemic scenario.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gleyson B Castro
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Aline C Bernegossi
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruno José de O Sousa
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Fernando R Da Silva
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Luíza S Freitas
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Allan P Ogura
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
- PPG-SEA and CRHEA/SHS, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliano J Corbi
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Lanrewaju AA, Enitan-Folami AM, Sabiu S, Swalaha FM. A review on disinfection methods for inactivation of waterborne viruses. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:991856. [PMID: 36212890 PMCID: PMC9539188 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.991856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Water contamination is a global health problem, and the need for safe water is ever-growing due to the public health implications of unsafe water. Contaminated water could contain pathogenic bacteria, protozoa, and viruses that are implicated in several debilitating human diseases. The prevalence and survival of waterborne viruses differ from bacteria and other waterborne microorganisms. In addition, viruses are responsible for more severe waterborne diseases such as gastroenteritis, myocarditis, and encephalitis among others, hence the need for dedicated attention to viral inactivation. Disinfection is vital to water treatment because it removes pathogens, including viruses. The commonly used methods and techniques of disinfection for viral inactivation in water comprise physical disinfection such as membrane filtration, ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, and conventional chemical processes such as chlorine, monochloramine, chlorine dioxide, and ozone among others. However, the production of disinfection by-products (DBPs) that accompanies chemical methods of disinfection is an issue of great concern due to the increase in the risks of harm to humans, for example, the development of cancer of the bladder and adverse reproductive outcomes. Therefore, this review examines the conventional disinfection approaches alongside emerging disinfection technologies, such as photocatalytic disinfection, cavitation, and electrochemical disinfection. Moreover, the merits, limitations, and log reduction values (LRVs) of the different disinfection methods discussed were compared concerning virus removal efficiency. Future research needs to merge single disinfection techniques into one to achieve improved viral disinfection, and the development of medicinal plant-based materials as disinfectants due to their antimicrobial and safety benefits to avoid toxicity is also highlighted.
Collapse
|
34
|
Daou M, Kannout H, Khalili M, Almarei M, Alhashami M, Alhalwachi Z, Alshamsi F, Tahseen Al Bataineh M, Azzam Kayasseh M, Al Khajeh A, Hasan SW, Tay GK, Feng SF, Ruta D, Yousef AF, Alsafar HS. Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 viral loads in stool samples and nasopharyngeal swabs from COVID-19 patients in the United Arab Emirates. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274961. [PMID: 36137134 PMCID: PMC9499247 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first identified in respiratory samples and was found to commonly cause cough and pneumonia. However, non-respiratory symptoms including gastrointestinal disorders are also present and a big proportion of patients test positive for the virus in stools for a prolonged period. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated viral load trends in stools and nasopharyngeal swabs and their correlation with multiple demographic and clinical factors. The study included 211 laboratory-confirmed cases suffering from a mild form of the disease and completing their isolation period at a non-hospital center in the United Arab Emirates. Demographic and clinical information was collected by standardized questionnaire and from the medical records of the patient. Of the 211 participants, 25% tested negative in both sample types at the time of this study and 53% of the remaining patients had detectable viral RNA in their stools. A positive fecal viral test was associated with male gender, diarrhea as a symptom, and hospitalization during infection. A positive correlation was also observed between a delayed onset of symptoms and a positive stool test. Viral load in stools positively correlated with, being overweight, exercising, taking antibiotics in the last 3 months and blood type O. The viral load in nasopharyngeal swabs, on the other hand, was higher for blood type A, and rhesus positive (Rh factor). Regression analysis showed no correlation between the viral loads measured in stool and nasopharyngeal samples in any given patient. The results of this work highlight the factors associated with a higher viral count in each sample. It also shows the importance of stool sample analysis for the follow-up and diagnosis of recovering COVID-19 patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariane Daou
- Department of Biology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hussein Kannout
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mariam Khalili
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamed Almarei
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamed Alhashami
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Zainab Alhalwachi
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fatima Alshamsi
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammad Tahseen Al Bataineh
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohd Azzam Kayasseh
- Emirates Specialty Hospital, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abdulmajeed Al Khajeh
- Medical Education and Research Department, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shadi W. Hasan
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Guan K. Tay
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, the University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Samuel F. Feng
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Mathematics, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Dymitr Ruta
- EBTIC, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahmed F. Yousef
- Department of Biology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Habiba S. Alsafar
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- * E-mail:
| | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Reno U, Regaldo L, Ojeda G, Schmuck J, Romero N, Polla W, Kergaravat SV, Gagneten AM. Wastewater-Based Epidemiology: Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Different Stages of Domestic Wastewater Treatment in Santa Fe, Argentina. WATER, AIR, AND SOIL POLLUTION 2022; 233:372. [PMID: 36090741 PMCID: PMC9440651 DOI: 10.1007/s11270-022-05772-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The COVID-19 pandemic affected human life at every level. In this study, we analyzed genetic markers (N and ORF1ab, RNA genes) of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic wastewaters (DWW) in San Justo City (Santa Fe, Argentina), using reverse transcription-quantitative real-time PCR. Out of the 30 analyzed samples, 30% were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Of the total positive samples, 77% correspond to untreated DWW, 23% to pre-chlorination, and no SARS-CoV-2 RNA was registered at the post-chlorination sampling site. The viral loads of N and OFR1ab genes decreased significantly along the treatment process, and the increase in the number of viral copies of the N gene could anticipate, by 6 days, the number of clinical cases in the population. The concentration of chlorine recommended by the WHO (≥ 0.5 mg L-1 after at least 30 min of contact time at pH 8.0) successfully removed SARS-CoV-2 RNA from DWW. The efficiency of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) confirms the need to control and increase DWW treatment systems on a regional and global scale. This work could contribute to building a network for WBE to monitor SARS-CoV-2 in wastewaters during the pandemic waves and the epidemic remission phase. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11270-022-05772-w.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulises Reno
- Ecotoxicology Laboratory, Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, National University of Littoral (UNL), 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
- National Council for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICET), 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Luciana Regaldo
- Ecotoxicology Laboratory, Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, National University of Littoral (UNL), 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
- National Council for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICET), 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Guillermo Ojeda
- Central Laboratory, Ministry of Health, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Josefina Schmuck
- Ecotoxicology Laboratory, Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, National University of Littoral (UNL), 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
- National Council for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICET), 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Natalí Romero
- Ecotoxicology Laboratory, Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, National University of Littoral (UNL), 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
- National Council for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICET), 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Wanda Polla
- Ecotoxicology Laboratory, Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, National University of Littoral (UNL), 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Silvina V. Kergaravat
- Ecotoxicology Laboratory, Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, National University of Littoral (UNL), 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
- National Council for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICET), 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Ana María Gagneten
- Ecotoxicology Laboratory, Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, National University of Littoral (UNL), 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
de Sousa ARV, do Carmo Silva L, de Curcio JS, da Silva HD, Eduardo Anunciação C, Maria Salem Izacc S, Neto FOS, de Paula Silveira Lacerda E. "pySewage": a hybrid approach to predict the number of SARS-CoV-2-infected people from wastewater in Brazil. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:67260-67269. [PMID: 35524091 PMCID: PMC9075719 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-20609-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
It is well known that the new coronavirus pandemic has global environmental, public health, and economic implications. In this sense, this study aims to monitor SARS-CoV-2 in the largest wastewater treatment plant of Goiânia, which processes wastewater from more than 700,000 inhabitants, and to correlate the molecular and clinical data collected. Influent and effluent samples were collected at Dr. Helio de Seixo Britto's wastewater treatment plant from January to August 2021. Viral concentration was performed with polyethylene glycol before viral RNA extraction. Real-time qPCR (N1 and N2 gene assays) was performed to detect and quantify the viral RNA present in the samples. The results showed that 43.63% of the samples were positive. There is no significant difference between the detection of primers N1 (mean 3.23 log10 genome copies/L, std 0.23) and N2 (mean 2.95 log10 genome copies/L, std 0.29); also, there is no significant difference between the detection of influent and effluent samples. Our molecular data revealed a positive correlation with clinical data, and infection prevalence was higher than clinical data. In addition, we developed a user-friendly web application to predict the number of infected people based on the detection of viral load present in wastewater samples and may be applied as a public policy strategy for monitoring ongoing outbreaks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lívia do Carmo Silva
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Juliana Santana de Curcio
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Hugo Delleon da Silva
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
- Universitary Center of Goiás (UNIGOIÁS), Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Carlos Eduardo Anunciação
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Silvia Maria Salem Izacc
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Tamáš M, Potocarova A, Konecna B, Klucar Ľ, Mackulak T. Wastewater Sequencing-An Innovative Method for Variant Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in Populations. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:9749. [PMID: 35955106 PMCID: PMC9367975 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has already affected more than 555 million people, and 6.3 million people have died. Due to its high infectivity, it is crucial to track SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks early to prevent the spread of infection. Wastewater monitoring appears to be a powerful and effective tool for managing epidemiological situations. Due to emerging mutations of SARS-CoV-2, there is a need to monitor mutations in order to control the pandemic. Since the sequencing of randomly chosen individuals is time-consuming and expensive, sequencing of wastewater plays an important role in revealing the dynamics of infection in a population. The sampling method used is a crucial factor and significantly impacts the results. Wastewater can be collected as a grab sample or as a 24 h composite sample. Another essential factor is the sample volume, as is the method of transport used. This review discusses different pretreatment procedures and RNA extraction, which may be performed using various methods, such as column-based extraction, TRIzol, or magnetic extraction. Each of the methods has its advantages and disadvantages, which are described accordingly. RT-qPCR is a procedure that confirms the presence of SARS-CoV-2 genes before sequencing. This review provides an overview of currently used methods for preparing wastewater samples, from sampling to sequencing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michal Tamáš
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Institute of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Radinského 9, 81237 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 81372 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Alena Potocarova
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 81108 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Barbora Konecna
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 81108 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ľubos Klucar
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 21, 84551 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Tomas Mackulak
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Institute of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Radinského 9, 81237 Bratislava, Slovakia
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Fahrenfeld NL, Morales Medina WR, D'Elia S, Deshpande AS, Ehasz G. Year-long wastewater monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 signals in combined and separate sanitary sewers. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2022; 94:e10768. [PMID: 35918060 PMCID: PMC9350404 DOI: 10.1002/wer.10768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 wastewater-based epidemiology has been performed in catchments of various sizes and sewer types with many short-term studies available and multi-seasonal studies emerging. The objective of this study was to compare weekly observations of SARS-CoV-2 genes in municipal wastewater across multiple seasons for different systems as a factor of sewer type (combined, separate sanitary) and system size. Sampling occurred following the first wave of SARS-CoV-2 cases in the study region (June 2020) and continued through the third wave (May 2021), the period during which clinical testing was widely available and different variants dominated clinical cases. The strongest correlations were observed between wastewater N1 concentrations and the cumulative clinical cases reported in the 2 weeks prior to wastewater sampling, followed by the week prior, new cases, and the week after wastewater sampling. Sewer type and size did not necessarily explain the strength of the correlations, indicating that other non-sewer factors may be impacting the observations. In-system sampling results for the largest system sampled are presented for 1 month. Removing wet weather days from the data sets improved even the flow-normalized correlations for the systems, potentially indicating that interpreting results during wet weather events may be more complicated than simply accounting for dilution. PRACTITIONER POINTS: SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater correlated best with total clinical cases reported in 2 weeks before wastewater sampling at the utility level. Study performed when clinical testing was widespread during the year after the first COVID-19 wave in the region. Sewer type and size did not necessarily explain correlation strength between clinical cases and wastewater-based epidemiology results. Removing wet weather days improved correlations for 3/4 utilities studied, including both separate sanitary and combined sewers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L. Fahrenfeld
- Department of Civil and Environmental EngineeringRutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - William R. Morales Medina
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsRutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Present address:
American WaterDelranNew JerseyUSA
| | - Stephanie D'Elia
- Department of Biochemistry and MicrobiologyRutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Aishwarya S. Deshpande
- Department of Biochemistry and MicrobiologyRutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Genevieve Ehasz
- Department of Civil and Environmental EngineeringRutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Fahrenfeld NL, Morales Medina WR, D'Elia S, Deshpande AS, Ehasz G. Year-long wastewater monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 signals in combined and separate sanitary sewers. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2022; 94:e10768. [PMID: 35918060 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.1c00345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 wastewater-based epidemiology has been performed in catchments of various sizes and sewer types with many short-term studies available and multi-seasonal studies emerging. The objective of this study was to compare weekly observations of SARS-CoV-2 genes in municipal wastewater across multiple seasons for different systems as a factor of sewer type (combined, separate sanitary) and system size. Sampling occurred following the first wave of SARS-CoV-2 cases in the study region (June 2020) and continued through the third wave (May 2021), the period during which clinical testing was widely available and different variants dominated clinical cases. The strongest correlations were observed between wastewater N1 concentrations and the cumulative clinical cases reported in the 2 weeks prior to wastewater sampling, followed by the week prior, new cases, and the week after wastewater sampling. Sewer type and size did not necessarily explain the strength of the correlations, indicating that other non-sewer factors may be impacting the observations. In-system sampling results for the largest system sampled are presented for 1 month. Removing wet weather days from the data sets improved even the flow-normalized correlations for the systems, potentially indicating that interpreting results during wet weather events may be more complicated than simply accounting for dilution. PRACTITIONER POINTS: SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater correlated best with total clinical cases reported in 2 weeks before wastewater sampling at the utility level. Study performed when clinical testing was widespread during the year after the first COVID-19 wave in the region. Sewer type and size did not necessarily explain correlation strength between clinical cases and wastewater-based epidemiology results. Removing wet weather days improved correlations for 3/4 utilities studied, including both separate sanitary and combined sewers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L Fahrenfeld
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - William R Morales Medina
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Stephanie D'Elia
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Aishwarya S Deshpande
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Genevieve Ehasz
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Mazumder P, Dash S, Honda R, Sonne C, Kumar M. Sewage surveillance for SARS-CoV-2: Molecular detection, quantification, and normalization factors. CURRENT OPINION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & HEALTH 2022; 28:100363. [PMID: 35694049 PMCID: PMC9170178 DOI: 10.1016/j.coesh.2022.100363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in wastewater systems provides a primary indication of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread throughout communities worldwide. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (dd-PCR) or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) administration of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewaters provides a reliable and efficient technology for gathering secondary local-level public health data. Often the accuracy of prevalence estimation is hampered by many methodological issues connected with wastewater surveillance. Still, more studies are needed to use and create efficient approaches for deciphering the actual SARS-CoV-2 indication from noise in the specimens/samples. Nearly 39-65% of positive patients and asymptomatic carriers expel the virus through their faeces however, only ∼6% of the infected hosts eject it through their urine. COVID-19 positive patients can shed the remnants of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA virus within the concentrations ∼103-108 copies/L. However, it can decrease up to 102 copies/L in wastewaters due to dilution. Environmental virology and microbiology laboratories play a significant role in the identification and analysis of SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) in waste and ambient waters worldwide. Virus extraction or recovery from the wastewater (However, due to lack of knowledge, established procedures, and integrated quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) approaches, the novel coronavirus RNA investigation for estimating current illnesses and predicting future outbreaks is insufficient and/or conducted inadequately. The present manuscript is a technical review of the various methods and factors considered during the identification of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in wastewaters and/or sludge, including tips and tricks to be taken care of during sampling, virus concentration, normalization, PCR inhibition, and trend line smoothening when compared with clinically active/positive cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Payal Mazumder
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248007, India
| | - Siddhant Dash
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Ryo Honda
- School of Geosciences and Civil Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakumamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Christian Sonne
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, DK-4000, Denmark
- Henan Province Engineering Research Center for Biomass Value-Added Products, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450002, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210037, China
| | - Manish Kumar
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248007, India
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Li J, Liu J, Yu H, Zhao W, Xia X, You S, Zhang J, Tong H, Wei L. Sources, fates and treatment strategies of typical viruses in urban sewage collection/treatment systems: A review. DESALINATION 2022; 534:115798. [PMID: 35498908 PMCID: PMC9033450 DOI: 10.1016/j.desal.2022.115798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) throughout the world has severely threatened the global economy and public health. Due to receiving severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from a wide variety of sources (e.g., households, hospitals, slaughterhouses), urban sewage treatment systems are regarded as an important path for the transmission of waterborne viruses. This review presents a quantitative profile of the concentration distribution of typical viruses within wastewater collection systems and evaluates the influence of different characteristics of sewer systems on virus species and concentration. Then, the efficiencies and mechanisms of virus removal in the units of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are summarized and compared, among which the inactivation efficiencies of typical viruses by typical disinfection approaches under varied operational conditions are elucidated. Subsequently, the occurrence and removal of viruses in treated effluent reuse and desalination, as well as that in sewage sludge treatment, are discussed. Potential dissemination of viruses is emphasized by occurrence via aerosolization from toilets, the collection system and WWTP aeration, which might have a vital role in the transmission and spread of viruses. Finally, the frequency and concentration of viruses in reclaimed water, the probability of infection are also reviewed for discussing the potential health risks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianju Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Jing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
- School of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao 266580, China
| | - Hang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Weixin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Xinhui Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Shijie You
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Hailong Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
- Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China
| | - Liangliang Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
A Review of the Presence of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater: Transmission Risks in Mexico. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148354. [PMID: 35886204 PMCID: PMC9324675 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The appearance of SARS-CoV-2 represented a new health threat to humanity and affected millions of people; the transmission of this virus occurs through different routes, and one of them recently under debate in the international community is its possible incorporation and spread by sewage. Therefore, the present work’s research objectives are to review the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater throughout the world and to analyze the coverage of wastewater treatment in Mexico to determine if there is a correlation between the positive cases of COVID-19 and the percentages of treated wastewater in Mexico as well as to investigate the evidence of possible transmission by aerosol sand untreated wastewater. Methodologically, a quick search of scientific literature was performed to identify evidence the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA (ribonucleic acid) in wastewater in four international databases. The statistical information of the positive cases of COVID-19 was obtained from data from the Health Secretary of the Mexican Government and the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. The information from the wastewater treatment plants in Mexico was obtained from official information of the National Water Commission of Mexico. The results showed sufficient evidence that SARS-CoV-2 remains alive in municipal wastewater in Mexico. Our analysis indicates that there is a low but significant correlation between the percentage of treated water and positive cases of coronavirus r = −0.385, with IC (95%) = (−0.647, −0.042) and p = 0.030; this result should be taken with caution because wastewater is not a transmission mechanism, but this finding is useful to highlight the need to increase the percentage of treated wastewater and to do it efficiently. In conclusions, the virus is present in untreated wastewater, and the early detection of SAR-CoV-2 could serve as a bioindicator method of the presence of the virus. This could be of great help to establish surveillance measures by zones to take preventive actions, which to date have not been considered by the Mexican health authorities. Unfortunately, wastewater treatment systems in Mexico are very fragile, and coverage is limited to urban areas and non-existent in rural areas. Furthermore, although the probability of contagion is relatively low, it can be a risk for wastewater treatment plant workers and people who are close to them.
Collapse
|
43
|
Padilla-Reyes DA, Álvarez MM, Mora A, Cervantes-Avilés PA, Kumar M, Loge FJ, Mahlknecht J. Acquired insights from the long-term surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 RNA for COVID-19 monitoring: The case of Monterrey Metropolitan Area (Mexico). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 210:112967. [PMID: 35189100 PMCID: PMC8853965 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.112967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology offers a time- and cost-effective way to monitor SARS-CoV-2 spread in communities and therefore represents a complement to clinical testing. WBE applicability has been demonstrated in a number of cases over short-term periods as a method for tracking the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and an early-warning tool for predicting outbreaks in the population. This study reports SARS-CoV-2 viral loads from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and hospitals over a 6-month period (June to December 2020). Results show that the overall range of viral load in positive tested samples was between 1.2 × 103 and 3.5 × 106 gene copies/l, unveiling that secondary-treated wastewaters mirrored the viral load of influents. The interpretation suggests that the viral titers found in three out of four WWTPs were associated to clinical COVID-19 surveillance indicators preceding 2-7 days the rise of reported clinical cases. The median wastewater detection rate of SARS-CoV-2 was one out of 14,300 reported new cases. Preliminary model estimates of prevalence ranged from 0.02 to 4.6% for the studied period. This comprehensive statistical and epidemiological analysis demonstrates that the applied wastewater-based approach to COVID-19 surveillance is in general consistent and feasible, although there is room for improvements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diego A Padilla-Reyes
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Eugenio Garza Sada 2501 Sur, Monterrey, 64849, Mexico
| | - Mario Moises Álvarez
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Eugenio Garza Sada 2501 Sur, Monterrey, 64849, Mexico
| | - Abrahan Mora
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Puebla, Atlixcáyotl 5718, Reserva Territorial Atlixcáyotl, Puebla, 72453, Mexico
| | - Pabel A Cervantes-Avilés
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Puebla, Atlixcáyotl 5718, Reserva Territorial Atlixcáyotl, Puebla, 72453, Mexico
| | - Manish Kumar
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun, 248007, India
| | - Frank J Loge
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Jürgen Mahlknecht
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Eugenio Garza Sada 2501 Sur, Monterrey, 64849, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Proverbio D, Kemp F, Magni S, Ogorzaly L, Cauchie HM, Gonçalves J, Skupin A, Aalto A. Model-based assessment of COVID-19 epidemic dynamics by wastewater analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 827:154235. [PMID: 35245552 PMCID: PMC8886713 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Continuous surveillance of COVID-19 diffusion remains crucial to control its diffusion and to anticipate infection waves. Detecting viral RNA load in wastewater samples has been suggested as an effective approach for epidemic monitoring and the development of an effective warning system. However, its quantitative link to the epidemic status and the stages of outbreak is still elusive. Modelling is thus crucial to address these challenges. In this study, we present a novel mechanistic model-based approach to reconstruct the complete epidemic dynamics from SARS-CoV-2 viral load in wastewater. Our approach integrates noisy wastewater data and daily case numbers into a dynamical epidemiological model. As demonstrated for various regions and sampling protocols, it quantifies the case numbers, provides epidemic indicators and accurately infers future epidemic trends. Following its quantitative analysis, we also provide recommendations for wastewater data standards and for their use as warning indicators against new infection waves. In situations of reduced testing capacity, our modelling approach can enhance the surveillance of wastewater for early epidemic prediction and robust and cost-effective real-time monitoring of local COVID-19 dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Proverbio
- University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, 6 av. du Swing, Belvaux 4376, Luxembourg
| | - Françoise Kemp
- University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, 6 av. du Swing, Belvaux 4376, Luxembourg
| | - Stefano Magni
- University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, 6 av. du Swing, Belvaux 4376, Luxembourg
| | - Leslie Ogorzaly
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, Environmental Research and Innovation Department, Belvaux 4422, Luxembourg
| | - Henry-Michel Cauchie
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, Environmental Research and Innovation Department, Belvaux 4422, Luxembourg
| | - Jorge Gonçalves
- University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, 6 av. du Swing, Belvaux 4376, Luxembourg; University of Cambridge, Department of Plant Sciences, Downing St, Cambridge CB2 3EA, UK
| | - Alexander Skupin
- University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, 6 av. du Swing, Belvaux 4376, Luxembourg; University of Luxembourg, Department of Physics and Materials Science, 162a av. de la Faïencerie, Luxembourg 1511, Luxembourg; University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Atte Aalto
- University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, 6 av. du Swing, Belvaux 4376, Luxembourg.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Bukha KK, Sharif EA, Eldaghayes IM. The One Health concept for the threat of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 to marine ecosystems. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ONE HEALTH 2022. [DOI: 10.14202/ijoh.2022.48-57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a global health threat. This virus is the causative agent for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Pandemic prevention is best addressed through an integrated One Health (OH) approach. Understanding zoonotic pathogen fatality and spillover from wildlife to humans are effective for controlling and preventing zoonotic outbreaks. The OH concept depends on the interface of humans, animals, and their environment. Collaboration among veterinary medicine, public health workers and clinicians, and veterinary public health is necessary for rapid response to emerging zoonotic pathogens. SARS-CoV-2 affects aquatic environments, primarily through untreated sewage. Patients with COVID-19 discharge the virus in urine and feces into residential wastewater. Thus, marine organisms may be infected with SARS-CoV-2 by the subsequent discharge of partially treated or untreated wastewater to marine waters. Viral loads can be monitored in sewage and surface waters. Furthermore, shellfish are vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Filter-feeding organisms might be monitored to protect consumers. Finally, the stability of SARS-CoV-2 to various environmental factors aids in viral studies. This article highlights the presence and survival of SARS-CoV-2 in the marine environment and its potential to enter marine ecosystems through wastewater. Furthermore, the OH approach is discussed for improving readiness for successive outbreaks. This review analyzes information from public health and epidemiological monitoring tools to control COVID-19 transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khawla K. Bukha
- Department of Poultry and Fish Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Ehab A. Sharif
- Department of Poultry and Fish Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Ibrahim M. Eldaghayes
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Yanaç K, Adegoke A, Wang L, Uyaguari M, Yuan Q. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA throughout wastewater treatment plants and a modeling approach to understand COVID-19 infection dynamics in Winnipeg, Canada. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 825:153906. [PMID: 35218826 PMCID: PMC8864809 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Although numerous studies have detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater and attempted to find correlations between the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and the number of cases, no consensus has been reached on sample collection and processing, and data analysis. Moreover, the fate of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater treatment plants is another issue, specifically regarding the discharge of the virus into environmental settings and the water cycle. The current study monitored SARS-CoV-2 RNA in influent and effluent wastewater samples with three different concentration methods and sludge samples over six months (July to December 2020) to compare different virus concentration methods, assess the fate of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater treatment plants, and describe the potential relationship between SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in influent and infection dynamics. Skimmed milk flocculation (SMF) resulted in 15.27 ± 3.32% recovery of an internal positive control, Armored RNA, and a high positivity rate of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in stored wastewater samples compared to ultrafiltration methods employing a prefiltration step to eliminate solids in fresh wastewater samples. Our results suggested that SARS-CoV-2 RNA may predominate in solids, and therefore, concentration methods focusing on both supernatant and solid fractions may result in better recovery. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in influent and primary sludge samples but not in secondary and final effluent samples, indicating a significant reduction during primary and secondary treatments. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was first detected in influent on September 30th, 2020. A decay-rate formula was applied to estimate initial concentrations of late-processed samples with SMF. A model based on shedding rate and new cases was applied to estimate SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations and the number of active shedders. Inferred sensitivity of observed and modeled concentrations to the fluctuations in new cases and test-positivity rates indicated a potential contribution of newly infected individuals to SARS-CoV-2 RNA loads in wastewater.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kadir Yanaç
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Adeola Adegoke
- Department of Statistics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Liqun Wang
- Department of Statistics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Miguel Uyaguari
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Qiuyan Yuan
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Li X, Kulandaivelu J, Guo Y, Zhang S, Shi J, O'Brien J, Arora S, Kumar M, Sherchan SP, Honda R, Jackson G, Luby SP, Jiang G. SARS-CoV-2 shedding sources in wastewater and implications for wastewater-based epidemiology. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 432:128667. [PMID: 35339834 PMCID: PMC8908579 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) approach for COVID-19 surveillance is largely based on the assumption of SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding into sewers by infected individuals. Recent studies found that SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentration in wastewater (CRNA) could not be accounted by the fecal shedding alone. This study aimed to determine potential major shedding sources based on literature data of CRNA, along with the COVID-19 prevalence in the catchment area through a systematic literature review. Theoretical CRNA under a certain prevalence was estimated using Monte Carlo simulations, with eight scenarios accommodating feces alone, and both feces and sputum as shedding sources. With feces alone, none of the WBE data was in the confidence interval of theoretical CRNA estimated with the mean feces shedding magnitude and probability, and 63% of CRNA in WBE reports were higher than the maximum theoretical concentration. With both sputum and feces, 91% of the WBE data were below the simulated maximum CRNA in wastewater. The inclusion of sputum as a major shedding source led to more comparable theoretical CRNA to the literature WBE data. Sputum discharging behavior of patients also resulted in great fluctuations of CRNA under a certain prevalence. Thus, sputum is a potential critical shedding source for COVID-19 WBE surveillance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Li
- School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, Australia
| | | | - Ying Guo
- School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, Australia
| | - Shuxin Zhang
- School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, Australia
| | - Jiahua Shi
- School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Jake O'Brien
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Woollongabba, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Sudipti Arora
- Dr. B. Lal Institute of Biotechnology, 6E, Malviya Industrial Area, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur 302017, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India
| | - Samendra P Sherchan
- Department of Environmental health sciences, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; Bioenvironmental Science Program, Morgan Staate University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA
| | - Ryo Honda
- Faculty of Geosciences and Civil Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Greg Jackson
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Woollongabba, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Stephen P Luby
- Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health, and Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Guangming Jiang
- School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Bertels X, Demeyer P, Van den Bogaert S, Boogaerts T, van Nuijs ALN, Delputte P, Lahousse L. Factors influencing SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in wastewater up to the sampling stage: A systematic review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 820:153290. [PMID: 35066048 PMCID: PMC8772136 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) for SARS-CoV-2 RNA is a promising complementary approach to monitor community viral circulation. A myriad of factors, however, can influence RNA concentrations in wastewater, impeding its epidemiological value. This article aims to provide an overview and discussion of factors up to the sampling stage that impact SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentration estimates in wastewater. To this end, a systematic review was performed in three databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science and Embase) and two preprint servers (MedRxiv and BioRxiv). Two authors independently screened and selected articles published between January 1, 2019 and May 4, 2021. A total of 22 eligible articles were included in this systematic review. The following factors up to sampling were identified to have an influence on SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in wastewater and its interpretation: (i) shedding-related factors, including faecal shedding parameters (i.e. shedding pattern, recovery, rate, and load distribution), (ii) population size, (iii) in-sewer factors, including solid particles, organic load, travel time, flow rate, wastewater pH and temperature, and (iv) sampling strategy. In conclusion, factors influencing SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentration estimates in wastewater were identified and research gaps were discussed. The identification of these factors supports the need for further research on WBS for COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xander Bertels
- Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Phaedra Demeyer
- Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Siel Van den Bogaert
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Tim Boogaerts
- Toxicological Centre, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Alexander L N van Nuijs
- Toxicological Centre, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Peter Delputte
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Lies Lahousse
- Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Monitoring of Enterovirus D68 Outbreak in Israel by a Parallel Clinical and Wastewater Based Surveillance. Viruses 2022; 14:v14051010. [PMID: 35632752 PMCID: PMC9144596 DOI: 10.3390/v14051010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterovirus D68 (EVD68) was recently identified as an important cause of respiratory illness and acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), mostly in children. Here, we examined 472 pediatric patients diagnosed with severe respiratory illness and screened for EVD68 between April and October 2021. In parallel, samples collected from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) covering the residential area of the hospitalized patients were also tested for EVD68. Of the 472 clinical samples evaluated, 33 (7%) patients were positive for EVD68 RNA. All wastewater samples were positive for EVD68, with varying viral genome copy loads. Calculated EVD68 genome copies increased from the end of May until July 2021 and dramatically decreased at the beginning of August. A similar trend was observed in both clinical and wastewater samples during the period tested. Sequence analysis of EVD68-positive samples indicated that all samples originated from the same branch of subclade B3. This study is the first to use wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) to monitor EVD68 dynamics by quantitative detection and shows a clear correlation with clinically diagnosed cases. These findings highlight the potential of WBE as an important tool for continuous surveillance of EVD68 and other enteroviruses.
Collapse
|
50
|
Owen C, Wright-Foulkes D, Alvarez P, Delgado H, Durance EC, Wells GF, Poretsky R, Shrestha A. Reduction and discharge of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Chicago-area water reclamation plants. FEMS MICROBES 2022; 3:xtac015. [PMID: 37332512 PMCID: PMC10117756 DOI: 10.1093/femsmc/xtac015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA is commonly excreted in the feces and urine of infected individuals and is, therefore, detected in wastewaters where infection is present in the surrounding population. Water reclamation plants (WRPs) that treat these wastewaters commonly discharge treated effluents into the surrounding environment, yet little is known about the removal or persistence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA through wastewater treatment systems and potential for eventual release into the environment. We collected 361 24-hour composite influent and effluent samples from seven WRPs in the Greater Chicago Area in Illinois. Samples were collected over a period of 21 weeks for three large WRPs (with design max flows of 1.89-2.32 billion gallons per day and serving a combined population of 4.62 million people) and 11 weeks for four smaller WRPs (with design max flows of 96.3-186 million gallons per day and serving a combined population of >0.5 million people). A total of two of the larger WRPs implemented seasonal disinfection (using UV light or chlorination/dechlorination) for 8 weeks of this sampling period. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was quantified in the influent and effluent samples by reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) of the N1 and N2 targets of the nucleocapsid (N) gene. Although SARS-CoV-2 RNA was regularly detected in influent and effluent from all WRPs, viral RNA concentrations in the effluent samples were considerably lower, with mean effluent: influent gene copy concentration ratios ranging from 1:160 to 1:2.95 between WRPs. Samples collected while disinfection was active vs. inactive did not show any significant difference in the portion of RNA persisting through the treatment process (P > .05).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Owen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
| | - Dorothy Wright-Foulkes
- Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60610, United States
| | - Prisila Alvarez
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
| | - Haidy Delgado
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
| | - Eva C Durance
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
| | - George F Wells
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, United States
| | - Rachel Poretsky
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
| | - Abhilasha Shrestha
- Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60610, United States
| |
Collapse
|