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Alamin M, Oladipo P, Hartrick J, Islam N, Bahmani A, Turner CL, Shuster W, Ram JL. Improved passive sampling methods for wastewater to enable more sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 950:175044. [PMID: 39074755 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175044] [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: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) can be used as a part of a long-term strategy for detecting and responding rapidly to new outbreaks of infectious disease in the community. However, wastewater collected by grab samples may miss marker presence, and composite auto-sampling throughout a day is technically challenging and costly. Tampon swabs can be used as passive collectors of wastewater markers over hours, but recovery of the captured markers is a challenge. Our goal was to improve tampon elution methods for virus detection and variant analysis to increase the likelihood of detection near the Limit of Detection (LOD) and to potentially detect new or rare variants in a new outbreak. Counts of SARS-CoV-2 N1 and N2 markers in grab samples were compared to markers eluted from tampons that had been immersed in 3 sewersheds for 4-6 h during June to December 2023. We compared tampon elution methods that used different elution volumes, pressure, and amounts of Tween 20, evaluated after automated magnetic bead purification and RT-ddPCR of SARS-CoV-2 markers. Overall, method "SwabM2" in which tampons were eluted by high pressure squeeze in a 50 mL syringe after adding 2 mL of 0.5 X TE + 0.075 % Tween-20 yielded a median four-fold higher concentration of final purified SARS-CoV-2 markers than paired grab samples and significantly more than other tested tampon elution methods (p < 0.0001). Method SwabM2 was more likely to yield enough extracted nucleic acids for sequencing and also gave higher quality variant sequences than two other tampon elution methods. Variant analysis captured the Fall 2023 transition of variants from XBB to JN and "H" lineages. In summary, we demonstrated a tampon-based wastewater collecting and elution method that yielded higher counts, more detections near the LOD, and higher quality variant sequences compared to both grab samples and other tampon-based passive-collecting wastewater methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Alamin
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, United States of America.
| | - Pelumi Oladipo
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, & Immunology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, United States of America
| | - James Hartrick
- LimnoTech, 501 Avis Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48108, United States of America
| | - Natasha Islam
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, United States of America
| | - Azadeh Bahmani
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, United States of America
| | - Carrie L Turner
- LimnoTech, 501 Avis Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48108, United States of America
| | - William Shuster
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey L Ram
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, United States of America; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, & Immunology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, United States of America.
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Karamati N E, Law I, Weese JS, McCarthy DT, Murphy HM. Passive sampling of microbes in various water sources: A systematic review. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 266:122284. [PMID: 39353231 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024]
Abstract
Traditional methods for monitoring pathogens in environmental waters have numerous drawbacks. Sampling approaches that are low-cost and time efficient that can capture temporal variation in microbial contamination are needed. Passive sampling of aquatic environments has shown promise as an alternative water monitoring technique for waterborne pathogens and microbial contaminants. The present systematic review aimed to compile and synthesize existing literature on the use of passive samplers for the monitoring of microbes in different water sources and identify research gaps. The review summarizes current knowledge on materials used for detection, deployment durations, analytical methods, quantification as well as benefits and limitations of passive sampling. This review found that electronegative nitrocellulose membrane filters are effective for both detection and quantification of viruses in wastewater, while gauze passive samplers have been effective for detecting bacterial targets in wastewater. There is a large knowledge gap in the use of passive samplers in a quantitative manner, especially for the back-calculation of water-column microbial concentrations or for correlation to outcomes of interest (e.g. prevalence rates). Further, there is very limited attention paid to the use of membrane filters for the monitoring of bacteria in any water source as well as a lack of studies utilizing passive sampling approaches for protozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elnaz Karamati N
- Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Laboratory (EPHM Lab), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Australia
| | - Ilya Law
- Water, Health and Applied Microbiology Lab (WHAM Lab), Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - J Scott Weese
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - David T McCarthy
- Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Laboratory (EPHM Lab), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Australia; School of Environmental Sciences, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Heather M Murphy
- Water, Health and Applied Microbiology Lab (WHAM Lab), Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
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Chigwechokha P, Nyirenda RL, Dalitsani D, Namaumbo RL, Kazembe Y, Smith T, Holm RH. Vibrio cholerae and Salmonella Typhi culture-based wastewater or non-sewered sanitation surveillance in a resource-limited region. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024; 34:432-439. [PMID: 38177335 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00632-z] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In resource-limited regions, relying on individual clinical results to monitor community diseases is sometimes not possible. Establishing wastewater and non-sewered sanitation surveillance systems can offer opportunities to improve community health. OBJECTIVE We provide our experience of establishing a wastewater and non-sewered sanitation surveillance laboratory in Malawi, a resource-limited region, for Vibrio cholerae and Salmonella serotype Typhi. METHODS Three locations (inclusive of 8 discrete sample collection sites in total) in the Blantyre District were studied for nine weeks, from September 6 to November 1, 2022. Grab samples were collected weekly. We piloted locally available culture-based medical diagnostic methods for V. cholerae and S. Typhi in wastewater, followed by confirmation analysis of the isolates using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS Bacterial counts ranged from up to 106 colony-forming units/mL for V. cholerae and up to 107 colony-forming units/mL for S. Typhi. RT-PCR of the isolates showed that the available culture-based medical diagnostic methods were successful in detecting V. cholerae but were less accurate for S. Typhi in wastewater. IMPACT STATEMENT This experience serves as a catalyst for the development and validation of alternative wastewater surveillance analytical methods that are not dependent solely on RT-PCR. In this field trial conducted in Africa, new data-driven approaches were developed to promote early-level wastewater research and expand analysis options in resource-limited settings. Although culture-based methods are labor-intensive and have some limitations, we suggest initially leveraging the overlap with the locally available medical testing capacity for V. cholerae, whereas S. Typhi with RT-PCR may still be required. Wastewater analysis may be acceptable for V. cholerae and S. Typhi, which have a high degree of clinical case underreporting, fecal shedding, short incubation periods, and clear outbreak trends, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petros Chigwechokha
- Department of Biological Sciences, Malawi University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 5196, Limbe, Malawi
| | - Ruth Lusungu Nyirenda
- Department of Biological Sciences, Malawi University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 5196, Limbe, Malawi
| | - Davie Dalitsani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Malawi University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 5196, Limbe, Malawi
| | - Ranken Lorvin Namaumbo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Malawi University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 5196, Limbe, Malawi
| | - Yohanny Kazembe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Malawi University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 5196, Limbe, Malawi
| | - Ted Smith
- Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, 302 E. Muhammad Ali Blvd., Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Rochelle H Holm
- Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, 302 E. Muhammad Ali Blvd., Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
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Geissler M, Mayer R, Helm B, Dumke R. Food and Environmental Virology: Use of Passive Sampling to Characterize the Presence of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Viruses in Wastewater. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2024; 16:25-37. [PMID: 38117471 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-023-09572-1] [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: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Fecal shedding of SARS-CoV-2 leads to a renaissance of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) as additional tool to follow epidemiological trends in the catchment of treatment plants. As alternative to the most commonly used composite samples in surveillance programs, passive sampling is increasingly studied. However, the many sorbent materials in different reports hamper the comparison of results and a standardization of the approach is necessary. Here, we compared different cost-effective sorption materials (cheesecloths, gauze swabs, electronegative filters, glass wool, and tampons) in torpedo-style housings with composite samples. Despite a remarkable variability of the concentration of SARS-CoV-2-specific gene copies, analysis of parallel-deposited passive samplers in the sewer demonstrated highest rate of positive samples and highest number of copies by using cheesecloths. Using this sorption material, monitoring of wastewater of three small catchments in the City of Dresden resulted in a rate of positive samples of 50% in comparison with composite samples (98%). During the investigation period, incidence of reported cases of SARS-CoV-2 in the catchments ranged between 16 and 170 per 100,000 persons and showed no correlation with the measured concentrations of E gene in wastewater. In contrast, constantly higher numbers of gene copies in passive vs. composite samples were found for human adenovirus and crAssphage indicating strong differences of efficacy of methods concerning the species investigated. Influenza virus A and B were sporadically detected allowing no comparison of results. The study contributes to the further understanding of possibilities and limits of passive sampling approaches in WBE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Geissler
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Robin Mayer
- Institute of Urban and Industrial Water Management, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Björn Helm
- Institute of Urban and Industrial Water Management, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Roger Dumke
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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Mejías-Molina C, Pico-Tomàs A, Martínez-Puchol S, Itarte M, Torrell H, Canela N, Borrego CM, Corominas L, Rusiñol M, Bofill-Mas S. Wastewater-based epidemiology applied at the building-level reveals distinct virome profiles based on the age of the contributing individuals. Hum Genomics 2024; 18:10. [PMID: 38303015 PMCID: PMC10832175 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-024-00580-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human viruses released into the environment can be detected and characterized in wastewater. The study of wastewater virome offers a consolidated perspective on the circulation of viruses within a population. Because the occurrence and severity of viral infections can vary across a person's lifetime, studying the virome in wastewater samples contributed by various demographic segments can provide valuable insights into the prevalence of viral infections within these segments. In our study, targeted enrichment sequencing was employed to characterize the human virome in wastewater at a building-level scale. This was accomplished through passive sampling of wastewater in schools, university settings, and nursing homes in two cities in Catalonia. Additionally, sewage from a large urban wastewater treatment plant was analysed to serve as a reference for examining the collective excreted human virome. RESULTS The virome obtained from influent wastewater treatment plant samples showcased the combined viral presence from individuals of varying ages, with astroviruses and human bocaviruses being the most prevalent, followed by human adenoviruses, polyomaviruses, and papillomaviruses. Significant variations in the viral profiles were observed among the different types of buildings studied. Mamastrovirus 1 was predominant in school samples, salivirus and human polyomaviruses JC and BK in the university settings while nursing homes showed a more balanced distribution of viral families presenting papillomavirus and picornaviruses and, interestingly, some viruses linked to immunosuppression. CONCLUSIONS This study shows the utility of building-level wastewater-based epidemiology as an effective tool for monitoring the presence of viruses circulating within specific age groups. It provides valuable insights for public health monitoring and epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Mejías-Molina
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics Department, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
- The Water Research Institute (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | | | - Sandra Martínez-Puchol
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics Department, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Marta Itarte
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics Department, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- The Water Research Institute (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Helena Torrell
- Centre for Omic Sciences (COS), Joint Unit Universitat Rovira I Virgili-EURECAT, Unique Scientific and Technical Infrastructures (ICTS), Eurecat, Centre Tecnològic de Catalunya, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Núria Canela
- Centre for Omic Sciences (COS), Joint Unit Universitat Rovira I Virgili-EURECAT, Unique Scientific and Technical Infrastructures (ICTS), Eurecat, Centre Tecnològic de Catalunya, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Carles M Borrego
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, Spain
- Group of Molecular Microbial Ecology, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
| | | | - Marta Rusiñol
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics Department, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- The Water Research Institute (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sílvia Bofill-Mas
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics Department, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- The Water Research Institute (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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Holm RH, Nyirenda R, Smith T, Chigwechokha P. Addressing the challenges of establishing quality wastewater or non-sewered sanitation-based surveillance, including laboratory and epidemiological considerations, in Malawi. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e013307. [PMID: 37918872 PMCID: PMC10626866 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Learning from clinical laboratories, wastewater or environmental (including non-sewered sanitation) environmental microbiology laboratories can be established in resource-limited settings that focus on pathogen detection and pandemic prevention. Transparent discussions on the laboratory challenges and adaptations required for this can help meet the future requirements of health research and surveillance. This report aims to describe the challenges encountered when setting up a wastewater or environmental laboratory for multipathogen surveillance in Malawi, a resource-limited setting, as well as the lessons learnt. We identified nine unifying themes: what to monitor, human resource capacity, indicators of data quality, equipment availability, supply of consumable goods, ongoing operation and maintenance of the laboratory, application of localised guidelines for laboratory operations, lack of real-time clinical correlation for calibration and localised ethical considerations. Over our 6-month timeline, only Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholerae and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 analyses were set-up. However, we were unable to set-up measles and tuberculosis analyses owing largely to supply delays. By establishing this system at a public higher education academic laboratory in Malawi, we have ensured that ongoing capacity building and piloting of public health work is conducted in the country, rather than relying on non-governmental organisations or reference laboratory support beyond national borders. This work is not intended to replace clinical testing but rather demonstrates the potential for adapting higher education academic laboratory infrastructure to add wastewater or environmental (including non-sewered sanitation) samples, where appropriate, as additive epidemiological data for better pandemic preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rochelle H Holm
- Christina Lee Brown Environment Institute, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Ruth Nyirenda
- Department of Biological Sciences, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Limbe, Malawi
| | - Ted Smith
- Christina Lee Brown Environment Institute, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Petros Chigwechokha
- Department of Biological Sciences, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Limbe, Malawi
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Wang T, Wang C, Myshkevych Y, Mantilla-Calderon D, Talley E, Hong PY. SARS-CoV-2 wastewater-based epidemiology in an enclosed compound: A 2.5-year survey to identify factors contributing to local community dissemination. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 875:162466. [PMID: 36868271 PMCID: PMC9977070 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Long-term (>2.5 years) surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in wastewater was conducted within an enclosed university compound. This study aims to demonstrate how coupling wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) with meta-data can identify which factors contribute toward the dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 within a local community. Throughout the pandemic, the temporal dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations were tracked by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and analyzed in the context of the number of positive swab cases, the extent of human movement, and intervention measures. Our findings suggest that during the early phase of the pandemic, when strict lockdown was imposed, the viral titer load in the wastewater remained below detection limits, with <4 positive swab cases reported over a 14-day period in the compound. After the lockdown was lifted and global travel gradually resumed, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was first detected in the wastewater on 12 August 2020 and increased in frequency thereafter, despite high vaccination rates and mandatory face-covering requirements in the community. Accompanied by a combination of the Omicron surge and significant global travel by community members, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in most of the weekly wastewater samples collected in late December 2021 and January 2022. With the cease of mandatory face covering, SARS-CoV-2 was detected in at least two of the four weekly wastewater samples collected from May through August 2022. Retrospective Nanopore sequencing revealed the presence of the Omicron variant in the wastewater with a multitude of amino acid mutations, from which we could infer the likely geographical origins through bioinformatic analysis. This study demonstrated that long-term tracking of the temporal dynamics and sequencing of variants in wastewater would aid in identifying which factors contribute the most to SARS-CoV-2 dissemination within the local community, facilitating an appropriate public health response to control future outbreaks as we now live with endemic SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiannyu Wang
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Changzhi Wang
- Bioengineering Program, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yevhen Myshkevych
- Environmental Science and Engineering Program, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - David Mantilla-Calderon
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Erik Talley
- Health, Safety and Environment, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pei-Ying Hong
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Bioengineering Program, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Environmental Science and Engineering Program, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
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Corchis-Scott R, Geng Q, Al Riahi AM, Labak A, Podadera A, Ng KKS, Porter LA, Tong Y, Dixon JC, Menard SL, Seth R, McKay RM. Actionable wastewater surveillance: application to a university residence hall during the transition between Delta and Omicron resurgences of COVID-19. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1139423. [PMID: 37265515 PMCID: PMC10230041 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1139423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Wastewater surveillance has gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic as an effective and non-biased means to track community infection. While most surveillance relies on samples collected at municipal wastewater treatment plants, surveillance is more actionable when samples are collected "upstream" where mitigation of transmission is tractable. This report describes the results of wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 at residence halls on a university campus aimed at preventing outbreak escalation by mitigating community spread. Another goal was to estimate fecal shedding rates of SARS-CoV-2 in a non-clinical setting. Passive sampling devices were deployed in sewer laterals originating from residence halls at a frequency of twice weekly during fall 2021 as the Delta variant of concern continued to circulate across North America. A positive detection as part of routine sampling in late November 2021 triggered daily monitoring and further isolated the signal to a single wing of one residence hall. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 within the wastewater over a period of 3 consecutive days led to a coordinated rapid antigen testing campaign targeting the residence hall occupants and the identification and isolation of infected individuals. With knowledge of the number of individuals testing positive for COVID-19, fecal shedding rates were estimated to range from 3.70 log10 gc ‧ g feces-1 to 5.94 log10 gc ‧ g feces-1. These results reinforce the efficacy of wastewater surveillance as an early indicator of infection in congregate living settings. Detections can trigger public health measures ranging from enhanced communications to targeted coordinated testing and quarantine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryland Corchis-Scott
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Qiudi Geng
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Abdul Monem Al Riahi
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Amr Labak
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Ana Podadera
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Kenneth K. S. Ng
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Lisa A. Porter
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Yufeng Tong
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Jess C. Dixon
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | | | - Rajesh Seth
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - R. Michael McKay
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
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9
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Li Y, Ash KT, Joyner DC, Williams DE, Alamilla I, McKay PJ, Iler C, Green BM, Kara-Murdoch F, Swift CM, Hazen TC. Decay of enveloped SARS-CoV-2 and non-enveloped PMMoV RNA in raw sewage from university dormitories. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1144026. [PMID: 37187532 PMCID: PMC10175580 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1144026] [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: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Although severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA has been frequently detected in sewage from many university dormitories to inform public health decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic, a clear understanding of SARS-CoV-2 RNA persistence in site-specific raw sewage is still lacking. To investigate the SARS-CoV-2 RNA persistence, a field trial was conducted in the University of Tennessee dormitories raw sewage, similar to municipal wastewater. Methods The decay of enveloped SARS-CoV-2 RNA and non-enveloped Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) RNA was investigated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in raw sewage at 4°C and 20°C. Results Temperature, followed by the concentration level of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, was the most significant factors that influenced the first-order decay rate constants (k) of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The mean k values of SARS-CoV-2 RNA were 0.094 day-1 at 4°C and 0.261 day-1 at 20°C. At high-, medium-, and low-concentration levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, the mean k values were 0.367, 0.169, and 0.091 day-1, respectively. Furthermore, there was a statistical difference between the decay of enveloped SARS-CoV-2 and non-enveloped PMMoV RNA at different temperature conditions. Discussion The first decay rates for both temperatures were statistically comparable for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, which showed sensitivity to elevated temperatures but not for PMMoV RNA. This study provides evidence for the persistence of viral RNA in site-specific raw sewage at different temperature conditions and concentration levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Li
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - K. T. Ash
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Dominique C. Joyner
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Daniel E. Williams
- Center for Environmental Biotechnology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - I. Alamilla
- Student Health Center, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - P. J. McKay
- Student Health Center, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - C. Iler
- Department of Facilities Services, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - B. M. Green
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - F. Kara-Murdoch
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
- Center for Environmental Biotechnology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - C. M. Swift
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
- Center for Environmental Biotechnology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Terry C. Hazen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
- Bredesen Center, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
- Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
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