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Malla B, Shrestha S, Sthapit N, Hirai S, Raya S, Rahmani AF, Angga MS, Siri Y, Ruti AA, Haramoto E. Beyond COVID-19: Wastewater-based epidemiology for multipathogen surveillance and normalization strategies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174419. [PMID: 38960169 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174419] [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: 04/27/2024] [Revised: 06/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a critical tool for monitoring community health. Although much attention has focused on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), other pathogens also pose significant health risks. This study quantified the presence of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A virus (Inf-A), and noroviruses of genogroups I (NoV-GI) and II (NoV-GII) in wastewater samples collected weekly (n = 170) from July 2023 to February 2024 from five wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, by quantitative PCR. Inf-A RNA exhibited localized prevalence with positive ratios of 59 %-82 % in different WWTPs, suggesting regional outbreaks within specific areas. NoV-GI (94 %, 160/170) and NoV-GII (100 %, 170/170) RNA were highly prevalent, with NoV-GII (6.1 ± 0.8 log10 copies/L) consistently exceeding NoV-GI (5.4 ± 0.7 log10 copies/L) RNA concentrations. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 100 % of the samples, with mean concentrations of 5.3 ± 0.5 log10 copies/L in WWTP E and 5.8 ± 0.4 log10 copies/L each in other WWTPs. Seasonal variability was evident, with higher concentrations of all pathogenic viruses during winter. Non-normalized and normalized virus concentrations by fecal indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli and total coliforms), an indicator virus (pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV)), and turbidity revealed significant positive associations with the reported disease cases. Inf-A and NoV-GI + GII RNA concentrations showed strong correlations with influenza and acute gastroenteritis cases, particularly when normalized to E. coli (Spearman's ρ = 0.70-0.81) and total coliforms (ρ = 0.70-0.81), respectively. For SARS-CoV-2, non-normalized concentrations showed a correlation of 0.61, decreasing to 0.31 when normalized to PMMoV, suggesting that PMMoV is unsuitable. Turbidity normalization also yielded suboptimal results. This study underscored the importance of selecting suitable normalization parameters tailored to specific pathogens for accurate disease trend monitoring using WBE, demonstrating its utility beyond COVID-19 surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bikash Malla
- Interdisciplinary Center for River Basin Environment, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8511, Japan
| | - Sadhana Shrestha
- Interdisciplinary Center for River Basin Environment, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8511, Japan
| | - Niva Sthapit
- Interdisciplinary Center for River Basin Environment, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8511, Japan
| | - Soichiro Hirai
- Department of Engineering, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8511, Japan
| | - Sunayana Raya
- Department of Engineering, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8511, Japan
| | - Aulia Fajar Rahmani
- Department of Engineering, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8511, Japan
| | - Made Sandhyana Angga
- Department of Engineering, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8511, Japan
| | - Yadpiroon Siri
- Department of Engineering, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8511, Japan
| | - Annisa Andarini Ruti
- Department of Engineering, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8511, Japan
| | - Eiji Haramoto
- Interdisciplinary Center for River Basin Environment, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8511, Japan.
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Gearhart N, Pagilla K. Indicator and pathogenic virus removal in bench scale soil aquifer treatment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 945:173997. [PMID: 38879034 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173997] [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: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
The demonstration of enteric virus removal for indirect potable reuse of advanced purified water is necessary to ensure safe water reclamation practices. This study evaluated the efficacy of soil treatment in reducing concentrations of Pepper Mild Mottle Virus (PMMoV), Hepatitis A (HAV), and Norovirus (NoV) gene markers through bench scale unsaturated soil columns. Three different infiltration rates were evaluated to determine their impact on viral gene marker removal. The concentrations of viral markers in the column influent and effluent samples were measured through RNA extraction and then RT-qPCR, and the log reduction values (LRVs) were calculated to quantify the effectiveness of removal across the columns. The LRVs achieved for PMMoV were 2.80 ± 0.36, 2.91 ± 0.48, and 2.72 ± 0.32 for infiltration rates of 4.9 mm/h, 9.4 mm/h, and 14.0 mm/h, respectively. A one-way ANOVA indicated no statistically significant differences in LRVs among the various infiltration rates (p-value = 0.329). All samples measured for HAV were below the detection limit both in the influent and effluent of the soil columns. While NoV GI and GII markers were measurable in the soil column influent, they were removed to below the detection limit in the effluent. The use of half the Limit-of-Detection (LoD) for effluent values enabled the estimation of log removals, which were calculated as 1.42 ± 0.07, 1.64 ± 0.29, and 1.74 ± 0.18 for NoV GI and 1.14 ± 0.19, 1.58 ± 0.21, and 1.87 ± 0.41 for NoV GII at infiltration rates of 4.9 mm/h, 9.4 mm/h, and 14.0 mm/h. This highlights the efficacy of soil treatment in reducing virus gene marker concentrations at various infiltration rates, and that spreading basins employed for reclaimed water recharge to ground water aquifers are an effective method for reducing the presence of viral contaminants in indirect potable reuse systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Gearhart
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Krishna Pagilla
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557, USA.
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Boehm AB, Wolfe MK, White BJ, Hughes B, Duong D, Banaei N, Bidwell A. Human norovirus (HuNoV) GII RNA in wastewater solids at 145 United States wastewater treatment plants: comparison to positivity rates of clinical specimens and modeled estimates of HuNoV GII shedders. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024; 34:440-447. [PMID: 37550566 PMCID: PMC11222142 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00592-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human norovirus (HuNoV) is a leading cause of disease globally, yet actual incidence is unknown. HuNoV infections are not reportable in the United States, and surveillance is limited to tracking severe illnesses or outbreaks. Wastewater monitoring for HuNoV has been done previously and results indicate it is present in wastewater influent and concentrations are associated with HuNoV infections in the communities contributing to wastewater. However, work has mostly been limited to monthly samples of liquid wastewater at one or a few wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). OBJECTIVE The objectives of this study are to investigate whether HuNoV GII preferentially adsorbs to wastewater solids, investigate concentrations of HuNoV GII in wastewater solids in wastewater treatment plants across the county, and explore how those relate to clinical measures of disease occurrence. In addition, we aim to develop and apply a mass-balance model that predicts the fraction of individuals shedding HuNoV in their stool based on measured concentrations in wastewater solids. METHODS We measured HuNoV GII RNA in matched wastewater solids and liquid influent in 7 samples from a WWTP. We also applied the HuNoV GII assay to measure viral RNA in over 6000 wastewater solids samples from 145 WWTPs from across the United States daily to three times per week for up to five months. Measurements were made using digital droplet RT-PCR. RESULTS HuNoV GII RNA preferentially adsorbs to wastewater solids where it is present at 1000 times the concentration in influent. Concentrations of HuNoV GII RNA correlate positively with clinical HuNoV positivity rates. Model output of the fraction of individuals shedding HuNoV is variable and uncertain, but consistent with indirect estimates of symptomatic HuNoV infections in the United States. IMPACT STATEMENT Illness caused by HuNoV is not reportable in the United States so there is limited data on disease occurrence. Wastewater monitoring can provide information about the community spread of HuNoV. Data from wastewater can be available within 24 h of sample receipt at a laboratory. Wastewater is agnostic to whether individuals seek medical care, are symptomatic, and the severity of illness. Knowledge gleaned from wastewater may be used by public health professionals to make recommendations on hand washing, surface disinfection, or other behaviors to reduce transmission of HuNoV, or medical doctors to inform clinical decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria B Boehm
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Marlene K Wolfe
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Niaz Banaei
- Stanford Health Care Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Amanda Bidwell
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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4
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Vigil K, D'Souza N, Bazner J, Cedraz FMA, Fisch S, Rose JB, Aw TG. Long-term monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 variants in wastewater using a coordinated workflow of droplet digital PCR and nanopore sequencing. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 254:121338. [PMID: 38430753 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121338] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genome sequencing are important methods for wastewater surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The reverse transcription-droplet digital PCR (RT-ddPCR) is a highly sensitive method for quantifying SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater samples to track the trends of viral activity levels but cannot identify new variants. It also takes time to develop new PCR-based assays targeting variants of interest. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) can be used to monitor known and new SARS-CoV-2 variants, but it is generally not quantitative. Several short-read sequencing techniques can be expensive and might experience delayed turnaround times when outsourced due to inadequate in-house resources. Recently, a portable nanopore sequencing system offers an affordable and real-time method for sequencing SARS-CoV-2 variants in wastewater. This technology has the potential to enable swift response to disease outbreaks without relying on clinical sequencing results. In addressing concerns related to rapid turnaround time and accurate variant analysis, both RT-ddPCR and nanopore sequencing methods were employed to monitor the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants in wastewater. This surveillance was conducted at 23 sewer maintenance hole sites and five wastewater treatment plants in Michigan from 2020 to 2022. In 2020, the wastewater samples were dominated by the parental variants (20A, 20C and 20 G), followed by 20I (Alpha, B.1.1.7) in early 2021 and the Delta variant of concern (VOC) in late 2021. For the year 2022, Omicron variants dominated. Nanopore sequencing has the potential to validate suspected variant cases that were initially undetermined by RT-ddPCR assays. The concordance rate between nanopore sequencing and RT-ddPCR assays in identifying SARS-CoV-2 variants to the clade-level was 76.9%. Notably, instances of disagreement between the two methods were most prominent in the identification of the parental and Omicron variants. We also showed that sequencing wastewater samples with SARS-CoV-2 N gene concentrations of >104 GC/100 ml as measured by RT-ddPCR improve genome recovery and coverage depth using MinION device. RT-ddPCR was better at detecting key spike protein mutations A67V, del69-70, K417N, L452R, N501Y, N679K, and R408S (p-value <0.05) as compared to nanopore sequencing. It is suggested that RT-ddPCR and nanopore sequencing should be coordinated in wastewater surveillance where RT-ddPCR can be used as a preliminary quantification method and nanopore sequencing as the confirmatory method for the detection of variants or identification of new variants. The RT-ddPCR and nanopore sequencing methods reported here can be adopted as a reliable in-house analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater for rapid community level surveillance and public health response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Vigil
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2100, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - Nishita D'Souza
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
| | - Julia Bazner
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
| | - Fernanda Mac-Allister Cedraz
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2100, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - Samuel Fisch
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2100, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - Joan B Rose
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
| | - Tiong Gim Aw
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2100, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States.
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5
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Zhang M, Roldan-Hernandez L, Boehm A. Persistence of human respiratory viral RNA in wastewater-settled solids. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0227223. [PMID: 38501669 PMCID: PMC11022535 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02272-23] [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: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology has emerged as a valuable tool for monitoring respiratory viral diseases within communities by analyzing concentrations of viral nucleic-acids in wastewater. However, little is known about the fate of respiratory virus nucleic-acids in wastewater. Two important fate processes that may modulate their concentrations in wastewater as they move from household drains to the point of collection include sorption or partitioning to wastewater solids and degradation. This study investigated the decay kinetics of genomic nucleic-acids of seven human respiratory viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human coronavirus (HCoV)-OC43, HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63, human rhinovirus (HRV), and influenza A virus (IAV), as well as pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) in wastewater solids. Viruses (except for PMMoV) were spiked into wastewater solids and their concentrations were followed for 50 days at three different temperatures (4°C, 22°C, and 37°C). Viral genomic RNA decayed following first-order kinetics with decay rate constants k from 0 to 0.219 per day. Decay rate constants k were not different from 0 for all targets in solids incubated at 4°C; k values were largest at 37°C and at this temperature, k values were similar across nucleic-acid targets. Regardless of temperature, there was limited viral RNA decay, with an estimated 0% to 20% reduction, over the typical residence times of sewage in the piped systems between input and collection point (<1 day). The k values reported herein can be used directly in fate and transport models to inform the interpretation of measurements made during wastewater surveillance.IMPORTANCEUnderstanding whether or not the RNA targets quantified for wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) efforts decay during transport between drains and the point of sample collection is critical for data interpretation. Here we show limited decay of viral RNA targets typically measured for respiratory disease WBE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyang Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Laura Roldan-Hernandez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Alexandria Boehm
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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6
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Perry WB, Chrispim MC, Barbosa MRF, de Souza Lauretto M, Razzolini MTP, Nardocci AC, Jones O, Jones DL, Weightman A, Sato MIZ, Montagner C, Durance I. Cross-continental comparative experiences of wastewater surveillance and a vision for the 21st century. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 919:170842. [PMID: 38340868 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170842] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the epidemiological value of monitoring wastewater into sharp focus. The challenges of implementing and optimising wastewater monitoring vary significantly from one region to another, often due to the array of different wastewater systems around the globe, as well as the availability of resources to undertake the required analyses (e.g. laboratory infrastructure and expertise). Here we reflect on the local and shared challenges of implementing a SARS-CoV-2 monitoring programme in two geographically and socio-economically distinct regions, São Paulo state (Brazil) and Wales (UK), focusing on design, laboratory methods and data analysis, and identifying potential guiding principles for wastewater surveillance fit for the 21st century. Our results highlight the historical nature of region-specific challenges to the implementation of wastewater surveillance, including previous experience of using wastewater surveillance, stakeholders involved, and nature of wastewater infrastructure. Building on those challenges, we then highlight what an ideal programme would look like if restrictions such as resource were not a constraint. Finally, we demonstrate the value of bringing multidisciplinary skills and international networks together for effective wastewater surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mariana Cardoso Chrispim
- Environmental and Biosciences Department, School of Business, Innovation and Sustainability, Halmstad University, Kristian IV:s väg 3, 30118 Halmstad, Sweden
| | - Mikaela Renata Funada Barbosa
- Environmental Analysis Department, Environmental Company of the São Paulo State (CETESB), Av. Prof. Frederico Hermann Jr., 345, São Paulo CEP 05459-900, Brazil; NARA - Center for Research in Environmental Risk Assessment, School of Public Health, Environmental Health Department, Av. Dr Arnaldo, 715, 01246-904 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo de Souza Lauretto
- NARA - Center for Research in Environmental Risk Assessment, School of Public Health, Environmental Health Department, Av. Dr Arnaldo, 715, 01246-904 São Paulo, Brazil; School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of Sao Paulo, Rua Arlindo Bettio, 1000, São Paulo CEP 03828-000, Brazil
| | - Maria Tereza Pepe Razzolini
- NARA - Center for Research in Environmental Risk Assessment, School of Public Health, Environmental Health Department, Av. Dr Arnaldo, 715, 01246-904 São Paulo, Brazil; School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Environmental Health Department, Av. Dr Arnaldo, 715, 01246-904 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adelaide Cassia Nardocci
- NARA - Center for Research in Environmental Risk Assessment, School of Public Health, Environmental Health Department, Av. Dr Arnaldo, 715, 01246-904 São Paulo, Brazil; School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Environmental Health Department, Av. Dr Arnaldo, 715, 01246-904 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Owen Jones
- School of Mathematics, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4AG, UK
| | - Davey L Jones
- Environment Centre Wales, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK; Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch WA 6105, Australia
| | | | - Maria Inês Zanoli Sato
- Environmental Analysis Department, Environmental Company of the São Paulo State (CETESB), Av. Prof. Frederico Hermann Jr., 345, São Paulo CEP 05459-900, Brazil; NARA - Center for Research in Environmental Risk Assessment, School of Public Health, Environmental Health Department, Av. Dr Arnaldo, 715, 01246-904 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cassiana Montagner
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083970, Brazil
| | - Isabelle Durance
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK.
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Armenta-Castro A, Núñez-Soto MT, Rodriguez-Aguillón KO, Aguayo-Acosta A, Oyervides-Muñoz MA, Snyder SA, Barceló D, Saththasivam J, Lawler J, Sosa-Hernández JE, Parra-Saldívar R. Urine biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease: A new opportunity for wastewater-based epidemiology? ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 184:108462. [PMID: 38335627 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108462] [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: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
While Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis, management, and care have become priorities for healthcare providers and researcher's worldwide due to rapid population aging, epidemiologic surveillance efforts are currently limited by costly, invasive diagnostic procedures, particularly in low to middle income countries (LMIC). In recent years, wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a promising tool for public health assessment through detection and quantification of specific biomarkers in wastewater, but applications for non-infectious diseases such as AD remain limited. This early review seeks to summarize AD-related biomarkers and urine and other peripheral biofluids and discuss their potential integration to WBE platforms to guide the first prospective efforts in the field. Promising results have been reported in clinical settings, indicating the potential of amyloid β, tau, neural thread protein, long non-coding RNAs, oxidative stress markers and other dysregulated metabolites for AD diagnosis, but questions regarding their concentration and stability in wastewater and the correlation between clinical levels and sewage circulation must be addressed in future studies before comprehensive WBE systems can be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mónica T Núñez-Soto
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Mexico
| | - Kassandra O Rodriguez-Aguillón
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Mexico; Tecnologico de Monterrey, Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing, Monterrey 64849, Mexico
| | - Alberto Aguayo-Acosta
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Mexico; Tecnologico de Monterrey, Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing, Monterrey 64849, Mexico
| | - Mariel Araceli Oyervides-Muñoz
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Mexico; Tecnologico de Monterrey, Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing, Monterrey 64849, Mexico
| | - Shane A Snyder
- Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Damià Barceló
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering at the UPES, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Jayaprakash Saththasivam
- Water Center, Qatar Environment & Energy Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Qatar
| | - Jenny Lawler
- Water Center, Qatar Environment & Energy Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Qatar
| | - Juan Eduardo Sosa-Hernández
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Mexico; Tecnologico de Monterrey, Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing, Monterrey 64849, Mexico.
| | - Roberto Parra-Saldívar
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Mexico; Tecnologico de Monterrey, Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing, Monterrey 64849, Mexico
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8
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Schoen ME, Bidwell AL, Wolfe MK, Boehm AB. United States Influenza 2022-2023 Season Characteristics as Inferred from Wastewater Solids, Influenza Hospitalization, and Syndromic Data. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:20542-20550. [PMID: 38014848 PMCID: PMC10720384 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07526] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Influenza A virus (IAV) causes significant morbidity and mortality in the United States and has pandemic potential. Identifying IAV epidemic patterns is essential to inform the timing of vaccinations and nonpharmaceutical interventions. In a prospective, longitudinal study design, we measured IAV RNA in wastewater settled solids at 163 wastewater treatment plants across 33 states to characterize the 2022-2023 influenza season at the state, health and human services (HHS) regional, and national scales. Influenza season onset, offset, duration, peak, and intensity using IAV RNA in wastewater were compared with those determined using laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalization rates and outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI). The onset for HHS regions as determined by IAV RNA in wastewater roughly corresponded with those determined using ILI when the annual geometric mean of IAV RNA concentration was used as a baseline (i.e., the threshold that triggers onset), although offsets between the two differed. IAV RNA in wastewater provided early warning of onset, compared to the ILI estimate, when the baseline was set at twice the limit of IAV RNA detection in wastewater. Peak when determined by IAV RNA in wastewater generally preceded peak determined by IAV hospitalization rate by 2 weeks or less. IAV RNA in wastewater settled solids is an IAV-specific indicator that can be used to augment clinical surveillance for seasonal influenza epidemic timing and intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary E. Schoen
- Soller
Environmental, LLC, 3022
King Street, Berkeley, California 94703, United States
| | - Amanda L. Bidwell
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and
Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford
University, 473 Via Ortega, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Marlene K. Wolfe
- Gangarosa
Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Alexandria B. Boehm
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and
Doerr 8 School of Sustainability, Stanford
University, 473 Via Ortega, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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9
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Shao XT, Wang YS, Gong ZF, Li YY, Tan DQ, Lin JG, Pei W, Wang DG. Surveillance of COVID-19 and influenza A(H1N1) prevalence in China via medicine-based wastewater biomarkers. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 247:120783. [PMID: 37924682 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120783] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
The simultaneous monitoring of individual or multiple diseases can be achieved by selecting therapeutic medicines used to treat the primary symptoms of the condition as biomarkers in wastewater. This study proposes a novel approach to monitor the prevalence of COVID-19 and influenza A (H1N1) by selecting nine medicines to serve as biomarkers, including three antipyretics, three antivirals, and three cough suppressants. To verify our approach, wastewater samples were collected from seventeen urban and five rural wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in a Chinese city over a period of one year. The use of antipyretics increased notably during the COVID-19 pandemic, while the consumption of antivirals for influenza A (H1N1) rose in the post-COVID-19 pandemic period, indicating a minor spike in the occurrence of influenza A (H1N1) after the COVID-19 pandemic. Fever is a significant symptom of COVID-19 and can serve as a reliable indicator of disease prevalence. Our research found that the prevalence of COVID-19 in urban areas was significantly higher (at 78.5 %, 95 % CI: 73.4 % - 83.9 %) than in rural areas (with a prevalence of 48.1 %, 95 % CI: 42.4 % - 53.8 %). The prevalence of COVID-19 in urban areas in this study was consistent with the data reported by the Chinese center for Disease Control and Prevention (82.4 %). Continuous monitoring of WWTPs in urban areas with fluctuating populations and complex demographics can provide early disease warning. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of evaluating community disease prevalence by selecting major therapeutic medicines as biomarkers in wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ting Shao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian, China, 116026
| | - Yan-Song Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian, China, 116026
| | - Zhen-Fang Gong
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian, China, 116026
| | - Yan-Ying Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian, China, 116026
| | - Dong-Qin Tan
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian, China, 116026
| | - Jian-Guo Lin
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian, China, 116026
| | - Wei Pei
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian, China, 116026
| | - De-Gao Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian, China, 116026.
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10
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Thapar I, Langan LM, Davis H, Norman RS, Bojes HK, Brooks BW. Influence of storage conditions and multiple freeze-thaw cycles on N1 SARS-CoV-2, PMMoV, and BCoV signal. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 896:165098. [PMID: 37392884 PMCID: PMC10307669 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165098] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology/wastewater-based surveillance (WBE/WBS) continues to serve as an effective means of monitoring various diseases, including COVID-19 and the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, at the population level. As the use of WBE expands, storage conditions of wastewater samples will play a critical role in ensuring the accuracy and reproducibility of results. In this study, the impacts of water concentration buffer (WCB), storage temperature, and freeze-thaw cycles on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 and other WBE-related gene targets were examined. Freeze-thawing of concentrated samples did not significantly affect (p > 0.05) crossing/cycle threshold (Ct) value for any of the gene targets studied (SARS-CoV-2 N1, PMMoV, and BCoV). However, use of WCB during concentration resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in Ct for all targets, and storage at -80 °C (in contrast to -20 °C) appeared preferable for wastewater storage signal stability based on decreased Ct values, although this was only significantly different (p < 0.05) for the BCoV target. Interestingly, when Ct values were converted to gene copies per influent sample, no significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in any of the targets examined. Stability of RNA targets in concentrated wastewater against freeze-thaw degradation supports archiving of concentrated samples for use in retrospective examination of COVID-19 trends and tracing SARS-CoV-2 variants and potentially other viruses, and provides a starting point for establishing a consistent procedure for specimen collection and storage for the WBE/WBS community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isha Thapar
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97266, 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.
| | - Haley Davis
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97266, Waco, TX 76798, USA; Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 US-1, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, USA
| | - R Sean Norman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, South Carolina, 921 Assembly St., Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Heidi K Bojes
- Environmental Epidemiology and Disease Registries Section, 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; Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97224, Waco, TX 76798, USA
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11
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Breadner PR, Dhiyebi HA, Fattahi A, Srikanthan N, Hayat S, Aucoin MG, Boegel SJ, Bragg LM, Craig PM, Xie Y, Giesy JP, Servos MR. A comparative analysis of the partitioning behaviour of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in liquid and solid fractions of wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 895:165095. [PMID: 37355124 PMCID: PMC10287177 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165095] [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: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
As fragments of SARS-CoV-2 RNA can be quantified and measured temporally in wastewater, surveillance of concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater has become a vital resource for tracking the spread of COVID-19 in and among communities. However, the absence of standardized methods has affected the interpretation of data for public health efforts. In particular, analyzing either the liquid or solid fraction has implications for the interpretation of how viral RNA is quantified. Characterizing how SARS-CoV-2 or its RNA fragments partition in wastewater is a central part of understanding fate and behaviour in wastewater. In this study, partitioning of SARS-CoV-2 was investigated by use of centrifugation with varied durations of spin and centrifugal force, polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation followed by centrifugation, and ultrafiltration of wastewater. Partitioning of the endogenous pepper mild mottled virus (PMMoV), used to normalize the SARS-CoV-2 signal for fecal load in trend analysis, was also examined. Additionally, two surrogates for coronavirus, human coronavirus 229E and murine hepatitis virus, were analyzed as process controls. Even though SARS-CoV-2 has an affinity for solids, the total RNA copies of SARS-CoV-2 per wastewater sample, after centrifugation (12,000 g, 1.5 h, no brake), were partitioned evenly between the liquid and solid fractions. Centrifugation at greater speeds for longer durations resulted in a shift in partitioning for all viruses toward the solid fraction except for PMMoV, which remained mostly in the liquid fraction. The surrogates more closely reflected the partitioning of SARS-CoV-2 under high centrifugation speed and duration while PMMoV did not. Interestingly, ultrafiltration devices were inconsistent in estimating RNA copies in wastewater, which can influence the interpretation of partitioning. Developing a better understanding of the fate of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater and creating a foundation of best practices is the key to supporting the current pandemic response and preparing for future potential infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick R Breadner
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Hadi A Dhiyebi
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Azar Fattahi
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Nivetha Srikanthan
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Samina Hayat
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Marc G Aucoin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Scott J Boegel
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Leslie M Bragg
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Paul M Craig
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Yuwei Xie
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide Environmental Assessment and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042, China; Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - John P Giesy
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada; Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, One Bear Place, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - Mark R Servos
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.
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12
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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.
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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
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13
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Boehm AB, Wolfe MK, White B, Hughes B, Duong D. Divergence of wastewater SARS-CoV-2 and reported laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 incident case data coincident with wide-spread availability of at-home COVID-19 antigen tests. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15631. [PMID: 37397016 PMCID: PMC10312197 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15631] [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: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater settled solids from publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) historically correlated strongly with laboratory confirmed incident COVID-19 case data. With the increased availability of at-home antigen tests since late 2021 and early 2022, laboratory test availability and test seeking behavior has decreased. In the United States, the results from at-home antigen tests are not typically reportable to public health agencies and thus are not counted in case reports. As a result, the number of reported laboratory-confirmed incident COVID-19 cases has decreased dramatically, even during times of increased test positivity rates and wastewater concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Herein, we tested whether the correlative relationship between wastewater concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and reported laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 incidence rate has changed since 1 May 2022, a point in time immediately before the onset of the BA.2/BA.5 surge, the first surge to begin after at-home antigen test availability was high in the region. We used daily data from three POTWs in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area of California, USA for the analysis. We found that although there is a significant positive association between wastewater measurements and incident rate data collected after 1 May 2022, the parameters describing the relationship are different than those describing the relationship between the data collected prior to 1 May 2022. If laboratory test seeking or availability continues to change, the relationship between wastewater and reported case data will continue to change. Our results suggest, assuming SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding remains relatively stable among those infected with the virus as different variants emerge, that wastewater concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA can be used to estimate COVID-19 cases as they would have been during the time when laboratory testing availability and test seeking behavior were at a high (here, before 1 May 2022) using the historical relationship between SARS-CoV-2 RNA and COVID-19 case data.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bradley White
- Verily Life Sciences, South San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Bridgette Hughes
- Verily Life Sciences, South San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Dorothea Duong
- Verily Life Sciences, South San Francisco, CA, United States of America
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14
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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
- *Correspondence: Terry C. Hazen,
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