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Chaqroun A, Bertrand I, Wurtzer S, Moulin L, Boni M, Soubies S, Boudaud N, Gantzer C. Assessing infectivity of emerging enveloped viruses in wastewater and sewage sludge: Relevance and procedures. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 943:173648. [PMID: 38825204 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173648] [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: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has heightened the need to evaluate the detection of enveloped viruses in the environment, particularly in wastewater, within the context of wastewater-based epidemiology. The studies published over the past 80 years focused primarily on non-enveloped viruses due to their ability to survive longer in environmental matrices such as wastewater or sludge compared to enveloped viruses. However, different enveloped viruses survive in the environment for different lengths of time. Therefore, it is crucial to be prepared to assess the potential infectious risk that may arise from future emerging enveloped viruses. This will require appropriate tools, notably suitable viral concentration methods that do not compromise virus infectivity. This review has a dual purpose: first, to gather all the available literature on the survival of infectious enveloped viruses, specifically at different pH and temperature conditions, and in contact with detergents; second, to select suitable concentration methods for evaluating the infectivity of these viruses in wastewater and sludge. The methodology used in this data collection review followed the systematic approach outlined in the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. Concentration methods cited in the data gathered are more tailored towards detecting the enveloped viruses' genome. There is a lack of suitable methods for detecting infectious enveloped viruses in wastewater and sludge. Ultrafiltration, ultracentrifugation, and polyethylene glycol precipitation methods, under specific/defined conditions, appear to be relevant approaches. Further studies are necessary to validate reliable concentration methods for detecting infectious enveloped viruses. The choice of culture system is also crucial for detection sensitivity. The data also show that the survival of infectious enveloped viruses, though lower than that of non-enveloped ones, may enable environmental transmission. Experimental data on a wide range of enveloped viruses is required due to the variability in virus persistence in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahlam Chaqroun
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LCPME, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | | | | | | | - Mickael Boni
- French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, 91220 Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
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Purves K, Reynolds LJ, Sala-Comorera L, Martin NA, Dahly DL, Meijer WG, Fletcher NF. Decay of RNA and infectious SARS-CoV-2 and murine hepatitis virus in wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 944:173877. [PMID: 38871327 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been an important tool for population surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to play a key role in monitoring SARS-CoV-2 infection levels following reductions in national clinical testing schemes. Studies measuring decay profiles of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater have underscored the value of WBE, however investigations have been hampered by high biosafety requirements for SARS-CoV-2 infection studies. Therefore, surrogate viruses with lower biosafety standards have been used for SARS-CoV-2 decay studies, such as murine hepatitis virus (MHV), but few studies have directly compared decay rates of both viruses. We compared the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 and MHV in wastewater, using 50 % tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays to assess infectious virus titre and viral gene markers, respectively. Infectious SARS-CoV-2 and MHV indicate similar endpoints, however observed early decay characteristics differed, with infectious SARS-CoV-2 decaying more rapidly than MHV. We find that MHV is an appropriate infectious virus surrogate for viable SARS-CoV-2, however inconsistencies exist in viral RNA decay parameters, indicating MHV may not be a suitable nucleic acid surrogate across certain temperature regimes. This study highlights the importance of sample preparation and the potential for decay rate overestimation in wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Purves
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine and UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Liam J Reynolds
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, UCD Earth Institute and UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Laura Sala-Comorera
- Section of Microbiology, Virology and Biotechnology, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Niamh A Martin
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, UCD Earth Institute and UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Darren L Dahly
- Health Research Board Clinical Research Facility, University College Cork, Ireland; School of Public Health, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Wim G Meijer
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, UCD Earth Institute and UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Nicola F Fletcher
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine and UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Ireland.
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Williams RC, Perry WB, Lambert-Slosarska K, Futcher B, Pellett C, Richardson-O'Neill I, Paterson S, Grimsley JMS, Wade MJ, Weightman AJ, Farkas K, Jones DL. Examining the stability of viral RNA and DNA in wastewater: Effects of storage time, temperature, and freeze-thaw cycles. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 259:121879. [PMID: 38865915 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been demonstrably successful as a relatively unbiased tool for monitoring levels of SARS-CoV-2 virus circulating in communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Accumulated biobanks of wastewater samples allow retrospective exploration of spatial and temporal trends for public health indicators such as chemicals, viruses, antimicrobial resistance genes, and the possible emergence of novel human or zoonotic pathogens. We investigated virus resilience to time, temperature, and freeze-thaw cycles, plus the optimal storage conditions to maintain the stability of genetic material (RNA/DNA) of viral +ssRNA (Envelope - E, Nucleocapsid - N and Spike protein - S genes of SARS-CoV-2), dsRNA (Phi6 phage) and circular dsDNA (crAssphage) in wastewater. Samples consisted of (i) processed and extracted wastewater samples, (ii) processed and extracted distilled water samples, and (iii) raw, unprocessed wastewater samples. Samples were stored at -80 °C, -20 °C, 4 °C, or 20 °C for 10 days, going through up to 10 freeze-thaw cycles (once per day). Sample stability was measured using reverse transcription quantitative PCR, quantitative PCR, automated electrophoresis, and short-read whole genome sequencing. Exploring different areas of the SARS-CoV-2 genome demonstrated that the S gene in processed and extracted samples showed greater sensitivity to freeze-thaw cycles than the E or N genes. Investigating surrogate and normalisation viruses showed that Phi6 remains a stable comparison for SARS-CoV-2 in a laboratory setting and crAssphage was relatively resilient to temperature variation. Recovery of SARS-CoV-2 in raw unprocessed samples was significantly greater when stored at 4 °C, which was supported by the sequencing data for all viruses - both time and freeze-thaw cycles negatively impacted sequencing metrics. Historical extracts stored at -80 °C that were re-quantified 12, 14 and 16 months after original quantification showed no major changes. This study highlights the importance of the fast processing and extraction of wastewater samples, following which viruses are relatively robust to storage at a range of temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C Williams
- School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK.
| | - William B Perry
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | | | - Ben Futcher
- School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK; Department of Oncology, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Cameron Pellett
- School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
| | | | - Steve Paterson
- Centre for Genomic Research, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Jasmine M S Grimsley
- UK Health Security Agency, Data Analytics & Surveillance Group, 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4PU, UK; The London Data Company, London, EC2N 2AT, UK
| | - Matthew J Wade
- UK Health Security Agency, Data Analytics & Surveillance Group, 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4PU, UK
| | - Andrew J Weightman
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Kata Farkas
- School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Davey L Jones
- School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
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Cárdenas-Calle M, Patiño L, Pernia B, Erazo R, Muñoz C, Valencia-Avellan M, Lozada M, Regato-Arrata M, Barrera M, Aquino S, Fuentes S, Duque J, Velázquez-Araque L, Carpio B, Méndez-Roman C, Calle C, Cárdenas G, Guizado-Herrera D, Tello CL, Bravo-Basantes V, Francis J, Uyaguari M. Detection of thermotolerant coliforms and SARS-CoV-2 RNA in sewage and recreational waters in the Ecuadorian coast: A call for improving water quality regulation. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302000. [PMID: 38709720 PMCID: PMC11073733 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Wastewater surveillance represents an alternative approach to regulating contamination and the early detection of infectious agents and outbreaks of diseases of public health importance. This study evaluated domestic wastewater effects on recreational waters in estuarine and seawater bodies in Guayas and Santa Elena provinces in Ecuador, South America. Fecal indicator bacteria (thermotolerant coliforms) served as key indicators for evaluation. Physical, chemical, and microbiological quality markers following the Ecuadorian environmental quality standard and the discharge of effluents to the water resource were analyzed. Samples were collected from 44 coastal sites and 2 oxidation lagoons during the dry and rainy seasons of 2020 and 2021, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in samples with higher E. coli concentrations using reverse transcription quantitative PCR to detect the genes N and ORF1ab. All samples analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 showed Ct ˂ 40 for at least one gene. Four samples showed at least 20 genome copies of gene N per reaction. These were at an artisanal fishing port, an estuarine area (Palmar), a recreational bay, and an oxidation lagoon. A moderate correlation was found between SARS-CoV-2 RNA, thermotolerant coliform and E. coli (p-value ≤ 0.0037), and a strong and positive correlation between thermotolerant coliform and E. coli. (p-value ≤ 0.00001), highlighting the utility of these established parameters as a proxy of the virus. Significant differences were found in the concentrations of thermotolerant coliforms between seasons (p-value = 0.016) and sites (p-value = 0.005). The highest levels of coliforms were found in the dry season (63000 MPN/100 mL) in Anconcito and during the rainy season (14000 MPN/100 mL) at Esterillo in Playas County. It is recommended that the decentralized autonomous governments of the surveyed provinces in Ecuador implement urgent corrective actions and establish medium-term mechanisms to minimize a potential contamination route. Additional parameters must be included in the monitoring, such as Enterococcus and intestinal parasites, due to their public health implications. In the oxidation lagoons, maintenance actions must be carried out, including the dissolution of sediments, an increase in water retention times, and in situ treatment of the sludge, to improve the system's performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maritza Cárdenas-Calle
- Interinstitutional Network for the Study of Aquatic Ecosystems of Ecuador, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Ambiente Sociedad & Empresa Research Group, University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering, University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Fundación Bioelit, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
| | - Leandro Patiño
- Interinstitutional Network for the Study of Aquatic Ecosystems of Ecuador, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Ambiente Sociedad & Empresa Research Group, University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Fundación Bioelit, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- National Institute for Public Health Research–INSPI- Dr. Leopoldo Izquieta Pérez, Technical Direction of Research, Development and Innovation, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
| | - Beatriz Pernia
- Interinstitutional Network for the Study of Aquatic Ecosystems of Ecuador, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Ambiente Sociedad & Empresa Research Group, University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Fundación Bioelit, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
| | - Roberto Erazo
- Interinstitutional Network for the Study of Aquatic Ecosystems of Ecuador, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Ambiente Sociedad & Empresa Research Group, University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Fundación Bioelit, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Labcestta, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
| | - Carlos Muñoz
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering, University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
| | - Magaly Valencia-Avellan
- Interinstitutional Network for the Study of Aquatic Ecosystems of Ecuador, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Fundación Bioelit, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Facultad del Mar y Medio Ambiente, Universidad del Pacífico, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
| | - Mariana Lozada
- Fundación Bioelit, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Institute of Biology of Marine Organisms, CONICET, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - Mary Regato-Arrata
- National Institute for Public Health Research–INSPI- Dr. Leopoldo Izquieta Pérez, National Reference Center for Exanthematous, Gastroenteric and Vector-borne Viruses, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
| | - Miguel Barrera
- Ambiente Sociedad & Empresa Research Group, University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering, University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
| | - Segundo Aquino
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering, University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
| | - Stefania Fuentes
- Ambiente Sociedad & Empresa Research Group, University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering, University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
| | - Javier Duque
- Interinstitutional Network for the Study of Aquatic Ecosystems of Ecuador, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Ambiente Sociedad & Empresa Research Group, University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering, University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Fundación Bioelit, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
| | - Luis Velázquez-Araque
- Ambiente Sociedad & Empresa Research Group, University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering, University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
| | - Bertha Carpio
- Dirección del Medio Ambiente, Gobierno Provincial de Santa Elena, Santa Elena, Ecuador
| | - Carlos Méndez-Roman
- Área Nacional de Recreación Playas Villamil, Ministerio de Ambiente Agua y Transición Ecológica, Playas, Ecuador
| | - Carlos Calle
- Ambiente Sociedad & Empresa Research Group, University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Fundación Bioelit, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
| | - Guillermo Cárdenas
- Ambiente Sociedad & Empresa Research Group, University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Fundación Bioelit, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
| | - David Guizado-Herrera
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering, University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- National Institute for Public Health Research–INSPI- Dr. Leopoldo Izquieta Pérez, Technical Direction of Research, Development and Innovation, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
| | - Clara Lucía Tello
- Fundación Bioelit, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- National Institute for Public Health Research–INSPI- Dr. Leopoldo Izquieta Pérez, Technical Direction of Research, Development and Innovation, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
| | | | - Jhannelle Francis
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Miguel Uyaguari
- Ambiente Sociedad & Empresa Research Group, University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Fundación Bioelit, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Li J, Lyu C, An R, Wang D. Interaction Between SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein S1 Subunit and Oyster Heat Shock Protein 70. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2024:10.1007/s12560-024-09599-y. [PMID: 38635140 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-024-09599-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: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
There is growing evidence that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) contaminates the marine environment and is bioaccumulated in filter-feeding shellfish. Previous study shows the Pacific oyster tissues can bioaccumulate the SARS-CoV-2, and the oyster heat shock protein 70 (oHSP70) may play as the primary attachment receptor to bind SARS-CoV-2's recombinant spike protein S1 subunit (rS1). However, detailed information about the interaction between rS1 and oHSP70 is still unknown. In this study, we confirmed that the affinity of recombinant oHSP70 (roHSP70) for rS1 (KD = 20.4 nM) is comparable to the receptor-binding affinity of rACE2 for rS1 (KD = 16.7 nM) by surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based Biacore and further validated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Three truncated proteins (roHSP70-N/C/M) and five mutated proteins (p.I229del, p.D457del, p.V491_K495del, p.K556I, and p.ΣroHSP70) were constructed according to the molecular docking results. All three truncated proteins have significantly lower affinity for rS1 than the full-length roHSP70, indicating that all three segments of roHSP70 are involved in binding to rS1. Further, the results of SPR and ELISA showed that all five mutant proteins had significantly lower affinity for rS1 than roHSP70, suggesting that amino acids at these sites are involved in binding to rS1. This study provides a preliminary theoretical basis for the bioaccumulation of SARS-CoV-2 in oyster tissues or using roHSP70 as the capture unit to selectively enrich virus particles for detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Li
- Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenang Lyu
- Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ran An
- Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dapeng Wang
- Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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González-Aravena M, Galbán-Malagón C, Castro-Nallar E, Barriga GP, Neira V, Krüger L, Adell AD, Olivares-Pacheco J. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater Associated with Scientific Stations in Antarctica and Possible Risk for Wildlife. Microorganisms 2024; 12:743. [PMID: 38674687 PMCID: PMC11051888 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Before December 2020, Antarctica had remained free of COVID-19 cases. The main concern during the pandemic was the limited health facilities available at Antarctic stations to deal with the disease as well as the potential impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Antarctic wildlife through reverse zoonosis. In December 2020, 60 cases emerged in Chilean Antarctic stations, disrupting the summer campaign with ongoing isolation needs. The SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in the wastewater of several scientific stations. In Antarctica, treated wastewater is discharged directly into the seawater. No studies currently address the recovery of infectious virus particles from treated wastewater, but their presence raises the risk of infecting wildlife and initiating new replication cycles. This study highlights the initial virus detection in wastewater from Antarctic stations, identifying viral RNA via RT-qPCR targeting various genomic regions. The virus's RNA was found in effluent from two wastewater plants at Maxwell Bay and O'Higgins Station on King George Island and the Antarctic Peninsula, respectively. This study explores the potential for the reverse zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to Antarctic wildlife due to the direct release of viral particles into seawater. The implications of such transmission underscore the need for continued vigilance and research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cristóbal Galbán-Malagón
- GEMA, Center for Genomics, Ecology & Environment, Universidad Mayor, Santiago 8580745, Chile;
- Anillo en Ciencia y Tecnología Antártica POLARIX, Santiago 8370146, Chile;
- Institute for Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Eduardo Castro-Nallar
- Anillo en Ciencia y Tecnología Antártica POLARIX, Santiago 8370146, Chile;
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Talca, Campus Talca, Talca 3481118, Chile
- Centro de Ecología Integrativa, Universidad de Talca, Campus Talca, Talca 3460000, Chile
| | - Gonzalo P. Barriga
- Laboratorio de Virus Emergentes, Programa de Virología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile;
| | - Víctor Neira
- Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile;
| | - Lucas Krüger
- Departamento Científico, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Punta Arenas 6200985, Chile;
- Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Aiko D. Adell
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago 9350841, Chile;
- Millennium Initiative for Collaborative Research on Bacterial Resistance, MICROB-R, Santiago 7550000, Chile
| | - Jorge Olivares-Pacheco
- Millennium Initiative for Collaborative Research on Bacterial Resistance, MICROB-R, Santiago 7550000, Chile
- Grupo de Resistencia Antimicrobiana en Bacterias Patógenas y Ambientales, GRABPA, Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2373223, Chile
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7
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Lin N, Zhang B, Shi R, Gao Y, Wang Z, Ling Z, Tian Y. Decay pattern of SARS-CoV-2 RNA surface contamination in real residences. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6190. [PMID: 38486016 PMCID: PMC10940586 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54445-7] [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: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has provided valuable lessons that deserve deep thought to prepare for the future. The decay pattern of surface contamination by SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the residences of COVID-19 patients is important but still unknown. We collected 2,233 surface samples from 21 categories of objects in 141 residences of COVID-19 patients in Shanghai when attacked by the omicron variant in spring 2022. Several characteristics of the patients and their residences were investigated to identify relevant associations. The decay of contamination was explored to determine the persistence. Approximately 8.7% of the surface samples were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The basin, water tap, and sewer inlet had the highest positive rates, all exceeding 20%. Only time was significantly associated with the level of surface contamination with SARS-CoV-2, showing a negative association. The decrease fit a first-order decay model with a decay rate of 0.77 ± 0.07 day-1, suggesting a 90% reduction in three days. Positive associations between the cumulative number of newly diagnosed patients in the same building and the positive rate of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the public corridor were significant during the three days. Our results, in conjunction with the likely lower infectivity or viability, demonstrate that fomite transmission played a limited role in COVID-19 spread. The time determined SARS-CoV-2 RNA contamination, which was reduced by three days. This study is the first to show the decay patterns of SARS-CoV-2 contamination in real residential environments, providing insight into the patterns of transmission, as well as community-based prevention and control of similar threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Lin
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 280 South Chongqing Rd, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Huangpu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 309 Xietu Rd, Shanghai, 200023, People's Republic of China
| | - Rong Shi
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 280 South Chongqing Rd, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Gao
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 280 South Chongqing Rd, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Zixia Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 280 South Chongqing Rd, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyi Ling
- Huangpu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 309 Xietu Rd, Shanghai, 200023, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ying Tian
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 280 South Chongqing Rd, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China.
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, People's Republic of China.
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Norese C, Nicosia E, Cortese K, Gentili V, Rizzo R, Rizzo S, Grasselli E, De Negri Atanasio G, Gagliani MC, Tiso M, Zinni M, Pulliero A, Izzotti A. SARS-CoV-2 presence in recreational seawater and evaluation of intestine permeability: experimental evidence of low impact on public health. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1326453. [PMID: 38500723 PMCID: PMC10944960 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1326453] [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: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Coastal seawater pollution poses a public health risk due to the potential ingestion of contaminated water during recreational activities. Wastewater-based epidemiology has revealed the abundant presence of SARS-CoV-2 in seawater emitted from wastewater outlets. The objective of this research was to investigate the impact of seawater on SARS-CoV-2 infectivity to assess the safety of recreational activities in seawater. Methods Wild SARS-CoV-2 was collected from oral swabs of COVID-19 affected patients and incubated for up to 90 min using the following solutions: (a) standard physiological solution (control), (b) reconstructed seawater (3.5% NaCl), and (c) authentic seawater (3.8%). Samples were then exposed to two different host systems: (a) Vero E6 cells expressing the ACE2 SARS-CoV-2 receptor and (b) 3D multi-tissue organoids reconstructing the human intestine. The presence of intracellular virus inside the host systems was determined using plaque assay, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), and transmission electron microscopy. Results Ultrastructural examination of Vero E6 cells revealed the presence of virus particles at the cell surface and in replicative compartments inside cells treated with seawater and/or reconstituted water only for samples incubated up to 2 min. After a 90-min incubation, the presence of the virus and its infectivity in Vero E6 cells was reduced by 90%. Ultrastructural analysis performed in 3D epi-intestinal tissue did not reveal intact viral particles or infection signs, despite the presence of viral nucleic acid detected by qPCR. Indeed, viral genes (Orf1ab and N) were found in the intestinal luminal epithelium but not in the enteric capillaries. These findings suggest that the intestinal tissue is not a preferential entry site for SARS-CoV-2 in the human body. Additionally, the presence of hypertonic saline solution did not increase the susceptibility of the intestinal epithelium to virus penetration; rather, it neutralized its infectivity. Conclusion Our results indicate that engaging in recreational activities in a seawater environment does not pose a significant risk for COVID-19 infection, despite the possible presence of viral nucleic acid deriving from degraded and fragmented viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clelia Norese
- DIMES, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elena Nicosia
- Regione Liguria, Environmental Department, Ligurian Region, Genoa, Italy
| | - Katia Cortese
- DIMES, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Valentina Gentili
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberta Rizzo
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- LTTA, Clinical Research Center, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Sabrina Rizzo
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elena Grasselli
- Department of Earth, Environmental, and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giulia De Negri Atanasio
- Department of Earth, Environmental, and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Micaela Tiso
- MICAMO, Spin-Off Department of Earth Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Matteo Zinni
- MICAMO, Spin-Off Department of Earth Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Izzotti
- DIMES, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- HSM, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
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9
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Dostálková A, Zdeňková K, Bartáčková J, Čermáková E, Kapisheva M, Lopez Marin MA, Kouba V, Sýkora P, Chmel M, Bartoš O, Dresler J, Demnerová K, Rumlová M, Bartáček J. Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Prague wastewater determined by nanopore-based sequencing. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 351:141162. [PMID: 38218235 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141162] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
The early detection of upcoming disease outbreaks is essential to avoid both health and economic damage. The last four years of COVID-19 pandemic have proven wastewater-based epidemiology is a reliable system for monitoring the spread of SARS-CoV-2, a causative agent of COVID-19, in an urban population. As this monitoring enables the identification of the prevalence of spreading variants of SARS-CoV-2, it could provide a critical tool in the fight against this viral disease. In this study, we evaluated the presence of variants and subvariants of SARS-CoV-2 in Prague wastewater using nanopore-based sequencing. During August 2021, the data clearly showed that the number of identified SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies increased in the wastewater earlier than in clinical samples indicating the upcoming wave of the Delta variant. New SARS-CoV-2 variants consistently prevailed in wastewater samples around a month after they already prevailed in clinical samples. We also analyzed wastewater samples from smaller sub-sewersheds of Prague and detected significant differences in SARS-CoV-2 lineage progression dynamics among individual localities studied, e.g., suggesting faster prevalence of new variants among the sites with highest population density and mobility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alžběta Dostálková
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Czech Republic; National Institute of Virology and Bacteriology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kamila Zdeňková
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Jana Bartáčková
- Department of Water Technology and Environmental Engineering, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eliška Čermáková
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marina Kapisheva
- National Institute of Virology and Bacteriology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marco A Lopez Marin
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtěch Kouba
- Department of Water Technology and Environmental Engineering, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Sýkora
- PVK a.s., Prague Water Supply and Sewerage Company, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Chmel
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Military University Hospital Prague, Prague, Czech Republic; Military Health Institute, Military Medical Agency, Czech Republic
| | - Oldřich Bartoš
- Military Health Institute, Military Medical Agency, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Dresler
- Military Health Institute, Military Medical Agency, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Demnerová
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Rumlová
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Czech Republic; National Institute of Virology and Bacteriology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Bartáček
- Department of Water Technology and Environmental Engineering, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Czech Republic
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10
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Pratt AA, Brown GD, Perencevich EN, Diekema DJ, Nonnenmann MW. Comparison of virus aerosol concentrations across a face shield worn on a healthcare personnel during a simulated patient cough. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2024; 45:221-226. [PMID: 37609833 DOI: 10.1017/ice.2023.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) aerosolize severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) via respiratory efforts, expose, and possibly infect healthcare personnel (HCP). To prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 HCP have been required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) during patient care. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, face shields were used as an approach to control HCP exposure to SARS-CoV-2, including eye protection. METHODS An MS2 bacteriophage was used as a surrogate for SARS-CoV-2 and was aerosolized using a coughing machine. A simulated HCP wearing a disposable plastic face shield was placed 0.41 m (16 inches) away from the coughing machine. The aerosolized virus was sampled using SKC biosamplers on the inside (near the mouth of the simulated HCP) and the outside of the face shield. The aerosolized virus collected by the SKC Biosampler was analyzed using a viability assay. Optical particle counters (OPCs) were placed next to the biosamplers to measure the particle concentration. RESULTS There was a statistically significant reduction (P < .0006) in viable virus concentration on the inside of the face shield compared to the outside of the face shield. The particle concentration was significantly lower on the inside of the face shield compared to the outside of the face shield for 12 of the 16 particle sizes measured (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Reductions in virus and particle concentrations were observed on the inside of the face shield; however, viable virus was measured on the inside of the face shield, in the breathing zone of the HCP. Therefore, other exposure control methods need to be used to prevent transmission from virus aerosol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra A Pratt
- University of Iowa, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Iowa City, Iowa
- Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Grant D Brown
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Eli N Perencevich
- Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Daniel J Diekema
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
- Department of Medicine, Maine Medical Center, PortlandMaine
| | - Matthew W Nonnenmann
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
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11
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Ahmed W, Korajkic A, Smith WJ, Payyappat S, Cassidy M, Harrison N, Besley C. Comparing the decay of human wastewater-associated markers and enteric viruses in laboratory microcosms simulating estuarine waters in a temperate climatic zone using qPCR/RT-qPCR assays. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:167845. [PMID: 37879463 PMCID: PMC11070876 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167845] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the decay rates of wastewater-associated markers and enteric viruses in laboratory microcosms mimicking estuarine water environments in temperate Sydney, NSW, Australia using qPCR and RT-qPCR assays. The results demonstrated the reduction in concentrations of Bacteroides HF183, Lachnospiraceae Lachno3, cross-assembly phage (crAssphage), pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), human adenovirus (HAdV 40/41), and enterovirus (EV) over a span of 42 days under spring/summer temperatures, presence/absence of microbiota, and different light conditions. The study found that HF183, Lachno3, crAssphage, PMMoV, HAdV 40/41, and EV exhibited varying decay rates depending on the experimental conditions. The average T90 values ranged from a few days to several months, indicating the rapid decay or prolonged persistence of these markers and enteric viruses in the estuarine environment. Furthermore, the study examined the effects of indigenous microbiota and spring/summer temperatures on wastewater-associated markers and enteric viruses decay rates. It was found that the presence of microbiota and temperature significantly influenced the decay rates of HF183 and PMMoV. Additionally, the study compared the effects of artificial sunlight and spring/summer temperatures on marker decay rates. Bacterial markers decayed faster than viral markers, although among viral markers crAssphage decay rates were relatively faster when compared to PMMoV. The exposure to artificial sunlight significantly accelerated the decay rates of bacterial markers, viral markers, and enteric viruses. Temperature also had an impact on the decay rates of Lachno3, crAssphage, and HAdV 40/41. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the decay rates of wastewater-associated markers and enteric viruses under different experimental conditions that mimicked temperate environmental conditions. The findings contribute to our understanding of the fate and persistence of these markers in the environment which is crucial for assessing and managing risks from contamination by untreated human wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Asja Korajkic
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, 26W Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45268, United States
| | - Wendy J Smith
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Sudhi Payyappat
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
| | - Michele Cassidy
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
| | - Nathan Harrison
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
| | - Colin Besley
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
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12
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Dutra LB, Stein JF, da Rocha BS, Berger A, de Souza BA, Prandi BA, Mangini AT, Jarenkow A, Campos AAS, Fan FM, de Almeida Silva MC, Lipp-Nissinen KH, Loncan MR, Augusto MR, Franco AC, de Freitas Bueno R, Rigotto C. Environmental monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:2129-2144. [PMID: 38057673 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31081-8] [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: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Since starts the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic identified the presence of genomic fragments of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in various environmental matrices: domestic sewage, surface waters, and contaminated freshwater. Environmental monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 is a tool for evaluating trend curves over the months, compared to several clinical cases of the disease. The objective of this study was to monitor the SARS-CoV-2 in environmental samples collected in different sites in a metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil. During 10 months from 2020 to 2021, 300 samples were collected weekly and biweekly from nine points located in 3 cities: one point from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in São Leopoldo (fortnightly collection), two points in Dilúvio Stream in Porto Alegre (fortnightly collection), two points in Pampa and Luiz Rau Streams (weekly collection), and two points in public fountains (fortnightly collection) in Novo Hamburgo. After collection, samples were concentrated by ultracentrifugation, and viral nucleic acids were extracted using MagMax® Core Nucleic Acid Purifications kits and submitted to RT-qPCR, using E, N1, and N2 gene targets of SARS-CoV-2. Only 7% (3/41) samples from public fountains were positive, with a mean viral load (VL) of SARS-CoV-2 RNA of 5.02 × 101 gc/l (2.41~8.59 × 101 gc/l), while the streams had average VL of 7.43 × 105 gc/l (Pampa), 7.06 × 105 gc/l (Luiz Rau), 2.01 × 105 gc/l (Dilúvio), and 4.46 × 105 cg/l (WWTP). The results showed varying levels of viral presence in different sample types, with a demonstrated correlation between environmental viral load and clinical COVID-19 cases. These findings contribute to understanding virus persistence and transmission pathways in the environment. Continuous monitoring, especially in less developed regions, is crucial for early detection of vaccine resistance, new variants, and potential COVID-19 resurgence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Batista Dutra
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Cytotoxicity, Health Sciences Institute, Feevale University, ERS 239 n° 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS, CEP 93352-000, Brazil
| | - Janaína Francieli Stein
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Cytotoxicity, Health Sciences Institute, Feevale University, ERS 239 n° 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS, CEP 93352-000, Brazil
| | - Bruna Seixas da Rocha
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Cytotoxicity, Health Sciences Institute, Feevale University, ERS 239 n° 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS, CEP 93352-000, Brazil
| | - Andresa Berger
- Division of Laboratories, Henrique Luis Roessler State Foundation for Environmental Protection (FEPAM), Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 90020-021, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Andrade de Souza
- Division of Laboratories, Henrique Luis Roessler State Foundation for Environmental Protection (FEPAM), Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 90020-021, Brazil
| | - Bruno Aschidamini Prandi
- Virology Laboratory, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 90050-170, Brazil
| | - Arthur Tonietto Mangini
- Virology Laboratory, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 90050-170, Brazil
| | - André Jarenkow
- State Center for Health Surveillance, Rio Grande do Sul State Health Department, Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 90119-900, Brazil
| | - Aline Alves Scarpellini Campos
- State Center for Health Surveillance, Rio Grande do Sul State Health Department, Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 90119-900, Brazil
| | - Fernando Mainardi Fan
- Hydraulic Research Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 91501-970, Brazil
| | | | - Katia Helena Lipp-Nissinen
- Division of Laboratories, Henrique Luis Roessler State Foundation for Environmental Protection (FEPAM), Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 90020-021, Brazil
| | - Manuel Rodrigues Loncan
- Division of Laboratories, Henrique Luis Roessler State Foundation for Environmental Protection (FEPAM), Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 90020-021, Brazil
| | - Matheus Ribeiro Augusto
- Center of Engineering, Modelling and Applied Social Sciences (CECS), Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Santo Andre, SP, CEP 09210-580, Brazil
| | - Ana Cláudia Franco
- Virology Laboratory, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 90050-170, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo de Freitas Bueno
- Center of Engineering, Modelling and Applied Social Sciences (CECS), Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Santo Andre, SP, CEP 09210-580, Brazil
| | - Caroline Rigotto
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Cytotoxicity, Health Sciences Institute, Feevale University, ERS 239 n° 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS, CEP 93352-000, Brazil.
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13
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La Rosa G, Mancini P, Iaconelli M, Veneri C, Bonanno Ferraro G, Del Giudice C, Suffredini E, Muratore A, Ferrara F, Lucentini L, Martuzzi M, Piccioli A. Tracing the footprints of SARS-CoV-2 in oceanic waters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167343. [PMID: 37751837 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167343] [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: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
The detection of SARS-CoV-2 in water environments has predominantly focused on wastewater, neglecting its presence in oceanic waters. This study aimed to fill this knowledge gap by investigating the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in remote sea and oceanic waters, at large distances from the coastline. Forty-three 500-liter samples were collected between May 2022 and January 2023 from the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Arctic region, the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. Using molecular detection methods including real-time RT-qPCR and nested PCR followed by sequencing, we successfully detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA in 7 of the 43 marine water samples (16.3 %), and specifically in samples taken from the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The estimated concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 genome copies in the positive samples ranged from 6 to 470 per 100 l. The presence of mutations characteristic of the Omicron variant was identified in these samples by amplicon sequencing. These findings provide evidence of the unforeseen presence of SARS-CoV-2 in marine waters even at distances of miles from the coastline and in open ocean waters. It is important to consider that these findings only display the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, and further investigations are required to assess if infectious virus can be present in the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina La Rosa
- National Center for Water Safety (CeNSia), Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - P Mancini
- National Center for Water Safety (CeNSia), Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - M Iaconelli
- National Center for Water Safety (CeNSia), Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - C Veneri
- National Center for Water Safety (CeNSia), Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - G Bonanno Ferraro
- National Center for Water Safety (CeNSia), Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - C Del Giudice
- National Center for Water Safety (CeNSia), Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - E Suffredini
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - A Muratore
- National Center for Water Safety (CeNSia), Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - F Ferrara
- National Center for Water Safety (CeNSia), Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - L Lucentini
- National Center for Water Safety (CeNSia), Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - M Martuzzi
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - A Piccioli
- Office of the Director General, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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14
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Pitol AK, Venkatesan S, Hoptroff M, Hughes GL. Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 and its surrogate, bacteriophage Phi6, on surfaces and in water. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0121923. [PMID: 37902315 PMCID: PMC10686083 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01219-23] [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: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The COVID-19 pandemic spurred research on the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 and its surrogates. Here we highlight the importance of evaluating viral surrogates and experimental methodologies when studying pathogen survival in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana K. Pitol
- Departments of Vector Biology and Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Samiksha Venkatesan
- Departments of Vector Biology and Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Hoptroff
- Unilever Research and Development, Port Sunlight, United Kingdom
| | - Grant L. Hughes
- Departments of Vector Biology and Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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15
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Sherchan SP, Thakali O, Ikner LA, Gerba C, Haramoto E. Survivability of Delta and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 246:120644. [PMID: 37844338 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120644] [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: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Concerns of fecal-aerosol transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) coupled with increased transmissibility and disease severity of Delta and Omicron variants of concern (VOC) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), suggest studies on survival of VOC in wastewater are warranted. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the survivability of Delta and Omicron VOC in filtered and unfiltered raw wastewater, and secondary effluent at room temperature (23 °C). The time required for 90 % inactivation (T90) of Delta and Omicron VOC in unfiltered raw wastewater was calculated as 17.7 and 15.3 h, respectively. Rapid inactivation of VOC in wastewater and inability to isolate SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater suggest risks from fecal-aerosol transmission are low. Nevertheless, high transmissibility of VOC cautions overruling fecal-aerosol transmission of COVID-19. Future studies on survival of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater should attempt viral culture by spiking feces collected from COVID-19 infected patients into wastewater to match the real-world scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samendra P Sherchan
- Organization for Public Health and Environment Management, Lalitpur, Bagmati, Nepal; Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States; WEST Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States; Interdisciplinary Center for River Basin Environment, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8511, Japan; Department of Environmental Health, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States; Center of Research Excellence in Wastewater-based Epidemiology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, United States.
| | - Ocean Thakali
- Organization for Public Health and Environment Management, Lalitpur, Bagmati, Nepal
| | - Luisa A Ikner
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States; WEST Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Charles Gerba
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States; WEST Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Eiji Haramoto
- Interdisciplinary Center for River Basin Environment, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8511, Japan
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16
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Contrant M, Bigault L, Andraud M, Desdouits M, Rocq S, Le Guyader FS, Blanchard Y. Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, Surrogate for Coronavirus Decay Measurement in French Coastal Waters and Contribution to Coronavirus Risk Evaluation. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0184423. [PMID: 37395665 PMCID: PMC10433961 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01844-23] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in infected patients mainly displays pulmonary and oronasal tropism; however, the presence of the virus has also been demonstrated in the stools of patients and consequently in wastewater treatment plant effluents, raising the question of the potential risk of environmental contamination (such as seawater contamination) through inadequately treated wastewater spillover into surface or coastal waters even if the environmental detection of viral RNA alone does not substantiate risk of infection. Therefore, here, we decided to experimentally evaluate the persistence of the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv), considered as a coronavirus representative model, in the coastal environment of France. Coastal seawater was collected, sterile-filtered, and inoculated with PEDv before incubation for 0 to 4 weeks at four temperatures representative of those measured along the French coasts throughout the year (4, 8, 15, and 24°C). The decay rate of PEDv was determined using mathematical modeling and was used to determine the half-life of the virus along the French coast in accordance with temperatures from 2000 to 2021. We experimentally observed an inverse correlation between seawater temperature and the persistence of infectious viruses in seawater and confirm that the risk of transmission of infectious viruses from contaminated stool in wastewater to seawater during recreational practices is very limited. The present work represents a good model to assess the persistence of coronaviruses in coastal environments and contributes to risk evaluation, not only for SARS-CoV-2 persistence, but also for other coronaviruses, specifically enteric coronaviruses from livestock. IMPORTANCE The present work addresses the question of the persistence of coronavirus in marine environments because SARS-CoV-2 is regularly detected in wastewater treatment plants, and the coastal environment, subjected to increasing anthropogenic pressure and the final receiver of surface waters and sometimes insufficiently depurated wastewater, is particularly at risk. The problem also arises in the possibility of soil contamination by CoV from animals, especially livestock, during manure application, where, by soil impregnation and runoff, these viruses can end up in seawater. Our findings are of interest to researchers and authorities seeking to monitor coronaviruses in the environment, either in tourist areas or in regions of the world where centralized systems for wastewater treatment are not implemented, and more broadly, to the scientific community involved in "One Health" approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maud Contrant
- Viral Genetics and Biosecurity Unit (GVB), French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES), Ploufragan, France
| | - Lionel Bigault
- Viral Genetics and Biosecurity Unit (GVB), French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES), Ploufragan, France
| | - Mathieu Andraud
- Epidemiology, Animal Health and Welfare Unit (EPISABE), French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES), Ploufragan, France
| | - Marion Desdouits
- Ifremer, laboratoire de Microbiologie, SG2M/LSEM, BP 21105, Nantes, France
| | - Sophie Rocq
- Ifremer, laboratoire de Microbiologie, SG2M/LSEM, BP 21105, Nantes, France
| | | | - Yannick Blanchard
- Viral Genetics and Biosecurity Unit (GVB), French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES), Ploufragan, France
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17
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Atoui A, Cordevant C, Chesnot T, Gassilloud B. SARS-CoV-2 in the environment: Contamination routes, detection methods, persistence and removal in wastewater treatment plants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 881:163453. [PMID: 37059142 PMCID: PMC10091716 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The present study reviewed the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and the evaluation of virus infectivity in feces and environmental matrices. The detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in feces and wastewater samples, reported in several studies, has generated interest and concern regarding the possible fecal-oral route of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. To date, the presence of viable SARS-CoV-2 in feces of COVID-19 infected people is not clearly confirmed although its isolation from feces of six different patients. Further, there is no documented evidence on the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, sludge and environmental water samples, although the viral genome has been detected in these matrices. Decay data revealed that SARS-CoV-2 RNA persisted longer than infectious particle in all aquatic environment, indicating that genome quantification of SARS-CoV-2 does not imply the presence of infective viral particles. In addition, this review also outlined the fate of SARS-CoV-2 RNA during the different steps in the wastewater treatment plant and focusing on the virus elimination along the sludge treatment line. Studies showed complete removal of SARS-CoV-2 during the tertiary treatment. Moreover, thermophilic sludge treatments present high efficiency in SARS-CoV-2 inactivation. Further studies are required to provide more evidence with respect to the inactivation behavior of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in different environmental matrices and to examine factors affecting SARS-CoV-2 persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Atoui
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Hydrology, Water Microbiology Unit, 40, rue Lionnois, 54 000 Nancy, France.
| | - Christophe Cordevant
- ANSES, Strategy and Programs Department, Research and Reference Division, Maisons-Alfort F-94 700, France
| | - Thierry Chesnot
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Hydrology, Water Microbiology Unit, 40, rue Lionnois, 54 000 Nancy, France
| | - Benoît Gassilloud
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Hydrology, Water Microbiology Unit, 40, rue Lionnois, 54 000 Nancy, France
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18
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Rashed AO, Huynh C, Merenda A, Rodriguez-Andres J, Kong L, Kondo T, Razal JM, Dumée LF. Dry-spun carbon nanotube ultrafiltration membranes tailored by anti-viral metal oxide coatings for human coronavirus 229E capture in water. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2023; 11:110176. [PMID: 37234558 PMCID: PMC10201849 DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2023.110176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Although waterborne virus removal may be achieved using separation membrane technologies, such technologies remain largely inefficient at generating virus-free effluents due to the lack of anti-viral reactivity of conventional membrane materials required to deactivating viruses. Here, a stepwise approach towards simultaneous filtration and disinfection of Human Coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) in water effluents, is proposed by engineering dry-spun ultrafiltration carbon nanotube (CNT) membranes, coated with anti-viral SnO2 thin films via atomic layer deposition. The thickness and pore size of the engineered CNT membranes were fine-tuned by varying spinnable CNT sheets and their relative orientations on carbon nanofibre (CNF) porous supports to reach thicknesses less than 1 µm and pore size around 28 nm. The nanoscale SnO2 coatings were found to further reduce the pore size down to ∼21 nm and provide more functional groups on the membrane surface to capture the viruses via size exclusion and electrostatic attractions. The synthesized CNT and SnO2 coated CNT membranes were shown to attain a viral removal efficiency above 6.7 log10 against HCoV-229E virus with fast water permeance up to ∼4 × 103 and 3.5 × 103 L.m-2.h-1.bar-1, respectively. Such high performance was achieved by increasing the dry-spun CNT sheets up to 60 layers, orienting successive 30 CNT layers at 45°, and coating 40 nm SnO2 on the synthesized membranes. The current study provides an efficient scalable fabrication scheme to engineer flexible ultrafiltration CNT-based membranes for cost-effective filtration and inactivation of waterborne viruses to outperform the state-of-the-art ultrafiltration membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed O Rashed
- Deakin University, Geelong, Institute for Frontier Materials, 3216 Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chi Huynh
- LINTEC OF AMERICA, INC. Nano-Science and Technology Center, 2900 E. Plano Pkwy. Suite 100, Plano, TX 75074, United States
| | - Andrea Merenda
- School of Science, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | | | - Lingxue Kong
- Deakin University, Geelong, Institute for Frontier Materials, 3216 Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Takeshi Kondo
- LINTEC OF AMERICA, INC. Nano-Science and Technology Center, 2900 E. Plano Pkwy. Suite 100, Plano, TX 75074, United States
| | - Joselito M Razal
- Deakin University, Geelong, Institute for Frontier Materials, 3216 Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ludovic F Dumée
- Khalifa University, Department of Chemical Engineering, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Research and Innovation Center on CO2 and Hydrogen, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Center for Membrane and Advanced Water Technology, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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19
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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: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [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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20
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Hart JJ, Jamison MN, McNair JN, Szlag DC. Frequency and degradation of SARS-CoV-2 markers N1, N2, and E in sewage. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2023; 21:514-524. [PMID: 37119151 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2023.314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that is mainly spread through aerosolized droplets containing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and is excreted in feces by infected individuals. Sewage surveillance has been applied widely to obtain data on the prevalence of COVID-19 in whole communities. We used SARS-CoV-2 gene targets N1, N2, and E to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 at both municipal and building levels. Frequency analysis of wastewater testing indicated that single markers detected only 85% or less of samples that were detected as positive for SARS-CoV-2 with the three markers combined, indicating the necessity of pairing markers to lower the false-negative rate. The best pair of markers in both municipal and building level monitoring was N1 and N2, which correctly identified 98% of positive samples detected with the three markers combined. The degradation rates of all three targets were assessed at two different temperatures (25 and 35 °C) as a possible explanation for observed differences between markers in frequency. Results indicated that all three RNA targets degrade at nearly the same rate, indicating that differences in degradation rate are not responsible for the observed differences in marker frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- John J Hart
- Oakland University, Department of Chemistry, 146 Library Dr, Rochester, MI 48309, USA E-mail: ; Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute, 740 West Shoreline Dr, Muskegon, MI 49441, USA
| | - Megan N Jamison
- Oakland University, Department of Chemistry, 146 Library Dr, Rochester, MI 48309, USA E-mail: ; The Ohio State University, 281 W Lane Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - James N McNair
- Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute, 740 West Shoreline Dr, Muskegon, MI 49441, USA
| | - David C Szlag
- Oakland University, Department of Chemistry, 146 Library Dr, Rochester, MI 48309, USA E-mail:
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21
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Sherchan S, Thakali O, Ikner LA, Gerba CP. Survival of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 882:163049. [PMID: 36990233 PMCID: PMC10041870 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163049] [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: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing pandemic of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected >600 million people with >6 million deaths. Although Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiologic agent of COVID-19, is transmitted via respiratory droplets or direct contact, isolation of viable SARS-CoV-2 in feces has been reported. Therefore, there is a need for understanding the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 and emerging variants in wastewater. In this study, the survival of SARS-CoV-2 isolate hCoV-19/USA-WA1/2020 was observed in three wastewater matrices - filtered and unfiltered raw wastewater, and secondary effluent. All experiments were conducted within a BSL-3 laboratory at room temperature. The time required for inactivation of 90 % (T90) of SARS-CoV-2 was 10.4, 10.8, and 18.3 h for unfiltered raw, filtered raw, and secondary effluent, respectively. Progressive decline in infectivity of the virus following first order kinetics was noted in these wastewater matrices. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the survival of SARS-CoV-2 in secondary effluent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samendra Sherchan
- Department of Environmental Health, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States of America; BioEnvironmental Science Program, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, United States of America; WEST Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America.
| | - Ocean Thakali
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Luisa A Ikner
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America; WEST Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America
| | - Charles P Gerba
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America; WEST Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America
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22
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Bioaccumulation Pattern of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Proteins in Pacific Oyster Tissues. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0210622. [PMID: 36815797 PMCID: PMC10057954 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02106-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
There is mounting evidence of the contamination of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the sewage, surface water, and even marine environment. Various studies have confirmed that bivalve mollusks can bioaccumulate SARS-CoV-2 RNA to detectable levels. However, these results do not provide sufficient evidence for the presence of infectious viral particles. To verify whether oysters can bind the viral capsid and bioaccumulate the viral particles, Pacific oysters were artificially contaminated with the recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 subunit (rS1). The bioaccumulation pattern of the rS1 in different tissues was investigated by immunohistological assays. The results revealed that the rS1 was bioaccumulated predominately in the digestive diverticula. The rS1 was also present in the epithelium of the nondigestive tract tissues, including the gills, mantle, and heart. In addition, three potential binding ligands, including angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE 2)-like substances, A-type histo-blood group antigen (HBGA)-like substances, and oyster heat shock protein 70 (oHSP 70), were confirmed to bind rS1 and were distributed in tissues with various patterns. The colocalization analysis of rS1 and those potential ligands indicated that the distributions of rS1 are highly consistent with those of ACE 2-like substances and oHSP 70. Both ligands are distributed predominantly in the secretory absorptive cells of the digestive diverticula and may serve as the primary ligands to bind rS1. Therefore, oysters are capable of bioaccumulating the SARS-CoV-2 capsid readily by filter-feeding behavior assisted by specific binding ligands, especially in digestive diverticula. IMPORTANCE This is the first article to investigate the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein bioaccumulation pattern and mechanism in Pacific oysters by the histochemical method. Oysters can bioaccumulate SARS-CoV-2 capsid readily by filter-feeding behavior assisted by specific binding ligands. The new possible foodborne transmission route may change the epidemic prevention strategies and reveal some outbreaks that current conventional epidemic transmission routes cannot explain. This original and interdisciplinary paper advances a mechanistic understanding of the bioaccumulation of SARS-CoV-2 in oysters inhabiting contaminated surface water.
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23
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Liu A, Zhao Y, Cai Y, Kang P, Huang Y, Li M, Yang A. Towards Effective, Sustainable Solution for Hospital Wastewater Treatment to Cope with the Post-Pandemic Era. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2854. [PMID: 36833551 PMCID: PMC9957062 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20042854] [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: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread across the globe since the end of 2019, posing significant challenges for global medical facilities and human health. Treatment of hospital wastewater is vitally important under this special circumstance. However, there is a shortage of studies on the sustainable wastewater treatment processes utilized by hospitals. Based on a review of the research trends regarding hospital wastewater treatment in the past three years of the COVID-19 outbreak, this review overviews the existing hospital wastewater treatment processes. It is clear that activated sludge processes (ASPs) and the use of membrane bioreactors (MBRs) are the major and effective treatment techniques applied to hospital wastewater. Advanced technology (such as Fenton oxidation, electrocoagulation, etc.) has also achieved good results, but the use of such technology remains small scale for the moment and poses some side effects, including increased cost. More interestingly, this review reveals the increased use of constructed wetlands (CWs) as an eco-solution for hospital wastewater treatment and then focuses in slightly more detail on examining the roles and mechanisms of CWs' components with respect to purifying hospital wastewater and compares their removal efficiency with other treatment processes. It is believed that a multi-stage CW system with various intensifications or CWs incorporated with other treatment processes constitute an effective, sustainable solution for hospital wastewater treatment in order to cope with the post-pandemic era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, School of Water Resources and Hydroelectric Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
| | - Yaqian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, School of Water Resources and Hydroelectric Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
| | - Yamei Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, School of Water Resources and Hydroelectric Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
| | - Peiying Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, School of Water Resources and Hydroelectric Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
| | - Yulong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, School of Water Resources and Hydroelectric Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
| | - Min Li
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, School of Water Resources and Hydroelectric Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
| | - Anran Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, School of Water Resources and Hydroelectric Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
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24
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Purves K, Haverty R, O'Neill T, Folan D, O'Reilly S, Baird AW, Scholz D, Mallon PW, Gautier V, Folan M, Fletcher NF. A novel antiviral formulation containing caprylic acid inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection of a human bronchial epithelial cell model. J Gen Virol 2023; 104. [PMID: 36787173 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A novel proprietary formulation, ViruSAL, has previously been demonstrated to inhibit diverse enveloped viral infections in vitro and in vivo. We evaluated the ability of ViruSAL to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2) infectivity, using physiologically relevant models of the human bronchial epithelium, to model early infection of the upper respiratory tract. ViruSAL potently inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection of human bronchial epithelial cells cultured as an air-liquid interface (ALI) model, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Viral infection was completely inhibited when ViruSAL was added to bronchial airway models prior to infection. Importantly, ViruSAL also inhibited viral infection when added to ALI models post-infection. No evidence of cellular toxicity was detected in ViruSAL-treated cells at concentrations that completely abrogated viral infectivity. Moreover, intranasal instillation of ViruSAL to a rat model did not result in any toxicity or pathological changes. Together these findings highlight the potential for ViruSAL as a novel and potent antiviral for use within clinical and prophylactic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Purves
- Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ruth Haverty
- Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tiina O'Neill
- Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David Folan
- Westgate Biomedical Ltd, Lough Eske, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal, Ireland
| | - Sophie O'Reilly
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alan W Baird
- Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Dimitri Scholz
- Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Patrick W Mallon
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Virginie Gautier
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael Folan
- Westgate Biomedical Ltd, Lough Eske, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal, Ireland
| | - Nicola F Fletcher
- Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
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25
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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: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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.
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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.
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26
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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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27
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Zhang X, Zhang L, Wang Y, Zhang M, Zhou J, Liu X, Wang Y, Qu C, Han W, Hou M, Deng F, Luo Y, Mao Y, Gu W, Dong Z, Pan Y, Zhang D, Tang S, Zhang L. Detection of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant in the Transboundary Rivers of Yunnan, China. ACS ES&T WATER 2022; 2:2367-2377. [PMID: 37552741 PMCID: PMC9631342 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Ruili and Longchuan, two border counties in southwestern China, are facing epidemic control challenges due to the high rate of COVID-19 infections originating from neighboring Myanmar. Here, we aimed to establish the applicability of wastewater and environmental water surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and conduct whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to trace the possible infection origin. In August 2021, total 72 wastewater and river water samples were collected from 32 sampling sites. SARS-CoV-2 ORF1ab and N genes were measured by RT-qPCR. We found that 19 samples (26.39%) were positive, and the viral loads of ORF1ab and N genes were 6.62 × 102-2.55×105 and 1.86 × 103-2.32 × 105 copies/L, respectively. WGS further indicated the sequences in two transboundary river samples, and one hospital wastewater sample belonged to the delta variant, suggesting that the infection source might be areas with high COVID-19 delta variant incidence in Southeast Asia (e.g., Myanmar). We reported for the first time the detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the transboundary rivers of Myanmar-China. Our findings demonstrate that wastewater and environmental water may provide independent and nonintrusive surveillance points to monitor the global spread of emerging COVID-19 variants of concern, particularly in high-risk regions or border areas with considerable epidemic challenges and poor wastewater treatment facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population
Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing100021,
China
| | - Liang Zhang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population
Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing100021,
China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population
Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing100021,
China
| | - Meiling Zhang
- Acute Infectious Disease Prevention and Control
Institute, Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention,
Kunming, Yunnan650022, China
| | - Jienan Zhou
- Acute Infectious Disease Prevention and Control
Institute, Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention,
Kunming, Yunnan650022, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Ruili Center for Disease Control and
Prevention, Ruili, Yunnan678599, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Ruili Center for Disease Control and
Prevention, Ruili, Yunnan678599, China
| | - Changsheng Qu
- Longchuan Center for Disease Control and
Prevention, Longchuan, Yunnan678799, China
| | - Wenxiang Han
- Longchuan Center for Disease Control and
Prevention, Longchuan, Yunnan678799, China
| | - Min Hou
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population
Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing100021,
China
| | - Fuchang Deng
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population
Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing100021,
China
| | - Yueyun Luo
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population
Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing100021,
China
| | - Yixin Mao
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population
Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing100021,
China
| | - Wen Gu
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population
Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing100021,
China
| | - Zhaomin Dong
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang
University, Beijing100191, China
| | - Yang Pan
- Institute for Infectious Disease and Endemic Disease Control,
Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control,
Beijing100013, China
| | - Daitao Zhang
- Institute for Infectious Disease and Endemic Disease Control,
Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control,
Beijing100013, China
| | - Song Tang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population
Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing100021,
China
| | - Lan Zhang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population
Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing100021,
China
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28
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Rocha AY, Verbyla ME, Sant KE, Mladenov N. Detection, Quantification, and Simplified Wastewater Surveillance Model of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the Tijuana River. ACS ES&T WATER 2022; 2:2134-2143. [PMID: 36398132 PMCID: PMC9063987 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in sewage has expanded global interest in wastewater surveillance. However, many underserved communities throughout the world lack improved sanitation and use informal combined sanitary and storm sewer systems. Sewage is transported via open channels, ditches, and rivers, where it mixes with surface water and/or stormwater. There is a need to develop better methods for the surveillance of pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 RNA in this context. We developed a simplified surveillance system and monitored flow rates and concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the Tijuana River at two locations downstream of the United States-Mexico border in California, United States. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in the upstream location on six out of eight occasions, two of which were at concentrations as high as those reported in untreated wastewater from California sanitary sewer systems. The virus was not detected in any of the eight samples collected at the downstream (estuarine) sampling location, despite the consistent detection of PMMoV RNA. Synchrony was observed between the number of cases reported in Tijuana and the SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations measured with the CDC N1 assay when the latter were normalized by the reported flow rates in the river.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alma Y. Rocha
- Department
of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, United States
| | - Matthew E. Verbyla
- Department
of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, United States
| | - Karilyn E. Sant
- School
of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, United States
| | - Natalie Mladenov
- Department
of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, United States
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29
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Nguyen Quoc B, Saingam P, RedCorn R, Carter JA, Jain T, Candry P, Gattuso M, Huang MLW, Greninger AL, Meschke JS, Bryan A, Winkler MKH. Case Study: Impact of Diurnal Variations and Stormwater Dilution on SARS-CoV-2 RNA Signal Intensity at Neighborhood Scale Wastewater Pumping Stations. ACS ES&T WATER 2022; 2:1964-1975. [PMID: 37552740 PMCID: PMC9261832 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a tool to track the spread of SARS-CoV-2. However, sampling at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) cannot identify transmission hotspots within a city. Here, we sought to understand the diurnal variations (24 h) in SARS-CoV-2 RNA titers at the neighborhood level, using pump stations that serve vulnerable communities (e.g., essential workers, more diverse communities). Hourly composite samples were collected from wastewater pump stations located in (i) a residential area and (ii) a shopping district. In the residential area, SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentration (N1, N2, and E assays) varied by up to 42-fold within a 24 h period. The highest viral load was observed between 5 and 7 am, when viral RNA was not diluted by stormwater. Normalizing peak concentrations during this time window with nutrient concentrations (N and P) enabled correcting for rainfall to connect sewage to clinical cases reported in the sewershed. Data from the shopping district pump station were inconsistent, probably due to the fluctuation of customers shopping at the mall. This work indicates pump stations serving the residential area offer a narrow time period of high signal intensity that could improve the sensitivity of WBE, and tracer compounds (N, P concentration) can be used to normalize SARS-CoV-2 signals during rainfall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao Nguyen Quoc
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105,
United States
| | - Prakit Saingam
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105,
United States
| | - Raymond RedCorn
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105,
United States
| | - John A. Carter
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105,
United States
| | - Tanisha Jain
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105,
United States
| | - Pieter Candry
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105,
United States
| | - Meghan Gattuso
- Seattle Public Utilities,
Seattle, Washington 98124, United States
| | - Meei-Li W. Huang
- Dept of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology,
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105,
United States
| | - Alexander L. Greninger
- Dept of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology,
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105,
United States
| | - John Scott Meschke
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health
Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105,
United States
| | - Andrew Bryan
- Dept of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology,
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105,
United States
| | - Mari K. H. Winkler
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105,
United States
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30
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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.
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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
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31
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Luong NDM, Guillier L, Martin-Latil S, Batejat C, Leclercq I, Druesne C, Sanaa M, Chaix E. Database of SARS-CoV-2 and coronaviruses kinetics relevant for assessing persistence in food processing plants. Sci Data 2022; 9:654. [PMID: 36289246 PMCID: PMC9606249 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01763-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), a virus causing severe acute respiratory disease in humans, emerged in late 2019. This respiratory virus can spread via aerosols, fomites, contaminated hands or surfaces as for other coronaviruses. Studying their persistence under different environmental conditions represents a key step for better understanding the virus transmission. This work aimed to present a reproducible procedure for collecting data of stability and inactivation kinetics from the scientific literature. The aim was to identify data useful for characterizing the persistence of viruses in the food production plants. As a result, a large dataset related to persistence on matrices or in liquid media under different environmental conditions is presented. This procedure, combining bibliographic survey, data digitalization techniques and predictive microbiological modelling, identified 65 research articles providing 455 coronaviruses kinetics. A ranking step as well as a technical validation with a Gage Repeatability & Reproducibility process were performed to check the quality of the kinetics. All data were deposited in public repositories for future uses by other researchers. Measurement(s) | Decimal reduction time | Technology Type(s) | Modelling of kinetics | Factor Type(s) | Temperature • Relative humidity • Genus • Strain | Sample Characteristic - Organism | Coronaviridae |
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc-Du Martin Luong
- grid.15540.350000 0001 0584 7022Risk Assessment Department, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Laurent Guillier
- grid.15540.350000 0001 0584 7022Risk Assessment Department, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sandra Martin-Latil
- grid.466400.0Laboratory for Food Safety, ANSES, University of Paris-EST, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Christophe Batejat
- grid.428999.70000 0001 2353 6535Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Environment and Infectious Risks Unit, Laboratory for Urgent Response to Biological Threats (CIBU), Paris, France
| | - India Leclercq
- grid.428999.70000 0001 2353 6535Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Environment and Infectious Risks Unit, Laboratory for Urgent Response to Biological Threats (CIBU), Paris, France
| | - Christine Druesne
- grid.15540.350000 0001 0584 7022Research fundings & scientific watch department, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Moez Sanaa
- grid.15540.350000 0001 0584 7022Risk Assessment Department, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Estelle Chaix
- grid.15540.350000 0001 0584 7022Risk Assessment Department, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France
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32
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Zhang F, Wang Z, Vijver MG, Peijnenburg WJGM. Theoretical investigation on the interactions of microplastics with a SARS-CoV-2 RNA fragment and their potential impacts on viral transport and exposure. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 842:156812. [PMID: 35738381 PMCID: PMC9212631 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic spread across the world and remains difficult to control. Environmental pollution and habitat conditions do facilitate SARS-CoV-2 transmission as well as increase the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2. The coexistence of microplastics (MPs) with SARS-CoV-2 affects the viral behavior in the indoor and outdoor environment, and it is essential to study the interactions between MPs and SARS-CoV-2 because they both are ubiquitously present in our environment. To determine the mechanisms underlying the impact of MPs on SARS-CoV-2, we used molecular dynamic simulations to investigate the molecular interactions between five MPs and a SARS-CoV-2 RNA fragment at temperatures ranging from 223 to 310 K in vacuum and in water. We furthermore compared the interactions of MPs and SARS-CoV-2 RNA fragment to the performance of SARS-CoV-1 and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA fragments in interacting with the MPs. The interaction affinity between the MPs and the SARS-CoV-2 RNA fragment was found to be greater than the affinity between the MPs and the SARS-CoV-1 or HBV RNA fragments, independent of the environmental media, temperature, and type of MPs. The mechanisms of the interaction between the MPs and the SARS-CoV-2 RNA fragment involved electrostatic and hydrophobic processes, and the interaction affinity was associated with the inherent structural parameters (i.e., molecular volume, polar surface area, and molecular topological index) of the MPs monomers. Although the evidence on the infectious potential of SARS-CoV-2 RNA is not fully understood, humans are exposed to MPs via their lungs, and the strong interaction with the gene materials of SARS-CoV-2 likely affects the exposure of humans to SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, Leiden 2300 RA, the Netherlands
| | - Zhuang Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, PR China
| | - Martina G Vijver
- Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, Leiden 2300 RA, the Netherlands
| | - Willie J G M Peijnenburg
- Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, Leiden 2300 RA, the Netherlands; Centre for Safety of Substances and Products, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven 3720 BA, the Netherlands.
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33
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Mahlknecht J. Presence and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in aquatic environments: A mini-review. CURRENT OPINION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & HEALTH 2022; 29:100385. [PMID: 35992049 PMCID: PMC9382236 DOI: 10.1016/j.coesh.2022.100385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The introduction of SARS-CoV-2 into water bodies via sewage raises public health concerns. For the assessment of public health risks, it is necessary to know the presence and persistence of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in water and wastewater. The present mini-review documents the occurrence and decay rates of viable infectious SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-2 RNA in different water matrices including wastewater, river water, groundwater, tap water, and seawater. Persistence of viable SARS-CoV-2 is mainly temperature dependent. A rapid inactivation of infectious SARS-CoV-2 is found in river water, sea water, and wastewater compared to tap water. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was found to be considerably more stable than infectious SARS-CoV-2, indicating that the environmental detection of RNA alone does not prove risk of infection. Persistence assays need to consider physicochemical and biological water composition as well as the effect of detergents, enzymes, and filtering particulate matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Mahlknecht
- Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
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34
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Robins PE, Dickson N, Kevill JL, Malham SK, Singer AC, Quilliam RS, Jones DL. Predicting the dispersal of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from the wastewater treatment plant to the coast. Heliyon 2022; 8:e10547. [PMID: 36091966 PMCID: PMC9448708 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral pathogens including SARS-CoV-2 RNA have been detected in wastewater treatment effluent, and untreated sewage overflows, that pose an exposure hazard to humans. We assessed whether SARS-CoV-2 RNA was likely to have been present in detectable quantities in UK rivers and estuaries during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. We simulated realistic viral concentrations parameterised on the Camel and Conwy catchments (UK) and their populations, showing detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations for untreated but not for treated loading, but also being contingent on viral decay, hydrology, catchment type/shape, and location. Under mean or low river flow conditions, viral RNA concentrated within the estuaries allowing for viral build-up and caused a lag by up to several weeks between the peak in community infections and the viral peak in the environment. There was an increased hazard posed by SARS-CoV-2 RNA with a T90 decay rate >24 h, as the estuarine build-up effect increased. High discharge events transported the viral RNA downstream and offshore, increasing the exposure risk to coastal bathing waters and shellfisheries – although dilution in this case reduced viral concentrations well below detectable levels. Our results highlight the sensitivity of exposure to viral pathogens downstream of wastewater treatment, across a range of viral loadings and catchment characteristics – with implications to environmental surveillance. SARS-CoV-2 RNA from treated sewage unlikely to be detectable in estuaries. SARS-CoV-2 RNA from untreated sewage can be detectable in estuaries. Peak RNA concentration in estuaries can be delayed from peak community infection. RNA concentration is sensitive to viral loading, decay, hydrology, and estuary shape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter E. Robins
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
- Corresponding author.
| | - Neil Dickson
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
| | - Jessica L. Kevill
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Shelagh K. Malham
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
| | | | - Richard S. Quilliam
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Davey L. Jones
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
- Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6105, Australia
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35
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Al Huraimel K, Alhosani M, Gopalani H, Kunhabdulla S, Stietiya MH. Elucidating the role of environmental management of forests, air quality, solid waste and wastewater on the dissemination of SARS-CoV-2. HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ADVANCES 2022; 3:100006. [PMID: 37519421 PMCID: PMC9095661 DOI: 10.1016/j.heha.2022.100006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The increasing frequency of zoonotic diseases is amongst several catastrophic repercussions of inadequate environmental management. Emergence, prevalence, and lethality of zoonotic diseases is intrinsically linked to environmental management which are currently at a destructive level globally. The effects of these links are complicated and interdependent, creating an urgent need of elucidating the role of environmental mismanagement to improve our resilience to future pandemics. This review focused on the pertinent role of forests, outdoor air, indoor air, solid waste and wastewater management in COVID-19 dissemination to analyze the opportunities prevailing to control infectious diseases considering relevant data from previous disease outbreaks. Global forest management is currently detrimental and hotspots of forest fragmentation have demonstrated to result in zoonotic disease emergences. Deforestation is reported to increase susceptibility to COVID-19 due to wildfire induced pollution and loss of forest ecosystem services. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 like viruses in multiple animal species also point to the impacts of biodiversity loss and forest fragmentation in relation to COVID-19. Available literature on air quality and COVID-19 have provided insights into the potential of air pollutants acting as plausible virus carrier and aggravating immune responses and expression of ACE2 receptors. SARS-CoV-2 is detected in outdoor air, indoor air, solid waste, wastewater and shown to prevail on solid surfaces and aerosols for prolonged hours. Furthermore, lack of protection measures and safe disposal options in waste management are evoking concerns especially in underdeveloped countries due to high infectivity of SARS-CoV-2. Inadequate legal framework and non-adherence to environmental regulations were observed to aggravate the postulated risks and vulnerability to future waves of pandemics. Our understanding underlines the urgent need to reinforce the fragile status of global environmental management systems through the development of strict legislative frameworks and enforcement by providing institutional, financial and technical supports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Al Huraimel
- Division of Consultancy, Research & Innovation (CRI), Sharjah Environment Company - Bee'ah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamed Alhosani
- Division of Consultancy, Research & Innovation (CRI), Sharjah Environment Company - Bee'ah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hetasha Gopalani
- Division of Consultancy, Research & Innovation (CRI), Sharjah Environment Company - Bee'ah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shabana Kunhabdulla
- Division of Consultancy, Research & Innovation (CRI), Sharjah Environment Company - Bee'ah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammed Hashem Stietiya
- Division of Consultancy, Research & Innovation (CRI), Sharjah Environment Company - Bee'ah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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36
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Vincent-Hubert F, Wacrenier C, Desdouits M, Jousse S, Schaeffer J, Le Mehaute P, Nakache-Danglot F, Le Guyader FS. Development of passive samplers for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage and seawater: Application for the monitoring of sewage. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 833:155139. [PMID: 35405243 PMCID: PMC8993413 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that passive sampling is a promising tool for SARS-CoV-2 detection for wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) application. We have previously developed passive sampling of viruses using polymer membranes in seawater. Even though SARS-CoV-2 was not detected yet in seawater, passive sampling could be optimized for future application in coastal areas close to wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The aim of this study was to optimize passive sampling of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage and seawater by selecting a suitable membrane, to determine whether the quantities of virus increase over time, and then to determine if passive sampling and traditional sampling are correlated when conducted in a wastewater treatment plant. Nylon and Zetapor allowed the detection of heat inactivated SARS-CoV-2 and of the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV), a coronavirus surrogate, in wastewater and seawater spiked with these 2 viruses, showing an increase in detection between 4 h and 24 h of immersion and significantly higher recoveries of both viruses with nylon in seawater (15%) compared to wastewater (4%). On wastewater samples, both membranes detected the virus, the recovery rate was of about 3% for freshly collected samples, and no significant difference was found between SARS-CoV-2 genome concentration on Zetapor and that in water. In sewage spiked seawater, similar concentrations of genome were found on both membranes, with a mean recovery rate of 16% and 11% respectively for nylon and Zetapor. A 3-weeks monitoring with passive sampler allowed the detection of viruses in the influent of a WWTP with a frequency of 100% and 76% for SARS-CoV-2 and norovirus GII respectively. Passive and traditional sampling gave the same evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 concentration over time. All these results confirmed the interest of passive sampling for virus detection and its potential application for monitoring in the wastewater system for targeted public health actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Françoise Vincent-Hubert
- Ifremer, Laboratoire de Microbiologie, LSEM/SG2M, rue de l'île d'Yeu, BP 21105, 44311 NANTES cedex 03, France.
| | - Candice Wacrenier
- Ifremer, Laboratoire de Microbiologie, LSEM/SG2M, rue de l'île d'Yeu, BP 21105, 44311 NANTES cedex 03, France
| | - Marion Desdouits
- Ifremer, Laboratoire de Microbiologie, LSEM/SG2M, rue de l'île d'Yeu, BP 21105, 44311 NANTES cedex 03, France
| | - Sarah Jousse
- Ifremer, Laboratoire de Microbiologie, LSEM/SG2M, rue de l'île d'Yeu, BP 21105, 44311 NANTES cedex 03, France
| | - Julien Schaeffer
- Ifremer, Laboratoire de Microbiologie, LSEM/SG2M, rue de l'île d'Yeu, BP 21105, 44311 NANTES cedex 03, France
| | | | | | - Françoise S Le Guyader
- Ifremer, Laboratoire de Microbiologie, LSEM/SG2M, rue de l'île d'Yeu, BP 21105, 44311 NANTES cedex 03, France
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37
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Dhakar V, Geetanjali AS. Role of pepper mild mottle virus as a tracking tool for fecal pollution in aquatic environments. Arch Microbiol 2022; 204:513. [PMID: 35864362 PMCID: PMC9303839 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-03121-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The plant pathogen pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) has recently been proposed as a water quality indicator, it is a RNA virus belonging to the genus Tobamovirus in the family Virgoviridae that causes harm to the pepper crops. After consuming processed food products containing infected peppers, such as hot sauces, PMMoV is excreted in high concentrations in feces; therefore, this is the most common RNA virus, constantly found in the feces of humans. The fecal-oral pathway is emerging as an environmental problem. The presence of high concentrations of pathogens associated with human excreta in environmental waters or water reuse supplies poses a threat to public health. Due to the difficulty in determining the presence of pathogens effectively in water, attempts to monitor microbial water quality often use surrogates or indicator organisms that can be easily detected; therefore, PMMoV is used as a viral surrogate in aquatic environment. This paper describes the incidence and persistence of PMMoV in aquatic environments and in waste treatment plants and its usefulness for quantifying virus reductions by advanced water treatment technologies. In recent research, SARS-CoV-2 was reported to be found in wastewater and utilized for the purpose of monitoring coronavirus illness outbreaks. Since PMMoV is readily identified in the human feces and can also serve as an indicator of human waste, the determined PMMoV concentrations may be utilized to give the normalized report of the SARS-CoV-2 concentration, so that, the amount of human waste found in the wastewater can be taken into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishali Dhakar
- Department of Genetic Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu India
| | - A. Swapna Geetanjali
- Department of Genetic Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu India
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38
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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.
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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.
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39
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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.
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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
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40
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Li S, Yang R, Zhang D, Han P, Xu Z, Chen Q, Zhao R, Zhao X, Qu X, Zheng A, Wang L, Li L, Hu Y, Zhang R, Su C, Niu S, Zhang Y, Qi J, Liu K, Wang Q, Gao GF. Cross-species recognition and molecular basis of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV binding to ACE2s of marine animals. Natl Sci Rev 2022; 9:nwac122. [PMID: 36187898 PMCID: PMC9517163 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwac122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has an extremely broad host range that includes hippopotami, which are phylogenetically closely related to whales. The cellular ACE2 receptor is one of the key determinants of the host range. Here, we found that ACE2s from several marine mammals and hippopotami could efficiently bind to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 and facilitate the transduction of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses into ACE2-expressing cells. We further resolved the cryo-electron microscopy complex structures of the minke whale ACE2 and sea lion ACE2, respectively, bound to the RBDs, revealing that they have similar binding modes to human ACE2 when it comes to the SARS-CoV-2 RBD and SARS-CoV RBD. Our results indicate that marine mammals could potentially be new victims or virus carriers of SARS-CoV-2, which deserves further careful investigation and study. It will provide an early warning for the prospective monitoring of marine mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Zepeng Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Qian Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China,Institute of Physical Science and Information, Anhui University, Hefei230039, China
| | - Runchu Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China,Institute of Physical Science and Information, Anhui University, Hefei230039, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China,Center for Influenza Research and Early-Warning (CASCIRE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
| | - Xiao Qu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
| | - Anqi Zheng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
| | - Liang Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China,Center for Influenza Research and Early-Warning (CASCIRE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
| | - Linjie Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China,Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Yu Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China,School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei230026, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China,State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning530004, China
| | - Chao Su
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
| | - Sheng Niu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China,College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong030801, China
| | - Yanfang Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
| | - Jianxun Qi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China,Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Kefang Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
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41
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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.
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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.
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42
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Gudra D, Dejus S, Bartkevics V, Roga A, Kalnina I, Strods M, Rayan A, Kokina K, Zajakina A, Dumpis U, Ikkere LE, Arhipova I, Berzins G, Erglis A, Binde J, Ansonska E, Berzins A, Juhna T, Fridmanis D. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater and importance of population size assessment in smaller cities: An exploratory case study from two municipalities in Latvia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 823:153775. [PMID: 35151738 PMCID: PMC8830921 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has regained global importance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mobility of people and other factors, such as precipitation and irregular inflow of industrial wastewater, are complicating the estimation of the disease prevalence through WBE, which is crucial for proper crisis management. These estimations are particularly challenging in urban areas with moderate or low numbers of inhabitants in situations where movement restrictions are not adopted (as in the case of Latvia) because residents of smaller municipalities tend to be more mobile and less strict in following the rules and measures of disease containment. Thus, population movement can influence the outcome of WBE measurements significantly and may not reflect the actual epidemiological situation in the respective area. Here, we demonstrate that by combining the data of detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA copy number, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) analyses in wastewater and mobile call detail records it was possible to provide an accurate assessment of the COVID-19 epidemiological situation in towns that are small (COVID-19 28-day cumulative incidence r = 0.609 and 35-day cumulative incidence r = 0.89, p < 0.05) and medium-sized towns (COVID-19 21-day cumulative incidence r = 0.997, 28-day cumulative incidence r = 0.98 and 35-day cumulative incidence r = 0.997, p < 0.05). This is the first study demonstrating WBE for monitoring COVID-19 outbreaks in Latvia. We demonstrate that the application of population size estimation measurements such as total 5-HIAA and call detail record data improve the accuracy of the WBE approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dita Gudra
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites iela 1, Riga LV-1067, Latvia
| | - Sandis Dejus
- Riga Technical University, Laboratory of Water Research and Environmental Biotechnology, Kipsalas iela 6a/6b, Riga LV-1048, Latvia
| | - Vadims Bartkevics
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, Lejupes iela 3, Riga LV-1067, Latvia.
| | - Ance Roga
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites iela 1, Riga LV-1067, Latvia
| | - Ineta Kalnina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites iela 1, Riga LV-1067, Latvia
| | - Martins Strods
- Riga Technical University, Laboratory of Water Research and Environmental Biotechnology, Kipsalas iela 6a/6b, Riga LV-1048, Latvia
| | - Anton Rayan
- Riga Technical University, Laboratory of Water Research and Environmental Biotechnology, Kipsalas iela 6a/6b, Riga LV-1048, Latvia
| | - Kristina Kokina
- Riga Technical University, Laboratory of Water Research and Environmental Biotechnology, Kipsalas iela 6a/6b, Riga LV-1048, Latvia
| | - Anna Zajakina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites iela 1, Riga LV-1067, Latvia
| | - Uga Dumpis
- University of Latvia, Aspazijas bulvaris 5, Riga LV-1050, Latvia
| | - Laura Elina Ikkere
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, Lejupes iela 3, Riga LV-1067, Latvia
| | - Irina Arhipova
- Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Liela iela 2, Jelgava LV-3001, Latvia
| | - Gundars Berzins
- University of Latvia, Aspazijas bulvaris 5, Riga LV-1050, Latvia
| | - Aldis Erglis
- University of Latvia, Aspazijas bulvaris 5, Riga LV-1050, Latvia
| | - Juris Binde
- LLC "Latvian Mobile Telephone", Ropazu iela 6, Riga LV-1039, Latvia
| | - Evija Ansonska
- University of Latvia, Aspazijas bulvaris 5, Riga LV-1050, Latvia
| | - Aivars Berzins
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, Lejupes iela 3, Riga LV-1067, Latvia
| | - Talis Juhna
- Riga Technical University, Laboratory of Water Research and Environmental Biotechnology, Kipsalas iela 6a/6b, Riga LV-1048, Latvia.
| | - Davids Fridmanis
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites iela 1, Riga LV-1067, Latvia.
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43
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Chan AY, Kim H, Bell ML. Higher incidence of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in areas with combined sewer systems, heavy precipitation, and high percentages of impervious surfaces. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 820:153227. [PMID: 35051454 PMCID: PMC8763406 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153227] [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: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Combined sewer systems (CSS) are water management systems that collect and transport stormwater and sewer water in the same pipes. During large storm events, stormwater runoff may exceed the capacity of the system and lead to combined sewer overflows (CSOs), where untreated sewer and stormwater are released into the environment. Though current literature reveals inconclusive evidence regarding the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, detection of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in urine and feces of COVID-19 patients led to concerns that areas contaminated by CSOs may be a reservoir of SARS-CoV-2 and may result in illness after the ingestion and/or inhalation of contaminated splashes, droplets, or aerosols. We investigated the association between COVID-19 incidence and CSSs and whether this association differed by precipitation and percent impervious surfaces as a proxy for possible CSOs. We fitted a quasi-Poisson regression model to estimate the change in percentage of incidence rate of COVID-19 cases in counties with a CSS compared to those without, adjusting for potential confounders (i.e., state, population density, date of first documented COVID-19 case, social vulnerability, and percent vaccinated) and including interaction variables between CSS, precipitation, and impervious surfaces. Our findings suggest that heavy precipitation in combination with high percentages of imperviousness is associated with higher incidences of COVID-19 cases in counties with a CSS compared to in counties without (p-value = 2.5e-9). For example, CSS-counties with precipitation of 10 in/month may observe a higher incidence in COVID-19 cases compared to non-CSS counties if their impervious surfaces exceed 33.5% [95%CI: 23.0%, 60.0%]. We theorize that more COVID-19 cases may be seen in counties with a CSS, heavy precipitation, and high percentages of impervious surfaces because of the possible increase in frequency and severity of CSOs. The results suggest links between climate change, urbanization, and COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisha Yee Chan
- Yale University, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Honghyok Kim
- Yale University, School of the Environment, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Michelle L Bell
- Yale University, School of the Environment, New Haven, CT, USA
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44
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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).
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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
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45
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Yang S, Dong Q, Li S, Cheng Z, Kang X, Ren D, Xu C, Zhou X, Liang P, Sun L, Zhao J, Jiao Y, Han T, Liu Y, Qian Y, Liu Y, Huang X, Qu J. Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater after the end of the COVID-19 epidemics. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 429:128358. [PMID: 35123131 PMCID: PMC8800135 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Although the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been widely detected in wastewater in many countries to track the COVID-19 pandemic development, it is still a lack of clear understanding of the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in raw sewage, especially after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic event. To fill this knowledge gap, this study conducted a field trial on the SARS-CoV-2 presence in various wastewater facilities after the end of the COVID-19 epidemics in Beijing. The result showed that the wastewater treatment facility is a large SARS-CoV-2 repository. The viral RNA was still present in hospital sewage for 15 days and was continually detected in municipal WWTPs for more than 19 days after the end of the local COVID-19 epidemics. The T90 values of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA in raw wastewater were 17.17-8.42 days in the wastewater at 4 ℃ and 26 ℃, respectively, meaning that the decay rates of low titer viruses in raw sewage were much faster. The results confirmed that the SARS-CoV-2 RNA could persist in wastewater for more than two weeks, especially at lower temperatures. The sewage systems would be a virus repository and prolong the presence of the residual SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The study could enhance further understanding of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in raw wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaolin Yang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Qian Dong
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Siqi Li
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Zhao Cheng
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Xiaofeng Kang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Daheng Ren
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Chenyang Xu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Xiaohong Zhou
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Peng Liang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Lingli Sun
- Beijing Chaoyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, PR China
| | - Jianhong Zhao
- Beijing Chaoyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, PR China
| | - Yang Jiao
- Beijing Chaoyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, PR China
| | - Taoli Han
- Beijing Chaoyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, PR China
| | - Yanchen Liu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China.
| | - Yi Qian
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Yi Liu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Xia Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China.
| | - Jiuhui Qu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China; Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China
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Sun ZP, Yang SY, Cai X, Han WD, Hu GW, Qian Y, Wang YY, Zhang R, Xie YH, Qu D. Survival of SARS-CoV-2 in artificial seawater and on the surface of inanimate materials. J Med Virol 2022; 94:3982-3987. [PMID: 35474579 PMCID: PMC9088490 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
There is a potential risk for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) spread through human contact with seafood and the inanimate materials contaminated by the virus. In this study, we examined the stability of the virus in artificial seawater (ASW) and on the surface of selected materials. SARS‐CoV‐2 (3.75 log10 TCID50) in ASW at 22℃ maintained infectious about 3 days and at 4℃ the virus survived more than 7 days. It should be noticed that viable virus at high titer (5.50 log10 TCID50) may survive more than 20 days in ASW at 4℃ and for 7 days at 22℃. SARS‐CoV‐2 on stainless steel and plastic bag maintained infectious for 3 days, and on nonwoven fabric for 1 day at 22℃. In addition, the virus remained infectious for 9 days on stainless steel and non‐woven fabric, and on plastic bag for 12 days at 4℃. It is important to highlight the role of inanimate material surfaces as a source of infection and the necessity for surface decontamination and disinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Ping Sun
- BSL-3 laboratory of Fudan University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University
| | - Si-Yu Yang
- BSL-3 laboratory of Fudan University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University
| | - Xia Cai
- BSL-3 laboratory of Fudan University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University
| | - Wen-Dong Han
- BSL-3 laboratory of Fudan University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University
| | - Gao-Wei Hu
- BSL-3 laboratory of Fudan University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University
| | - Yun Qian
- BSL-3 laboratory of Fudan University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University
| | - Yu-Yan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University
| | - Rong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University
| | - You-Hua Xie
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University
| | - Di Qu
- BSL-3 laboratory of Fudan University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University.,Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University
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Wang Z, Yang W, Hua P, Zhang J, Krebs P. Transmission risk of SARS-CoV-2 in the watershed triggered by domestic wastewater discharge. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150888. [PMID: 34634348 PMCID: PMC8501193 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has already become an unprecedented global pandemic. However, the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, especially the protected SARS-CoV-2 RNA (pRNA) with infectious particles in waterways, is still largely unexplored. In this study, we developed a model to estimate SARS-CoV-2 transmission from the risk source in the excretion of patients to the final exposure in surface water. The model simulated the spatial and temporal distribution of the viral pRNA concentrations in the surface water of the Elbe watershed from March 2020 to January 2021. The results show that the WWTPs with the maximum capacity of >10,000 population equivalents were responsible for 95% of the viral load discharged into the surface water. We estimated the pRNA concentrations in surface water to be 1.33 × 10-2 copies·L-1 on average in the watershed based on the model simulation on viral transmission. It had considerable variations in spatial and temporal scales, which are dominantly controlled by epidemic situations and virus transport with decay in water, respectively. A quantitative microbial risk assessment was conducted to estimate the viral infection probability from surface water ingestion with consideration of the influence of toilet usage frequency and gender/age population groups. All the infection probabilities in the study period were lower than the reference risk levels of 10-4 and 10-5. The individuals aged 15-34 years had the highest infection probability of 4.86 × 10-9 on average from surface water ingestion during swimming activities. The data provided herein suggest that the low pRNA concentrations and infection probability reflected that the waterways were unlikely to be a significant transmission route for SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Wang
- Institute of Urban and Industrial Water Management, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Wenyu Yang
- Institute of Urban and Industrial Water Management, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Pei Hua
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Ecology and Institute of Hydrobiology, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, China
| | - Peter Krebs
- Institute of Urban and Industrial Water Management, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
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Wang C, Han J. Will the COVID-19 pandemic end with the Delta and Omicron variants? ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS 2022; 20:2215-2225. [PMID: 35069059 PMCID: PMC8760078 DOI: 10.1007/s10311-021-01369-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chaoqi Wang
- School of Human Settlements and Environmental Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Han
- School of Human Settlements and Environmental Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 People’s Republic of China
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Mancusi A, Capuano F, Girardi S, Di Maro O, Suffredini E, Di Concilio D, Vassallo L, Cuomo MC, Tafuro M, Signorelli D, Pierri A, Pizzolante A, Cerino P, La Rosa G, Proroga YTR, Pierri B. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Bivalve Mollusks by Droplet Digital RT-PCR (dd RT-PCR). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:943. [PMID: 35055765 PMCID: PMC8776039 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19020943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Bivalve shellfish are readily contaminated by human pathogens present in waters impacted by municipal sewage, and the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in feces of infected patients and in wastewater has drawn attention to the possible presence of the virus in bivalves. The aim of this study was to collect data on SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in bivalve mollusks from harvesting areas of Campania region. A total of 179 samples were collected between September 2019 and April 2021 and were tested using droplet digital RT-PCR (dd RT-PCR) and real-time RT-PCR. Combining results obtained with different assays, SARS-CoV-2 presence was detected in 27/179 (15.1%) of samples. A median viral concentration of 1.1 × 102 and 1.4 × 102 g.c./g was obtained using either Orf1b nsp14 or RdRp/gene E, respectively. Positive results were unevenly distributed among harvesting areas and over time, positive samples being more frequent after January 2021. Partial sequencing of the spike region was achieved for five samples, one of which displaying mutations characteristic of the Alpha variant (lineage B.1.1.7). This study confirms that bivalve mollusks may bioaccumulate SARS-CoV-2 to detectable levels and that they may represent a valuable approach to track SARS-CoV-2 in water bodies and to monitor outbreak trends and viral diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Mancusi
- Department of Food Security Coordination, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (A.M.); (F.C.); (S.G.); (O.D.M.)
| | - Federico Capuano
- Department of Food Security Coordination, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (A.M.); (F.C.); (S.G.); (O.D.M.)
| | - Santa Girardi
- Department of Food Security Coordination, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (A.M.); (F.C.); (S.G.); (O.D.M.)
| | - Orlandina Di Maro
- Department of Food Security Coordination, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (A.M.); (F.C.); (S.G.); (O.D.M.)
| | - Elisabetta Suffredini
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Denise Di Concilio
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l’Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (D.D.C.); (L.V.); (M.C.C.); (M.T.); (D.S.); (A.P.); (A.P.); (P.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Lucia Vassallo
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l’Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (D.D.C.); (L.V.); (M.C.C.); (M.T.); (D.S.); (A.P.); (A.P.); (P.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Maria Concetta Cuomo
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l’Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (D.D.C.); (L.V.); (M.C.C.); (M.T.); (D.S.); (A.P.); (A.P.); (P.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Maria Tafuro
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l’Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (D.D.C.); (L.V.); (M.C.C.); (M.T.); (D.S.); (A.P.); (A.P.); (P.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Daniel Signorelli
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l’Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (D.D.C.); (L.V.); (M.C.C.); (M.T.); (D.S.); (A.P.); (A.P.); (P.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Andrea Pierri
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l’Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (D.D.C.); (L.V.); (M.C.C.); (M.T.); (D.S.); (A.P.); (A.P.); (P.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Antonio Pizzolante
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l’Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (D.D.C.); (L.V.); (M.C.C.); (M.T.); (D.S.); (A.P.); (A.P.); (P.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Pellegrino Cerino
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l’Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (D.D.C.); (L.V.); (M.C.C.); (M.T.); (D.S.); (A.P.); (A.P.); (P.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Giuseppina La Rosa
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Yolande Thérèse Rose Proroga
- Department of Food Security Coordination, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (A.M.); (F.C.); (S.G.); (O.D.M.)
| | - Biancamaria Pierri
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l’Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (D.D.C.); (L.V.); (M.C.C.); (M.T.); (D.S.); (A.P.); (A.P.); (P.C.); (B.P.)
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Coprostanol as a Population Biomarker for SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Surveillance Studies. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14020225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater surveillance is a cost-effective tool for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a community. However, challenges remain with regard to interpretating such studies, not least in how to compare SARS-CoV-2 levels between different-sized wastewater treatment plants. Viral faecal indicators, including crAssphage and pepper mild mottle virus, have been proposed as population biomarkers to normalise SARS-CoV-2 levels in wastewater. However, as these indicators exhibit variability between individuals and may not be excreted by everyone, their utility as population biomarkers may be limited. Coprostanol, meanwhile, is a bacterial metabolite of cholesterol which is excreted by all individuals. In this study, composite influent samples were collected from a large- and medium-sized wastewater treatment plant in Dublin, Ireland and SARS-CoV-2 N1, crAssphage, pepper mild mottle virus, HF183 and coprostanol levels were determined. SARS-CoV-2 N1 RNA was detected and quantified in all samples from both treatment plants. Regardless of treatment plant size, coprostanol levels exhibited the lowest variation in composite influent samples, while crAssphage exhibited the greatest variation. Moreover, the strongest correlations were observed between SARS-CoV-2 levels and national and Dublin COVID-19 cases when levels were normalised to coprostanol. This work demonstrates the usefulness of coprostanol as a population biomarker for wastewater surveillance studies.
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