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Folkes M, Castro-Gutierrez V, Lundy L, Bajón-Fernández Y, Soares A, Jeffrey P, Hassard F. Campus source to sink wastewater surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2024; 6:100240. [PMID: 38774836 PMCID: PMC11106825 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100240] [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] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) offers an aggregate, and cost-effective approach for tracking infectious disease outbreak prevalence within communities, that provides data on community health complementary to individual clinical testing. This study reports on a 16-month WBS initiative on a university campus in England, UK, assessing the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in sewers from large buildings, downstream sewer locations, raw wastewater, partially treated and treated effluents. Key findings include the detection of the Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant in wastewater, with 70 % of confirmed campus cases correlating with positive wastewater samples. Notably, ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N) levels showed a positive correlation (ρ = 0.543, p < 0.01) with virus levels at the large building scale, a relationship not observed at the sewer or wastewater treatment works (WWTW) levels due to dilution. The WWTW was compliant to wastewater standards, but the secondary treatment processes were not efficient for virus removal as SARS-CoV-2 was consistently detected in treated discharges. Tools developed through WBS can also be used to enhance traditional environmental monitoring of aquatic systems. This study provides a detailed source-to-sink evaluation, emphasizing the critical need for the widespread application and improvement of WBS. It showcases WBS utility and reinforces the ongoing challenges posed by viruses to receiving water quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Folkes
- Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - V.M. Castro-Gutierrez
- Center for Research on Environmental Pollution (CICA), Universidad de Costa Rica, Montes de Oca, 11501, Costa Rica
| | - L. Lundy
- Department of Natural Sciences, Middlesex University, NW4 4BT, UK
| | - Y. Bajón-Fernández
- Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - A. Soares
- Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - P. Jeffrey
- Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - F. Hassard
- Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK
- Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Schmiege D, Kraiselburd I, Haselhoff T, Thomas A, Doerr A, Gosch J, Schoth J, Teichgräber B, Moebus S, Meyer F. Analyzing community wastewater in sub-sewersheds for the small-scale detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants in a German metropolitan area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 898:165458. [PMID: 37454854 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165458] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 proved useful, including for identifying the local appearance of newly identified virus variants. Previous studies focused on wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) with sewersheds of several hundred thousand people or at single building level, representing only a small number of people. Both approaches may prove inadequate for small-scale intra-urban inferences for early detection of emerging or novel virus variants. Our study aims (i) to analyze SARS-CoV-2 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in wastewater of sub-sewersheds and WWTP using whole genome sequencing in order to (ii) investigate the potential of small-scale detection of novel known SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) within a metropolitan wastewater system. We selected three sub-sewershed sampling sites, based on estimated population- and built environment-related indicators, and the inlet of the receiving WWTP in the Ruhr region, Germany. Untreated wastewater was sampled weekly between October and December 2021, with a total of 22 samples collected. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was analyzed by RT-qPCR and whole genome sequencing. For all samples, genome sequences were obtained, while only 13 samples were positive for RT-qPCR. We identified multiple specific SARS-CoV-2 SNVs in the wastewater samples of the sub-sewersheds and the WWTP. Identified SNVs reflected the dominance of VOC Delta at the time of sampling. Interestingly, we could identify an Omicron-specific SNV in one sub-sewershed. A concurrent wastewater study sampling the same WWTP detected the VOC Omicron one week later. Our observations suggest that the small-scale approach may prove particularly useful for the detection and description of spatially confined emerging or existing virus variants circulating in populations. Future studies applying small-scale sampling strategies taking into account the specific features of the wastewater system will be useful to analyze temporal and spatial variance in more detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Schmiege
- Institute for Urban Public Health (InUPH), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45130 Essen, Germany.
| | - Ivana Kraiselburd
- Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (IKIM), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45131 Essen, Germany
| | - Timo Haselhoff
- Institute for Urban Public Health (InUPH), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45130 Essen, Germany
| | - Alexander Thomas
- Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (IKIM), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45131 Essen, Germany
| | - Adrian Doerr
- Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (IKIM), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45131 Essen, Germany
| | - Jule Gosch
- Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (IKIM), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45131 Essen, Germany
| | - Jens Schoth
- Emschergenossenschaft/Lippeverband, Kronprinzenstraße 24, 45128 Essen, Germany
| | | | - Susanne Moebus
- Institute for Urban Public Health (InUPH), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45130 Essen, Germany
| | - Folker Meyer
- Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (IKIM), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45131 Essen, Germany
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3
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Pico-Tomàs A, Mejías-Molina C, Zammit I, Rusiñol M, Bofill-Mas S, Borrego CM, Corominas L. Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage from buildings housing residents with different vulnerability levels. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 872:162116. [PMID: 36773920 PMCID: PMC9911146 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
During the last three years, various restrictions have been set up to limit the transmission of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). While these rules apply at a large scale (e.g., country-wide level) human-to-human transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), occurs at a small scale. Different preventive policies and testing protocols were implemented in buildings where COVID-19 poses a threat (e.g., elderly residences) or constitutes a disruptive force (e.g., schools). In this study, we sampled sewage from different buildings (a school, a university campus, a university residence, and an elderly residence) that host residents of different levels of vulnerability. Our main goal was to assess the agreement between the SARS-CoV-2 concentration in wastewater and the policies applied in these buildings. All buildings were sampled using passive samplers while 24 h composite samples were also collected from the elderly residence. Results showed that passive samplers performed comparably well to composite samples while being cost-effective to keep track of COVID-19 prevalence. In the elderly residence, the comparison of sampling protocols (passive vs. active) combined with the strict clinical testing allowed us to compare the sensitivities of the two methods. Active sampling was more sensitive than passive sampling, as the former was able to detect a COVID-19 prevalence of 0.4 %, compared to a prevalence of 2.2 % for passive sampling. The number of COVID-19-positive individuals was tracked clinically in all the monitored buildings. More frequent detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater was observed in residential buildings than in non-residential buildings using passive samplers. In all buildings, sewage surveillance can be used to complement COVID-19 clinical testing regimes, as the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater remained positive even when no COVID-19-positive individuals were reported. Passive sampling is useful for building managers to adapt their COVID-19 mitigation policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pico-Tomàs
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004 Girona, Spain
| | - Cristina Mejías-Molina
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Genetics, Microbiology & Statistics Dept., Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; The Water Research Institute (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Ian Zammit
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004 Girona, Spain
| | - Marta Rusiñol
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Genetics, Microbiology & Statistics Dept., Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; The Water Research Institute (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sílvia Bofill-Mas
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Genetics, Microbiology & Statistics Dept., Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; The Water Research Institute (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Carles M Borrego
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Group of Molecular Microbial Ecology, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Lluís Corominas
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004 Girona, Spain.
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4
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Hassard F, Singh S, Coulon F, Yang Z. Can wastewater monitoring protect public health in schools? LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. AMERICAS 2023; 20:100475. [PMID: 36945319 PMCID: PMC10018126 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2023.100475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Francis Hassard
- Cranfield University, School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Suniti Singh
- Cranfield University, School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Frédéric Coulon
- Cranfield University, School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Zhugen Yang
- Cranfield University, School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, UK
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5
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Mohapatra S, Bhatia S, Senaratna KYK, Jong MC, Lim CMB, Gangesh GR, Lee JX, Giek GS, Cheung C, Yutao L, Luhua Y, Yong NH, Peng LC, Wong JCC, Ching NL, Gin KYH. Wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and chemical markers in campus dormitories in an evolving COVID - 19 pandemic. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 446:130690. [PMID: 36603423 PMCID: PMC9795800 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we report the implementation of a comprehensive wastewater surveillance testing program at a university campus in Singapore to identify Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected individuals and the usage of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) as well as other emerging contaminants (ECs). This unique co-monitoring program simultaneously measured SARS-CoV-2 with chemical markers/contaminants as the COVID-19 situation evolved from pandemic to endemic stages, following a nationwide mass vaccination drive. SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in wastewater from campus dormitories were measured using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and corroborated with the number of symptomatic COVID-19 cases confirmed with the antigen rapid test (ART). Consistent results were observed where the concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected in wastewater increased proportionately with the number of COVID-19 infected individuals residing on campus. Similarly, a wide range of ECs, including disinfectants and antibiotics, were detected through sensitive liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) techniques to establish PPCPs consumption patterns during various stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore. Statistical correlation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was observed with few ECs belonging to disinfectants, PCPs and antibiotics. A high concentration of disinfectants and subsequent positive correlation with the number of reported cases on the university campus indicates that disinfectants could serve as a chemical marker during such unprecedented times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeeb Mohapatra
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore; Energy and Environmental Sustainability for Megacities (E2S2) Phase II, Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), 1 CREATE Way, Singapore 138602, Singapore
| | - Sumedha Bhatia
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore
| | | | - Mui-Choo Jong
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore
| | - Chun Min Benjamin Lim
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore
| | - G Reuben Gangesh
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore
| | - Jia Xiong Lee
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore
| | - Goh Shin Giek
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore
| | - Callie Cheung
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore; Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore
| | - Lin Yutao
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore
| | - You Luhua
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore; Energy and Environmental Sustainability for Megacities (E2S2) Phase II, Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), 1 CREATE Way, Singapore 138602, Singapore
| | - Ng How Yong
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore
| | - Lim Cheh Peng
- Office of Risk Management and Compliance, National University of Singapore, 119077, Singapore
| | - Judith Chui Ching Wong
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 11 Biopolis Way, #06-05/08, 138667, Singapore
| | - Ng Lee Ching
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 11 Biopolis Way, #06-05/08, 138667, Singapore; School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, 637551, Singapore
| | - Karina Yew-Hoong Gin
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore; Energy and Environmental Sustainability for Megacities (E2S2) Phase II, Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), 1 CREATE Way, Singapore 138602, Singapore; Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore.
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6
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Fielding-Miller R, Karthikeyan S, Gaines T, Garfein RS, Salido RA, Cantu VJ, Kohn L, Martin NK, Wynn A, Wijaya C, Flores M, Omaleki V, Majnoonian A, Gonzalez-Zuniga P, Nguyen M, Vo AV, Le T, Duong D, Hassani A, Tweeten S, Jepsen K, Henson B, Hakim A, Birmingham A, De Hoff P, Mark AM, Nasamran CA, Rosenthal SB, Moshiri N, Fisch KM, Humphrey G, Farmer S, Tubb HM, Valles T, Morris J, Kang J, Khaleghi B, Young C, Akel AD, Eilert S, Eno J, Curewitz K, Laurent LC, Rosing T, Knight R. Wastewater and surface monitoring to detect COVID-19 in elementary school settings: The Safer at School Early Alert project. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2021.10.19.21265226. [PMID: 34704096 PMCID: PMC8547528 DOI: 10.1101/2021.10.19.21265226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Background Schools are high-risk settings for SARS-CoV-2 transmission, but necessary for children's educational and social-emotional wellbeing. Previous research suggests that wastewater monitoring can detect SARS-CoV-2 infections in controlled residential settings with high levels of accuracy. However, its effective accuracy, cost, and feasibility in non-residential community settings is unknown. Methods The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness and accuracy of community-based passive wastewater and surface (environmental) surveillance to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection in neighborhood schools compared to weekly diagnostic (PCR) testing. We implemented an environmental surveillance system in nine elementary schools with 1700 regularly present staff and students in southern California. The system was validated from November 2020 - March 2021. Findings In 447 data collection days across the nine sites 89 individuals tested positive for COVID-19, and SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 374 surface samples and 133 wastewater samples. Ninety-three percent of identified cases were associated with an environmental sample (95% CI: 88% - 98%); 67% were associated with a positive wastewater sample (95% CI: 57% - 77%), and 40% were associated with a positive surface sample (95% CI: 29% - 52%). The techniques we utilized allowed for near-complete genomic sequencing of wastewater and surface samples. Interpretation Passive environmental surveillance can detect the presence of COVID-19 cases in non-residential community school settings with a high degree of accuracy. Funding County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency, National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Centers for Disease Control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Fielding-Miller
- University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease and Global Public Health
| | | | - Tommi Gaines
- University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease and Global Public Health
| | - Richard S. Garfein
- University of California San Diego, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science
| | | | - Victor J. Cantu
- University of California San Diego, Department of Bioengineering
| | | | - Natasha K Martin
- University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease and Global Public Health
| | - Adriane Wynn
- University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease and Global Public Health
| | - Carrissa Wijaya
- University of California San Diego, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science
| | - Marlene Flores
- University of California San Diego, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science
| | - Vinton Omaleki
- University of California San Diego, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science
| | - Araz Majnoonian
- University of California San Diego, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science
- University of California San Diego and San Diego State University Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health
| | - Patricia Gonzalez-Zuniga
- University of California San Diego, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science
| | - Megan Nguyen
- University of California San Diego, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, International Health Social and Behavioral Interventions
| | - Anh V Vo
- University of California San Diego, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, International Health Social and Behavioral Interventions
| | - Tina Le
- University of California San Diego, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science
| | - Dawn Duong
- University of California San Diego, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science
| | - Ashkan Hassani
- University of California San Diego, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science
| | | | - Kristen Jepsen
- University of California San Diego, Institute for Genomic Medicine
| | - Benjamin Henson
- University of California San Diego, Institute for Genomic Medicine
| | - Abbas Hakim
- University of California San Diego, Department of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
| | - Amanda Birmingham
- University of California San Diego, Center for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics
| | - Peter De Hoff
- University of California San Diego, Department of Pediatrics
| | - Adam M. Mark
- University of California San Diego, Center for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics
| | - Chanond A Nasamran
- University of California San Diego, Center for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics
| | - Sara Brin Rosenthal
- University of California San Diego, Center for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics
| | - Niema Moshiri
- University of California San Diego, Department of Computer Science & Engineering
| | - Kathleen M. Fisch
- University of California San Diego, Department of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
- University of California San Diego, Center for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics
| | - Greg Humphrey
- University of California San Diego, Department of Pediatrics
| | - Sawyer Farmer
- University of California San Diego, Department of Pediatrics
| | - Helena M. Tubb
- University of California San Diego, Department of Pediatrics
| | - Tommy Valles
- University of California San Diego, Department of Pediatrics
| | - Justin Morris
- University of California San Diego, Department of Computer Science & Engineering
- San Diego State University, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
| | - Jaeyoung Kang
- University of California San Diego, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
| | - Behnam Khaleghi
- University of California San Diego, Department of Computer Science & Engineering
| | - Colin Young
- University of California San Diego, Department of Computer Science & Engineering
| | | | | | | | | | - Louise C Laurent
- University of California San Diego and San Diego State University Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health
| | - Tajana Rosing
- University of California San Diego, Department of Computer Science & Engineering
| | - Rob Knight
- University of California San Diego, Department of Pediatrics
- University of California San Diego, Department of Bioengineering
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7
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Solo-Gabriele HM, Kumar S, Abelson S, Penso J, Contreras J, Babler KM, Sharkey ME, Mantero AMA, Lamar WE, Tallon JJ, Kobetz E, Solle NS, Shukla BS, Kenney RJ, Mason CE, Schürer SC, Vidovic D, Williams SL, Grills GS, Jayaweera DT, Mirsaeidi M, Kumar N. Predicting COVID-19 cases using SARS-CoV-2 RNA in air, surface swab and wastewater samples. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159188. [PMID: 36202365 PMCID: PMC9529341 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Genomic footprints of pathogens shed by infected individuals can be traced in environmental samples, which can serve as a noninvasive method of infectious disease surveillance. The research evaluates the efficacy of environmental monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in air, surface swabs and wastewater to predict COVID-19 cases. Using a prospective experimental design, air, surface swabs, and wastewater samples were collected from a college dormitory housing roughly 500 students from March to May 2021 at the University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL. Students were randomly screened for COVID-19 during the study period. SARS-CoV-2 concentration in environmental samples was quantified using Volcano 2nd Generation-qPCR. Descriptive analyses were conducted to examine the associations between time-lagged SARS-CoV-2 in environmental samples and COVID-19 cases. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in air, surface swab and wastewater samples on 52 (63.4 %), 40 (50.0 %) and 57 (68.6 %) days, respectively. On 19 (24 %) of 78 days SARS-CoV-2 was detected in all three sample types. COVID-19 cases were reported on 11 days during the study period and SARS-CoV-2 was also detected two days before the case diagnosis on all 11 (100 %), 9 (81.8 %) and 8 (72.7 %) days in air, surface swab and wastewater samples, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 detection in environmental samples was an indicator of the presence of local COVID-19 cases and a 3-day lead indicator for a potential outbreak at the dormitory building scale. Proactive environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 or other pathogens in multiple environmental media has potential to guide targeted measures to contain and/or mitigate infectious disease outbreaks within communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena M Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States of America
| | - Shelja Kumar
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America
| | - Samantha Abelson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America
| | - Johnathon Penso
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America
| | - Julio Contreras
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America
| | - Kristina M Babler
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States of America
| | - Mark E Sharkey
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Alejandro M A Mantero
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America
| | - Walter E Lamar
- Facilities Safety & Compliance, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - John J Tallon
- Facilities and Operations, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States of America
| | - Erin Kobetz
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Natasha Schaefer Solle
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Bhavarth S Shukla
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Richard J Kenney
- Department of Housing & Residential Life, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States of America
| | - Christopher E Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, NY, United States of America
| | - Stephan C Schürer
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America; Institute for Data Science & Computing, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States of America; Department of Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Dusica Vidovic
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Sion L Williams
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - George S Grills
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Dushyantha T Jayaweera
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Mehdi Mirsaeidi
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep, College of Medicine-Jacksonville, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America
| | - Naresh Kumar
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America.
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8
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Cantillon D, Roberts AP. Development and evaluation of TaqMan-based, one-step, real-time RT-PCR assays for pepper mild mottle virus detection for near source tracking and wastewater-based epidemiology validation. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278784. [PMID: 36534927 PMCID: PMC9762892 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Emergence of novel human pathogens pose significant challenges to human health as highlighted by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Wastewater based epidemiology (WBE) has previously been employed to identify viral pathogens and outbreaks by testing samples from regional wastewater treatment plants. Near source tracking (NST) allows for more targeted WBE by analysing samples from individual buildings such as schools or even individual floors such as in multi-floor office buildings. Despite the public health advantages of WBE, few strategies exist for optimising NST sampling methodologies. Therefore, we developed a protocol to evaluate virus detection in NST sampling using Pepper Mild Mottle Virus (PMMoV) as a proxy for RNA viruses. PMMoV is the most abundant enteric human associated RNA virus and is present in peppers/pepper-containing foods. Two bespoke TaqMan RT-PCR assays were developed to detect a PMMoV genomic 5' region and a capsid associated gene. To evaluate the protocol against field samples, pepper homogenates were flushed down an in-use toilet (Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK) to spike wastewater with PMMoV on multiple days, and samples collected from two sewage access points to validate NST samplers. These wastewater samples were assessed for PMMoV based on Ct values and results compared to pepper and Tabasco derived PMMoV positive controls. Positive detection of PMMoV was comparable and consistent in ten independent samples across two NST samplers regardless of pepper homogenate spiking. We have developed two novel one step TaqMan assays that amplify both PMMoV targets in viral RNA extractions from peppers, Tabasco, and wastewater samples with cDNA synthesis through to RT-PCR results taking approximately 30 minutes. Pepper homogenate flushing was not required to detect PMMoV in our wastewater samples, however this strategy of flushing PMMoV containing materials outlined here could be valuable in assessing and validating NST in buildings with no previous or current sewage flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daire Cantillon
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Adam P. Roberts
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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9
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Amman F, Markt R, Endler L, Hupfauf S, Agerer B, Schedl A, Richter L, Zechmeister M, Bicher M, Heiler G, Triska P, Thornton M, Penz T, Senekowitsch M, Laine J, Keszei Z, Klimek P, Nägele F, Mayr M, Daleiden B, Steinlechner M, Niederstätter H, Heidinger P, Rauch W, Scheffknecht C, Vogl G, Weichlinger G, Wagner AO, Slipko K, Masseron A, Radu E, Allerberger F, Popper N, Bock C, Schmid D, Oberacher H, Kreuzinger N, Insam H, Bergthaler A. Viral variant-resolved wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 at national scale. Nat Biotechnol 2022; 40:1814-1822. [PMID: 35851376 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01387-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 surveillance by wastewater-based epidemiology is poised to provide a complementary approach to sequencing individual cases. However, robust quantification of variants and de novo detection of emerging variants remains challenging for existing strategies. We deep sequenced 3,413 wastewater samples representing 94 municipal catchments, covering >59% of the population of Austria, from December 2020 to February 2022. Our system of variant quantification in sewage pipeline designed for robustness (termed VaQuERo) enabled us to deduce the spatiotemporal abundance of predefined variants from complex wastewater samples. These results were validated against epidemiological records of >311,000 individual cases. Furthermore, we describe elevated viral genetic diversity during the Delta variant period, provide a framework to predict emerging variants and measure the reproductive advantage of variants of concern by calculating variant-specific reproduction numbers from wastewater. Together, this study demonstrates the power of national-scale WBE to support public health and promises particular value for countries without extensive individual monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Amman
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rudolf Markt
- Department of Microbiology, Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lukas Endler
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sebastian Hupfauf
- Department of Microbiology, Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Benedikt Agerer
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Schedl
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Richter
- Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Martin Bicher
- dwh GmbH, Vienna, Austria.,Institute for Information Systems Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg Heiler
- Complexity Science Hub, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Information Systems Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Petr Triska
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthew Thornton
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Penz
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Senekowitsch
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jan Laine
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Zsofia Keszei
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Klimek
- Complexity Science Hub, Vienna, Austria.,Section for Science of Complex Systems, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fabiana Nägele
- Department of Microbiology, Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Markus Mayr
- Department of Microbiology, Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Beatrice Daleiden
- Institute of Legal Medicine and Core Facility Metabolomics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Martin Steinlechner
- Institute of Legal Medicine and Core Facility Metabolomics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Harald Niederstätter
- Institute of Legal Medicine and Core Facility Metabolomics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Petra Heidinger
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology GmbH, Graz, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Rauch
- Department of Infrastructure, Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Gunther Vogl
- Institut für Lebensmittelsicherheit, Veterinärmedizin und Umwelt des Landes Kärnten, Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Austria
| | - Günther Weichlinger
- Abteilung 12 - Wasserwirtschaft, Amt der Kärntner Landesregierung, Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Austria
| | | | - Katarzyna Slipko
- Institute for Water Quality and Resource Management, Technische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Amandine Masseron
- Institute for Water Quality and Resource Management, Technische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elena Radu
- Institute for Water Quality and Resource Management, Technische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria.,Ştefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Niki Popper
- dwh GmbH, Vienna, Austria.,Institute for Information Systems Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Bock
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Center for Medical Statistics, Informatics, and Intelligent Systems, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Schmid
- Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Vienna, Austria
| | - Herbert Oberacher
- Institute of Legal Medicine and Core Facility Metabolomics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Norbert Kreuzinger
- Institute for Water Quality and Resource Management, Technische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heribert Insam
- Department of Microbiology, Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas Bergthaler
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria. .,Institute of Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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10
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Bonanno Ferraro G, Veneri C, Mancini P, Iaconelli M, Suffredini E, Bonadonna L, Lucentini L, Bowo-Ngandji A, Kengne-Nde C, Mbaga DS, Mahamat G, Tazokong HR, Ebogo-Belobo JT, Njouom R, Kenmoe S, La Rosa G. A State-of-the-Art Scoping Review on SARS-CoV-2 in Sewage Focusing on the Potential of Wastewater Surveillance for the Monitoring of the COVID-19 Pandemic. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2022; 14:315-354. [PMID: 34727334 PMCID: PMC8561373 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-021-09498-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of coronavirus infectious disease-2019 (COVID-19), caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has rapidly spread throughout the world. Several studies have shown that detecting SARS-CoV-2 in untreated wastewater can be a useful tool to identify new outbreaks, establish outbreak trends, and assess the prevalence of infections. On 06 May 2021, over a year into the pandemic, we conducted a scoping review aiming to summarize research data on SARS-CoV-2 in sewage. Papers dealing with raw sewage collected at wastewater treatment plants, sewer networks, septic tanks, and sludge treatment facilities were included in this review. We also reviewed studies on sewage collected in community settings such as private or municipal hospitals, healthcare facilities, nursing homes, dormitories, campuses, airports, aircraft, and cruise ships. The literature search was conducted using the electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, and Web Science Core Collection. This comprehensive research yielded 1090 results, 66 of which met the inclusion criteria and are discussed in this review. Studies from 26 countries worldwide have investigated the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage of different origin. The percentage of positive samples in sewage ranged from 11.6 to 100%, with viral concentrations ranging from ˂LOD to 4.6 × 108 genome copies/L. This review outlines the evidence currently available on wastewater surveillance: (i) as an early warning system capable of predicting COVID-19 outbreaks days or weeks before clinical cases; (ii) as a tool capable of establishing trends in current outbreaks; (iii) estimating the prevalence of infections; and (iv) studying SARS-CoV-2 genetic diversity. In conclusion, as a cost-effective, rapid, and reliable source of information on the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in the population, wastewater surveillance can enhance genomic and epidemiological surveillance with independent and complementary data to inform public health decision-making during the ongoing pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Bonanno Ferraro
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - P Mancini
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - M Iaconelli
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - E Suffredini
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - L Bonadonna
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - L Lucentini
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - A Bowo-Ngandji
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - C Kengne-Nde
- Research Monitoring and Planning Unit, National Aids Control Committee, Douala, Cameroon
| | - D S Mbaga
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - G Mahamat
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - H R Tazokong
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - J T Ebogo-Belobo
- Medical Research Centre, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - R Njouom
- Virology Department, Centre Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - S Kenmoe
- Virology Department, Centre Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - G La Rosa
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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11
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Cooper B, Donner E, Crase L, Robertson H, Carter D, Short M, Drigo B, Leder K, Roiko A, Fielding K. Maintaining a social license to operate for wastewater-based monitoring: The case of managing infectious disease and the COVID-19 pandemic. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 320:115819. [PMID: 35930884 PMCID: PMC9304157 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater monitoring as a public health tool is well-established and the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has seen its widespread uptake. Given the significant potential of wastewater monitoring as a public health surveillance and decision support tool, it is important to understand what measures are required to allow the long-term benefits of wastewater monitoring to be fully realized, including how to establish and/or maintain public support. The potential for positive SARS-CoV-2 detections to trigger enforced, community-wide public health interventions (e.g., lockdowns and other impacts on civil liberties) further emphasises the need to better understand the role of public engagement in successful wastewater-based monitoring programs. This paper systematically reviews the processes of building and maintaining the social license to operate wastewater monitoring. We specifically explore the relationship between different stakeholder communities and highlight the information and actions that are required to establish a social license to operate and then prevent its loss. The paper adds to the literature on social license to operate by extending its application to new domains and offers a dynamic model of social license to help guide the agenda for researcher and practitioner communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany Cooper
- University of South Australia, School of Business, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia, 5001, Australia.
| | - Erica Donner
- University of South Australia, Future Industries Institute, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia, 5001, Australia.
| | - Lin Crase
- University of South Australia, School of Business, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia, 5001, Australia.
| | - Hamish Robertson
- University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Health, 15 Broadway Ultimo, NSW, Australia.
| | - David Carter
- University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Law, 15 Broadway Ultimo, NSW, Australia.
| | - Michael Short
- University of South Australia, Future Industries Institute, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia, 5001, Australia.
| | - Barbara Drigo
- University of South Australia, Future Industries Institute, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia, 5001, Australia.
| | - Karin Leder
- Monash University, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.
| | - Anne Roiko
- Griffith University, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Gold Coast, QLD, 4222, Australia.
| | - Kelly Fielding
- The University of Queensland, School of Communication and Arts, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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12
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Murni IK, Oktaria V, Handley A, McCarthy DT, Donato CM, Nuryastuti T, Supriyati E, Putri DAD, Sari HM, Laksono IS, Thobari JA, Bines JE. The feasibility of SARS-CoV-2 surveillance using wastewater and environmental sampling in Indonesia. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274793. [PMID: 36240187 PMCID: PMC9565423 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) surveillance as an early warning system (EWS) for monitoring community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings, where diagnostic testing capacity is limited, needs further exploration. We explored the feasibility to conduct a WBE surveillance in Indonesia, one of the global epicenters of the COVID-19 pandemic in the middle of 2021, with the fourth largest population in the world where sewer and non-sewered sewage systems are implemented. The feasibility and resource capacity to collect samples on a weekly or fortnightly basis with grab and/or passive sampling methods, as well as to conduct qualitative and quantitative identification of SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) using real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) testing of environmental samples were explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS We initiated a routine surveillance of wastewater and environmental sampling at three predetermined districts in Special Region of Yogyakarta Province. Water samples were collected from central and community wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), including manholes flowing to the central WWTP, and additional soil samples were collected for the near source tracking (NST) locations (i.e., public spaces where people congregate). RESULTS We began collecting samples in the Delta wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia in July 2021. From a 10-week period, 54% (296/544) of wastewater and environmental samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The sample positivity rate decreased in proportion with the reported incidence of COVID-19 clinical cases in the community. The highest positivity rate of 77% in week 1, was obtained for samples collected in July 2021 and decreased to 25% in week 10 by the end of September 2021. CONCLUSION A WBE surveillance system for SARS-CoV-2 in Indonesia is feasible to monitor the community burden of infections. Future studies testing the potential of WBE and EWS for signaling early outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 transmissions in this setting are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indah K. Murni
- Faculty of Medicine, Center for Child Health–Pediatric Research Office, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- Faculty of Medicine, Child Health Department, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- * E-mail: (IKM); (VO)
| | - Vicka Oktaria
- Faculty of Medicine, Center for Child Health–Pediatric Research Office, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Population Health, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- * E-mail: (IKM); (VO)
| | - Amanda Handley
- Enteric Diseases Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Medicines Development for Global Health, Southbank, Victoria, Australia
| | - David T. McCarthy
- Department of Civil Engineering, Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Lab (EPHM Lab), Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Celeste M. Donato
- Enteric Diseases Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Titik Nuryastuti
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Endah Supriyati
- Faculty of Medicine, Center for Tropical Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Dwi Astuti Dharma Putri
- Faculty of Medicine, Center for Child Health–Pediatric Research Office, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Hendri Marinda Sari
- Faculty of Medicine, Center for Child Health–Pediatric Research Office, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Ida Safitri Laksono
- Faculty of Medicine, Center for Child Health–Pediatric Research Office, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- Faculty of Medicine, Child Health Department, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Jarir At Thobari
- Faculty of Medicine, Center for Child Health–Pediatric Research Office, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Julie E. Bines
- Enteric Diseases Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition, Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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13
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Catsamas S, Shi B, Deletic B, Wang M, McCarthy DT. A Low-Cost, Low-Power Water Velocity Sensor Utilizing Acoustic Doppler Measurement. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:7451. [PMID: 36236550 PMCID: PMC9572237 DOI: 10.3390/s22197451] [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: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Current commercial sensors to monitor water flow velocities are expensive, bulky, and require significant effort to install. Low-cost sensors open the possibility of monitoring storm and waste water systems at a much greater spatial and temporal resolution without prohibitive costs and resource investment. To aid in this, this work developed a low-cost, low-power velocity sensor based on acoustic Doppler velocimetry. The sensor, costing less than 50 USD is open-source, open-hardware, compact, and easily interfaceable to a wide range of data-logging systems. A freely available sensor design at this price point does not currently exist, and its novelty is in enabling high-resolution real-time monitoring schemes. The design is capable of measuring water velocities up to 1200 mm/s. The sensor is characterised and then verified in an in-field long-term test. Finally, the data from this test are then used to evaluate the performance of the sensor in a real-world scenario. The analysis concludes that the sensor is capable of effectively measuring water velocity.
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14
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Morvan M, Jacomo AL, Souque C, Wade MJ, Hoffmann T, Pouwels K, Lilley C, Singer AC, Porter J, Evens NP, Walker DI, Bunce JT, Engeli A, Grimsley J, O'Reilly KM, Danon L. An analysis of 45 large-scale wastewater sites in England to estimate SARS-CoV-2 community prevalence. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4313. [PMID: 35879277 PMCID: PMC9312315 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31753-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Accurate surveillance of the COVID-19 pandemic can be weakened by under-reporting of cases, particularly due to asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic infections, resulting in bias. Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater can be used to infer infection prevalence, but uncertainty in sensitivity and considerable variability has meant that accurate measurement remains elusive. Here, we use data from 45 sewage sites in England, covering 31% of the population, and estimate SARS-CoV-2 prevalence to within 1.1% of estimates from representative prevalence surveys (with 95% confidence). Using machine learning and phenomenological models, we show that differences between sampled sites, particularly the wastewater flow rate, influence prevalence estimation and require careful interpretation. We find that SARS-CoV-2 signals in wastewater appear 4-5 days earlier in comparison to clinical testing data but are coincident with prevalence surveys suggesting that wastewater surveillance can be a leading indicator for symptomatic viral infections. Surveillance for viruses in wastewater complements and strengthens clinical surveillance, with significant implications for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Morvan
- Data, Analytics, and Surveillance Group, UK Health Security Agency (Formerly part of the Joint Biosecurity Centre, Department of Health and Social Care), London, SW1P 3JR, UK
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Anna Lo Jacomo
- Data, Analytics, and Surveillance Group, UK Health Security Agency (Formerly part of the Joint Biosecurity Centre, Department of Health and Social Care), London, SW1P 3JR, UK
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, Ada Lovelace Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TW, UK
| | - Celia Souque
- Data, Analytics, and Surveillance Group, UK Health Security Agency (Formerly part of the Joint Biosecurity Centre, Department of Health and Social Care), London, SW1P 3JR, UK
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Matthew J Wade
- Data, Analytics, and Surveillance Group, UK Health Security Agency (Formerly part of the Joint Biosecurity Centre, Department of Health and Social Care), London, SW1P 3JR, UK
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Till Hoffmann
- Data, Analytics, and Surveillance Group, UK Health Security Agency (Formerly part of the Joint Biosecurity Centre, Department of Health and Social Care), London, SW1P 3JR, UK
- Department of Mathematics, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Koen Pouwels
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance at University of Oxford in partnership with Public Health England, Oxford, UK
- Health Economics Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Chris Lilley
- Data, Analytics, and Surveillance Group, UK Health Security Agency (Formerly part of the Joint Biosecurity Centre, Department of Health and Social Care), London, SW1P 3JR, UK
| | - Andrew C Singer
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford, OX10 8BB, UK
| | - Jonathan Porter
- Environment Agency, National Monitoring, Starcross, Exeter, EX6 8FD, UK
| | - Nicholas P Evens
- Environment Agency, National Monitoring, Starcross, Exeter, EX6 8FD, UK
| | - David I Walker
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth, DT4 8UB, UK
| | - Joshua T Bunce
- Data, Analytics, and Surveillance Group, UK Health Security Agency (Formerly part of the Joint Biosecurity Centre, Department of Health and Social Care), London, SW1P 3JR, UK
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, London, SW1P 4DF, UK
| | - Andrew Engeli
- Data, Analytics, and Surveillance Group, UK Health Security Agency (Formerly part of the Joint Biosecurity Centre, Department of Health and Social Care), London, SW1P 3JR, UK
| | - Jasmine Grimsley
- Data, Analytics, and Surveillance Group, UK Health Security Agency (Formerly part of the Joint Biosecurity Centre, Department of Health and Social Care), London, SW1P 3JR, UK
| | - Kathleen M O'Reilly
- Data, Analytics, and Surveillance Group, UK Health Security Agency (Formerly part of the Joint Biosecurity Centre, Department of Health and Social Care), London, SW1P 3JR, UK.
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases & Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.
| | - Leon Danon
- Data, Analytics, and Surveillance Group, UK Health Security Agency (Formerly part of the Joint Biosecurity Centre, Department of Health and Social Care), London, SW1P 3JR, UK
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, Ada Lovelace Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TW, UK
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15
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Castro-Gutierrez V, Hassard F, Vu M, Leitao R, Burczynska B, Wildeboer D, Stanton I, Rahimzadeh S, Baio G, Garelick H, Hofman J, Kasprzyk-Hordern B, Kwiatkowska R, Majeed A, Priest S, Grimsley J, Lundy L, Singer AC, Di Cesare M. Monitoring occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in school populations: A wastewater-based approach. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270168. [PMID: 35714109 PMCID: PMC9205509 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical testing of children in schools is challenging, with economic implications limiting its frequent use as a monitoring tool of the risks assumed by children and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, a wastewater-based epidemiology approach has been used to monitor 16 schools (10 primary, 5 secondary and 1 post-16 and further education) in England. A total of 296 samples over 9 weeks have been analysed for N1 and E genes using qPCR methods. Of the samples returned, 47.3% were positive for one or both genes with a detection frequency in line with the respective local community. WBE offers a low cost, non-invasive approach for supplementing clinical testing and can provide longitudinal insights that are impractical with traditional clinical testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Castro-Gutierrez
- Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom
- Environmental Pollution Research Center (CICA), University of Costa Rica, Montes de Oca, Costa Rica
| | | | - Milan Vu
- Department of Natural Science, School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rodrigo Leitao
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Beata Burczynska
- Department of Natural Science, School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dirk Wildeboer
- Department of Natural Science, School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Isobel Stanton
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, United Kingdom
| | - Shadi Rahimzadeh
- Department of Natural Science, School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gianluca Baio
- Department of Statistical Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hemda Garelick
- Department of Natural Science, School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Hofman
- Water Innovation & Research Centre, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern
- Water Innovation & Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Kwiatkowska
- School of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Field Services, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Azeem Majeed
- Department of Primary Care & Public Health, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sally Priest
- Department of Natural Science, School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jasmine Grimsley
- Joint Biosecurity Centre, Department for Health and Social Care, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lian Lundy
- Department of Natural Science, School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew C. Singer
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, United Kingdom
| | - Mariachiara Di Cesare
- Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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16
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Kapoor V, Al-Duroobi H, Phan DC, Palekar RS, Blount B, Rambhia KJ. Wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 to support return to campus: Methodological considerations and data interpretation. CURRENT OPINION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & HEALTH 2022; 27:100362. [PMID: 35402756 PMCID: PMC8975751 DOI: 10.1016/j.coesh.2022.100362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for various institutions such as school systems due to widespread closures. As schools re-open their campuses to in-person education, there is a need for frequent screening and monitoring of the virus to ensure the safety of students and staff and to limit risk to the surrounding community. Wastewater surveillance (WWS) of SARS-CoV-2 is a rapid and economical approach to determine the extent of COVID-19 in the community. The focus of this review is on the emergence of WWS as a tool for safe return to school campuses, taking into account methodological considerations such as site selection, sample collection and processing, SARS-CoV-2 quantification, and data interpretation. Recently published studies on the implementation of COVID-19 WWS on school and college campuses were reviewed. While there are several logistical and technical challenges, WWS can be used to inform decision-making at the school campus and/or building level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikram Kapoor
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Construction Management, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Haya Al-Duroobi
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Construction Management, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Duc C Phan
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Construction Management, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
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17
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Hassard F, Smith TR, Boehm AB, Nolan S, O'Mara O, Di Cesare M, Graham D. Wastewater surveillance for rapid identification of infectious diseases in prisons. THE LANCET MICROBE 2022; 3:e556-e557. [PMID: 35688168 PMCID: PMC9173719 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(22)00154-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
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18
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Ramírez-Chavarría RG, Castillo-Villanueva E, Alvarez-Serna BE, Carrillo-Reyes J, Ramírez-Zamora RM, Buitrón G, Alvarez-Icaza L. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification-based electrochemical sensor for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater samples. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2022; 10:107488. [PMID: 35251932 PMCID: PMC8883760 DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2022.107488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The current pandemic COVID-19 caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has generated different economic, social and public health problems. Moreover, wastewater-based epidemiology could be a predictor of the virus rate of spread to alert on new outbreaks. To assist in epidemiological surveillance, this work introduces a simple, low-cost and affordable electrochemical sensor to specifically detect N and ORF1ab genes of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. The proposed sensor works based on screen-printed electrodes acting as a disposable test strip, where the reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) reaction takes place. Electrochemical detection relies upon methylene blue as a redox intercalator probe, to provide a diffusion-controlled current encoding the presence and concentration of RT-LAMP products, namely amplicons or double-stranded DNA. We test the performance of the sensor by testing real wastewater samples using end-point and time course measurements. Results show the ability of the electrochemical test strip to specifically detect and quantify RT-LAMP amplicons below to ~ 2.5 × 10-6 ng/μL exhibiting high reproducibility. In this sense, our RT-LAMP electrochemical sensor is an attractive, efficient and powerful tool for rapid and reliable wastewater-based epidemiology studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elizabeth Castillo-Villanueva
- Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, México
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, México
| | - Bryan E Alvarez-Serna
- Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, México
| | - Julián Carrillo-Reyes
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Procesos Avanzados de Tratamiento de Aguas, Unidad Académica Juriquilla, Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro 76230, México
| | | | - Germán Buitrón
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Procesos Avanzados de Tratamiento de Aguas, Unidad Académica Juriquilla, Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro 76230, México
| | - Luis Alvarez-Icaza
- Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, México
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19
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Lowe N, Bencko V. Using wastewater-based epidemiology as a potential instrument for the prediction and control of COVID-19 disease outbreaks. Cent Eur J Public Health 2022; 30:3-6. [PMID: 35421291 DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a7161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed a significant number of cracks in the current vigilance techniques that stand to minimise outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2. There is a serious inadequacy of the testing capacity of healthcare systems worldwide, which can be attributed to the lack of appropriate testing and monitoring methods for a disease such as COVID-19. The current tools in use for COVID-19 surveillance are either expensive, not applicable to large populations or yield results after the outbreak has already occurred. The immense contagiousness in combination with a wealth of asymptomatic carriers means that RT-PCR testing is not feasible on a mass scale. It is evident that new methods are required for the monitoring of COVID-19 and a range of new epidemiological tools must be implemented if public health systems worldwide want to make relevant predictions on the patterns of disease spread and increase the efficacy of their decisions. In addition to this, the pandemic has highlighted the necessity for redirecting biomedical research towards early diagnosis and rational therapy of respiratory viruses in particular, as well as prevention of their spread by conventional means. An efficient early detection system would save lives and allow countries to return to pre-pandemic standards of living. At the forefront of this lies wastewater-based epidemiology, which carries immense potential as a means of pre-symptomatic diagnosis and population-based surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Lowe
- Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimír Bencko
- Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
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20
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Solo-Gabriele HM, Kumar S, Abelson S, Penso J, Contreras J, Babler KM, Sharkey ME, Mantero AMA, Lamar WE, Tallon JJ, Kobetz E, Solle NS, Shukla BS, Kenney RJ, Mason CE, Schürer SC, Vidovic D, Williams SL, Grills GS, Jayaweera DT, Mirsaeidi M, Kumar N. COVID-19 Prediction using Genomic Footprint of SARS-CoV-2 in Air, Surface Swab and Wastewater Samples. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2022:2022.03.14.22272314. [PMID: 35313580 PMCID: PMC8936103 DOI: 10.1101/2022.03.14.22272314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Importance Genomic footprints of pathogens shed by infected individuals can be traced in environmental samples. Analysis of these samples can be employed for noninvasive surveillance of infectious diseases. Objective To evaluate the efficacy of environmental surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) for predicting COVID-19 cases in a college dormitory. Design Using a prospective experimental design, air, surface swabs, and wastewater samples were collected from a college dormitory from March to May 2021. Students were randomly screened for COVID-19 during the study period. SARS-CoV-2 in environmental samples was concentrated with electronegative filtration and quantified using Volcano 2 nd Generation-qPCR. Descriptive analyses were conducted to examine the associations between time-lagged SARS-CoV-2 in environmental samples and clinically diagnosed COVID-19 cases. Setting This study was conducted in a residential dormitory at the University of Miami, Coral Gables campus, FL, USA. The dormitory housed about 500 students. Participants Students from the dormitory were randomly screened, for COVID-19 for 2-3 days / week while entering or exiting the dormitory. Main Outcome Clinically diagnosed COVID-19 cases were of our main interest. We hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 detection in environmental samples was an indicator of the presence of local COVID-19 cases in the dormitory, and SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in the environmental samples several days prior to the clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 cases. Results SARS-CoV-2 genomic footprints were detected in air, surface swab and wastewater samples on 52 (63.4%), 40 (50.0%) and 57 (68.6%) days, respectively, during the study period. On 19 (24%) of 78 days SARS-CoV-2 was detected in all three sample types. Clinically diagnosed COVID-19 cases were reported on 11 days during the study period and SARS-CoV-2 was also detected two days before the case diagnosis on all 11 (100%), 9 (81.8%) and 8 (72.7%) days in air, surface swab and wastewater samples, respectively. Conclusion Proactive environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 or other pathogens in a community/public setting has potential to guide targeted measures to contain and/or mitigate infectious disease outbreaks. Key Points Question: How effective is environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in public places for early detection of COVID-19 cases in a community?Findings: All clinically confirmed COVID-19 cases were predicted with the aid of 2 day lagged SARS-CoV-2 in environmental samples in a college dormitory. However, the prediction efficiency varied by sample type: best prediction by air samples, followed by wastewater and surface swab samples. SARS-CoV-2 was also detected in these samples even on days without any reported cases of COVID-19, suggesting underreporting of COVID-19 cases.Meaning: SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in environmental samples several days prior to clinical reporting of COVID-19 cases. Thus, proactive environmental surveillance of microbiome in public places can serve as a mean for early detection of location-time specific outbreaks of infectious diseases. It can also be used for underreporting of infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena M. Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami; Coral Gables FL
| | - Shelja Kumar
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL 33136
| | - Samantha Abelson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL 33136
| | - Johnathon Penso
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL 33136
| | - Julio Contreras
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL 33136
| | - Kristina M. Babler
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami; Coral Gables FL
| | - Mark E. Sharkey
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
| | - Alejandro M. A. Mantero
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL 33136
| | - Walter E. Lamar
- Facilities Safety & Compliance, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
| | - John J. Tallon
- Facilities and Operations, University of Miami; Coral Gables FL
| | - Erin Kobetz
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
| | - Natasha Schaefer Solle
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
| | - Bhavarth S. Shukla
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
| | - Richard J. Kenney
- Department of Housing & Residential Life, University of Miami; Coral Gables FL
| | - Christopher E. Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College; New York City NY
| | - Stephan C. Schürer
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
- Institute for Data Science & Computing, University of Miami; Coral Gables FL
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
| | - Dusica Vidovic
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
| | - Sion L. Williams
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
| | - George S. Grills
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
| | | | - Mehdi Mirsaeidi
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep, College of Medicine-Jacksonville University of Florida, Jacksonville FL
| | - Naresh Kumar
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL 33136
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21
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Brüssow H. COVID-19 and children: medical impact and collateral damage. Microb Biotechnol 2022; 15:1035-1049. [PMID: 35182108 PMCID: PMC8966019 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Children mostly experience mild SARS‐CoV‐2 infections, but the extent of paediatric COVID‐19 disease differs between geographical regions and the distinct pandemic waves. Not all infections in children are mild, some children even show a strong inflammatory reaction resulting in a multisystem inflammatory syndrome. The assessments of paediatric vaccination depend on the efficacy of protection conferred by vaccination, the risk of adverse reactions and whether children contribute to herd immunity against COVID‐19. Children were also the target of consequential public health actions such as school closure which caused substantial harm to children (educational deficits, sociopsychological problems) and working parents. It is, therefore, important to understand the transmission dynamics of SARS‐CoV‐2 infections by children to assess the efficacy of school closures and paediatric vaccination. The societal restrictions to contain the COVID‐19 pandemic had additional negative effects on children’s health, such as missed routine vaccinations, nutritional deprivation and lesser mother–child medical care in developing countries causing increased child mortality as a collateral damage. In this complex epidemiological context, it is important to have an evidence‐based approach to public health approaches. The present review summaries pertinent published data on the role of children in the pandemic, whether they are drivers or followers of the infection chains and whether they are (after elderlies) major sufferers or mere bystanders of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The present review summaries pertinent published data on the role of children in the pandemic, whether they are drivers or followers of the infection chains and whether they are (after elderlies) major sufferers or mere bystanders of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Brüssow
- Department of Biosystems, Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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22
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Crank K, Chen W, Bivins A, Lowry S, Bibby K. Contribution of SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding routes to RNA loads in wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150376. [PMID: 34610564 PMCID: PMC8443535 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
A portion of those infected with SARS-CoV-2 shed the virus and its genetic material in respiratory fluids, saliva, urine, and stool, thus giving the potential to monitor for infections via wastewater. Wastewater surveillance efforts to date have largely assumed that stool shedding has been the primary source of SARS-CoV-2 RNA signal; however, there are increasing questions about the possible contribution of other shedding routes, with implications for wastewater surveillance design and feasibility. In this study we used clinical SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding data and a Monte Carlo framework to assess the relative contribution of various shedding routes on SARS-CoV-2 RNA loads in wastewater. Stool shedding dominated total SARS-CoV-2 RNA load for community-level surveillance, with mean contributions more than two orders of magnitude greater than other shedding routes. However, RNA loads were more nuanced when considering building-level monitoring efforts designed to identify a single infected individual, where any shedding route could plausibly contribute a detectable signal. The greatest source of model variability was viral load in excreta, suggesting that future modeling efforts may be improved by incorporating specific modeling scenarios with precise SARS-CoV-2 shedding data, and beyond that wastewater surveillance must continue to account for large variability during data analysis and reporting. Importantly, the findings imply that wastewater surveillance at finer spatial scales is not entirely dependent on shedding via feces for sensitive detection of infections thus enlarging the potential use cases of wastewater as a non-intrusive surveillance methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Crank
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Science, University of Notre Dame, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, South Bend, IN 46556, USA
| | - W Chen
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Science, University of Notre Dame, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, South Bend, IN 46556, USA
| | - A Bivins
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Science, University of Notre Dame, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, South Bend, IN 46556, USA
| | - S Lowry
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - K Bibby
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Science, University of Notre Dame, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, South Bend, IN 46556, USA.
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23
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Ahmed W, Bivins A, Simpson SL, Bertsch PM, Ehret J, Hosegood I, Metcalfe SS, Smith WJM, Thomas KV, Tynan J, Mueller JF. Wastewater surveillance demonstrates high predictive value for COVID-19 infection on board repatriation flights to Australia. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 158:106938. [PMID: 34735954 PMCID: PMC8514683 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Controlling importation and transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from overseas travelers is essential for countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, and other island nations, that have adopted a suppression strategy to manage very low community transmission. Wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 RNA has emerged as a promising tool employed in public health response in many countries globally. This study aimed to establish whether the surveillance of aircraft wastewater can be used to provide an additional layer of information to augment individual clinical testing. Wastewater from 37 long-haul flights chartered to repatriate Australians was tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Children 5 years or older on these flights tested negative for coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) (deep nasal and oropharyngeal reverse-transcription (RT)-PCR swab) 48 h before departure. All passengers underwent mandatory quarantine for 14-day post arrival in Howard Springs, NT, Australia. Wastewater from 24 (64.9 %) of the 37 flights tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. During the 14 day mandatory quarantine, clinical testing identified 112 cases of COVID-19. Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in repatriation flight wastewater using pooled results from three RT-qPCR assays demonstrated a positive predictive value (PPV) of 87.5 %, a negative predictive value (NPV) of 76.9 % and 83.7% accuracy for COVID-19 cases during the post-arrival 14-day quarantine period. The study successfully demonstrates that the surveillance of wastewater from aircraft for SARS-CoV-2 can provide an additional and effective tool for informing the management of returning overseas travelers and for monitoring the importation of SARS CoV-2 and other clinically significant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Aaron Bivins
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Science, University of Notre Dame, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | | | - Paul M Bertsch
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - John Ehret
- Qantas Airways Limited, 10 Bourke Rd Mascot, 2020, NSW, Australia
| | - Ian Hosegood
- Qantas Airways Limited, 10 Bourke Rd Mascot, 2020, NSW, Australia
| | - Suzanne S Metcalfe
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Wendy J M Smith
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Kevin V Thomas
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | - Josh Tynan
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | - Jochen F Mueller
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
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24
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Castro-Gutierrez V, Hassard F, Vu M, Leitao R, Burczynska B, Wildeboer D, Stanton I, Rahimzadeh S, Baio G, Garelick H, Hofman J, Kasprzyk-Hordern B, Kwiatkowska R, Majeed A, Priest S, Grimsley J, Lundy L, Singer AC, Di Cesare M. Monitoring occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in school populations: A wastewater-based approach. PLoS One 2022. [PMID: 35714109 DOI: 10.1101/2021.03.25.21254231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical testing of children in schools is challenging, with economic implications limiting its frequent use as a monitoring tool of the risks assumed by children and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, a wastewater-based epidemiology approach has been used to monitor 16 schools (10 primary, 5 secondary and 1 post-16 and further education) in England. A total of 296 samples over 9 weeks have been analysed for N1 and E genes using qPCR methods. Of the samples returned, 47.3% were positive for one or both genes with a detection frequency in line with the respective local community. WBE offers a low cost, non-invasive approach for supplementing clinical testing and can provide longitudinal insights that are impractical with traditional clinical testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Castro-Gutierrez
- Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom
- Environmental Pollution Research Center (CICA), University of Costa Rica, Montes de Oca, Costa Rica
| | | | - Milan Vu
- Department of Natural Science, School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rodrigo Leitao
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Beata Burczynska
- Department of Natural Science, School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dirk Wildeboer
- Department of Natural Science, School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Isobel Stanton
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, United Kingdom
| | - Shadi Rahimzadeh
- Department of Natural Science, School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gianluca Baio
- Department of Statistical Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hemda Garelick
- Department of Natural Science, School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Hofman
- Water Innovation & Research Centre, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern
- Water Innovation & Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Kwiatkowska
- School of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Field Services, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Azeem Majeed
- Department of Primary Care & Public Health, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sally Priest
- Department of Natural Science, School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jasmine Grimsley
- Joint Biosecurity Centre, Department for Health and Social Care, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lian Lundy
- Department of Natural Science, School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew C Singer
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, United Kingdom
| | - Mariachiara Di Cesare
- Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
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25
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Corchis-Scott R, Geng Q, Seth R, Ray R, Beg M, Biswas N, Charron L, Drouillard KD, D'Souza R, Heath DD, Houser C, Lawal F, McGinlay J, Menard SL, Porter LA, Rawlings D, Scholl ML, Siu KWM, Tong Y, Weisener CG, Wilhelm SW, McKay RML. Averting an Outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in a University Residence Hall through Wastewater Surveillance. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0079221. [PMID: 34612693 DOI: 10.1101/2021.06.23.21259176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
A wastewater surveillance program targeting a university residence hall was implemented during the spring semester 2021 as a proactive measure to avoid an outbreak of COVID-19 on campus. Over a period of 7 weeks from early February through late March 2021, wastewater originating from the residence hall was collected as grab samples 3 times per week. During this time, there was no detection of SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) in the residence hall wastewater stream. Aiming to obtain a sample more representative of the residence hall community, a decision was made to use passive samplers beginning in late March onwards. Adopting a Moore swab approach, SARS-CoV-2 was detected in wastewater samples just 2 days after passive samplers were deployed. These samples also tested positive for the B.1.1.7 (Alpha) variant of concern (VOC) using RT-qPCR. The positive result triggered a public health case-finding response, including a mobile testing unit deployed to the residence hall the following day, with testing of nearly 200 students and staff, which identified two laboratory-confirmed cases of Alpha variant COVID-19. These individuals were relocated to a separate quarantine facility, averting an outbreak on campus. Aggregating wastewater and clinical data, the campus wastewater surveillance program has yielded the first estimates of fecal shedding rates of the Alpha VOC of SARS-CoV-2 in individuals from a nonclinical setting. IMPORTANCE Among early adopters of wastewater monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 have been colleges and universities throughout North America, many of whom are using this approach to monitor congregate living facilities for early evidence of COVID-19 infection as an integral component of campus screening programs. Yet, while there have been numerous examples where wastewater monitoring on a university campus has detected evidence for infection among community members, there are few examples where this monitoring triggered a public health response that may have averted an actual outbreak. This report details a wastewater-testing program targeting a residence hall on a university campus during spring 2021, when there was mounting concern globally over the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, reported to be more transmissible than the wild-type Wuhan strain. In this communication, we present a clear example of how wastewater monitoring resulted in actionable responses by university administration and public health, which averted an outbreak of COVID-19 on a university campus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryland Corchis-Scott
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Qiudi Geng
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rajesh Seth
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rajan Ray
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mohsan Beg
- Student Counselling Centre, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nihar Biswas
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lynn Charron
- Residence Services, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kenneth D Drouillard
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- School of the Environment, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ramsey D'Souza
- Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel D Heath
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chris Houser
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- School of the Environment, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Felicia Lawal
- Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - James McGinlay
- Residence Services, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sherri Lynne Menard
- Environmental Health and Safety, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa A Porter
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Diane Rawlings
- Residence Services, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthew L Scholl
- Student Health Services, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7University of Windsor, grid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - K W Michael Siu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yufeng Tong
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher G Weisener
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- School of the Environment, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Steven W Wilhelm
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
- Great Lakes Center for Fresh Waters and Human Health, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, USA
| | - R Michael L McKay
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- School of the Environment, University of Windsorgrid.267455.7, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- Great Lakes Center for Fresh Waters and Human Health, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, USA
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26
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Corchis-Scott R, Geng Q, Seth R, Ray R, Beg M, Biswas N, Charron L, Drouillard KD, D’Souza R, Heath DD, Houser C, Lawal F, McGinlay J, Menard SL, Porter LA, Rawlings D, Scholl ML, Siu KWM, Tong Y, Weisener CG, Wilhelm SW, McKay RML. Averting an Outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in a University Residence Hall through Wastewater Surveillance. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0079221. [PMID: 34612693 PMCID: PMC8510253 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00792-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A wastewater surveillance program targeting a university residence hall was implemented during the spring semester 2021 as a proactive measure to avoid an outbreak of COVID-19 on campus. Over a period of 7 weeks from early February through late March 2021, wastewater originating from the residence hall was collected as grab samples 3 times per week. During this time, there was no detection of SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) in the residence hall wastewater stream. Aiming to obtain a sample more representative of the residence hall community, a decision was made to use passive samplers beginning in late March onwards. Adopting a Moore swab approach, SARS-CoV-2 was detected in wastewater samples just 2 days after passive samplers were deployed. These samples also tested positive for the B.1.1.7 (Alpha) variant of concern (VOC) using RT-qPCR. The positive result triggered a public health case-finding response, including a mobile testing unit deployed to the residence hall the following day, with testing of nearly 200 students and staff, which identified two laboratory-confirmed cases of Alpha variant COVID-19. These individuals were relocated to a separate quarantine facility, averting an outbreak on campus. Aggregating wastewater and clinical data, the campus wastewater surveillance program has yielded the first estimates of fecal shedding rates of the Alpha VOC of SARS-CoV-2 in individuals from a nonclinical setting. IMPORTANCE Among early adopters of wastewater monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 have been colleges and universities throughout North America, many of whom are using this approach to monitor congregate living facilities for early evidence of COVID-19 infection as an integral component of campus screening programs. Yet, while there have been numerous examples where wastewater monitoring on a university campus has detected evidence for infection among community members, there are few examples where this monitoring triggered a public health response that may have averted an actual outbreak. This report details a wastewater-testing program targeting a residence hall on a university campus during spring 2021, when there was mounting concern globally over the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, reported to be more transmissible than the wild-type Wuhan strain. In this communication, we present a clear example of how wastewater monitoring resulted in actionable responses by university administration and public health, which averted an outbreak of COVID-19 on a university campus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryland Corchis-Scott
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Qiudi Geng
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rajesh Seth
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rajan Ray
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mohsan Beg
- Student Counselling Centre, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nihar Biswas
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lynn Charron
- Residence Services, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kenneth D. Drouillard
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- School of the Environment, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ramsey D’Souza
- Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel D. Heath
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chris Houser
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- School of the Environment, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Felicia Lawal
- Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - James McGinlay
- Residence Services, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sherri Lynne Menard
- Environmental Health and Safety, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa A. Porter
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Diane Rawlings
- Residence Services, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthew L. Scholl
- Student Health Services, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - K. W. Michael Siu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yufeng Tong
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher G. Weisener
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- School of the Environment, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Steven W. Wilhelm
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
- Great Lakes Center for Fresh Waters and Human Health, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, USA
| | - R. Michael L. McKay
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- School of the Environment, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- Great Lakes Center for Fresh Waters and Human Health, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, USA
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27
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McCarthy DT, Shi B, Wang M, Catsamas S. BoSL FAL pump: A small, low-cost, easily constructed, 3D-printed peristaltic pump for sampling of waters. HARDWAREX 2021; 10:e00214. [PMID: 35607656 PMCID: PMC9123421 DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2021.e00214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Water sampling is an essential undertaking for water utilities and agencies to protect and enhance our natural resources. The high variability in water quality, however, often necessitates a spatially distributed sampling program which is impeded by high-cost and large sampling devices. This paper presents the BoSL FAL Pump - a low-cost, easily constructed, 3D-printed peristaltic pump which can be made from commonly available components and is sized to suit even the most space constrained installations. The pump is 38 mm in height and 28 mm in diameter, its components cost $19 AUD and the construction time is just 12 min (excluding 3D printing times). The pump is driven by a direct current motor which is commonly available, cheap and allows for flexibility in the energy supply (5-12 V). Optionally, the pump has a Hall effect sensor and magnet to detect rotation rates and pumping volumes to improve the accuracy of pumping rates/volumes. The pump can be easily controlled by commonly available microcontrollers, as demonstrated by this paper which implements the ATmega328P on the Arduino Uno R3. This paper validates the pump for long-term deployments at flow rates of up to 13 mL per minute in 0.14 mL volume increments at accuracy levels of greater than 99%. The pump itself is scalable, allowing for a wider range of pumping rates when, for example, large volume samples are required for pathogen and micropollutant detection.
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28
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Olesen SW, Imakaev M, Duvallet C. Making waves: Defining the lead time of wastewater-based epidemiology for COVID-19. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 202:117433. [PMID: 34304074 PMCID: PMC8282235 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, may shed the virus in stool before developing symptoms, suggesting that measurements of SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in wastewater could be a "leading indicator" of COVID-19 prevalence. Multiple studies have corroborated the leading indicator concept by showing that the correlation between wastewater measurements and COVID-19 case counts is maximized when case counts are lagged. However, the meaning of "leading indicator" will depend on the specific application of wastewater-based epidemiology, and the correlation analysis is not relevant for all applications. In fact, the quantification of a leading indicator will depend on epidemiological, biological, and health systems factors. Thus, there is no single "lead time" for wastewater-based COVID-19 monitoring. To illustrate this complexity, we enumerate three different applications of wastewater-based epidemiology for COVID-19: a qualitative "early warning" system; an independent, quantitative estimate of disease prevalence; and a quantitative alert of bursts of disease incidence. The leading indicator concept has different definitions and utility in each application.
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29
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Schang C, Crosbie ND, Nolan M, Poon R, Wang M, Jex A, John N, Baker L, Scales P, Schmidt J, Thorley BR, Hill K, Zamyadi A, Tseng CW, Henry R, Kolotelo P, Langeveld J, Schilperoort R, Shi B, Einsiedel S, Thomas M, Black J, Wilson S, McCarthy DT. Passive Sampling of SARS-CoV-2 for Wastewater Surveillance. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:10432-10441. [PMID: 34264643 PMCID: PMC8291133 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c01530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The shedding of pathogens by infected humans enables the use of sewage monitoring to conduct wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE). Although most WBE studies use data from large sewage treatment plants, timely data from smaller catchments are needed for targeted public health action. Traditional sampling methods, like autosamplers or grab sampling, are not conducive to quick ad hoc deployments and high-resolution monitoring at these smaller scales. This study develops and validates a cheap and easily deployable passive sampler unit, made from readily available consumables, with relevance to the COVID-19 pandemic but with broader use for WBE. We provide the first evidence that passive samplers can be used to detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater from populations with low prevalence of active COVID-19 infections (0.034 to 0.34 per 10,000), demonstrating their ability for early detection of infections at three different scales (lot, suburb, and city). A side by side evaluation of passive samplers (n = 245) and traditionally collected wastewater samples (n = 183) verified that the passive samplers were sensitive at detecting SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. On all 33 days where we directly compared traditional and passive sampling techniques, at least one passive sampler was positive when the average SARS-CoV-2 concentration in the wastewater equaled or exceeded the quantification limit of 1.8 gene copies per mL (n = 7). Moreover, on 13 occasions where wastewater SARS-CoV-2 concentrations were less than 1.8 gene copies per mL, one or more passive samplers were positive. Finally, there was a statistically significant (p < 0.001) positive relationship between the concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater and the levels found on the passive samplers, indicating that with further evaluation, these devices could yield semi-quantitative results in the future. Passive samplers have the potential for wide use in WBE with attractive feasibility attributes of cost, ease of deployment at small-scale locations, and continuous sampling of the wastewater. Further research will focus on the optimization of laboratory methods including elution and extraction and continued parallel deployment and evaluations in a variety of settings to inform optimal use in wastewater surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christelle Schang
- Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Lab (EPHM
Lab), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University,
Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Nicolas D. Crosbie
- Melbourne Water Corp., 990
La Trobe St., Docklands, Victoria 3001, Australia
| | - Monica Nolan
- Department of Health, Victoria Department
of Health and Human Services, 50 Lonsdale St., Melbourne, Victoria 3000,
Australia
| | - Rachael Poon
- Department of Health, Victoria Department
of Health and Human Services, 50 Lonsdale St., Melbourne, Victoria 3000,
Australia
| | - Miao Wang
- Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Lab (EPHM
Lab), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University,
Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Aaron Jex
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of
Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052,
Australia
- The University of
Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Nijoy John
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of
Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052,
Australia
- The University of
Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Louise Baker
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of
Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052,
Australia
- The University of
Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Peter Scales
- The University of
Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | | | - Bruce R. Thorley
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory,
Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and
Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Kelly Hill
- Water Research Australia,
Adelaide Office, Level 2, 250 Victoria Square, Adelaide 5000, South
Australia
| | - Arash Zamyadi
- Water Research Australia,
Melbourne Office, 990 La Trobe St., Docklands, Victoria 3001,
Australia
| | - Chi-Wen Tseng
- Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Lab (EPHM
Lab), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University,
Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Rebekah Henry
- Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Lab (EPHM
Lab), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University,
Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Peter Kolotelo
- Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Lab (EPHM
Lab), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University,
Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Jeroen Langeveld
- Department of Water Management, TU
Delft, Delft, CN 2628, The Netherlands
- Partners4UrbanWater, Nijmegen
6532 ZV, The Netherlands
| | | | - Baiqian Shi
- Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Lab (EPHM
Lab), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University,
Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Steve Einsiedel
- ALS Hydrographics, 22
Dalmore Drive, Scoresby, Victoria 3179, Australia
| | - Michael Thomas
- Barwon Water, 55-67 Ryrie
St., Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia
| | - James Black
- Department of Health, Victoria Department
of Health and Human Services, 50 Lonsdale St., Melbourne, Victoria 3000,
Australia
| | - Simon Wilson
- Melbourne Water Corp., 990
La Trobe St., Docklands, Victoria 3001, Australia
| | - David T. McCarthy
- Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Lab (EPHM
Lab), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University,
Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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30
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Lundy L, Fatta-Kassinos D, Slobodnik J, Karaolia P, Cirka L, Kreuzinger N, Castiglioni S, Bijlsma L, Dulio V, Deviller G, Lai FY, Alygizakis N, Barneo M, Baz-Lomba JA, Béen F, Cíchová M, Conde-Pérez K, Covaci A, Donner E, Ficek A, Hassard F, Hedström A, Hernandez F, Janská V, Jellison K, Hofman J, Hill K, Hong PY, Kasprzyk-Hordern B, Kolarević S, Krahulec J, Lambropoulou D, de Llanos R, Mackuľak T, Martinez-García L, Martínez F, Medema G, Micsinai A, Myrmel M, Nasser M, Niederstätter H, Nozal L, Oberacher H, Očenášková V, Ogorzaly L, Papadopoulos D, Peinado B, Pitkänen T, Poza M, Rumbo-Feal S, Sánchez MB, Székely AJ, Soltysova A, Thomaidis NS, Vallejo J, van Nuijs A, Ware V, Viklander M. Making Waves: Collaboration in the time of SARS-CoV-2 - rapid development of an international co-operation and wastewater surveillance database to support public health decision-making. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 199:117167. [PMID: 34015748 PMCID: PMC8060897 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater was first reported in March 2020. Over the subsequent months, the potential for wastewater surveillance to contribute to COVID-19 mitigation programmes has been the focus of intense national and international research activities, gaining the attention of policy makers and the public. As a new application of an established methodology, focused collaboration between public health practitioners and wastewater researchers is essential to developing a common understanding on how, when and where the outputs of this non-invasive community-level approach can deliver actionable outcomes for public health authorities. Within this context, the NORMAN SCORE "SARS-CoV-2 in sewage" database provides a platform for rapid, open access data sharing, validated by the uploading of 276 data sets from nine countries to-date. Through offering direct access to underpinning meta-data sets (and describing its use in data interpretation), the NORMAN SCORE database is a resource for the development of recommendations on minimum data requirements for wastewater pathogen surveillance. It is also a tool to engage public health practitioners in discussions on use of the approach, providing an opportunity to build mutual understanding of the demand and supply for data and facilitate the translation of this promising research application into public health practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian Lundy
- DRIZZLE Centre of Excellence, Luleå University of Technology, VA-Teknik, 971 87, Luleå, Sweden.
| | - Despo Fatta-Kassinos
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Nireas-International Water Research Centre, School of Engineering, University of Cyprus, PO Box 20537, 1678, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - Popi Karaolia
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Nireas-International Water Research Centre, School of Engineering, University of Cyprus, PO Box 20537, 1678, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Lubos Cirka
- Environmental Institute, Okruzna 784/42, 97241, Kos, Slovakia; Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Radlinskeho 9, 81237, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Norbert Kreuzinger
- Technische Universität Wien, Institute for Water Quality and Resources Management, Karlsplatz 13/226-1, 1040, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sara Castiglioni
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Department of Environmental Sciences, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Lubertus Bijlsma
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Castellón, Spain
| | - Valeria Dulio
- National Institute for Environment and Industrial Risks, Rue Jacques Taffanel, Parc Technologique ALATA, Verneuil-en-Halatte, 60550, France
| | | | - Foon Yin Lai
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), SE-75007, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nikiforos Alygizakis
- Environmental Institute, Okruzna 784/42, 97241, Kos, Slovakia; Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - Manuela Barneo
- Unidad Predepartamental de Medicina (Facultad de Salud), Universitat Jaume I, 12071, Castellón, Spain
| | | | - Frederic Béen
- KWR Water Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, 3430, BB Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - Marianna Cíchová
- Water Research Institute, Nábrežie arm. gen. L. Svobodu 5, 812 49, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Kelly Conde-Pérez
- Microbiology Service, University Hospital-Biomedical Research Institute-University of A Coruña, Spain
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Erica Donner
- Future Industries Institute (FII), University of South Australia, Building X, University Boulevard, Mawson Lakes, 5095, South Australia, Australia
| | - Andrej Ficek
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Francis Hassard
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Annelie Hedström
- DRIZZLE Centre of Excellence, Luleå University of Technology, VA-Teknik, 971 87, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Félix Hernandez
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Castellón, Spain
| | - Veronika Janská
- Water Research Institute, Nábrežie arm. gen. L. Svobodu 5, 812 49, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Kristen Jellison
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Lehigh University, 1 West Packer Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
| | - Jan Hofman
- University of Bath, Department of Chemical Engineering, Water Innovation and Research Centre, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Kelly Hill
- Water Research Australia Limited | Level 2, 250 Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga Adelaide SA 5000 | GPO Box 1751, Adelaide SA 5001, Australia
| | - Pei-Ying Hong
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Stoimir Kolarević
- University of Belgrade, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", National Institute of Republic of Serbia, Department for Hydroecology and Water Protection, Bulevar despota Stefana 142, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jan Krahulec
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Dimitra Lambropoulou
- Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece; Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), Balkan Center, Thessaloniki, GR-57001
| | - Rosa de Llanos
- Unidad Predepartamental de Medicina (Facultad de Salud), Universitat Jaume I, 12071, Castellón, Spain
| | - Tomáš Mackuľak
- Institute of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Radlinského 9, 812 37, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lorena Martinez-García
- IMDEA Water Institute, Science and Technology Campus of the University of Alcalá, Avenida Punto Com 2, 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Francisco Martínez
- IMDEA Water Institute, Science and Technology Campus of the University of Alcalá, Avenida Punto Com 2, 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Gertjan Medema
- KWR Water Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, 3430, BB Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | | | - Mette Myrmel
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Virology Unit, P.O. Box 8146 Dep., N-0033, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mohammed Nasser
- Microbiology Service, University Hospital-Biomedical Research Institute-University of A Coruña, Spain
| | - Harald Niederstätter
- Institute of Legal Medicine and Core Facility Metabolomics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Muellerstrasse 44, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Leonor Nozal
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Virology Unit, P.O. Box 8146 Dep., N-0033, Oslo, Norway
| | - Herbert Oberacher
- Institute of Legal Medicine and Core Facility Metabolomics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Muellerstrasse 44, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Věra Očenášková
- T. G. Masaryk Water Research Institute, p.r.i., Branch of Analysis and Assessment of Environmental Components, Podbabská 2582/30, 160 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Leslie Ogorzaly
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Environmental Research & Innovation department, 41 rue du Brill L-4422, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Dimitrios Papadopoulos
- Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Beatriz Peinado
- IMDEA Water Institute, Science and Technology Campus of the University of Alcalá, Avenida Punto Com 2, 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Tarja Pitkänen
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Expert Microbiology Unit, Neulaniementie 4, FI-70701, Kuopio, Finland; University of Helsinki, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Dept. Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Agnes Sjöbergin katu 2, FI-00014, Helsingin yliopisto, Finland
| | - Margarita Poza
- Microbiology Service, University Hospital-Biomedical Research Institute-University of A Coruña, Spain
| | - Soraya Rumbo-Feal
- Microbiology Service, University Hospital-Biomedical Research Institute-University of A Coruña, Spain
| | - Maria Blanca Sánchez
- IMDEA Water Institute, Science and Technology Campus of the University of Alcalá, Avenida Punto Com 2, 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Anna J Székely
- Evolutionary Biology Centre, Limnology, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18 D, SE-752 36, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Andrea Soltysova
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia; Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 84505, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Nikolaos S Thomaidis
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - Juan Vallejo
- Microbiology Service, University Hospital-Biomedical Research Institute-University of A Coruña, Spain
| | - Alexander van Nuijs
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Vassie Ware
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Lehigh University, 1 West Packer Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
| | - Maria Viklander
- DRIZZLE Centre of Excellence, Luleå University of Technology, VA-Teknik, 971 87, Luleå, Sweden
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31
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Harris-Lovett S, Nelson KL, Beamer P, Bischel HN, Bivins A, Bruder A, Butler C, Camenisch TD, De Long SK, Karthikeyan S, Larsen DA, Meierdiercks K, Mouser PJ, Pagsuyoin S, Prasek SM, Radniecki TS, Ram JL, Roper DK, Safford H, Sherchan SP, Shuster W, Stalder T, Wheeler RT, Korfmacher KS. Wastewater Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 on College Campuses: Initial Efforts, Lessons Learned, and Research Needs. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:4455. [PMID: 33922263 PMCID: PMC8122720 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater surveillance for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging approach to help identify the risk of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. This tool can contribute to public health surveillance at both community (wastewater treatment system) and institutional (e.g., colleges, prisons, and nursing homes) scales. This paper explores the successes, challenges, and lessons learned from initial wastewater surveillance efforts at colleges and university systems to inform future research, development and implementation. We present the experiences of 25 college and university systems in the United States that monitored campus wastewater for SARS-CoV-2 during the fall 2020 academic period. We describe the broad range of approaches, findings, resources, and impacts from these initial efforts. These institutions range in size, social and political geographies, and include both public and private institutions. Our analysis suggests that wastewater monitoring at colleges requires consideration of local information needs, sewage infrastructure, resources for sampling and analysis, college and community dynamics, approaches to interpretation and communication of results, and follow-up actions. Most colleges reported that a learning process of experimentation, evaluation, and adaptation was key to progress. This process requires ongoing collaboration among diverse stakeholders including decision-makers, researchers, faculty, facilities staff, students, and community members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasha Harris-Lovett
- Berkeley Water Center, University of California Berkeley, 410 O’Brien Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Kara L. Nelson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Berkeley, MS 1710, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA;
| | - Paloma Beamer
- Department of Community, Environment & Policy, Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 1295 N Martin Ave., Tucson, AZ 85724, USA;
| | - Heather N. Bischel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Davis, 3109 Ghausi Hall, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, USA;
| | - Aaron Bivins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA;
| | - Andrea Bruder
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Colorado College, 14 E Cache la Poudre St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903, USA;
| | - Caitlyn Butler
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 130 Natural Resources Rd., Amherst, MA 01003, USA;
| | - Todd D. Camenisch
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. John Fisher College, 3690 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14618, USA;
| | - Susan K. De Long
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 1301 Campus Delivery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA;
| | - Smruthi Karthikeyan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, Biomedical Res. Facility 2, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA;
| | - David A. Larsen
- Department of Public Health, Syracuse University, 430C Barclay, Syracuse, New York, NY 13244, USA;
| | - Katherine Meierdiercks
- Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Siena College, 515 Loudon Rd., Loudonville, NY 12211, USA;
| | - Paula J. Mouser
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Hampshire Durham, 35 Colovos Rd., 236 Gregg Hall, Durham, NH 03824, USA;
| | - Sheree Pagsuyoin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854, USA;
| | - Sarah M. Prasek
- Water and Energy Sustainable Technology Center, University of Arizona, 2959 W Calle Agua Nueva, Tucson, AZ 85745, USA;
| | - Tyler S. Radniecki
- School of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, 116 Johnson Hall, 105 SW 26th St., Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;
| | - Jeffrey L. Ram
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, 540 E. Canfield St., Detroit, MI 48201, USA;
| | - D. Keith Roper
- Department of Biological Engineering, Utah State University, 4105 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA;
| | - Hannah Safford
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Davis, 2001 Ghausi Hall, 480 Bainer Hall Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
| | - Samendra P. Sherchan
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Tulane University, 1440 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - William Shuster
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Wayne State University, 5050 Anthony Wayne Drive, Detroit, MI 48202, USA;
| | - Thibault Stalder
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Dr. MS3051, Moscow, ID 83844, USA;
| | - Robert T. Wheeler
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, 5735 Hitchner Hall, Orono, ME 04473, USA;
| | - Katrina Smith Korfmacher
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Ave., Box EHSC, Rochester, NY 14642, USA;
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Adeel M, Farooq T, Shakoor N, Ahmar S, Fiaz S, White JC, Gardea-Torresdey JL, Mora-Poblete F, Rui Y. COVID-19 and Nanoscience in the Developing World: Rapid Detection and Remediation in Wastewater. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:991. [PMID: 33921482 PMCID: PMC8069490 DOI: 10.3390/nano11040991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Given the known presence of SARS-Cov-2 in wastewater, stemming disease spread in global regions where untreated effluent in the environment is common will experience additional pressure. Though development and preliminary trials of a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 have been launched in several countries, rapid and effective alternative tools for the timely detection and remediation of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, especially in the developing countries, is of paramount importance. Here, we propose a promising, non-invasive technique for early prediction and targeted detection of SARS-CoV-2 to prevent current and future outbreaks. Thus, a combination of nanotechnology with wastewater-based epidemiology and artificial intelligence could be deployed for community-level wastewater virus detection and remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Adeel
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (M.A.); (N.S.); (Y.R.)
| | - Tahir Farooq
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of High Technology for Plant Protection, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China;
| | - Noman Shakoor
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (M.A.); (N.S.); (Y.R.)
| | - Sunny Ahmar
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Campus Talca, Universidad de Talca, Talca 3465548, Chile;
| | - Sajid Fiaz
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22600, Pakistan;
| | - Jason C. White
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06504, USA;
| | - Jorge L. Gardea-Torresdey
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA;
| | - Freddy Mora-Poblete
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Campus Talca, Universidad de Talca, Talca 3465548, Chile;
| | - Yukui Rui
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (M.A.); (N.S.); (Y.R.)
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33
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Harris-Lovett S, Nelson K, Beamer P, Bischel HN, Bivins A, Bruder A, Butler C, Camenisch TD, De Long SK, Karthikeyan S, Larsen DA, Meierdiercks K, Mouser P, Pagsuyoin S, Prasek S, Radniecki TS, Ram JL, Roper DK, Safford H, Sherchan SP, Shuster W, Stalder T, Wheeler RT, Korfmacher KS. Wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 on college campuses: Initial efforts, lessons learned and research needs. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2021:2021.02.01.21250952. [PMID: 33564791 PMCID: PMC7872386 DOI: 10.1101/2021.02.01.21250952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 is an emerging approach to help identify the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak. This tool can contribute to public health surveillance at both community (wastewater treatment system) and institutional (e.g., colleges, prisons, nursing homes) scales. Objectives This research aims to understand the successes, challenges, and lessons learned from initial wastewater surveillance efforts at colleges and university systems to inform future research, development and implementation. Methods This paper presents the experiences of 25 college and university systems in the United States that monitored campus wastewater for SARS-CoV-2 during the fall 2020 academic period. We describe the broad range of approaches, findings, resource needs, and lessons learned from these initial efforts. These institutions range in size, social and political geographies, and include both public and private institutions. Discussion Our analysis suggests that wastewater monitoring at colleges requires consideration of information needs, local sewage infrastructure, resources for sampling and analysis, college and community dynamics, approaches to interpretation and communication of results, and follow-up actions. Most colleges reported that a learning process of experimentation, evaluation, and adaptation was key to progress. This process requires ongoing collaboration among diverse stakeholders including decision-makers, researchers, faculty, facilities staff, students, and community members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasha Harris-Lovett
- Berkeley Water Center, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Kara Nelson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Paloma Beamer
- Department of Community, Environment & Policy, Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Heather N Bischel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Aaron Bivins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Andrea Bruder
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
| | - Caitlyn Butler
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Todd D Camenisch
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. John Fisher College, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Susan K De Long
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Smruthi Karthikeyan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - David A Larsen
- Department of Public Health, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Katherine Meierdiercks
- Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Siena College, Loudonville, New York, USA
| | - Paula Mouser
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Hampshire Durham, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Sheree Pagsuyoin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sarah Prasek
- Water and Energy Sustainable Technology Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Tyler S Radniecki
- School of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Ram
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - D Keith Roper
- Department of Biological Engineering, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
| | - Hannah Safford
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Samendra P Sherchan
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - William Shuster
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Thibault Stalder
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
| | - Robert T Wheeler
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA
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McClary-Gutierrez JS, Aanderud ZT, Al-Faliti M, Duvallet C, Gonzalez R, Guzman J, Holm RH, Jahne MA, Kantor RS, Katsivelis P, Kuhn KG, Langan LM, Mansfeldt C, McLellan SL, Grijalva LMM, Murnane KS, Naughton CC, Packman AI, Paraskevopoulos S, Radniecki TS, Roman FA, Shrestha A, Stadler LB, Steele JA, Swalla BM, Vikesland P, Wartell B, Wilusz CJ, Wong JCC, Boehm AB, Halden RU, Bibby K, Vela JD. Standardizing data reporting in the research community to enhance the utility of open data for SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE : WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 9:10.1039/d1ew00235j. [PMID: 34567579 PMCID: PMC8459677 DOI: 10.1039/d1ew00235j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in wastewater is being rapidly developed and adopted as a public health monitoring tool worldwide. With wastewater surveillance programs being implemented across many different scales and by many different stakeholders, it is critical that data collected and shared are accompanied by an appropriate minimal amount of metainformation to enable meaningful interpretation and use of this new information source and intercomparison across datasets. While some databases are being developed for specific surveillance programs locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally, common globally-adopted data standards have not yet been established within the research community. Establishing such standards will require national and international consensus on what metainformation should accompany SARS-CoV-2 wastewater measurements. To establish a recommendation on minimum information to accompany reporting of SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in wastewater for the research community, the United States National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Coordination Network on Wastewater Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 hosted a workshop in February 2021 with participants from academia, government agencies, private companies, wastewater utilities, public health laboratories, and research institutes. This report presents the primary two outcomes of the workshop: (i) a recommendation on the set of minimum meta-information that is needed to confidently interpret wastewater SARS-CoV-2 data, and (ii) insights from workshop discussions on how to improve standardization of data reporting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill S McClary-Gutierrez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Zachary T Aanderud
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | - Mitham Al-Faliti
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Raul Gonzalez
- Hampton Roads Sanitation District, Virginia Beach, VA, USA
| | - Joe Guzman
- Orange County Public Health Laboratory, Newport Beach, CA, USA
| | - Rochelle H Holm
- Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, 302 E. Muhammad Ali Blvd., Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | | | - Rose S Kantor
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Katrin Gaardbo Kuhn
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Laura M Langan
- Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - Cresten Mansfeldt
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Sandra L McLellan
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | | | - Kevin S Murnane
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology & Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health - Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Louisiana State University Health - Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, Louisiana State University Health - Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Colleen C Naughton
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Aaron I Packman
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern Center for Water Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | | | - Tyler S Radniecki
- School of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Fernando A Roman
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Abhilasha Shrestha
- Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lauren B Stadler
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Joshua A Steele
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA, USA
| | | | - Peter Vikesland
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Brian Wartell
- Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Carol J Wilusz
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | | | - Alexandria B Boehm
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Rolf U Halden
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
- OneWaterOneHealth, Arizona State University Foundation, Tempe, AZ, USA
- AquaVitas, LLC, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
| | - Kyle Bibby
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Jeseth Delgado Vela
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA
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