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Hadi M, Kheiri R, Baghban M, Sayahi A, Nasseri S, Alimohammadi M, Khastoo H, Aminabad MS, Vaghefi KA, Vakili B, Tashauoei H, Borji SH, Iravani E. The occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in Tehran's municipal wastewater: performance of treatment systems and feasibility of wastewater-based epidemiology. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE & ENGINEERING 2024; 22:281-293. [PMID: 38887767 PMCID: PMC11180145 DOI: 10.1007/s40201-024-00897-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Analyzing municipal wastewater for the presence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) helps to evaluate the efficacy of treatment systems in mitigating virus-related health risks. This research investigates wastewater treatment plants' (WWTPs) performance in the reduction of SARS-CoV-2 from municipal wastewater in Tehran, Iran. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was measured within sewers, at the inlets, and after the primary and secondary treatment stages of three main WWTPs. Within sewers, the average virus titer stood at 58,600 gc/L, while at WWTP inlets, it measured 38,136 gc/L. A substantial 67% reduction in virus titer was observed at the inlets, accompanied by a 2-log reduction post-primary treatment. Remarkably, the biological treatment process resulted in complete virus elimination across all plants. Additionally, a notable positive correlation (r > 0.8) was observed between temperature and virus titer in wastewater. Using wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) technique and the estimated SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding rates, the infection prevalence among populations served by WWTPs found to be between 0.128% to 0.577%. In conclusion, this research not only advances our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 dynamics within wastewater treatment systems but also provides practical insights for enhancing treatment efficiency and implementing the feasibility of WBE strategies in Tehran. These implications contribute to the broader efforts to protect public health and mitigate the impact of future viral outbreaks. Graphical abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Hadi
- Center for Water Quality Research (CWQR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roohollah Kheiri
- Water Quality Control Office, Alborz Province Water and Wastewater Company, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mahtab Baghban
- Reference Laboratory of Water and Wastewater, Tehran Province Water and Wastewater Company, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Sayahi
- Office of R&D and Industrial Relations of Water and Wastewater Engineering Company, Tehran, Iran
| | - Simin Nasseri
- Center for Water Quality Research (CWQR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmood Alimohammadi
- Center for Water Quality Research (CWQR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Khastoo
- Office of R&D and Industrial Relations of Water and Wastewater Engineering Company, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehri Solaimany Aminabad
- Center for Water Quality Research (CWQR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kooshiar Azam Vaghefi
- Manager of Water Quality Control Bureau, National Water and Wastewater Engineering Company, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behnam Vakili
- Office of Improvement on Wastewater Operation Procedures, National Water and Wastewater Engineering Company, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Tashauoei
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Hemmati Borji
- Center for Water Quality Research (CWQR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elnaz Iravani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Lee CS, Wang M, Nanjappa D, Lu YT, Meliker J, Clouston S, Gobler CJ, Venkatesan AK. Monitoring of over-the-counter (OTC) and COVID-19 treatment drugs complement wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024; 34:448-456. [PMID: 38052940 PMCID: PMC11222153 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00613-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The application of wastewater-based epidemiology to track the outbreak and prevalence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in communities has been tested and validated by several researchers across the globe. However, the RNA-based surveillance has its inherent limitations and uncertainties. OBJECTIVE This study aims to complement the ongoing wastewater surveillance efforts by analyzing other chemical biomarkers in wastewater to help assess community response (hospitalization and treatment) during the pandemic (2020-2021). METHODS Wastewater samples (n = 183) were collected from the largest wastewater treatment facility in Suffolk County, NY, USA and analyzed for COVID-19 treatment drugs (remdesivir, chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)) and their human metabolites. We additionally monitored 26 pharmaceuticals including common over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Lastly, we developed a Bayesian model that uses viral RNA, COVID-19 treatment drugs, and pharmaceuticals data to predict the confirmed COVID-19 cases within the catchment area. RESULTS The viral RNA levels in wastewater tracked the actual COVID-19 case numbers well as expected. COVID-19 treatment drugs were detected with varying frequency (9-100%) partly due to their instability in wastewater. We observed a significant correlation (R = 0.30, p < 0.01) between the SARS-CoV-2 genes and desethylhydroxychloroquine (DHCQ, metabolite of HCQ). Remdesivir levels peaked immediately after the Emergency Use Authorization approved by the FDA. Although, 13 out of 26 pharmaceuticals assessed were consistently detected (DF = 100%, n = 111), only acetaminophen was significantly correlated with viral loads, especially when the Omicron variant was dominant. The Bayesian models were capable of reproducing the temporal trend of the confirmed cases. IMPACT In this study, for the first time, we measured COVID-19 treatment and pharmaceutical drugs and their metabolites in wastewater to complement ongoing COVID-19 viral RNA surveillance efforts. Our results highlighted that, although the COVID-19 treatment drugs were not very stable in wastewater, their detection matched with usage trends in the community. Acetaminophen, an OTC drug, was significantly correlated with viral loads and confirmed cases, especially when the Omicron variant was dominant. A Bayesian model was developed which could predict COVID-19 cases more accurately when incorporating other drugs data along with viral RNA levels in wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Shiuan Lee
- New York State Center for Clean Water Technology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
- Research Center for Environmental Changes, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Mian Wang
- New York State Center for Clean Water Technology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Deepak Nanjappa
- New York State Center for Clean Water Technology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Yi-Ta Lu
- Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jaymie Meliker
- Program in Public Health, Department of Family, Population & Preventive Medicine, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Sean Clouston
- Program in Public Health, Department of Family, Population & Preventive Medicine, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Christopher J Gobler
- New York State Center for Clean Water Technology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Arjun K Venkatesan
- New York State Center for Clean Water Technology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA.
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA.
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Carine MR, Pagilla KR. A mass balance approach for quantifying the role of natural decay and fate mechanisms on SARS-CoV-2 genetic marker removal during water reclamation. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2024; 96:e11015. [PMID: 38599573 DOI: 10.1002/wer.11015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
The recent SARS-CoV-2 outbreak yielded substantial data regarding virus fate and prevalence at water reclamation facilities (WRFs), identifying influential factors as natural decay, adsorption, light, pH, salinity, and antagonistic microorganisms. However, no studies have quantified the impact of these factors in full scale WRFs. Utilizing a mass balance approach, we assessed the impact of natural decay and other fate mechanisms on genetic marker removal during water reclamation, through the use of sludge and wastewater genetic marker loading estimates. Results indicated negligible removal of genetic markers during P/PT (primary effluent (PE) p value: 0.267; preliminary and primary treatment (P/PT) accumulation p value: 0.904; and thickened primary sludge (TPS) p value: 0.076) indicating no contribution of natural decay and other fate mechanisms toward removal in P/PT. Comparably, adsorption and decomposition was found to be the dominant pathway for genetic marker removal (thickened waste activated sludge (TWAS) log loading 9.75 log10 GC/day); however, no estimation of log genetic marker accumulation could be carried out due to high detections in TWAS. PRACTITIONER POINTS: The mass balance approach suggested that the contribution of natural decay and other fate mechanisms to virus removal during wastewater treatment are negligible compared with adsorption and decomposition in P/PT (p value: 0.904). During (P/PT), a higher viral load remained in the (PE) (14.16 log10 GC/day) compared with TPS (13.83 log10 GC/day); however, no statistical difference was observed (p value: 0.280) indicting that adsorption/decomposition most probably did not occur. In secondary treatment (ST), viral genetic markers in TWAS were consistently detected (13.41 log10 GC/day) compared with secondary effluent (SE), indicating that longer HRT and the potential presence of extracellular polymeric substance-containing enriched biomass enabled adsorption/decomposition. Estimations of total solids and volatile solids for TPS and TWAS indicated that adsorption affinity was different between solids sampling locations (p value: <0.0001).
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline R Carine
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Krishna R Pagilla
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA
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Parkins MD, Lee BE, Acosta N, Bautista M, Hubert CRJ, Hrudey SE, Frankowski K, Pang XL. Wastewater-based surveillance as a tool for public health action: SARS-CoV-2 and beyond. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0010322. [PMID: 38095438 PMCID: PMC10938902 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00103-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) has undergone dramatic advancement in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The power and potential of this platform technology were rapidly realized when it became evident that not only did WBS-measured SARS-CoV-2 RNA correlate strongly with COVID-19 clinical disease within monitored populations but also, in fact, it functioned as a leading indicator. Teams from across the globe rapidly innovated novel approaches by which wastewater could be collected from diverse sewersheds ranging from wastewater treatment plants (enabling community-level surveillance) to more granular locations including individual neighborhoods and high-risk buildings such as long-term care facilities (LTCF). Efficient processes enabled SARS-CoV-2 RNA extraction and concentration from the highly dilute wastewater matrix. Molecular and genomic tools to identify, quantify, and characterize SARS-CoV-2 and its various variants were adapted from clinical programs and applied to these mixed environmental systems. Novel data-sharing tools allowed this information to be mobilized and made immediately available to public health and government decision-makers and even the public, enabling evidence-informed decision-making based on local disease dynamics. WBS has since been recognized as a tool of transformative potential, providing near-real-time cost-effective, objective, comprehensive, and inclusive data on the changing prevalence of measured analytes across space and time in populations. However, as a consequence of rapid innovation from hundreds of teams simultaneously, tremendous heterogeneity currently exists in the SARS-CoV-2 WBS literature. This manuscript provides a state-of-the-art review of WBS as established with SARS-CoV-2 and details the current work underway expanding its scope to other infectious disease targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D. Parkins
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- O’Brien Institute of Public Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Bonita E. Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nicole Acosta
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Maria Bautista
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Casey R. J. Hubert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Steve E. Hrudey
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kevin Frankowski
- Advancing Canadian Water Assets, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Xiao-Li Pang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Provincial Health Laboratory, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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El Soufi G, Di Jorio L, Gerber Z, Cluzel N, Van Assche J, Delafoy D, Olaso R, Daviaud C, Loustau T, Schwartz C, Trebouet D, Hernalsteens O, Marechal V, Raffestin S, Rousset D, Van Lint C, Deleuze JF, Boni M, Rohr O, Villain-Gambier M, Wallet C. Highly efficient and sensitive membrane-based concentration process allows quantification, surveillance, and sequencing of viruses in large volumes of wastewater. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 249:120959. [PMID: 38070350 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120959] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology is experiencing exponential development. Despite undeniable advantages compared to patient-centered approaches (cost, anonymity, survey of large populations without bias, detection of asymptomatic infected peoples…), major technical limitations persist. Among them is the low sensitivity of the current methods used for quantifying and sequencing viral genomes from wastewater. In situations of low viral circulation, during initial stages of viral emergences, or in areas experiencing heavy rains, the extremely low concentrations of viruses in wastewater may fall below the limit of detection of the current methods. The availability during crisis and the cost of the commercial kits, as well as the requirement of expensive materials such as high-speed centrifuge, can also present major blocks to the development of wastewater-based epidemiological survey, specifically in low-income countries. Thereby, highly sensitive, low cost and standardized methods are still needed, to increase the predictability of the viral emergences, to survey low-circulating viruses and to make the results from different labs comparable. Here, we outline and characterize new protocols for concentrating and quantifying SARS-CoV-2 from large volumes (500 mL-1 L) of untreated wastewater. In addition, we report that the methods are applicable for monitoring and sequencing. Our nucleic acid extraction technique (the routine C: 5 mL method) does not require sophisticated equipment such as automatons and is not reliant on commercial kits, making it readily available to a broader range of laboratories for routine epidemiological survey. Furthermore, we demonstrate the efficiency, the repeatability, and the high sensitivity of a new membrane-based concentration method (MBC: 500 mL method) for enveloped (SARS-CoV-2) and non-enveloped (F-specific RNA phages of genogroup II / FRNAPH GGII) viruses. We show that the MBC method allows the quantification and the monitoring of viruses in wastewater with a significantly improved sensitivity compared to the routine C method. In contexts of low viral circulation, we report quantifications of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater at concentrations as low as 40 genome copies per liter. In highly diluted samples collected in wastewater treatment plants of French Guiana, we confirmed the accuracy of the MBC method compared to the estimations done with the routine C method. Finally, we demonstrate that both the routine C method processing 5 mL and the MBC method processing 500 mL of untreated wastewater are both compatible with SARS-CoV-2 sequencing. We show that the quality of the sequence is correlated with the concentration of the extracted viral genome. Of note, the quality of the sequences obtained with some MBC processed wastewater was improved by dilutions or enzyme substitutions suggesting the presence of specific enzyme inhibitors in some wastewater. To the best of our knowledge, our MBC method is one of the first efficient, sensitive, and repeatable method characterized for SARS-CoV-2 quantification and sequencing from large volumes of wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- G El Soufi
- DHPI UR 7292, IUT Louis Pasteur, Université de Strasbourg, Schiltigheim, France; CNRS, IPHC, UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg F-67000, France
| | - L Di Jorio
- DHPI UR 7292, IUT Louis Pasteur, Université de Strasbourg, Schiltigheim, France
| | - Z Gerber
- CEA, Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry 91057, France
| | - N Cluzel
- Maison des Modélisations Ingénieries et Technologies (SUMMIT), Sorbonne Université, Paris 75005, France
| | - J Van Assche
- DHPI UR 7292, IUT Louis Pasteur, Université de Strasbourg, Schiltigheim, France
| | - D Delafoy
- CEA, Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry 91057, France
| | - R Olaso
- CEA, Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry 91057, France
| | - C Daviaud
- CEA, Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry 91057, France
| | - T Loustau
- DHPI UR 7292, IUT Louis Pasteur, Université de Strasbourg, Schiltigheim, France
| | - C Schwartz
- DHPI UR 7292, IUT Louis Pasteur, Université de Strasbourg, Schiltigheim, France
| | - D Trebouet
- CNRS, IPHC, UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg F-67000, France
| | - O Hernalsteens
- Department of Molecular Biology (DBM), Service of Molecular Virology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Gosselies 6041, Belgium
| | - V Marechal
- INSERM, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Sorbonne Université, Paris 75012, France; OBEPINE Consortium, Paris, France
| | - S Raffestin
- Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, French Guiana, Cayenne 97300, France; OBEPINE Consortium, Paris, France
| | - D Rousset
- Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, French Guiana, Cayenne 97300, France; OBEPINE Consortium, Paris, France
| | - C Van Lint
- Department of Molecular Biology (DBM), Service of Molecular Virology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Gosselies 6041, Belgium
| | - J F Deleuze
- CEA, Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry 91057, France
| | - M Boni
- French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, 91220 Brétigny-sur-Orge, France; OBEPINE Consortium, Paris, France
| | - O Rohr
- DHPI UR 7292, IUT Louis Pasteur, Université de Strasbourg, Schiltigheim, France; OBEPINE Consortium, Paris, France.
| | - M Villain-Gambier
- CNRS, IPHC, UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg F-67000, France
| | - C Wallet
- DHPI UR 7292, IUT Louis Pasteur, Université de Strasbourg, Schiltigheim, France; OBEPINE Consortium, Paris, France
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Mohamed AM, Matar E, Isa HM, Moosa AK, Hasan WF, Mohamed AG, Al Sayyad AS, Sanad MY, Alhajeri M, Abu Alfatah N, Alaraibi QM. Presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in wastewater in the Kingdom of Bahrain during the COVID-19 pandemic. Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2023; 17:e13194. [PMID: 37964990 PMCID: PMC10642395 DOI: 10.1111/irv.13194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Several countries, including Bahrain, used wastewater surveillance for disease activity monitoring. This study aimed to determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in untreated wastewater and to correlate it with the disease spread. Methods A retrospective review was conducted for all wastewater samples tested for SARS-CoV-2 in public health laboratories from November 2020 to October 2022. Samples were collected weekly between February and October 2022 from different areas across Bahrain. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to test for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, and the results were correlated with the number of COVID-19 cases in the same area. Results Of 387 wastewater samples, 103 (26.6%) samples tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. In late 2020, of 42 samples collected initially, four (9.5%) samples tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the four locations that hosted COVID-19 isolation facilities. Between February and October 2022, 345 specimens of wastewater were tested, and 99 (28.7%) were positive. The highest detection rate was in February, June, and July (60%, 45%, and 43%, respectively), which corresponded to COVID-19 peaks during 2022, and the lowest detection rate was in August and September (11% and 0%, respectively), corresponding to the low number of COVID-19 cases. Conclusion The detection rate of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater samples from Bahrain was high and was significantly correlated with the number of reported COVID-19 cases. Wastewater surveillance can aid the existing surveillance system in monitoring SARS-CoV-2 spread.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hasan M. Isa
- Pediatric Department, Salmaniya Medical ComplexArabian Gulf UniversityManamaBahrain
| | | | | | | | - Adel Salman Al Sayyad
- Family Medicine, Epidemiology & Public Health, Disease Control Section, Ministry of Health. Family and Community Medicine, CMMSAGUManamaBahrain
| | - Maryam Y. Sanad
- Food and Water Microbiological Analysis, Public Health DirectorateMinistry of HealthManamaBahrain
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Ram JL, Shuster W, Gable L, Turner CL, Hartrick J, Vasquez AA, West NW, Bahmani A, David RE. Wastewater Monitoring for Infectious Disease: Intentional Relationships between Academia, the Private Sector, and Local Health Departments for Public Health Preparedness. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6651. [PMID: 37681792 PMCID: PMC10487196 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20176651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
The public health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic stimulated stakeholders from diverse disciplines and institutions to establish new collaborations to produce informed public health responses to the disease. Wastewater-based epidemiology for COVID-19 grew quickly during the pandemic and required the rapid implementation of such collaborations. The objective of this article is to describe the challenges and results of new relationships developed in Detroit, MI, USA among a medical school and an engineering college at an academic institution (Wayne State University), the local health department (Detroit Health Department), and an environmental services company (LimnoTech) to utilize markers of the COVID-19 virus, SARS-CoV-2, in wastewater for the goal of managing COVID-19 outbreaks. Our collaborative team resolved questions related to sewershed selection, communication of results, and public health responses and addressed technical challenges that included ground-truthing the sewer maps, overcoming supply chain issues, improving the speed and sensitivity of measurements, and training new personnel to deal with a new disease under pandemic conditions. Recognition of our complementary roles and clear communication among the partners enabled city-wide wastewater data to inform public health responses within a few months of the availability of funding in 2020, and to make improvements in sensitivity and understanding to be made as the pandemic progressed and evolved. As a result, the outbreaks of COVID-19 in Detroit in fall and winter 2021-2022 (corresponding to Delta and Omicron variant outbreaks) were tracked in 20 sewersheds. Data comparing community- and hospital-associated sewersheds indicate a one- to two-week advance warning in the community of subsequent peaks in viral markers in hospital sewersheds. The new institutional relationships impelled by the pandemic provide a good basis for continuing collaborations to utilize wastewater-based human and pathogen data for improving the public health in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey L. Ram
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.A.V.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - William Shuster
- College of Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA;
| | - Lance Gable
- Law School, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | | | | | - Adrian A. Vasquez
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.A.V.)
| | - Nicholas W. West
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.A.V.)
| | - Azadeh Bahmani
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.A.V.)
| | - Randy E. David
- Detroit Health Department, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
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Parida VK, Saidulu D, Bhatnagar A, Gupta AK, Afzal MS. A critical assessment of SARS-CoV-2 in aqueous environment: Existence, detection, survival, wastewater-based surveillance, inactivation methods, and effective management of COVID-19. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 327:138503. [PMID: 36965534 PMCID: PMC10035368 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
In early January 2020, the causal agent of unspecified pneumonia cases detected in China and elsewhere was identified as a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and was the major cause of the COVID-19 outbreak. Later, the World Health Organization (WHO) proclaimed the COVID-19 pandemic a worldwide public health emergency on January 30, 2020. Since then, many studies have been published on this topic. In the present study, bibliometric analysis has been performed to analyze the research hotspots of the coronavirus. Coronavirus transmission, detection methods, potential risks of infection, and effective management practices have been discussed in the present review. Identification and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 viral loads in various water matrices have been reviewed. It was observed that the viral shedding through urine and feces of COVID-19-infected patients might be a primary mode of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in water and wastewater. In this context, the present review highlights wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE)/sewage surveillance, which can be utilized as an effective tool for tracking the transmission of COVID-19. This review also emphasizes the role of different disinfection techniques, such as chlorination, ultraviolet irradiation, and ozonation, for the inactivation of coronavirus. In addition, the application of computational modeling methods has been discussed for the effective management of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Kumar Parida
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, 721302, India
| | - Duduku Saidulu
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, 721302, India
| | - Amit Bhatnagar
- Department of Separation Science, LUT School of Engineering Science, LUT University, Sammonkatu 12, Mikkeli FI-50130, Finland.
| | - Ashok Kumar Gupta
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, 721302, India.
| | - Mohammad Saud Afzal
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, 721302, India
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9
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Riback LR, Dickson P, Ralph K, Saber LB, Devine R, Pett LA, Clausen AJ, Pluznik JA, Bowden CJ, Sarrett JC, Wurcel AG, Phillips VL, Spaulding AC, Akiyama MJ. Coping with COVID in corrections: a qualitative study among the recently incarcerated on infection control and the acceptability of wastewater-based surveillance. HEALTH & JUSTICE 2023; 11:5. [PMID: 36749465 PMCID: PMC9903258 DOI: 10.1186/s40352-023-00205-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Correctional settings are hotspots for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Social and biological risk factors contribute to higher rates of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality among justice-involved individuals. Rapidly identifying new cases in congregate settings is essential to promote proper isolation and quarantine. We sought perspectives of individuals incarcerated during COVID-19 on how to improve carceral infection control and their perspectives on acceptability of wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) accompanying individual testing. METHODS We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 adults who self-reported being incarcerated throughout the United States between March 2020 and May 2021. We asked participants about facility enforcement of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidelines, and acceptability of integrating WBS into SARS-CoV-2 monitoring strategies at their most recent facility. We used descriptive statistics to characterize the study sample and report on acceptability of WBS. We analyzed qualitative data thematically using an iterative process. RESULTS Participants were predominantly Black or multiple races (50%) and men (75%); 46 years old on average. Most received a mask during their most recent incarceration (90%), although only 40% received counseling on proper mask wearing. A quarter of participants were tested for SARS-CoV-2 at intake. Most (70%) believed they were exposed to the virus while incarcerated. Reoccurring themes included (1) Correctional facility environment leading to a sense of insecurity, (2) Perceptions that punitive conditions in correctional settings were exacerbated by the pandemic; (3) Importance of peers as a source of information about mitigation measures; (4) Perceptions that the safety of correctional environments differed from that of the community during the pandemic; and (5) WBS as a logical strategy, with most (68%) believing WBS would work in the last correctional facility they were in, and 79% preferred monitoring SARS-CoV-2 levels through WBS rather than relying on just individual testing. CONCLUSION Participants supported routine WBS to monitor for SARS-CoV-2. Integrating WBS into existing surveillance strategies at correctional facilities may minimize the impact of future COVID-19 outbreaks while conserving already constrained resources. To enhance the perception and reality that correctional systems are maximizing mitigation, future measures might include focusing on closer adherence to CDC recommendations and clarity about disease pathogenesis with residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey R Riback
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
| | - Peter Dickson
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Keyanna Ralph
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lindsay B Saber
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rachel Devine
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lindsay A Pett
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alyssa J Clausen
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jacob A Pluznik
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Chava J Bowden
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jennifer C Sarrett
- Center for the Study of Human Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | - Anne C Spaulding
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Matthew J Akiyama
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
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10
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Alahdal HM, Ameen F, AlYahya S, Sonbol H, Khan A, Alsofayan Y, Alahmari A. Municipal wastewater viral pollution in Saudi Arabia: effect of hot climate on COVID-19 disease spreading. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:25050-25057. [PMID: 34138435 PMCID: PMC8210523 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14809-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The viral RNA of SARS-Coronavirus-2 is known to be contaminating municipal wastewater. We aimed to assess if COVID-19 disease is spreading through wastewater. We studied the amount of viral RNA in raw sewage and the efficiency of the sewage treatment to remove the virus. Sewage water was collected before and after the activated sludge process three times during summer 2020 from three different sewage treatment plants. The sewage treatment was efficient in removing SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA. Each sewage treatment plant gathered wastewater from one hospital, of which COVID-19 admissions were used to describe the level of disease occurrence in the area. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA-specific target genes (N1, N2, and E) was confirmed using RT-qPCR analysis. However, hospital admission did not correlate significantly with viral RNA. Moreover, viral RNA loads were relatively low, suggesting that sewage might preserve viral RNA in a hot climate only for a short time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadil M Alahdal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fuad Ameen
- Department of Botany & Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Sami AlYahya
- National Center for Biotechnology, King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hana Sonbol
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anas Khan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Global Center for Mass Gatherings Medicine, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 11461, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yousef Alsofayan
- Global Center for Mass Gatherings Medicine, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 11461, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Alahmari
- Global Center for Mass Gatherings Medicine, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 11461, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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11
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Amahmid O, El Guamri Y, Rakibi Y, Ouizat S, Yazidi M, Razoki B, Kaid Rassou K, Touloun O, Asmama S, Bouhoum K, Belghyti D. Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Stability in human and environmental matrices, and potential hazards. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2023; 33:1-14. [PMID: 34702090 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2021.1996541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In the context of the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 was detected in human excreta and environmental matrices. The occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in environmental compartments raises questions on its fate and stability in these matrices and its potential to spread in the exposed communities. This review focused on the stability of the SARS-CoV-2 in human excreta, wastewater, soils, crops, and other environmental matrices, that may be reached through human excreta and sewage products spreading. Little is known about the persistence and survival of SARS-CoV-2 in the environment. Up to now sewage sludge, soil and crops are seldom investigated implying the convenience of considering future researches focusing on SARS-CoV-2 in soils receiving wastewater and sewage sludge, as well as on grown crops. Information regarding SARS-CoV-2 persistence in environmental media is crucial to establish and implement effective policies and measures for mitigating the transmission of COVID-19 and tackling eventual future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Amahmid
- Department of Life and Earth Sciences, (Biology /Geology Research Units), Regional Centre for Careers of Education and Training Crmef Marrakech-Safi, Marrakesh Morocco
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Water, Biodiversity and Climatic Change, Parasitology and Aquatic Biodiversity Research Team, Faculty of Sciences-Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad Univesity, Marrakesh Morocco
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Sciences Kenitra, Ibn Tofail University, Morocco
| | - Youssef El Guamri
- Department of Life and Earth Sciences, (Biology /Geology Research Units), Regional Centre for Careers of Education and Training Crmef Marrakech-Safi, Marrakesh Morocco
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Sciences Kenitra, Ibn Tofail University, Morocco
| | - Youness Rakibi
- Department of Life and Earth Sciences, (Biology /Geology Research Units), Regional Centre for Careers of Education and Training Crmef Marrakech-Safi, Marrakesh Morocco
- Engineering Laboratory of Organometallic, Molecular Materials, and Environment (Limome), Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez Morocco
| | - Saadia Ouizat
- Chemistry and Didactics Unit, Regional Centre for Careers of Education and Training Crmef Marrakech-Safi, Marrakesh Morocco
| | - Mohamed Yazidi
- Department of Life and Earth Sciences, (Biology /Geology Research Units), Regional Centre for Careers of Education and Training Crmef Marrakech-Safi, Marrakesh Morocco
| | - Bouchra Razoki
- Department of Life and Earth Sciences, (Biology /Geology Research Units), Regional Centre for Careers of Education and Training Crmef Marrakech-Safi, Marrakesh Morocco
| | - Khadija Kaid Rassou
- Department of Life and Earth Sciences, (Biology /Geology Research Units), Regional Centre for Careers of Education and Training Crmef Marrakech-Safi, Marrakesh Morocco
| | - Oulaid Touloun
- Polyvalent Laboratory in Research and Development, Department of Biology, Polydisciplinary Faculty, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco
| | - Souad Asmama
- Laboratory of Biomedical Analysis, University Hospital Centre Mohammad Vi, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Khadija Bouhoum
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Water, Biodiversity and Climatic Change, Parasitology and Aquatic Biodiversity Research Team, Faculty of Sciences-Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad Univesity, Marrakesh Morocco
| | - Driss Belghyti
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Sciences Kenitra, Ibn Tofail University, Morocco
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12
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Sridhar J, Parit R, Boopalakrishnan G, Rexliene MJ, Praveen R, Viswananathan B. Importance of wastewater-based epidemiology for detecting and monitoring SARS-CoV-2. CASE STUDIES IN CHEMICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2022; 6:100241. [PMID: 37520919 PMCID: PMC9341170 DOI: 10.1016/j.cscee.2022.100241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has emerged as a global challenge in terms of health and disease monitoring. COVID-19 infection is mainly spread through the SARS-CoV-2 infection leading to the development of mild to severe clinical manifestations. The virus binds to its cognate receptor ACE2 which is widely expressed among different tissues in the body. Notably, SARS-CoV-2 shedding in the fecal samples has been reported through the screening of sewage water across various countries. Wastewater screening for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 provides an alternative method to monitor infection threat, variant identification, and clinical evaluation to restrict the virus progression. Multiple cohort studies have reported the application of wastewater treatment approaches and epidemiological significance in terms of virus monitoring. Thus, the manuscript outlines consolidated and systematic information regarding the application of wastewater-based epidemiology in terms of monitoring and managing a viral disease outbreak like COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayavel Sridhar
- Department of Biotechnology (DDE), Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, 625021, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Rahul Parit
- Department of Biotechnology (DDE), Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, 625021, Tamilnadu, India
| | | | - M Johni Rexliene
- Department of Biotechnology (DDE), Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, 625021, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Rajkumar Praveen
- Department of Biotechnology (DDE), Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, 625021, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Balaji Viswananathan
- Department of Biotechnology (DDE), Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, 625021, Tamilnadu, India
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13
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Fongaro G, Rogovski P, Savi BP, Cadamuro RD, Pereira JVF, Anna IHS, Rodrigues IH, Souza DSM, Saravia EGT, Rodríguez-Lázaro D, da Silva Lanna MC. SARS-CoV-2 in Human Sewage and River Water from a Remote and Vulnerable Area as a Surveillance Tool in Brazil. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2022; 14:417-420. [PMID: 34236606 PMCID: PMC8264168 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-021-09487-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was monitored in environmental samples from rural and vulnerable areas (a presidio, worker accommodation units, and river waters upstream and downstream of a rural community) from Minas Gerais State region, Southern Brazil, in August 2020. The sampling was performed prior to official declaration of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in those sites. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in the presidio and workers accommodation units (3.0 × 104 virus genome copies (GC)/mL and 4.3 × 104 GC/mL of sewage, respectively). While SARS-CoV-2 was not detected in the river water upstream of the rural community, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in downstream river waters (1.1 × 102 SARS-CoV-2 GC/mL). The results obtained in this study highlight the utility of SARS-CoV-2 monitoring in wastewater and human sewage as a non-invasive early warning tool to support health surveillance in vulnerable and remote areas, particularly in development countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gislaine Fongaro
- Laboratory of Applied Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil.
| | - Paula Rogovski
- Laboratory of Applied Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Pereira Savi
- Laboratory of Applied Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Rafael Dorighello Cadamuro
- Laboratory of Applied Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil
| | | | - Iago Hashimoto Sant Anna
- Institute of Exact and Biological Sciences (ICEB), Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Ivan Henrique Rodrigues
- Institute of Exact and Biological Sciences (ICEB), Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Doris Sobral Marques Souza
- Laboratory of Applied Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, 88034-001, Brazil
| | | | - David Rodríguez-Lázaro
- Microbiology Division, Faculty of Sciences, University of Burgos, Plaza Misael Bañuelos s/n, 09001, Burgos, Spain.
- Research Centre for Emerging Pathogens and Global Health, University of Burgos, Burgos, Spain.
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14
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Yu L, Tian Z, Joshi DR, Yuan L, Tuladhar R, Zhang Y, Yang M. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Viruses in Wastewater: Optimization and Automation of an Aluminum Hydroxide Adsorption-Precipitation Method for Virus Concentration. ACS ES&T WATER 2022; 2:2175-2184. [PMID: 37552732 PMCID: PMC9115887 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to provide a low-cost technique for virus detection in wastewater by improving an aluminum hydroxide adsorption-precipitation method. The releasing efficiency of viruses trapped by the aluminum hydroxide precipitates was improved by adding ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA-2Na) to dissolve the precipitates at a Na2EDTA·2H2O:AlCl3 molar ratio of 1.8-3.6. The recovery rates of the improved method for seven viruses, including SARS-CoV-2-abEN pseudovirus and six animal viruses, were 5.9-22.3% in tap water and 4.9-35.1% in wastewater. Rotavirus A (9.0-4.5 × 103 copies/mL), porcine circovirus type 2 (5.8-6.4 × 105 copies/mL), and porcine parvovirus (5.6-2.7 × 104 copies/mL) were detected in China's pig farm wastewater, while rotavirus A (2.0 × 103 copies/mL) was detected in hospital wastewater. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in hospital wastewater (8.4 × 102 to 1.4 × 104 copies/mL), sewage (6.4 × 10 to 2.3 × 103 copies/mL), and river water (6.6 × 10 to 9.3 × 10 copies/mL) in Nepal. The method was automized, with a rate of recovery of 4.8 ± 1.4% at a virus concentration of 102 copies/mL. Thus, the established method could be used for wastewater-based epidemiology with sufficient sensitivity in coping with the COVID-19 epidemic and other virus epidemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic
Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- Sino-Danish College, University of
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190,
China
- University of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhe Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic
Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Dev Raj Joshi
- Central Department of Microbiology,
Tribhuvan University, GPO 44613 Kirtipur, Kathmandu,
Nepal
| | - Lin Yuan
- Beijing Sino-science Gene Technology
Company, Ltd., Beijing 102629, China
| | - Reshma Tuladhar
- Central Department of Microbiology,
Tribhuvan University, GPO 44613 Kirtipur, Kathmandu,
Nepal
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic
Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- Sino-Danish College, University of
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190,
China
- University of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Min Yang
- Sino-Danish College, University of
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190,
China
- University of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology,
Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
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15
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Brian I, Manuzzi A, Dalla Rovere G, Giussani E, Palumbo E, Fusaro A, Bonfante F, Bortolami A, Quaranta EG, Monne I, Patarnello T, Bargelloni L, Terregino C, Holmes EC, Todesco G, Sorrentino F, Berton A, Badetti C, Carrer C, Ferrari G, Zincone C, Milan M, Panzarin V. Molecular Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in Different Sewage Plants in Venice and the Implications for Genetic Surveillance. ACS ES&T WATER 2022; 2:1953-1963. [PMID: 37552713 PMCID: PMC9115883 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology is now widely used as an indirect tool to monitor the spread of SARS-CoV-2. In this study, five different sample matrices representing diverse phases of the wastewater treatment process were collected during the second wave of SARS-CoV-2 from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) serving the Civil Hospital and Sacca Fisola island in Venice, Italy. Positive SARS-CoV-2 detections occurred at both WWTPs, and data on viral genome detection rate and quantification suggest that the pellet (i.e., the particulate resulting from the influent) is a sensitive matrix that permits reliable assessment of infection prevalence while reducing time to results. On the contrary, analysis of post-treatment matrices provides evidence of the decontamination efficacy of both WWTPs. Finally, direct sequencing of wastewater samples enabled us to identify B.1.177 and B.1.160 as the prevalent SARS-CoV-2 lineages circulating in Venice at the time of sampling. This study confirmed the suitability of wastewater testing for studying SARS-CoV-2 circulation and established a simplified workflow for the prompt detection and characterization of the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Brian
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences,
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale
dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Alice Manuzzi
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food
Science, University of Padova, Viale
dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Giulia Dalla Rovere
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food
Science, University of Padova, Viale
dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Edoardo Giussani
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences,
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale
dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Elisa Palumbo
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences,
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale
dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Alice Fusaro
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences,
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale
dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Francesco Bonfante
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences,
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale
dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessio Bortolami
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences,
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale
dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Erika Giorgia Quaranta
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences,
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale
dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Isabella Monne
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences,
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale
dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Tomaso Patarnello
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food
Science, University of Padova, Viale
dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Luca Bargelloni
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food
Science, University of Padova, Viale
dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Calogero Terregino
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences,
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale
dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Edward C. Holmes
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Life
and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, University of
Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | | | - Francesco Sorrentino
- Provveditorato interregionale per il
Veneto, Trentino AA, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Ponte di Rialto, 19, Venezia,
30125, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Cinzia Zincone
- Provveditorato interregionale per il
Veneto, Trentino AA, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Ponte di Rialto, 19, Venezia,
30125, Italy
| | - Massimo Milan
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food
Science, University of Padova, Viale
dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Valentina Panzarin
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences,
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale
dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
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16
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Castro GB, Bernegossi AC, Sousa BJDO, De Lima E Silva MR, Silva FRD, Freitas BLS, Ogura AP, Corbi JJ. Global occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in environmental aquatic matrices and its implications for sanitation and vulnerabilities in Brazil and developing countries. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2022; 32:2160-2199. [PMID: 34310248 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2021.1949437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This paper includes a systematic review of the SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in environmental aquatic matrices and a critical sanitation analysis. We discussed the interconnection of sanitation services (wastewater, water supply, solid waste, and stormwater drainage) functioning as an important network for controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in waters. We collected 98 studies containing data of the SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in aquatic matrices around the world, of which 40% were from developing countries. Alongside a significant number of people infected by the virus, developing countries face socioeconomic deficiencies and insufficient public investment in infrastructure. Therefore, our study focused on highlighting solutions to provide sanitation in developing countries, considering the virus control in waters by disinfection techniques and sanitary measures, including alternatives for the vulnerable communities. The need for multilateral efforts to improve the universal coverage of sanitation services demands urgent attention in a pandemic scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gleyson B Castro
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Aline C Bernegossi
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruno José de O Sousa
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Fernando R Da Silva
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Luíza S Freitas
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Allan P Ogura
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
- PPG-SEA and CRHEA/SHS, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliano J Corbi
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
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17
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Prasek SM, Pepper IL, Innes GK, Slinski S, Ruedas M, Sanchez A, Brierley P, Betancourt WQ, Stark ER, Foster AR, Betts-Childress ND, Schmitz BW. Population level SARS-CoV-2 fecal shedding rates determined via wastewater-based epidemiology. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156535. [PMID: 35688254 PMCID: PMC9172256 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been utilized as an early warning tool to anticipate disease outbreaks, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, COVID-19 disease models built from wastewater-collected data have been limited by the complexities involved in estimating SARS-CoV-2 fecal shedding rates. In this study, wastewater from six municipalities in Arizona and Florida with distinct demographics were monitored for SARS-CoV-2 RNA between September 2020 and December 2021. Virus concentrations with corresponding clinical case counts were utilized to estimate community-wide fecal shedding rates that encompassed all infected individuals. Analyses suggest that average SARS-CoV-2 RNA fecal shedding rates typically occurred within a consistent range (7.53-9.29 log10 gc/g-feces); and yet, were unique to each community and influenced by population demographics. Age, ethnicity, and socio-economic factors may have influenced shedding rates. Interestingly, populations with median age between 30 and 39 had the greatest fecal shedding rates. Additionally, rates remained relatively constant throughout the pandemic provided conditions related to vaccination and variants were unchanged. Rates significantly increased in some communities when the Delta variant became predominant. Findings in this study suggest that community-specific shedding rates may be appropriate in model development relating wastewater virus concentrations to clinical case counts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Prasek
- Water & Energy Sustainable Technology (WEST) Center, University of Arizona, 2959 W. Calle Agua Nueva, Tucson, AZ 85745, USA
| | - Ian L Pepper
- Water & Energy Sustainable Technology (WEST) Center, University of Arizona, 2959 W. Calle Agua Nueva, Tucson, AZ 85745, USA
| | - Gabriel K Innes
- Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture (YCEDA), University of Arizona, 6425 W. 8(th) St., Yuma, AZ 85364, USA
| | - Stephanie Slinski
- Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture (YCEDA), University of Arizona, 6425 W. 8(th) St., Yuma, AZ 85364, USA
| | - Martha Ruedas
- Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture (YCEDA), University of Arizona, 6425 W. 8(th) St., Yuma, AZ 85364, USA
| | - Ana Sanchez
- Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture (YCEDA), University of Arizona, 6425 W. 8(th) St., Yuma, AZ 85364, USA
| | - Paul Brierley
- Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture (YCEDA), University of Arizona, 6425 W. 8(th) St., Yuma, AZ 85364, USA
| | - Walter Q Betancourt
- Water & Energy Sustainable Technology (WEST) Center, University of Arizona, 2959 W. Calle Agua Nueva, Tucson, AZ 85745, USA
| | - Erika R Stark
- Water & Energy Sustainable Technology (WEST) Center, University of Arizona, 2959 W. Calle Agua Nueva, Tucson, AZ 85745, USA
| | - Aidan R Foster
- Water & Energy Sustainable Technology (WEST) Center, University of Arizona, 2959 W. Calle Agua Nueva, Tucson, AZ 85745, USA
| | - Nick D Betts-Childress
- Water & Energy Sustainable Technology (WEST) Center, University of Arizona, 2959 W. Calle Agua Nueva, Tucson, AZ 85745, USA
| | - Bradley W Schmitz
- Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture (YCEDA), University of Arizona, 6425 W. 8(th) St., Yuma, AZ 85364, USA.
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18
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Johnson R, Mangwana N, Sharma JR, Muller CJF, Malemela K, Mashau F, Dias S, Ramharack P, Kinnear C, Glanzmann B, Viraragavin A, Louw J, Surujlal-Naicker S, Nkambule S, Webster C, Mdhluli M, Gray G, Mathee A, Preiser W, Vorster A, Dalvie S, Street R. Delineating the spread and prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sub-lineages (BA.1- BA.5) and Deltacron using wastewater in the Western Cape, South Africa. J Infect Dis 2022; 226:1418-1427. [PMID: 36017801 PMCID: PMC9574669 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was one of the first to detect Omicron sublineages BA.4 and BA.5 in wastewater from South Africa. Spearman rank correlation analysis confirmed a strong positive correlation between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral RNA in wastewater samples and clinical cases (r = 0.7749, P < .0001). SARS-CoV-2 viral load detected in wastewater, resulting from the Delta-driven third wave, was significantly higher than during the Omicron-driven fourth wave. Whole-genome sequencing confirmed presence of Omicron lineage defining mutations in wastewater with the first occurrence reported 23 November 2021 (BA.1 predominant). The variant spread rapidly, with prevalence of Omicron-positive wastewater samples rising to >80% by 10 January 2022 with BA.2 as the predominant sublineage by 10 March 2022, whilst on 18 April 2022 BA.4 and BA.5 were detected in selected wastewater sites. These findings demonstrate the value of wastewater-based epidemiology to monitor the spatiotemporal spread and potential origin of new Omicron sublineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabia Johnson
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (BRIP), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Tygerberg 7505, South Africa.,Centre for Cardio-metabolic Research in Africa, Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa
| | - Noluxabiso Mangwana
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (BRIP), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Tygerberg 7505, South Africa
| | - Jyoti R Sharma
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (BRIP), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Tygerberg 7505, South Africa.,Centre for Cardio-metabolic Research in Africa, Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa
| | - Christo J F Muller
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (BRIP), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Tygerberg 7505, South Africa.,Centre for Cardio-metabolic Research in Africa, Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Zululand, Kwa-Dlangezwa, South Africa
| | - Kholofelo Malemela
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (BRIP), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Tygerberg 7505, South Africa
| | - Funanani Mashau
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (BRIP), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Tygerberg 7505, South Africa
| | - Stephanie Dias
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (BRIP), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Tygerberg 7505, South Africa
| | - Pritika Ramharack
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (BRIP), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Tygerberg 7505, South Africa.,Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Craig Kinnear
- Genomics Centre, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Tygerberg 7505, South Africa.,DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Brigitte Glanzmann
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Amsha Viraragavin
- Genomics Centre, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Tygerberg 7505, South Africa
| | - Johan Louw
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (BRIP), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Tygerberg 7505, South Africa.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Zululand, Kwa-Dlangezwa, South Africa
| | - Swastika Surujlal-Naicker
- Scientific Services, Water and Sanitation Department, City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sizwe Nkambule
- Environment & Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Durban, South Africa
| | - Candice Webster
- Environment & Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), JohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Mongezi Mdhluli
- Chief Research Operations Office, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg 7050, South Africa
| | - Glenda Gray
- Office of the President, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg 7050, South Africa
| | - Angela Mathee
- Environment & Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), JohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Wolfgang Preiser
- Division of Medical Virology at NHLS Tygerberg Hospital and Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Alvera Vorster
- Central Analytical Facilities, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
| | - Shareefa Dalvie
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (BRIP), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Tygerberg 7505, South Africa.,SAMRC, Unit on Risk & Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Renee Street
- Environment & Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Durban, South Africa
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19
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Sodhi KK, Singh CK. A systematic review on the occurrence, fate, and remediation of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : IJEST 2022; 20:8073-8086. [PMID: 35755183 PMCID: PMC9207430 DOI: 10.1007/s13762-022-04326-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Along with impairing the respiratory system, it also affects the gastrointestinal system. By reviewing experiments on the wastewater analysis for the detection of coronavirus, this study explores the fate, persistence, and various remediation strategies for the virus removal from the wastewater. The results indicated that the virus can be detected in the wastewater samples, feces, and sewage, even before the onset of symptoms. Coronavirus can be a potential panzootic disease, as several mammalian species get infected by the deadly virus. The disinfection strategies used earlier for the treatment of wastewater are not sufficient for the removal of viruses from the wastewater. Therefore, concerted efforts should be made to understand their fate, sources, and occurrence in the environmental matrices. To prevent the spread of the panzootic disease, revised guidelines should be issued for the remediation of the virus. Recent viral remediation methods such as membrane bioreactors and advanced oxidation methods can be used. Therefore, the present review puts a light on the current knowledge on the occurrence of coronaviruses in wastewater, the possible sources, fate, and removal strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. K. Sodhi
- Department of Zoology, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007 India
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007 India
| | - C. K. Singh
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007 India
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20
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Extensive Wastewater-Based Epidemiology as a Resourceful Tool for SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance in a Low-to-Middle-Income Country through a Successful Collaborative Quest: WBE, Mobility, and Clinical Tests. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14121842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged healthcare systems worldwide. Efforts in low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs) cannot keep stride with infection rates, especially during peaks. A strong international collaboration between Arizona State University (ASU), Tec de Monterrey (TEC), and Servicios de Agua y Drenaje de Monterrey (Local Water Utilities) is acting to integrate wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) of SARS-CoV-2 in the region as a complementary approach to aid the healthcare system. Wastewater was collected from four sewer catchments in the Monterrey Metropolitan area in Mexico (pop. 4,643,232) from mid-April 2020 to February 2021 (44 weeks, n = 644). Raw wastewater was filtered and filter-concentrated, the RNA was extracted using columns, and the Charité/Berlin protocol was used for the RT-qPCR. The viral loads obtained between the first (June 2020) and second waves (February 2021) of the pandemic were similar; in contrast, the clinical cases were fewer during the first wave, indicating poor coverage. During the second wave of the pandemic, the SARS-CoV-2 quantification in wastewater increased 14 days earlier than the COVID-19 clinical cases reported. This is the first long-term WBE study in Mexico and demonstrates its value in pandemic management.
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21
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Gudra D, Dejus S, Bartkevics V, Roga A, Kalnina I, Strods M, Rayan A, Kokina K, Zajakina A, Dumpis U, Ikkere LE, Arhipova I, Berzins G, Erglis A, Binde J, Ansonska E, Berzins A, Juhna T, Fridmanis D. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater and importance of population size assessment in smaller cities: An exploratory case study from two municipalities in Latvia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 823:153775. [PMID: 35151738 PMCID: PMC8830921 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has regained global importance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mobility of people and other factors, such as precipitation and irregular inflow of industrial wastewater, are complicating the estimation of the disease prevalence through WBE, which is crucial for proper crisis management. These estimations are particularly challenging in urban areas with moderate or low numbers of inhabitants in situations where movement restrictions are not adopted (as in the case of Latvia) because residents of smaller municipalities tend to be more mobile and less strict in following the rules and measures of disease containment. Thus, population movement can influence the outcome of WBE measurements significantly and may not reflect the actual epidemiological situation in the respective area. Here, we demonstrate that by combining the data of detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA copy number, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) analyses in wastewater and mobile call detail records it was possible to provide an accurate assessment of the COVID-19 epidemiological situation in towns that are small (COVID-19 28-day cumulative incidence r = 0.609 and 35-day cumulative incidence r = 0.89, p < 0.05) and medium-sized towns (COVID-19 21-day cumulative incidence r = 0.997, 28-day cumulative incidence r = 0.98 and 35-day cumulative incidence r = 0.997, p < 0.05). This is the first study demonstrating WBE for monitoring COVID-19 outbreaks in Latvia. We demonstrate that the application of population size estimation measurements such as total 5-HIAA and call detail record data improve the accuracy of the WBE approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dita Gudra
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites iela 1, Riga LV-1067, Latvia
| | - Sandis Dejus
- Riga Technical University, Laboratory of Water Research and Environmental Biotechnology, Kipsalas iela 6a/6b, Riga LV-1048, Latvia
| | - Vadims Bartkevics
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, Lejupes iela 3, Riga LV-1067, Latvia.
| | - Ance Roga
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites iela 1, Riga LV-1067, Latvia
| | - Ineta Kalnina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites iela 1, Riga LV-1067, Latvia
| | - Martins Strods
- Riga Technical University, Laboratory of Water Research and Environmental Biotechnology, Kipsalas iela 6a/6b, Riga LV-1048, Latvia
| | - Anton Rayan
- Riga Technical University, Laboratory of Water Research and Environmental Biotechnology, Kipsalas iela 6a/6b, Riga LV-1048, Latvia
| | - Kristina Kokina
- Riga Technical University, Laboratory of Water Research and Environmental Biotechnology, Kipsalas iela 6a/6b, Riga LV-1048, Latvia
| | - Anna Zajakina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites iela 1, Riga LV-1067, Latvia
| | - Uga Dumpis
- University of Latvia, Aspazijas bulvaris 5, Riga LV-1050, Latvia
| | - Laura Elina Ikkere
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, Lejupes iela 3, Riga LV-1067, Latvia
| | - Irina Arhipova
- Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Liela iela 2, Jelgava LV-3001, Latvia
| | - Gundars Berzins
- University of Latvia, Aspazijas bulvaris 5, Riga LV-1050, Latvia
| | - Aldis Erglis
- University of Latvia, Aspazijas bulvaris 5, Riga LV-1050, Latvia
| | - Juris Binde
- LLC "Latvian Mobile Telephone", Ropazu iela 6, Riga LV-1039, Latvia
| | - Evija Ansonska
- University of Latvia, Aspazijas bulvaris 5, Riga LV-1050, Latvia
| | - Aivars Berzins
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, Lejupes iela 3, Riga LV-1067, Latvia
| | - Talis Juhna
- Riga Technical University, Laboratory of Water Research and Environmental Biotechnology, Kipsalas iela 6a/6b, Riga LV-1048, Latvia.
| | - Davids Fridmanis
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites iela 1, Riga LV-1067, Latvia.
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22
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Hoffman JS, Hirano M, Panpradist N, Breda J, Ruth P, Xu Y, Lester J, Nguyen BH, Ceze L, Patel SN. Passively sensing SARS-CoV-2 RNA in public transit buses. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 821:152790. [PMID: 35007574 PMCID: PMC8741327 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Affordably tracking the transmission of respiratory infectious diseases in urban transport infrastructures can inform individuals about potential exposure to diseases and guide public policymakers to prepare timely responses based on geographical transmission in different areas in the city. Towards that end, we designed and tested a method to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the air filters of public buses, revealing that air filters could be used as passive fabric sensors for the detection of viral presence. We placed and retrieved filters in the existing HVAC systems of public buses to test for the presence of trapped SARS-CoV-2 RNA using phenol-chloroform extraction and RT-qPCR. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 14% (5/37) of public bus filters tested in Seattle, Washington, from August 2020 to March 2021. These results indicate that this sensing system is feasible and that, if scaled, this method could provide a unique lens into the geographically relevant transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through public transit rider vectors, pooling samples of riders over time in a passive manner without installing any additional systems on transit vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason S Hoffman
- Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington, 185 E. Stevens Way NE, Seattle 98195, WA, USA.
| | - Matthew Hirano
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Washington, 185 Stevens Way, Seattle 98195, WA, USA
| | - Nuttada Panpradist
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE, Seattle 98105, WA, USA
| | - Joseph Breda
- Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington, 185 E. Stevens Way NE, Seattle 98195, WA, USA
| | - Parker Ruth
- Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington, 185 E. Stevens Way NE, Seattle 98195, WA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE, Seattle 98105, WA, USA
| | - Yuanyi Xu
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, 1705 NE Pacific St, Seattle 98195, WA, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, 4000 15th Ave NE, Seattle 98195, WA, USA
| | - Jonathan Lester
- Microsoft Research, 14820 NE 36th St, Redmond 98052, WA, USA
| | | | - Luis Ceze
- Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington, 185 E. Stevens Way NE, Seattle 98195, WA, USA
| | - Shwetak N Patel
- Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington, 185 E. Stevens Way NE, Seattle 98195, WA, USA; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Washington, 185 Stevens Way, Seattle 98195, WA, USA
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23
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The Influence of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Technologies on the Biological Stabilization of Sewage Sludge: A Systematic Review. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14105910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Various wastewater treatment technologies are available today and biological processes are predominantly used in these technologies. Increasing wastewater treatment systems produces large amounts of sewage sludge with variable quantities and qualities, which must be properly managed. Anaerobic and aerobic digestion and composting are major strategies to treat this sludge. The main indicators of biological stabilization are volatile fatty acids (VFAs), volatile solids (VS), the carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio, humic substances (HS), the total organic carbon (TOC), the carbon dioxide (CO2) evolution rate, the specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR), and the Dewar test; however, different criteria exist for the same indicators. Although there is no consensus for defining the stability of sewage sludge (biosolids) in the research and regulations reviewed, controlling the biological degradation, vector attraction, and odor determines the biological stabilization of sewage sludge. Because pollutants and pathogens are not completely removed in biological stabilization processes, further treatments to improve the quality of biosolids and to ensure their safe use should be explored.
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24
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Jiang SC, Bischel HN, Goel R, Rosso D, Sherchan S, Whiteson KL, Yan T, Solo-Gabriele HM. Integrating Virus Monitoring Strategies for Safe Non-potable Water Reuse. WATER 2022; 14:1187. [PMID: 37622131 PMCID: PMC10448804 DOI: 10.3390/w14081187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater reclamation and reuse have the potential to supplement water supplies, offering resiliency in times of drought and helping meet increased water demands associated with population growth. Non-potable water reuse represents the largest potential reuse market. Yet economic constraints for new water reuse infrastructure and safety concerns due to microbial water quality, and especially viral pathogen exposure, limit widespread implementation of water reuse. Cost-effective, real-time methods to measure or indicate viral quality of recycled water would do much to instill greater confidence in the practice. This manuscript discusses advancements in monitoring and modeling of viral health risks in the context of water reuse. First, we describe the current wastewater reclamation processes and treatment technologies with an emphasis on virus removal. Second, we review technologies for the measurement of viruses, both culture- and molecular-based, along with their advantages and disadvantages. We introduce promising viral surrogates and specific pathogenic viruses that can serve as indicators of viral risk for water reuse. We suggest metagenomic analyses for viral screening and flow cytometry for quantification of virus-like particles as new approaches to complement more traditional methods. Third, we describe modeling to assess health risks through quantitative microbial risk assessments (QMRAs), the most common strategy to couple data on virus concentrations with human exposure scenarios. We then explore the potential of artificial neural networks (ANNs) to incorporate suites of data from wastewater treatment processes, water quality parameters, and viral surrogates. We recommend ANNs as a means to utilize existing water quality data, alongside new complementary measures of viral quality, to achieve cost-effective strategies to assess risks associated with infectious human viruses in recycled water. Given the review, we conclude that technologies are ready for identifying and implementing viral surrogates for health risk reduction in the next decade. Incorporating modeling with monitoring data would likely result in more robust assessment of water reuse risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunny C Jiang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Water-Energy Nexus Center, 844G Engineering Tower, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2175
| | - Heather N Bischel
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis CA 95616
| | - Ramesh Goel
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112
| | - Diego Rosso
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Water-Energy Nexus Center, 844G Engineering Tower, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2175
| | - Samendra Sherchan
- Department of Environmental Health sciences, Tulane university, New Orleans, LA 70112
| | - Katrine L Whiteson
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Tao Yan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, HI 96822, USA
| | - Helena M Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, USA
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25
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Xiao A, Wu F, Bushman M, Zhang J, Imakaev M, Chai PR, Duvallet C, Endo N, Erickson TB, Armas F, Arnold B, Chen H, Chandra F, Ghaeli N, Gu X, Hanage WP, Lee WL, Matus M, McElroy KA, Moniz K, Rhode SF, Thompson J, Alm EJ. Metrics to relate COVID-19 wastewater data to clinical testing dynamics. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 212:118070. [PMID: 35101695 PMCID: PMC8758950 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater surveillance has emerged as a useful tool in the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While wastewater surveillance has been applied at various scales to monitor population-level COVID-19 dynamics, there is a need for quantitative metrics to interpret wastewater data in the context of public health trends. 24-hour composite wastewater samples were collected from March 2020 through May 2021 from a Massachusetts wastewater treatment plant and SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations were measured using RT-qPCR. The relationship between wastewater copy numbers of SARS-CoV-2 gene fragments and COVID-19 clinical cases and deaths varies over time. We demonstrate the utility of three new metrics to monitor changes in COVID-19 epidemiology: (1) the ratio between wastewater copy numbers of SARS-CoV-2 gene fragments and clinical cases (WC ratio), (2) the time lag between wastewater and clinical reporting, and (3) a transfer function between the wastewater and clinical case curves. The WC ratio increases after key events, providing insight into the balance between disease spread and public health response. Time lag and transfer function analysis showed that wastewater data preceded clinically reported cases in the first wave of the pandemic but did not serve as a leading indicator in the second wave, likely due to increased testing capacity, which allows for more timely case detection and reporting. These three metrics could help further integrate wastewater surveillance into the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic and future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Xiao
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology USA; Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology USA
| | - Fuqing Wu
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology USA; Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology USA
| | - Mary Bushman
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University USA
| | - Jianbo Zhang
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology USA; Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology USA
| | | | - Peter R Chai
- Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School USA; The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA USA; The Koch Institute for Integrated Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology USA; Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana Farber Cancer Institute USA
| | | | | | - Timothy B Erickson
- Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School USA; Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, Harvard University USA
| | - Federica Armas
- Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore; Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore
| | - Brian Arnold
- Department of Computer Science, Princeton University USA; Center for Statistics and Machine Learning, Princeton University USA
| | - Hongjie Chen
- Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore; Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore
| | - Franciscus Chandra
- Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore; Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore
| | | | - Xiaoqiong Gu
- Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore; Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore
| | - William P Hanage
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University USA
| | - Wei Lin Lee
- Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore; Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore
| | | | | | - Katya Moniz
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology USA; Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology USA
| | | | - Janelle Thompson
- Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore; Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Eric J Alm
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology USA; Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology USA; Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore; Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA USA.
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Gwenzi W. Wastewater, waste, and water-based epidemiology (WWW-BE): A novel hypothesis and decision-support tool to unravel COVID-19 in low-income settings? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150680. [PMID: 34599955 PMCID: PMC8481624 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Traditional wastewater-based epidemiology (W-BE) relying on SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in wastewater is attractive for understanding COVID-19. Yet traditional W-BE based on centralized wastewaters excludes putative SARS-CoV-2 reservoirs such as: (i) wastewaters from shared on-site sanitation facilities, (ii) solid waste including faecal sludge from non-flushing on-site sanitation systems, and COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE), (iii) raw/untreated water, and (iv) drinking water supply systems in low-income countries (LICs). A novel hypothesis and decision-support tool based on Wastewater (on-site sanitation, municipal sewer systems), solid Waste, and raw/untreated and drinking Water-based epidemiology (WWW-BE) is proposed for understanding COVID-19 in LICs. The WWW-BE conceptual framework, including components and principles is presented. Evidence on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and its proxies in wastewaters, solid materials/waste (papers, metals, fabric, plastics), and raw/untreated surface water, groundwater and drinking water is discussed. Taken together, wastewaters from municipal sewer and on-site sanitation systems, solid waste such as faecal sludge and COVID-19 PPE, raw/untreated surface water and groundwater, and drinking water systems in LICs act as potential reservoirs that receive and harbour SARS-CoV-2, and then transmit it to humans. Hence, WWW-BE could serve a dual function in estimating the prevalence and potential transmission of COVID-19. Several applications of WWW-BE as a hypothesis and decision support tool in LICs are discussed. WWW-BE aggregates data from various infected persons in a spatial unit, hence, putatively requires less resources (analytical kits, personnel) than individual diagnostic testing, making it an ideal decision-support tool for LICs. The novelty, and a critique of WWW-BE versus traditional W-BE are presented. Potential challenges of WWW-BE include: (i) biohazards and biosafety risks, (ii) lack of expertise, analytical equipment, and accredited laboratories, and (iii) high uncertainties in estimates of COVID-19 cases. Future perspectives and research directions including key knowledge gaps and the application of novel and emerging technologies in WWW-BE are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willis Gwenzi
- Biosystems and Environmental Engineering Research Group, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Environment and Food Systems, University of Zimbabwe, P. O. Box MP 167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.
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Demarco CF, Afonso TF, Schoeler GP, Barboza VDS, Rocha LDS, Pieniz S, Giongo JL, Vaucher RDA, Igansi AV, Cadaval TRS, Andreazza R. New low-cost biofilters for SARS-CoV-2 using Hymenachne grumosa as a precursor. JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION 2022; 331:130000. [PMID: 34898862 PMCID: PMC8650601 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.130000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing global spread of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 2019 disease) is causing an unprecedented repercussion on human health and the economy. Despite the primary mode of transmission being through air droplets and contact, the transmission via wastewater is a critical concern. There is a lack of techniques able to provide complete disinfection, along with the uncertainty related to the behavior of SARS-CoV-2 in the natural environment and risks of contamination. This fact makes urgent the research towards new alternatives for virus removal from water and wastewater. Thus, this research aimed to characterize new lost-cost adsorbents for SARS-CoV-2 using Hymenachne grumosa as a precursor and verify its potential for removing SARS-CoV-2 from the solution. The aquatic macrophyte H. grumosa had in natura and activated carbon produced with H. grumosa and zinc chloride (ZnCl2,1:1) impregnation and carbonization (700 °C, 1 h) were incubated for 24 h with inactivated SARS-CoV-2 viral suspension, and then the ribonucleic acid (RNA) was extracted and viral load quantified through reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) technique. The results demonstrated the great adsorption potential, achieving removal of 98.44% by H. grumosa "in natura", and 99.61% by H. grumosa with carbon activation, being similar to commercial activated carbon (99.67%). Thus, this study highlights the possibility of low-cost biofilters to be used for SARS-CoV-2 removal, as an excellent alternative for wastewater treatment or watercourses decontamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Faccio Demarco
- Science and Engineering of Materials Postgraduate Program, Federal University of Pelotas, R. Gomes Carneiro 01, CEP 96010-610, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Thays França Afonso
- Science and Engineering of Materials Postgraduate Program, Federal University of Pelotas, R. Gomes Carneiro 01, CEP 96010-610, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Pereira Schoeler
- Environmental Sciences Postgraduate Program, Federal University of Pelotas. R. Benjamin Constant 989, CEP 96010-020, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Victor Dos Santos Barboza
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Bioprospecting, Research Laboratory in Biochemical and Molecular Biology of Microorganisms (LaPeBBiOM), Federal University of Pelotas, Av. Eliseu Maciel, Campus Universitário, S/n, Capão do Leão, CEP 96160-000, RS, Brazil
| | - Liziane Dos Santos Rocha
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Bioprospecting, Research Laboratory in Biochemical and Molecular Biology of Microorganisms (LaPeBBiOM), Federal University of Pelotas, Av. Eliseu Maciel, Campus Universitário, S/n, Capão do Leão, CEP 96160-000, RS, Brazil
| | - Simone Pieniz
- Environmental Sciences Postgraduate Program, Federal University of Pelotas. R. Benjamin Constant 989, CEP 96010-020, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Janice Luehring Giongo
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Bioprospecting, Research Laboratory in Biochemical and Molecular Biology of Microorganisms (LaPeBBiOM), Federal University of Pelotas, Av. Eliseu Maciel, Campus Universitário, S/n, Capão do Leão, CEP 96160-000, RS, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo de Almeida Vaucher
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Bioprospecting, Research Laboratory in Biochemical and Molecular Biology of Microorganisms (LaPeBBiOM), Federal University of Pelotas, Av. Eliseu Maciel, Campus Universitário, S/n, Capão do Leão, CEP 96160-000, RS, Brazil
| | - Andrei Vallerão Igansi
- School of Chemistry and Food, Federal University of Rio Grande, Av. Itália, Km 8, S/n, Carreiros, CEP 96203-000, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Tito Roberto Sant'Anna Cadaval
- School of Chemistry and Food, Federal University of Rio Grande, Av. Itália, Km 8, S/n, Carreiros, CEP 96203-000, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Robson Andreazza
- Science and Engineering of Materials Postgraduate Program, Federal University of Pelotas, R. Gomes Carneiro 01, CEP 96010-610, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
- Environmental Sciences Postgraduate Program, Federal University of Pelotas. R. Benjamin Constant 989, CEP 96010-020, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
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28
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Généraliser la détection du SARS-CoV-2 dans les eaux usées : une mesure urgente en période de reflux épidémique ☆☆☆. BULLETIN DE L'ACADEMIE NATIONALE DE MEDECINE 2022; 206:1-2. [PMID: 34803170 PMCID: PMC8596651 DOI: 10.1016/j.banm.2021.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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29
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Ai Y, Davis A, Jones D, Lemeshow S, Tu H, He F, Ru P, Pan X, Bohrerova Z, Lee J. Wastewater SARS-CoV-2 monitoring as a community-level COVID-19 trend tracker and variants in Ohio, United States. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 801:149757. [PMID: 34467932 PMCID: PMC8373851 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in more than 129 million confirm cases. Many health authorities around the world have implemented wastewater-based epidemiology as a rapid and complementary tool for the COVID-19 surveillance system and more recently for variants of concern emergence tracking. In this study, three SARS-CoV-2 target genes (N1 and N2 gene regions, and E gene) were quantified from wastewater influent samples (n = 250) obtained from the capital city and 7 other cities in various size in central Ohio from July 2020 to January 2021. To determine human-specific fecal strength in wastewater samples more accurately, two human fecal viruses (PMMoV and crAssphage) were quantified to normalize the SARS-CoV-2 gene concentrations in wastewater. To estimate the trend of new case numbers from SARS-CoV-2 gene levels, different statistical models were built and evaluated. From the longitudinal data, SARS-CoV-2 gene concentrations in wastewater strongly correlated with daily new confirmed COVID-19 cases (average Spearman's r = 0.70, p < 0.05), with the N2 gene region being the best predictor of the trend of confirmed cases. Moreover, average daily case numbers can help reduce the noise and variation from the clinical data. Among the models tested, the quadratic polynomial model performed best in correlating and predicting COVID-19 cases from the wastewater surveillance data, which can be used to track the effectiveness of vaccination in the later stage of the pandemic. Interestingly, neither of the normalization methods using PMMoV or crAssphage significantly enhanced the correlation with new case numbers, nor improved the estimation models. Viral sequencing showed that shifts in strain-defining variants of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater samples matched those in clinical isolates from the same time periods. The findings from this study support that wastewater surveillance is effective in COVID-19 trend tracking and provide sentinel warning of variant emergence and transmission within various types of communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehan Ai
- Department of Food Science and Technology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Angela Davis
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Dan Jones
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and James Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA; James Molecular Laboratory, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Stanley Lemeshow
- Division of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Huolin Tu
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and James Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Fan He
- Department of Food Science and Technology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Peng Ru
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and James Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Xiaokang Pan
- James Molecular Laboratory, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Zuzana Bohrerova
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jiyoung Lee
- Department of Food Science and Technology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
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30
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Ai Y, Davis A, Jones D, Lemeshow S, Tu H, He F, Ru P, Pan X, Bohrerova Z, Lee J. Wastewater SARS-CoV-2 monitoring as a community-level COVID-19 trend tracker and variants in Ohio, United States. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 801:149757. [PMID: 34467932 DOI: 10.1101/2021.06.08.21258421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in more than 129 million confirm cases. Many health authorities around the world have implemented wastewater-based epidemiology as a rapid and complementary tool for the COVID-19 surveillance system and more recently for variants of concern emergence tracking. In this study, three SARS-CoV-2 target genes (N1 and N2 gene regions, and E gene) were quantified from wastewater influent samples (n = 250) obtained from the capital city and 7 other cities in various size in central Ohio from July 2020 to January 2021. To determine human-specific fecal strength in wastewater samples more accurately, two human fecal viruses (PMMoV and crAssphage) were quantified to normalize the SARS-CoV-2 gene concentrations in wastewater. To estimate the trend of new case numbers from SARS-CoV-2 gene levels, different statistical models were built and evaluated. From the longitudinal data, SARS-CoV-2 gene concentrations in wastewater strongly correlated with daily new confirmed COVID-19 cases (average Spearman's r = 0.70, p < 0.05), with the N2 gene region being the best predictor of the trend of confirmed cases. Moreover, average daily case numbers can help reduce the noise and variation from the clinical data. Among the models tested, the quadratic polynomial model performed best in correlating and predicting COVID-19 cases from the wastewater surveillance data, which can be used to track the effectiveness of vaccination in the later stage of the pandemic. Interestingly, neither of the normalization methods using PMMoV or crAssphage significantly enhanced the correlation with new case numbers, nor improved the estimation models. Viral sequencing showed that shifts in strain-defining variants of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater samples matched those in clinical isolates from the same time periods. The findings from this study support that wastewater surveillance is effective in COVID-19 trend tracking and provide sentinel warning of variant emergence and transmission within various types of communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehan Ai
- Department of Food Science and Technology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Angela Davis
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Dan Jones
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and James Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA; James Molecular Laboratory, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Stanley Lemeshow
- Division of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Huolin Tu
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and James Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Fan He
- Department of Food Science and Technology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Peng Ru
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and James Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Xiaokang Pan
- James Molecular Laboratory, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Zuzana Bohrerova
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jiyoung Lee
- Department of Food Science and Technology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
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Barrios RE, Lim C, Kelley MS, Li X. SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in a wastewater collection system indicated potential COVID-19 hotspots at the zip code level. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 800:149480. [PMID: 34392211 PMCID: PMC8330136 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater based epidemiology (WBE) has been successfully applied for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance at the city and building levels. However, sampling at the city level does not provide sufficient spatial granularity to identify COVID-19 hotspots, while data from building-level sampling are too narrow in scope for broader public health application. The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of using wastewater from wastewater collection systems (WCSs) to monitor COVID-19 hotspots at the zip code level. In this study, 24-h composite wastewater samples were collected from five manholes and two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the City of Lincoln, Nebraska. By comparing to the reported weekly COVID-19 case numbers, we identified different hotspots responsible for two COVID-19 surges during the study period. One zip code was the only sampling locations that was consistently tested positive during the first COVID-19 surge. In comparison, nearly all the zip codes tested exhibited virus concentration increases that overlapped with the second COVID-19 surge, suggesting broader spread of the virus at that time. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of using WBE to monitor COVID-19 at the zip code level. Highly localized disease surveillance methods can improve public health prevention and mitigation measures at the community level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renys E Barrios
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, United States
| | - Chin Lim
- City of Lincoln Transportation and Utilities, Lincoln, NE 68521, United States
| | - Megan S Kelley
- Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 68583, United States.
| | - Xu Li
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, United States.
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32
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Kominko H, Gorazda K, Wzorek Z. Formulation and evaluation of organo-mineral fertilizers based on sewage sludge optimized for maize and sunflower crops. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2021; 136:57-66. [PMID: 34637979 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2021.09.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The depletion of natural resources, energy consumption and environmental issues relating to fertilizer production processes are driving a move towards a more sustainable use of resources and the recycling of nutrients. With regard to the fertilizer industry, this gives the opportunity to use the fertilizing potential of alternative raw materials. This paper evaluates the possibility of using dried sewage sludge in the manufacture of organo-mineral fertilizers. Fertilizers based on sewage sludge with an addition of poultry litter ash and mineral fertilizers were developed and characterized in the study. It was possible to produce multicomponent organo-mineral fertilizers with optimized compositions for maize and sunflower crops, characterized by total nutrient content over 20%. Moreover, they contained beneficial secondary nutrients and micronutrients originated from waste materials. The fertilizers were free of pathogens and fulfilled the requirements related to heavy metal content according to Polish legislation. The method of manufacturing organo-mineral fertilizers based on waste materials is a simple waste management solution offering organic matter and nutrient recycling in line with the circular economy and reducing reliance on imported raw materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halyna Kominko
- Department of Chemical Technology and Environmental Analytics, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Gorazda
- Department of Chemical Technology and Environmental Analytics, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, Poland.
| | - Zbigniew Wzorek
- Department of Chemical Technology and Environmental Analytics, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, Poland.
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33
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McMahan CS, Self S, Rennert L, Kalbaugh C, Kriebel D, Graves D, Colby C, Deaver JA, Popat SC, Karanfil T, Freedman DL. COVID-19 wastewater epidemiology: a model to estimate infected populations. Lancet Planet Health 2021; 5:e874-e881. [PMID: 34895497 PMCID: PMC8654376 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(21)00230-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wastewater-based epidemiology provides an opportunity for near real-time, cost-effective monitoring of community-level transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater can identify the presence of COVID-19 in the community, but methods for estimating the numbers of infected individuals on the basis of wastewater RNA concentrations are inadequate. METHODS This is a wastewater-based epidemiology study using wastewater samples that were collected weekly or twice a week from three sewersheds in South Carolina, USA, between either May 27 or June 16, 2020, and Aug 25, 2020, and tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. We developed a susceptible-exposed-infectious-recovered (SEIR) model based on the mass rate of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the wastewater to predict the number of infected individuals, and have also provided a simplified equation to predict this. Model predictions were compared with the number of confirmed cases identified by the Department of Health and Environmental Control, South Carolina, USA, for the same time period and geographical area. FINDINGS We plotted the model predictions for the relationship between mass rate of virus release and numbers of infected individuals, and we validated this prediction on the basis of estimated prevalence from individual testing. A simplified equation to estimate the number of infected individuals fell within the 95% confidence limits of the model. The rate of unreported COVID-19 cases, as estimated by the model, was approximately 11 times that of confirmed cases (ie, ratio of estimated infections for every confirmed case of 10·9, 95% CI 4·2-17·5). This rate aligned well with an independent estimate of 15 infections for every confirmed case in the US state of South Carolina. INTERPRETATION The SEIR model provides a robust method to estimate the total number of infected individuals in a sewershed on the basis of the mass rate of RNA copies released per day. This approach overcomes some of the limitations associated with individual testing campaigns and thereby provides an additional tool that can be used to inform policy decisions. FUNDING Clemson University, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher S McMahan
- School of Mathematics and Statistical Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Stella Self
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Lior Rennert
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Corey Kalbaugh
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - David Kriebel
- Department of Public Health, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Jessica A Deaver
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Sudeep C Popat
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Tanju Karanfil
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - David L Freedman
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA.
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34
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Sangkham S. A review on detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater in light of the current knowledge of treatment process for removal of viral fragments. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 299:113563. [PMID: 34488114 PMCID: PMC8373619 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The entire globe is affected by the novel disease of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19 or 2019-nCoV), which is formally recognised as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced this disease as a global pandemic. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in unprocessed wastewater has become a cause of worry due to these emerging pathogens in the process of wastewater treatment, as reported in the present study. This analysis intends to interpret the fate, environmental factors and route of transmission of SARS-CoV-2, along with its eradication by treating the wastewater for controlling and preventing its further spread. Different recovery estimations of the virus have been depicted by the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater through the viral concentration techniques. Most frequently used viral concentration techniques include polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, ultrafiltration, electronegative membrane, and ultracentrifugation, after which the detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA are done in wastewater samples through quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) holds the key responsibility of eliminating pathogens prior to the discharge of wastewater into surface water bodies. The removal of SARS-CoV-2 RNA at the treatment stage is dependent on the operations of wastewater treatment systems during the outbreak of the virus; particularly, in the urban and extensively populated regions. Efficient primary, secondary and tertiary methods of wastewater treatment and disinfection can reduce or inactivate SARS-CoV-2 RNA before being drained out. Nonetheless, further studies regarding COVID-19-related disinfectants, environment conditions and viral concentrations in each treatment procedure, implications on the environment and regular monitoring of transmission need to be done urgently. Hence, monitoring the SARS-CoV-2 RNA in samples of wastewater under the procedure of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) supplement the real-time data pertaining to the investigation of the COVID-19 pandemic in the community, regional and national levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarawut Sangkham
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Muang District, Phayao, 56000, Thailand.
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35
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McMahan CS, Self S, Rennert L, Kalbaugh C, Kriebel D, Graves D, Colby C, Deaver JA, Popat SC, Karanfil T, Freedman DL. COVID-19 wastewater epidemiology: a model to estimate infected populations. Lancet Planet Health 2021; 5:e874-e881. [PMID: 34895497 DOI: 10.1101/2020.11.05.20226738v1.abstract] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wastewater-based epidemiology provides an opportunity for near real-time, cost-effective monitoring of community-level transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater can identify the presence of COVID-19 in the community, but methods for estimating the numbers of infected individuals on the basis of wastewater RNA concentrations are inadequate. METHODS This is a wastewater-based epidemiology study using wastewater samples that were collected weekly or twice a week from three sewersheds in South Carolina, USA, between either May 27 or June 16, 2020, and Aug 25, 2020, and tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. We developed a susceptible-exposed-infectious-recovered (SEIR) model based on the mass rate of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the wastewater to predict the number of infected individuals, and have also provided a simplified equation to predict this. Model predictions were compared with the number of confirmed cases identified by the Department of Health and Environmental Control, South Carolina, USA, for the same time period and geographical area. FINDINGS We plotted the model predictions for the relationship between mass rate of virus release and numbers of infected individuals, and we validated this prediction on the basis of estimated prevalence from individual testing. A simplified equation to estimate the number of infected individuals fell within the 95% confidence limits of the model. The rate of unreported COVID-19 cases, as estimated by the model, was approximately 11 times that of confirmed cases (ie, ratio of estimated infections for every confirmed case of 10·9, 95% CI 4·2-17·5). This rate aligned well with an independent estimate of 15 infections for every confirmed case in the US state of South Carolina. INTERPRETATION The SEIR model provides a robust method to estimate the total number of infected individuals in a sewershed on the basis of the mass rate of RNA copies released per day. This approach overcomes some of the limitations associated with individual testing campaigns and thereby provides an additional tool that can be used to inform policy decisions. FUNDING Clemson University, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher S McMahan
- School of Mathematics and Statistical Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Stella Self
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Lior Rennert
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Corey Kalbaugh
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - David Kriebel
- Department of Public Health, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Jessica A Deaver
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Sudeep C Popat
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Tanju Karanfil
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - David L Freedman
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA.
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36
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Bhattarai B, Sahulka SQ, Podder A, Hong S, Li H, Gilcrease E, Beams A, Steed R, Goel R. Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 genes in water reclamation facilities: From influent to anaerobic digester. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 796:148905. [PMID: 34271386 PMCID: PMC8259039 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Several treatment plants were sampled for influent, primary clarifier sludge, return activated sludge (RAS), and anaerobically digested sludge throughout nine weeks during the summer of the COVID-19 pandemic. Primary clarifier sludge had a significantly higher number of SARS-CoV-2 gene copy number per liter (GC/L) than other sludge samples, within a range from 1.0 × 105 to 1.0 × 106 GC/L. Gene copy numbers in raw influent significantly correlated with gene copy numbers in RAS in Silver Creek (p-value = 0.007, R2 = 0.681) and East Canyon (p-value = 0.009, R2 = 0.775) WRFs; both of which lack primary clarifiers or industrial pretreatment processes. This data indicates that SARS-CoV-2 gene copies tend to partition into primary clarifier sludges, at which point a significant portion of them are removed through sedimentation. Furthermore, it was found that East Canyon WRF gene copy numbers in influent were a significant predictor of daily cases (p-value = 0.0322, R2 = 0.561), and gene copy numbers in RAS were a significant predictor of weekly cases (p-value = 0.0597, R2 = 0.449). However, gene copy numbers found in primary sludge samples from other plants significantly predicted the number of COVID-19 cases for the following week (t = 2.279) and the week after that (t = 2.122) respectively. These data indicate that SARS-CoV-2 extracted from WRF biosolids may better suit epidemiological monitoring that exhibits a time lag. It also supports the observation that primary sludge removes a significant portion of SARS-CoV-2 marker genes. In its absence, RAS can also be used to predict the number of COVID-19 cases due to direct flow through from influent. This research represents the first of its kind to thoroughly examine SARS-CoV-2 gene copy numbers in biosolids throughout the wastewater treatment process and the relationship between primary, return activated, and anaerobically digested sludge and reported positive COVID-19 cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bishav Bhattarai
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Utah, UT, USA
| | | | - Aditi Podder
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Utah, UT, USA
| | - Soklida Hong
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Utah, UT, USA
| | - Hanyan Li
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Utah, UT, USA
| | - Eddie Gilcrease
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Utah, UT, USA
| | - Alex Beams
- Department of Mathematics, University of Utah, UT, USA
| | - Rebecca Steed
- Department of Geography, University of Utah, UT, USA
| | - Ramesh Goel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Utah, UT, USA.
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Islam A, Kalam MA, Sayeed MA, Shano S, Rahman MK, Islam S, Ferdous J, Choudhury SD, Hassan MM. Escalating SARS-CoV-2 circulation in environment and tracking waste management in South Asia. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:61951-61968. [PMID: 34558044 PMCID: PMC8459815 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16396-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused an exceptional drift of production, utilization, and disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE) and different microplastic objects for safety against the virus. Hence, we reviewed related literature on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA detected from household, biomedical waste, and sewage to identify possible health risks and status of existing laws, regulations, and policies regarding waste disposal in South Asian (SA) countries. The SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in sewage and wastewater samples of Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Besides, this review reiterates the enormous amounts of PPE and other single-use plastic wastes generated from healthcare facilities and households in the SA region with inappropriate disposal, landfilling, and/or incineration techniques wind-up polluting the environment. Consequently, the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) of SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in sewer treatment plant in India. Moreover, the overuse of non-biodegradable plastics during the pandemic is deteriorating plastic pollution condition and causes a substantial health risk to the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. We recommend making necessary adjustments, adopting measures and strategies, and enforcement of the existing biomedical waste management and sanitation-related policy in SA countries. We propose to adopt the knowledge gaps to improve COVID-19-associated waste management and legislation to prevent further environmental pollution. Besides, the citizens should follow proper disposal procedures of COVID-19 waste to control the environmental pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariful Islam
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, NY, 10001-2320, USA.
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Science, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, 3216, Australia.
| | | | - Md Abu Sayeed
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, NY, 10001-2320, USA
- Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Shahanaj Shano
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, NY, 10001-2320, USA
- Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Md Kaisar Rahman
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, NY, 10001-2320, USA
- Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Shariful Islam
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, NY, 10001-2320, USA
- Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Jinnat Ferdous
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, NY, 10001-2320, USA
- Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Shusmita Dutta Choudhury
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, NY, 10001-2320, USA
- Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, 4225, Bangladesh
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Wastewater-Based Epidemiology for Cost-Effective Mass Surveillance of COVID-19 in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Challenges and Opportunities. WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13202897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is an approach that can be used to estimate COVID-19 prevalence in the population by detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in wastewater. As the WBE approach uses pooled samples from the study population, it is an inexpensive and non-invasive mass surveillance method compared to individual testing. Thus, it offers a good complement in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) facing high costs of testing or social stigmatization, and it has a huge potential to monitor SARS-CoV-2 and its variants to curb the global COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this review is to systematize the current evidence about the application of the WBE approach in mass surveillance of COVID-19 infection in LMICs, as well as its future potential. Among other parameters, population size contributing the fecal input to wastewater is an important parameter for COVID-19 prevalence estimation. It is easier to back-calculate COVID-19 prevalence in the community with centralized wastewater systems, because there can be more accurate estimates about the size of contributing population in the catchment. However, centralized wastewater management systems are often of low quality (or even non-existent) in LMICs, which raises a major concern about the ability to implement the WBE approach. However, it is possible to mobilize the WBE approach, if large areas are divided into sub-areas, corresponding to the existing wastewater management systems. In addition, a strong coordination between stakeholders is required for estimating population size respective to wastewater management systems. Nevertheless, further international efforts should be leveraged to strengthen the sanitation infrastructures in LMICs, using the lessons gathered from the current COVID-19 pandemic to be prepared for future pandemics.
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Preparing for COVID-2x: Urban Planning Needs to Regard Urological Wastewater as an Invaluable Communal Public Health Asset and Not as a Burden. URBAN SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/urbansci5040075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the analysis of urological wastewater had been a matter of academic curiosity and community-wide big-picture studies looking at drug use or the presence of select viruses such as Hepatitis. The COVID-19 pandemic saw systematic testing of urological wastewater emerge as a significant early detection tool for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in a community. Even though the pandemic still rages in all continents, it is time to consider the post-pandemic world. This paper posits that urban planners should treat urological wastewater as a communal public health asset and that future sewer design should allow for stratified multi-order sampling.
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Girón-Navarro R, Linares-Hernández I, Castillo-Suárez LA. The impact of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in water: potential risks. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:52651-52674. [PMID: 34453253 PMCID: PMC8397333 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16024-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
This review summarizes research data on SARS-CoV-2 in water environments. A literature survey was conducted using the electronic databases Science Direct, Scopus, and Springer. This complete research included and discussed relevant studies that involve the (1) introduction, (2) definition and features of coronavirus, (2.1) structure and classification, (3) effects on public health, (4) transmission, (5) detection methods, (6) impact of COVID-19 on the water sector (drinking water, cycle water, surface water, wastewater), (6.5) wastewater treatment, and (7) future trends. The results show contamination of clean water sources, and community drinking water is vulnerable. Additionally, there is evidence that sputum, feces, and urine contain SARS-CoV-2, which can maintain its viability in sewage and the urban-rural water cycle to move towards seawater or freshwater; thus, the risk associated with contracting COVID-19 from contact with untreated water or inadequately treated wastewater is high. Moreover, viral loads have been detected in surface water, although the risk is lower for countries that efficiently treat their wastewater. Further investigation is immediately required to determine the persistence and mobility of SARS-CoV-2 in polluted water and sewage as well as the possible potential of disease transmission via drinking water. Conventional wastewater treatment systems have been shown to be effective in removing the virus, which plays an important role in pandemic control. Monitoring of this virus in water is extremely important as it can provide information on the prevalence and distribution of the COVID-19 pandemic in different communities as well as possible infection dynamics to prevent future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Girón-Navarro
- Instituto Interamericano de Tecnología y Ciencias del Agua (IITCA), Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Km 14.5 carretera Toluca-Atlacomulco, C.P, 50200, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Ivonne Linares-Hernández
- Instituto Interamericano de Tecnología y Ciencias del Agua (IITCA), Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Km 14.5 carretera Toluca-Atlacomulco, C.P, 50200, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico.
| | - Luis Antonio Castillo-Suárez
- Instituto Interamericano de Tecnología y Ciencias del Agua (IITCA), Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Km 14.5 carretera Toluca-Atlacomulco, C.P, 50200, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico.
- Consejo Mexiquense de Ciencia y Tecnología - COMECYT, Diagonal Alfredo del Mazo 198 y 103, Guadalupe y Club Jardín, C.P. 50010, Toluca de Lerdo, Estado de México, México.
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Haji Ali B, Shahin MS, Masoumi Sangani MM, Faghihinezhad M, Baghdadi M. Wastewater aerosols produced during flushing toilets, WWTPs, and irrigation with reclaimed municipal wastewater as indirect exposure to SARS-CoV-2. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2021; 9:106201. [PMID: 34405082 PMCID: PMC8361049 DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2021.106201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in raw and treated wastewater can open up a fresh perspective to waterborne and aerosolized wastewater as a new transmission route of SARS-CoV-2 RNA during the current pandemic. The aim of this paper is to discuss the potential transmission of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from wastewater aerosols formed during toilet flushing, plumbing failure, wastewater treatment plants, and municipal wastewater reuse for irrigation. Moreover, how these aerosols might increase the risk of exposure to this novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 RNA). This article supplies a review of the literature on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in untreated wastewater, as well as the fate and stability of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater. We also reviewed the existing literatures on generation and transmission of aerosolized wastewater through flush a toilet, house's plumbing networks, WWTPs, wastewater reuse for irrigation of agricultural areas. Finally, the article briefly studies the potential risk of infection with exposure to the fecal bioaerosols of SARS-CoV-2 RNA for the people who might be exposed through flushing toilets or faulty building plumbing systems, operators/workers in wastewater treatment plants, and workers of fields irrigated with treated wastewater - based on current knowledge. Although this review highlights the indirect transmission of SARS-CoV-2 RNA through wastewater aerosols, no research has yet clearly demonstrated the role of aerosolized wastewater in disease transmission regarding the continuation of this pandemic. Therefore, there is a need for additional studies on wastewater aerosols in transmission of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Banafsheh Haji Ali
- School of Environment, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Mohsen Faghihinezhad
- School of Environment, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Baghdadi
- School of Environment, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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42
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Pietramellara G, Pathan SI, Datta R, Vranová V, Ceccherini M, Nannipieri P. Perspective on the status and behaviour of SARS-CoV-2 in soil. Saudi J Biol Sci 2021; 29:1014-1020. [PMID: 34608369 PMCID: PMC8482646 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.09.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil contamination by SARS-CoV-2 is highly probable because soil can collect several transporters of the virus, such as fallout aerosols, wastewaters, relatively purified sludges, and organic residues. However, the fate and status of SARS-CoV-2 in soil and the possible risks for human health through contaminated food are unknown. Therefore, this perspective paper discusses the challenges of determining the SARS-CoV-2 in soil and the mechanisms concerning its adsorption, movement, and infectivity in soil, considering what has already been reported by perspective papers published up to May 2021. These issues are discussed, drawing attention to the soil virus bibliography and considering the chemical structure of the virus. The mechanistic understanding of the status and behavior of SARS-CoV-2 in soil requires setting up an accurate determination method. In addition, future researches should provide insights into i) plant uptake and movement inside the plant, ii) virus adsorption and desorption in soil with the relative infectivity, and iii) its effects on soil functions. Models should simulate spatial localization of virus in the soil matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Pietramellara
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Firenze, P.le delle Cascine 24, 50144 Firenze, Italy
- Corresponding author at: Department of Agrifood Production and Environmental Sciences, Piazzale delle Cascine 28, 50144 Florence, Italy.
| | - Shamina Imran Pathan
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Firenze, P.le delle Cascine 24, 50144 Firenze, Italy
| | - Rahul Datta
- Department of Geology and Pedology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Valerie Vranová
- Department of Geology and Pedology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic
| | - MariaTeresa Ceccherini
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Firenze, P.le delle Cascine 24, 50144 Firenze, Italy
| | - Paolo Nannipieri
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Firenze, P.le delle Cascine 24, 50144 Firenze, Italy
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Cao Y, Francis R. On forecasting the community-level COVID-19 cases from the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 786:147451. [PMID: 33971608 PMCID: PMC8084610 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The building of an effective wastewater-based epidemiological model that can translate SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in wastewater to the prevalence of virus shedders within a community is a significant challenge for wastewater surveillance. The objectives of this study were to investigate the association between SARS-CoV-2 wastewater concentrations and the COVID-19 cases at the community-level and to assess how SARS-CoV-2 wastewater concentrations should be integrated into a wastewater-based epidemiological statistical model that can provide reliable forecasts for the number of COVID-19 infections and the evolution over time as well. Weekly variations on the SARS-CoV-2 wastewater concentrations and COVID-19 cases from April 29, 2020 through February 17, 2021 were obtained in Borough of Indiana, PA. Vector autoregression (VAR) model with different data forms were fitted on this data from April 29, 2020 through January 27, 2021, and the performance in three weeks ahead forecasting (February 3, 10, and 17) were compared with measures of Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). A stationary block bootstrapping VAR method was also presented to reduce the variability in the forecasting values. Our results demonstrate that VAR(1) estimated with the logged data has the best interpretation of the data, but a VAR(1) estimated with the original data has a stronger forecasting ability. The forecast accuracy, measured by MAPE, for 1 week, 2 weeks, and 3 weeks in the future can be as low as 11.85%, 8.97% and 21.57%. The forecasting performance of the model on a short time span is unfortunately not very impressive. Also, a single increase in the SARS-CoV-2 concentration can impact the COVID-19 cases in an inverted-U shape pattern with the maximum impact occur in the third week after. The flexibility of this approach and easy-to-follow explanations are suitable for many different locations where the wastewater surveillance system has been implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongtao Cao
- Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA, USA.
| | - Roland Francis
- Department of Wastewater Treatment, Borough of Indiana, Indiana, PA, USA
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Flood MT, D'Souza N, Rose JB, Aw TG. Methods Evaluation for Rapid Concentration and Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 in Raw Wastewater Using Droplet Digital and Quantitative RT-PCR. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2021; 13:303-315. [PMID: 34296387 PMCID: PMC8297606 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-021-09488-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging public health tool to understand the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in communities. The performance of different virus concentration methods and PCR methods needs to be evaluated to ascertain their suitability for use in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. We evaluated ultrafiltration and polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation methods to concentrate SARS-CoV-2 from sewage in wastewater treatment plants and upstream in the wastewater network (e.g., manholes, lift stations). Recovery of viruses by different concentration methods was determined using Phi6 bacteriophage as a surrogate for enveloped viruses. Additionally, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in all wastewater samples was determined using reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and reverse transcription droplet digital PCR (RT-ddPCR), targeting three genetic markers (N1, N2 and E). Using spiked samples, the Phi6 recoveries were estimated at 2.6-11.6% using ultrafiltration-based methods and 22.2-51.5% using PEG precipitation. There was no significant difference in recovery efficiencies (p < 0.05) between the PEG procedure with and without a 16 h overnight incubation, demonstrating the feasibility of obtaining same day results. The SARS-CoV-2 genetic markers were more often detected by RT-ddPCR than RT-qPCR with higher sensitivity and precision. While all three SARS-CoV-2 genetic markers were detected using RT-ddPCR, the levels of E gene were almost below the limit of detection using RT-qPCR. Collectively, our study suggested PEG precipitation is an effective low-cost procedure which allows a large number of samples to be processed simultaneously in a routine wastewater monitoring for SARS-CoV-2. RT-ddPCR can be implemented for the absolute quantification of SARS-CoV-2 genetic markers in different wastewater matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T Flood
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Nishita D'Souza
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Joan B Rose
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Tiong Gim Aw
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2100, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
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Chik AHS, Glier MB, Servos M, Mangat CS, Pang XL, Qiu Y, D'Aoust PM, Burnet JB, Delatolla R, Dorner S, Geng Q, Giesy JP, McKay RM, Mulvey MR, Prystajecky N, Srikanthan N, Xie Y, Conant B, Hrudey SE. Comparison of approaches to quantify SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater using RT-qPCR: Results and implications from a collaborative inter-laboratory study in Canada. J Environ Sci (China) 2021; 107:218-229. [PMID: 34412784 PMCID: PMC7929783 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2021.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater is a promising tool for informing public health decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, approaches for its analysis by use of reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) are still far from standardized globally. To characterize inter- and intra-laboratory variability among results when using various methods deployed across Canada, aliquots from a real wastewater sample were spiked with surrogates of SARS-CoV-2 (gamma-radiation inactivated SARS-CoV-2 and human coronavirus strain 229E [HCoV-229E]) at low and high levels then provided "blind" to eight laboratories. Concentration estimates reported by individual laboratories were consistently within a 1.0-log10 range for aliquots of the same spiked condition. All laboratories distinguished between low- and high-spikes for both surrogates. As expected, greater variability was observed in the results amongst laboratories than within individual laboratories, but SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentration estimates for each spiked condition remained mostly within 1.0-log10 ranges. The no-spike wastewater aliquots provided yielded non-detects or trace levels (<20 gene copies/mL) of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Detections appear linked to methods that included or focused on the solids fraction of the wastewater matrix and might represent in-situ SARS-CoV-2 to the wastewater sample. HCoV-229E RNA was not detected in the no-spike aliquots. Overall, all methods yielded comparable results at the conditions tested. Partitioning behavior of SARS-CoV-2 and spiked surrogates in wastewater should be considered to evaluate method effectiveness. A consistent method and laboratory to explore wastewater SARS-CoV-2 temporal trends for a given system, with appropriate quality control protocols and documented in adequate detail should succeed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex H S Chik
- Consultant to Canadian Water Network Inc., Kitchener, Canada; Presently at Ontario Clean Water Agency, Mississauga, Canada
| | - Melissa B Glier
- Environmental Microbiology, BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Mark Servos
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Chand S Mangat
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Xiao-Li Pang
- Public Health Laboratory, Alberta Precision Laboratory, Edmonton, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Yuanyuan Qiu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G3, Canada
| | | | - Jean-Baptiste Burnet
- Département des génies civil, géologique et des mines, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | | | - Sarah Dorner
- Département des génies civil, géologique et des mines, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Qiudi Geng
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, Canada
| | - John P Giesy
- Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada; Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Robert Mike McKay
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, Canada
| | - Michael R Mulvey
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Canada; Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Natalie Prystajecky
- Environmental Microbiology, BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - Yuwei Xie
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | | | - Steve E Hrudey
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G3, Canada.
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46
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Comparison of Detecting and Quantitating SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater Using Moderate-Speed Centrifuged Solids versus an Ultrafiltration Method. WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13162166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Mounting evidence suggests that solids are a reliable matrix for SARS-CoV-2 detection in wastewater, yet studies comparing solids-based methods and common concentration methods using the liquid fraction remain limited. In this study, we developed and optimized a method for SARS-CoV-2 detection in wastewater using moderate-speed centrifuged solids and evaluated it against an ultrafiltration reference method. SARS-CoV-2 was quantified in samples from 12 wastewater treatment plants from Alberta, Canada, using RT-qPCR targeting the N2 and E genes. PCR inhibition was examined by spiking salmon DNA. The effects of using different amounts of solids, adjusting the sample pH to 9.6–10, and modifying the elution volume at the final step of RNA extraction were evaluated. SARS-CoV-2 detection rate in solids from 20 mL of wastewater showed no statistically significant difference compared to the ultrafiltration method (97/139 versus 90/139, p = 0.26, McNemar’s mid-p test). The optimized wastewater solids-based method had a significantly lower rate of samples with PCR inhibition versus ultrafiltration (3% versus 9.5%, p = 0.014, Chi-square test). Our optimized moderate-speed centrifuged solids-based method had similar sensitivity when compared to the ultrafiltration reference method but had the added advantages of lower costs, fewer processing steps, and a shorter turnaround time.
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Buonerba A, Corpuz MVA, Ballesteros F, Choo KH, Hasan SW, Korshin GV, Belgiorno V, Barceló D, Naddeo V. Coronavirus in water media: Analysis, fate, disinfection and epidemiological applications. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 415:125580. [PMID: 33735767 PMCID: PMC7932854 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Considerable attention has been recently given to possible transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via water media. This review addresses this issue and examines the fate of coronaviruses (CoVs) in water systems, with particular attention to the recently available information on the novel SARS-CoV-2. The methods for the determination of viable virus particles and quantification of CoVs and, in particular, of SARS-CoV-2 in water and wastewater are discussed with particular regard to the methods of concentration and to the emerging methods of detection. The analysis of the environmental stability of CoVs, with particular regard of SARS-CoV-2, and the efficacy of the disinfection methods are extensively reviewed as well. This information provides a broad view of the state-of-the-art for researchers involved in the investigation of CoVs in aquatic systems, and poses the basis for further analyses and discussions on the risk associated to the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in water media. The examined data indicates that detection of the virus in wastewater and natural water bodies provides a potentially powerful tool for quantitative microbiological risk assessment (QMRA) and for wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for the evaluation of the level of circulation of the virus in a population. Assays of the viable virions in water media provide information on the integrity, capability of replication (in suitable host species) and on the potential infectivity. Challenges and critical issues relevant to the detection of coronaviruses in different water matrixes with both direct and surrogate methods as well as in the implementation of epidemiological tools are presented and critically discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Buonerba
- Sanitary Environmental Engineering Division (SEED), Department of Civil Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, Fisciano, SA, Italy; Inter-University Centre for Prediction and Prevention of Relevant Hazards (Centro Universitario per la Previsione e Prevenzione Grandi Rischi, C.U.G.RI.), Via Giovanni Paolo II, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Mary Vermi Aizza Corpuz
- Environmental Engineering Program, National Graduate School of Engineering, University of the Philippines, 1101 Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Florencio Ballesteros
- Environmental Engineering Program, National Graduate School of Engineering, University of the Philippines, 1101 Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Kwang-Ho Choo
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Kyungpook National University (KNU), 80 Daehak-ro, Bukgu, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Shadi W Hasan
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Gregory V Korshin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Box 352700, Seattle, WA 98105-2700, United States
| | - Vincenzo Belgiorno
- Sanitary Environmental Engineering Division (SEED), Department of Civil Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Damià Barceló
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICR-CERCA), H2O Building, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Vincenzo Naddeo
- Sanitary Environmental Engineering Division (SEED), Department of Civil Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, Fisciano, SA, Italy.
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48
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Prospects and challenges of using electrochemical immunosensors as an alternative detection method for SARS-CoV-2 wastewater-based epidemiology. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 777:146239. [PMCID: PMC7934662 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Given its potential applications in confronting the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has attracted tremendous attention. Developing a fast, cost-effective, and practical method for SARS-CoV-2 detection in wastewater is of great significance to facilitate future WBE development. By now, the PCR-based approach serves as the reference method and “gold standard” to detect the virus in wastewater. However, we found a trend that the PCR-based method becomes almost an unshakable choice as more and more studies were published regarding SARS-CoV-2 WBE. Of note, the importance of exploring new, alternative approaches for SARS-CoV-2 detection in wastewater should not be underestimated. In this context, the prospect of using electrochemical immunosensors as the alternative detection method was investigated in this survey. Based on the previous efforts towards different virus immunoassay studies and newly published PCR-based COVD-19 WBE works, this survey provides new insights into the electrochemical immunoassay that have been widely adopted in body fluids virus detection, along with an extensive discussion of the detection mechanism, detection performance, past performances, current efforts, and potential challenges with wastewater detection. In the end, this survey concludes that using electrochemical immunosensors to analyze SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater samples quantitatively may have better feasibility and practicability than using the conventional PCR-based approach, especially when considering its fast detection, ease of miniaturization, and potential on-site measurement.
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49
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Fuschi C, Pu H, Negri M, Colwell R, Chen J. Wastewater-Based Epidemiology for Managing the COVID-19 Pandemic. ACS ES&T WATER 2021; 1:1352-1362. [PMID: 37566353 PMCID: PMC8130627 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.1c00050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is shed by COVID-19 patients and can be detected in wastewater. Thus, testing wastewater for the virus provides a depiction of disease prevalence in a community. Virus concentration data can be utilized to monitor infection trends, identify hot spots, and inform decision makers regarding reopening efforts and directing resources. This perspective aims to shed light on the current situation relating to SARS-CoV-2 in the wastewater system and the opportunity to utilize wastewater to collect useful epidemiological data. First, the survivability of SARS-CoV-2 in different water matrices is examined through the lens of surrogate viruses. Second, the effect of wastewater treatment processes on SARS-CoV-2 is investigated. Current standards for sufficient reduction of the virus and the risk of exposure that arises at each stage in the wastewater treatment process are discussed. Third, the immense potential of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for managing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is analyzed. Studies that have tested wastewater or sludge for SARS-CoV-2 are discussed, and results are tabulated. Lastly, the current limitations of WBE and opportunities of future research are explored. Using the wealth of knowledge that the scientific community now has about WBE, wastewater testing should be considered by regional governments and private institutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Fuschi
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering,
The University of Chicago, 5640 South Ellis Avenue, Chicago,
Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Haihui Pu
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering,
The University of Chicago, 5640 South Ellis Avenue, Chicago,
Illinois 60637, United States
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Physical
Sciences and Engineering Directorate, Argonne National
Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Lemont, Illinois 60439,
United States
| | - Maria Negri
- The Environmental Science Division, Computing,
Environment, and Life Sciences Directorate, Argonne National
Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Lemont, Illinois 60439,
United States
| | - Rita Colwell
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health,
University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742,
United States
| | - Junhong Chen
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering,
The University of Chicago, 5640 South Ellis Avenue, Chicago,
Illinois 60637, United States
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Physical
Sciences and Engineering Directorate, Argonne National
Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Lemont, Illinois 60439,
United States
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50
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Ji B, Zhao Y, Esteve-Núñez A, Liu R, Yang Y, Nzihou A, Tai Y, Wei T, Shen C, Yang Y, Ren B, Wang X, Wang Y. Where do we stand to oversee the coronaviruses in aqueous and aerosol environment? Characteristics of transmission and possible curb strategies. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL (LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND : 1996) 2021; 413:127522. [PMID: 33132743 PMCID: PMC7590645 DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.127522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
By 17 October 2020, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has caused confirmed infection of more than 39,000,000 people in 217 countries and territories globally and still continues to grow. As environmental professionals, understanding how SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted via water and air environment is a concern. We have to be ready for focusing our attention to the prompt diagnosis and potential infection control procedures of the virus in integrated water and air system. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art information from available sources of published papers, newsletters and large number of scientific websites aimed to provide a comprehensive profile on the transmission characteristics of the coronaviruses in water, sludge, and air environment, especially the water and wastewater treatment systems. The review also focused on proposing the possible curb strategies to monitor and eventually cut off the coronaviruses under the authors' knowledge and understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Ji
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Water Resources and Hydroelectric Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, PR China
| | - Yaqian Zhao
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Water Resources and Hydroelectric Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, PR China
- Dooge Centre for Water Resources Research, School of Civil Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | | | - Ranbin Liu
- Sino-Dutch R&D Centre for Future Wastewater Treatment Technologies/Beijing Advanced Innovation Center of Future Urban Design, Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture, Beijing 100044, PR China
| | - Yang Yang
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
- Engineering Research Center of Tropical and Subtropical Aquatic Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Ange Nzihou
- Université de Toulouse, IMT Mines Albi, RAPSODEE CNRS, UMR-5302, Jarlard, Albi 81013 Cedex 09, France
| | - Yiping Tai
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
- Engineering Research Center of Tropical and Subtropical Aquatic Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Ting Wei
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Water Resources and Hydroelectric Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, PR China
- Chemical Engineering Department, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cheng Shen
- Dooge Centre for Water Resources Research, School of Civil Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, Zhejiang University Sci. & Technol./Zhejiang Prov, Key Lab. of Recycling & Ecotreatment Waste, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Yan Yang
- Dooge Centre for Water Resources Research, School of Civil Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Baimimng Ren
- Dooge Centre for Water Resources Research, School of Civil Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- Université de Toulouse, IMT Mines Albi, RAPSODEE CNRS, UMR-5302, Jarlard, Albi 81013 Cedex 09, France
- School of Water and Environment, Chang'an University, Xi'an 710061, PR China
| | - Xingxing Wang
- Xi'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi 'an 710021, PR China
| | - Ya'e Wang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, PR China
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