Long-Term Wastewater Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2: One-Year Study in Brazil

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Martins, Renan Moura ; Carvalho, Tamara ; Bittar, Cintia ; Quevedo, Daniela Muller ; Miceli, Rafael Nava ; Nogueira, Mauricio Lacerda ; Ferreira, Helena Lage ; Costa, Paulo Inacio ; Araujo, Joao Pessoa, Jr. ; Spilki, Fernando Rosado ; Rahal, Paula ; Calmon, Marilia Freitas

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Viruses-Basel; v. 14, n. 11, p. 10-pg., 2022-11-01.

Abstract

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a tool involving the analysis of wastewater for chemicals and pathogens at the community level. WBE has been shown to be an effective surveillance system for SARS-CoV-2, providing an early-warning-detection system for disease prevalence in the community via the detection of genetic materials in the wastewater. In numerous nation-states, studies have indicated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. Herein, we report the primary time-course monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater samples in Sao Jose do Rio Preto-SP/Brazil in order to explain the dynamics of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA during one year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and analyze possible relationships with other environmental parameters. We performed RNA quantification of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR using N1 and N2 targets. The proportion of positive samples for every target resulted in 100% and 96.6% for N1 and N2, respectively. A mean lag of -5 days is observed between the wastewater signal and the new SARS-CoV-2-positive cases reported. A correlation was found between the air and wastewater temperatures and therefore between the SARS-CoV-2 viral titers for N1 and N2 targets. We also observed a correlation between SARS-CoV-2 viral titers and media wastewater flow for the N1 target. In addition, we observed higher viral genome copies within the wastewater samples collected on non-rainy days for the N1 target. Thus, we propose that, based on our results, monitoring raw wastewater may be a broadly applicable strategy that might contribute to resolving the pressing problem of insufficient diagnostic testing; it may represent an inexpensive and early-warning method for future COVID-19 outbreaks, mainly in lower- and middle-income countries. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/07784-3 - In vitro study of the action of synthetic peptides as antivirals against CHIKV
• Grantee: Marilia de Freitas Calmon
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants