Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in raw and treated wastewater in Germany – Suitability for COVID-19 surveillance and potential transmission risks
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Authors
Westhaus, Sandra
Weber, Frank-Andreas
Schiwy, Sabrina
Linnemann, Volker
Brinkmann, Markus
Widera, Marek
Greve, Carola
Janke, Axel
Hollert, Henner
Author (Corporation)
Publication date
10.01.2021
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01A - Journal article
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Parent work
Science of the Total Environment
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Issue / Number
141750
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Elsevier
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Abstract
Wastewater-based monitoring of the spread of the new SARS-CoV-2 virus, also referred to as wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), has been suggested as a tool to support epidemiology. An extensive sampling campaign, including nine municipal wastewater treatment plants, has been conducted in different cities of the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) on the same day in April 2020, close to the first peak of the corona crisis. Samples were processed and analysed for a set of SARS-CoV-2-specific genes, as well as pan-genotypic gene sequences also covering other coronavirus types, using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Additionally, a comprehensive set of chemical reference parameters and bioindicators was analysed to characterize the wastewater quality and composition. Results of the RT-qPCR based gene analysis indicate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 genetic traces in different raw wastewaters. Furthermore, selected samples have been sequenced using Sanger technology to confirm the specificity of the RT-qPCR and the origin of the coronavirus. A comparison of the particle-bound and the dissolved portion of SARS-CoV-2 virus genes shows that quantifications must not neglect the solid-phase reservoir. The infectivity of the raw wastewater has also been assessed by viral outgrowth assay with a potential SARS-CoV-2 host cell line in vitro, which were not infected when exposed to the samples. This first evidence suggests that wastewater might be no major route for transmission to humans. Our findings draw attention to the need for further methodological and molecular assay validation for enveloped viruses in wastewater.
Keywords
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), Wastewater treatment, SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19
Subject (DDC)
610 - Medizin und Gesundheit
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ISSN
0048-9697
1879-1026
1879-1026
Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
Yes
Strategic action fields FHNW
Publication status
Published
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Peer review of the complete publication
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Closed
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Citation
WESTHAUS, Sandra, Frank-Andreas WEBER, Sabrina SCHIWY, Volker LINNEMANN, Markus BRINKMANN, Marek WIDERA, Carola GREVE, Axel JANKE, Henner HOLLERT, Thomas WINTGENS und Sandra CIESEK, 2021. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in raw and treated wastewater in Germany – Suitability for COVID-19 surveillance and potential transmission risks. Science of the Total Environment. 10 Januar 2021. Nr. 141750. DOI 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141750. Verfügbar unter: https://irf.fhnw.ch/handle/11654/33323