A Simple Method to Detect SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater at Low Virus Concentration
Issued Date
2022-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
16879805
eISSN
16879813
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85125691109
Pubmed ID
35242195
Journal Title
Journal of Environmental and Public Health
Volume
2022
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Environmental and Public Health Vol.2022 (2022)
Suggested Citation
Thongpradit S., Prasongtanakij S., Srisala S., Kumsang Y., Chanprasertyothin S., Boonkongchuen P., Pitidhammabhorn D., Manomaipiboon P., Somchaiyanon P., Chandanachulaka S., Hirunrueng T., Ongphiphadhanakul B. A Simple Method to Detect SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater at Low Virus Concentration. Journal of Environmental and Public Health Vol.2022 (2022). doi:10.1155/2022/4867626 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/84751
Title
A Simple Method to Detect SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater at Low Virus Concentration
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background. Since its initial appearance in December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread globally. Wastewater surveillance has been demonstrated as capable of identifying infection clusters early. The purpose of this study was to investigate a quick and simple method to detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater in Thailand during the early stages of the second outbreak wave when the prevalence of the disease and the virus concentration in wastewater were low. Methods. Wastewater samples were collected from a hospital caring for patients with COVID-19 and from 35 markets, two of which were associated with recently reported COVID-19 cases. Then, samples were concentrated by membrane filtering prior to SARS-CoV-2 detection by RT-qPCR. Results. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in the wastewater samples from the hospital; the Ct values for the N, ORF1ab, and S genes progressively increased as the number of patients admitted to the treatment floor decreased. Notably, the ORF1ab and S genes were still detectable in wastewater even when only one patient with COVID-19 remained at the hospital. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in the wastewater samples from fresh market where COVID-19 cases were reported. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 is sensitive and can detect the virus even in places with a high ambient temperature and relatively low prevalence of COVID-19.