Impact of Sample Storage Time and Temperature on the Stability of Respiratory Viruses and Enteric Viruses in Wastewater

Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) has been widely used to track SARS-CoV-2 as well as many other viruses in communities during the COVID pandemic and post-pandemic. However, it is still not clear how temperature and storage time would influence the stability of viruses in wastewater. In this study...

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Main Authors: Judy Y. Qiu, Richardson Mah, Logan A. Brand, Xiaoli Pang, Melodie Barnett, Mathew Diggle, Graham Tipples
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Microorganisms
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/12/2459
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author Judy Y. Qiu
Richardson Mah
Logan A. Brand
Xiaoli Pang
Melodie Barnett
Mathew Diggle
Graham Tipples
author_facet Judy Y. Qiu
Richardson Mah
Logan A. Brand
Xiaoli Pang
Melodie Barnett
Mathew Diggle
Graham Tipples
author_sort Judy Y. Qiu
collection DOAJ
description Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) has been widely used to track SARS-CoV-2 as well as many other viruses in communities during the COVID pandemic and post-pandemic. However, it is still not clear how temperature and storage time would influence the stability of viruses in wastewater. In this study, we assessed the stability of SARS-CoV-2, pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), influenza viruses A (IAV) and B (IBV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and enteric viruses in raw wastewater stored at room temperature, 4 °C, and −20 °C for 3 and 6 days. SARS-CoV-2, PMMoV, IAV, and enteric viruses were found to be stable up to 6 days after storing at room temperature or 4 °C. SARS-CoV-2 and RSV were more susceptible to freeze–thaw cycles compared to PMMoV and enteric viruses, which were relatively stable for up to 6 days stored at −20 °C. Low detection of IBV in wastewater made it difficult to evaluate the impact. Based on our findings, we conclude that short-term storage or transportation of wastewater samples within 6 days at ambient temperature or 4 °C is acceptable for the majority of these viruses. Freezing samples at −20 °C for even short periods is not recommended for WBS of respiratory viruses. The data obtained from this study can provide guidance for quality assurance purposes from the operational aspects of wastewater surveillance.
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spelling doaj-art-86f4a8969f294a0da3cb15d888f361742024-12-27T14:41:14ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072024-11-011212245910.3390/microorganisms12122459Impact of Sample Storage Time and Temperature on the Stability of Respiratory Viruses and Enteric Viruses in WastewaterJudy Y. Qiu0Richardson Mah1Logan A. Brand2Xiaoli Pang3Melodie Barnett4Mathew Diggle5Graham Tipples6Public Health Laboratory, Alberta Precision Laboratories, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J2, CanadaPublic Health Laboratory, Alberta Precision Laboratories, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J2, CanadaDepartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R7, CanadaDepartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R7, CanadaPublic Health Laboratory, Alberta Precision Laboratories, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J2, CanadaPublic Health Laboratory, Alberta Precision Laboratories, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J2, CanadaPublic Health Laboratory, Alberta Precision Laboratories, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J2, CanadaWastewater-based surveillance (WBS) has been widely used to track SARS-CoV-2 as well as many other viruses in communities during the COVID pandemic and post-pandemic. However, it is still not clear how temperature and storage time would influence the stability of viruses in wastewater. In this study, we assessed the stability of SARS-CoV-2, pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), influenza viruses A (IAV) and B (IBV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and enteric viruses in raw wastewater stored at room temperature, 4 °C, and −20 °C for 3 and 6 days. SARS-CoV-2, PMMoV, IAV, and enteric viruses were found to be stable up to 6 days after storing at room temperature or 4 °C. SARS-CoV-2 and RSV were more susceptible to freeze–thaw cycles compared to PMMoV and enteric viruses, which were relatively stable for up to 6 days stored at −20 °C. Low detection of IBV in wastewater made it difficult to evaluate the impact. Based on our findings, we conclude that short-term storage or transportation of wastewater samples within 6 days at ambient temperature or 4 °C is acceptable for the majority of these viruses. Freezing samples at −20 °C for even short periods is not recommended for WBS of respiratory viruses. The data obtained from this study can provide guidance for quality assurance purposes from the operational aspects of wastewater surveillance.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/12/2459SARS-CoV-2influenza virusrespiratory syncytial virusenteric viruseswastewater
spellingShingle Judy Y. Qiu
Richardson Mah
Logan A. Brand
Xiaoli Pang
Melodie Barnett
Mathew Diggle
Graham Tipples
Impact of Sample Storage Time and Temperature on the Stability of Respiratory Viruses and Enteric Viruses in Wastewater
Microorganisms
SARS-CoV-2
influenza virus
respiratory syncytial virus
enteric viruses
wastewater
title Impact of Sample Storage Time and Temperature on the Stability of Respiratory Viruses and Enteric Viruses in Wastewater
title_full Impact of Sample Storage Time and Temperature on the Stability of Respiratory Viruses and Enteric Viruses in Wastewater
title_fullStr Impact of Sample Storage Time and Temperature on the Stability of Respiratory Viruses and Enteric Viruses in Wastewater
title_full_unstemmed Impact of Sample Storage Time and Temperature on the Stability of Respiratory Viruses and Enteric Viruses in Wastewater
title_short Impact of Sample Storage Time and Temperature on the Stability of Respiratory Viruses and Enteric Viruses in Wastewater
title_sort impact of sample storage time and temperature on the stability of respiratory viruses and enteric viruses in wastewater
topic SARS-CoV-2
influenza virus
respiratory syncytial virus
enteric viruses
wastewater
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/12/2459
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