Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater from an enclosed college campus serves as an early warning surveillance system.

SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of Covid-19, is shed from infected persons in respiratory droplets, feces, and urine. Using quantitative PCR (qPCR), our group hypothesized that we could detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater samples collected on a university campus prior to the detection of the virus in in...

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Main Authors: Jacob Kazenelson, Tori Jefferson, Ryan G Rhodes, Lawrence B Cahoon, Arthur R Frampton
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2023-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0288808&type=printable
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author Jacob Kazenelson
Tori Jefferson
Ryan G Rhodes
Lawrence B Cahoon
Arthur R Frampton
author_facet Jacob Kazenelson
Tori Jefferson
Ryan G Rhodes
Lawrence B Cahoon
Arthur R Frampton
author_sort Jacob Kazenelson
collection DOAJ
description SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of Covid-19, is shed from infected persons in respiratory droplets, feces, and urine. Using quantitative PCR (qPCR), our group hypothesized that we could detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater samples collected on a university campus prior to the detection of the virus in individuals on campus. Wastewater samples were collected 3 times a week from 5 locations on the main campus of the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) from July 24, 2020 to December 21, 2020. Post-collection, total RNA was extracted and SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the samples was detected by qPCR. SARS-CoV-2 signal was detected on campus beginning on August 19 as classes began and the signal increased in both intensity and breadth as the Fall semester progressed. A comparison of two RNA extraction methods from wastewater showed that SARS-CoV-2 was detected more frequently on filter samples versus the direct extracts. Aligning our wastewater data with the reported SARS-CoV-2 cases on the campus Covid-19 dashboard showed the virus signal was routinely detected in the wastewater prior to clusters of individual cases being reported. These data support the testing of wastewater for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and may be used as part of a surveillance program for detecting the virus in a community prior to an outbreak occurring and could ultimately be incorporated with other SARS-CoV-2 metrics to better inform public health enabling a quick response to contain or mitigating spread of the virus.
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spelling doaj-art-aa383cf58d3645febb0f7de3f8450c872025-08-20T03:57:52ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032023-01-01187e028880810.1371/journal.pone.0288808Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater from an enclosed college campus serves as an early warning surveillance system.Jacob KazenelsonTori JeffersonRyan G RhodesLawrence B CahoonArthur R FramptonSARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of Covid-19, is shed from infected persons in respiratory droplets, feces, and urine. Using quantitative PCR (qPCR), our group hypothesized that we could detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater samples collected on a university campus prior to the detection of the virus in individuals on campus. Wastewater samples were collected 3 times a week from 5 locations on the main campus of the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) from July 24, 2020 to December 21, 2020. Post-collection, total RNA was extracted and SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the samples was detected by qPCR. SARS-CoV-2 signal was detected on campus beginning on August 19 as classes began and the signal increased in both intensity and breadth as the Fall semester progressed. A comparison of two RNA extraction methods from wastewater showed that SARS-CoV-2 was detected more frequently on filter samples versus the direct extracts. Aligning our wastewater data with the reported SARS-CoV-2 cases on the campus Covid-19 dashboard showed the virus signal was routinely detected in the wastewater prior to clusters of individual cases being reported. These data support the testing of wastewater for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and may be used as part of a surveillance program for detecting the virus in a community prior to an outbreak occurring and could ultimately be incorporated with other SARS-CoV-2 metrics to better inform public health enabling a quick response to contain or mitigating spread of the virus.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0288808&type=printable
spellingShingle Jacob Kazenelson
Tori Jefferson
Ryan G Rhodes
Lawrence B Cahoon
Arthur R Frampton
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater from an enclosed college campus serves as an early warning surveillance system.
PLoS ONE
title Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater from an enclosed college campus serves as an early warning surveillance system.
title_full Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater from an enclosed college campus serves as an early warning surveillance system.
title_fullStr Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater from an enclosed college campus serves as an early warning surveillance system.
title_full_unstemmed Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater from an enclosed college campus serves as an early warning surveillance system.
title_short Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater from an enclosed college campus serves as an early warning surveillance system.
title_sort detection of sars cov 2 rna in wastewater from an enclosed college campus serves as an early warning surveillance system
url https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0288808&type=printable
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