Wastewater monitoring can anchor global disease surveillance systems

Keshaviah, Aparna; Diamond, Megan B; Wade, Matthew J; Scarpino, Samuel V; Ahmed, Warish; Amman, Fabian; Aruna, Olusola; Badilla-Aguilar, Andrei; Bar-Or, Itay; Bergthaler, Andreas; Bines, Julie E; Bivins, Aaron W; Boehm, Alexandria B; Brault, Jean-Martin; Burnet, Jean-Baptiste; Chapman, Joanne R; Chaudhuri, Angela; de Roda Husman, Ana Maria; Delatolla, Robert; Dennehy, John J; Diamond, Megan Beth; Donato, Celeste; Duizer, Erwin; Egwuenu, Abiodun; Erster, Oran; Fatta-Kassinos, Despo; Gaggero, Aldo; Gilpin, Deirdre F; Gilpin, Brent J; Graber, Tyson E; Green, Christopher A; Handley, Amanda; Hewitt, Joanne; Holm, Rochelle H; Insam, Heribert; Johnson, Marc C; Johnson, Rabia; Jones, Davey L; Julian, Timothy R; Jyothi, Asha; Keshaviah, Aparna; Kohn, Tamar; Kuhn, Katrin G; La Rosa, Giuseppina; Lesenfants, Marie; Manuel, Douglas G; D'Aoust, Patrick M; Markt, Rudolf; McGrath, John W; Medema, Gertjan; Moe, Christine L; Murni, Indah Kartika; Naser, Humood; Naughton, Colleen C; Ogorzaly, Leslie; Oktaria, Vicka; Ort, Christoph; Karaolia, Popi; Patel, Ekta H; Paterson, Steve; Rahman, Mahbubur; Rivera-Navarro, Pablo; Robinson, Alex; Santa-Maria, Monica C; Scarpino, Samuel V; Schmitt, Heike; Smith, Theodore; Stadler, Lauren B; Stassijns, Jorgen; Stenico, Alberta; Street, Renee A; Suffredini, Elisabetta; Susswein, Zachary; Trujillo, Monica; Wade, Matthew J; Wolfe, Marlene K; Yakubu, Habib; Zanoli Sato, Maria Ines

doi:10.1016/s2214-109x(23)00170-5

Cited by 59 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…In our review of the previous work described above, we noted the lack of laboratory partitioning and/or distribution data on key respiratory viruses in wastewater, including SARS-CoV-2, RV, and RSV, which have been shown to be present in wastewater matrices and correlate to community disease occurrence. , In addition, we noted that the experiments typically did not include temperature as an experimental factor and that laboratory and field experiments were rarely coupled. In the present study, we fill these knowledge gaps by examining the partitioning behavior of four viruses in wastewater: SARS-CoV-2, RSV, RV, and MS2/F+ coliphage.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adsorption of Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Rhinovirus, SARS-CoV-2, and F+ Bacteriophage MS2 RNA onto Wastewater Solids from Raw Wastewater

Roldan-Hernandez,

Boehm

2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Despite the widespread adoption of wastewater surveillance, more research is needed to understand the fate and transport of viral genetic markers in wastewater. This information is essential for optimizing monitoring strategies and interpreting wastewater surveillance data. In this study, we examined the solid–liquid partitioning behavior of four viruses in wastewater: SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus (RV), and F+ coliphage/MS2. We used two approaches: (1) laboratory partitioning experiments using lab-grown viruses and (2) distribution experiments using endogenous viruses in raw wastewater. Partition experiments were conducted at 4 and 22 °C. Wastewater samples were spiked with varying concentrations of each virus, solids and liquids were separated via centrifugation, and viral RNA concentrations were quantified using reverse-transcription-digital droplet PCR (RT-ddPCR). For the distribution experiments, wastewater samples were collected from six wastewater treatment plants and processed without spiking exogenous viruses; viral RNA concentrations were measured in wastewater solids and liquids. In both experiments, RNA concentrations were higher in the solid fraction than the liquid fraction by approximately 3–4 orders of magnitude. Partition coefficients ( K F ) ranged from 2000–270,000 mL·g –1 across viruses and temperature conditions. Distribution coefficients ( K d ) were consistent with results from partitioning experiments. Further research is needed to understand how virus and wastewater characteristics might influence the partitioning of viral genetic markers in wastewater.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adsorption of Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Rhinovirus, SARS-CoV-2, and F+ Bacteriophage MS2 RNA onto Wastewater Solids from Raw Wastewater

Roldan-Hernandez,

Boehm

2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…Efforts should integrate data over extended periods, including mast blooming events for specific pollen taxa, incorporate local effects in pollen measurements, and delve into additional contextual factors like air quality and population dynamics. Advancements in automated pollen measurements, potentially providing improved spatial and temporal pollen information, along with the global trends towards institutionalization of wastewater monitoring, offer a promising foundation for future studies in this direction [35][36][37][38].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wastewater-Based Analysis of Antihistamines to Investigate Pollinosis Symptom Burden at Population-Scale

Baumgartner,

Salvisberg,

Clot

et al. 2023

Preprint

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BackgroundPollinosis, commonly known as seasonal allergic rhinoconjuctivitis or hay fever, is the world’s most prevalent allergic disorder, posing substantial health and economic impacts. This study explores the application of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) to assess the population-scale burden of pollinosis by correlating antihistamine markers in wastewater with airborne pollen data.MethodsOver two years, 251 wastewater samples – each representing a 24-hour period with excreta from approximately 471,000 individuals – were collected in Zurich (Switzerland). Eleven antihistamine markers were analyzed in the samples using liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). The relationship between wastewater antihistamine loads – primarily fexofenadine selected due to its high concentrations and stability – and airborne pollen concentrations of 47 taxa was investigated using a linear non-negative least squares regression model.ResultsThe wastewater loads of second-generation antihistamines, namely bilastine, cetirizine, and fexofenadine, displayed a strong seasonal correlation with airborne pollen patterns. For fexofenadine about half of its annual usage was linked to episodes of acute pollen exposure. A noted delay and persistence in consumption implied enduring symptoms following exposure. Grass pollen accounted for a quarter of annual consumption, indicating high population allergy burden. Increases in fexofenadine loads during periods without known allergenic pollen suggested additional triggers for allergy symptoms, potentially yew pollen.ConclusionsThe striking correlation between second-generation antihistamines in wastewater and pollen suggests that WBE is a viable tool to assess population-scale allergy burden. Deciphering the interplay between pollen allergen exposure, prevalence, and symptom severity, requires further research, which would benefit from advancements in automated pollen measurements and the institutionalization of WBE.

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“…Long term funding for these programmes may be uncertain,22 especially in lower income geographies. In addition, most wastewater surveillance covers only urban populations,23 highlighting the need to ensure geographical representation. Further discussion is needed on how to conduct wastewater surveillance in resource limited settings with insufficient infrastructure and migration trends 2425…”

Section: Surveillancementioning

confidence: 99%