Efficient detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the solid fraction of wastewater

Abstract

In the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, environmental surveillance for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 has become increasingly important. Studies have demonstrated that the SARS-CoV-2 RNA is present in the feces of infected individuals; further, its presence in wastewater has been reported. However, an optimized method for its detection in sewage has not yet been adequately investigated. Therefore, in this study, the efficient detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the solid fraction of wastewater was investigated using two quantitative PCR assays. In particular, wastewater samples were collected from a manhole located in the commercial district of a metropolitan region in Japan, where COVID-19 is highly prevalent, and two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The samples were concentrated using four separate methods, namely, electronegative membrane adsorption, polyethylene glycol precipitation, ultrafiltration, and solid precipitation. Each method revealed a significant concentration of pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) RNA, which is an indicator virus for wastewater. As expected, non-enveloped PMMoV RNA was enriched in the supernatant fraction such that relatively low concentrations were detected in the solid fraction of the wastewater samples. In contrast, higher SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations were consistently detected in the solid fractions compared with the supernatant fractions based on the other methods that were investigated in this study. Spearman's correlation tests showed that the SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in wastewater samples from the WWTP were significantly correlated with the number of COVID-19 cases recorded during the data collection period. These results demonstrate that viral recovery from the solid fraction is an effective method for SARS-CoV-2 RNA surveillance in an aqueous environment.

Keywords: COVID-19; Environmental surveillance; SARS-CoV-2; Sewage; Wastewater.