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Review
. 2020 Sep 30.
doi: 10.1016/j.coesh.2020.09.003. Online ahead of print.

Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater: Methods optimisation and quality control are crucial for generating reliable public health information

Warish Ahmed  1 , Aaron Bivins  2   3 , Paul M Bertsch  1 , Kyle Bibby  2 , Phil M Choi  4 , Kata Farkas  5 , Pradip Gyawali  6 , Kerry A Hamilton  7 , Eiji Haramoto  8 , Masaaki Kitajima  9 , Stuart L Simpson  10 , Sarmila Tandukar  8 , Kevin Thomas  4 , Jochen F Mueller  4
Affiliations
Review

Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater: Methods optimisation and quality control are crucial for generating reliable public health information

Warish Ahmed et al. Curr Opin Environ Sci Health. .

Abstract

Monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater through the process of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) provides an additional surveillance tool, contributing to community-based screening and prevention efforts as these measurements have preceded disease cases in some instances. Numerous detections of SARS-CoV-2 RNA have been reported globally using various methods, demonstrating the technical feasibility of routine monitoring. However, in order to reliably interpret data produced from these efforts for informing public health interventions, additional quality control information and standardization in sampling design, sample processing, and data interpretation and reporting is needed. This review summarizes published studies of SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in wastewater as well as available information regarding concentration, extraction, and detection methods. The review highlights areas for potential standardization including considerations related to sampling timing and frequency relative to peak fecal loading times; inclusion of appropriate information on sample volume collected; sample collection points; transport and storage conditions; sample concentration and processing; RNA extraction process and performance; effective volumes; PCR inhibition; process controls throughout sample collection and processing; PCR standard curve performance; and recovery efficiency testing. Researchers are recommended to follow the Minimum Information for Publication of Quantitative Real-Time PCR (MIQE) guidelines. Adhering to these recommendations will enable robust interpretation of wastewater monitoring results and improved inferences regarding the relationship between monitoring results and disease cases.

Keywords: COVID-19; Epidemic; Pandemic; RT-qPCR; SARS-CoV-2; WBE.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
A flow chart showing steps and quality controls for producing reliable and comparable information of SARS-CoV-2 RNA for wastewater-based epidemiology.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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