Concentration and Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Wastewater Using Polyethylene Glycol-Based Concentration and qRT-PCR.

Authors: Farkas, K., Hillary, L.S., Thorpe, J., Walker, D.I., Lowther, J.A., McDonald, J.E., Malham, S.K. and Jones, D.L.

Journal: Methods Protoc

Volume: 4

Issue: 1

eISSN: 2409-9279

DOI: 10.3390/mps4010017

Abstract:

Wastewater-based epidemiology has become an important tool for the surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks. However, the detection of viruses in sewage is challenging and to date there is no standard method available which has been validated for the sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2. In this paper, we describe a simple concentration method based on polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, followed by RNA extraction and a one-step quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) for viral detection in wastewater. PEG-based concentration of viruses is a simple procedure which is not limited by the availability of expensive equipment and has reduced risk of disruption to consumable supply chains. The concentration and RNA extraction steps enable 900-1500× concentration of wastewater samples and sufficiently eliminates the majority of organic matter, which could inhibit the subsequent qRT-PCR assay. Due to the high variation in the physico-chemical properties of wastewater samples, we recommend the use of process control viruses to determine the efficiency of each step. This procedure enables the concentration and the extraction the DNA/RNA of different viruses and hence can be used for the surveillance of different viral targets for the comprehensive assessment of viral diseases in a community.

Source: PubMed

Concentration and Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Wastewater Using Polyethylene Glycol-Based Concentration and qRT-PCR

Authors: Farkas, K., Hillary, L.S., Thorpe, J., Walker, D.I., Lowther, J.A., McDonald, J.E., Malham, S.K. and Jones, D.L.

Journal: METHODS AND PROTOCOLS

Volume: 4

Issue: 1

eISSN: 2409-9279

DOI: 10.3390/mps4010017

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Concentration and Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Wastewater Using Polyethylene Glycol-Based Concentration and qRT-PCR.

Authors: Farkas, K., Hillary, L.S., Thorpe, J., Walker, D.I., Lowther, J.A., McDonald, J.E., Malham, S.K. and Jones, D.L.

Journal: Methods and protocols

Volume: 4

Issue: 1

Pages: 17

eISSN: 2409-9279

ISSN: 2409-9279

DOI: 10.3390/mps4010017

Abstract:

Wastewater-based epidemiology has become an important tool for the surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks. However, the detection of viruses in sewage is challenging and to date there is no standard method available which has been validated for the sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2. In this paper, we describe a simple concentration method based on polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, followed by RNA extraction and a one-step quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) for viral detection in wastewater. PEG-based concentration of viruses is a simple procedure which is not limited by the availability of expensive equipment and has reduced risk of disruption to consumable supply chains. The concentration and RNA extraction steps enable 900-1500× concentration of wastewater samples and sufficiently eliminates the majority of organic matter, which could inhibit the subsequent qRT-PCR assay. Due to the high variation in the physico-chemical properties of wastewater samples, we recommend the use of process control viruses to determine the efficiency of each step. This procedure enables the concentration and the extraction the DNA/RNA of different viruses and hence can be used for the surveillance of different viral targets for the comprehensive assessment of viral diseases in a community.

Source: Europe PubMed Central