Monitoramento Da Carga Viral De Sars-Cov-2 Em Águas Residuais Na Cidade De Goiânia: Epidemiologia Baseada Em Esgoto E Um Sistema De Alerta Precoce Para Covid-19

Abstract

SARS-COV-2 VIRAL LOAD IN GOIÂNIA WASTEWATER: WASTEWATER-BASED EPIDEMIOLOGY FOR A COVID-19 EARLY WARNING SYSTEM. COVID-19 is currently the most critical disease in the world. Thus, several tools have been used in the last two years to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2. In this perspective, Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE) provides valuable data by including symptomatic, pre-symptomatic, and asymptomatic individuals and anticipating clinical cases. For 37 weeks, the SARS-CoV-2 viral load was monitored in sanitary sewage samples from Goiânia-Brazil. Through pre-concentration, extraction, and purification of viral RNA, followed by RT-qPCR, it was detected in 83.78% (31/37) of the weeks the presence of fragments of the genetic material SARS-CoV-2 with viral loads ranging from 105 to 108 genome copies L-1. The viral load in the wastewater samples was related to the clinical data of the municipality, demonstrating its ability to promote an Early Warning System (EWS). In early 2022, it was possible to predict the increase in clinical cases 3 weeks in advance and issue an alert note to the health authorities. Prevalence estimates ranged from 0.003 to 0.5% and showed good agreement with observed values. Thus, monitoring effluents become another essential tool that can help combat the pandemic’s advance, especially in countries with scarce resources.

Águas residuais como um indicador de alerta para COVID-19

“…Saúde Meio Ambient. v. 12, p. 179-191, 2023 ISSNe 2316-347X Differences of N1 and N2 assays in wastewater samples were also reported in other investigations 9,25 .…”

“…Virus quantification is the main objective of sewage-based epidemiology; however, according to recommendation of the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 20 estimates of prevalence should not be used as the only point to endorse actions, since there are still several uncertainties about the calculations 25 . In addition, viral load quantified on wastewater samples varies accordingly with the sampling methods, pre-concentration, extraction and viral RNA quantification selected by different research groups, and by the methods limitations.…”