Monitoring the Viral Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Still Waterbodies Using a Lanthanide-Doped Carbon Nanoparticle-Based Sensor Array

Abstract

The latest epidemic of extremely infectious coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created a significant public health concern. Despite substantial efforts to contain severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) within a specific location, shortcomings in the surveillance of predominantly asymptomatic infections constrain attempts to identify the epidemiological spread of the virus. Continuous surveillance of wastewater streams, including sewage, offers opportunities to track the spread of SARS-CoV-2, which is believed to be found in fecal waste. To demonstrate the feasibility of SARS-CoV-2 detection in wastewater systems, we herein present a novel facilely constructed fluorescence sensing array based on a panel of three different lanthanide-doped carbon nanoparticles (LnCNPs). The differential fluorescence response pattern due to the counterion–ligand interactions allowed us to employ powerful pattern recognition to effectively detect SARS-CoV-2 and differentiate it from other viruses or bacteria. The sensor results were benchmarked to the gold standard RT-qPCR, and the sensor showed excellent sensitivity (1.5 copies/μL) and a short sample-to-results time of 15 min. This differential response of the sensor array was also explained from the differential mode of binding of the LnCNPs with the surface proteins of the studied bacteria and viruses. Therefore, the developed sensor array provides a cost-effective, community diagnostic tool that could be potentially used as a novel epidemiologic surveillance approach to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Advances in virus detection methods for wastewater-based epidemiological applications

“…Though the nanosensor in the latter study was tested in a biofluid (saliva) matrix, its applicability for wastewater analysis needs to be explored further. A recent study developed a fluorescence sensing array using lanthanide-doped carbon nanoparticles (LnCNPs) for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 protein in wastewater samples [ 27 ]. The method was based on the selective binding of the LnCPs with the spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2.…”

“…The relative fluorescence emission intensities of the LnCNPs (lanthanides: Gd(III), Pr(III), and Yb(III)) before and after the addition of viral sample were used to characterize the fluorescence signature of the LnCNPs against SARS-CoV-2. This recent study by Alafeef et al (2022) showed that the newly developed sensor coupled with a pattern recognition algorithm exhibited the following advantages: i) high sensitivity (LOD of 1.52 copies/μL), ii) selectivity in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 over other species (H1N1 virus, SARS-CoV-1, E.coli , B.subtilis, and S.mutans ) due to differences in fluorescence response patterns, and iii) elimination of the need for an antibody [ 27 ].…”

“…This highlights the need to develop alternative methods and to aim to continue studies on such methods until full applications in SARS-CoV-2 wastewater-based monitoring are enabled in both developed and low-income countries. A limited number of studies have presented biosensors for SARS-CoV-2 detection in the wastewater matrix [ 20 , 27 ]. These biosensors proposed for use in wastewater-based surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 are still in the proof-of-concept stage and still need further development and optimization.…”

Diagnostic Approaches For COVID-19: Lessons Learned and the Path Forward

“…The test has a turn-around time of 15 min and operates in a label-free manner allowing use in-field and across areas with limited resources. 158 …”

“…With the help of a machine-learning-based pattern recognition algorithm, SARS-CoV-2 viral transmission is still wastewater that can be detected and discriminated from other pathogens using the LnCNP-based sensor array. Reprinted with permission from ref ( 158 ). Copyright 2022 American Chemical Society.…”