Standardization of the method of concentration and extraction of nucleic acids in wastewater samples: a low-cost tool to be used in epidemiological surveillance of SARS-CoV-2

ABSTRACT

Sewage quality surveillance can represent a complementary tool for monitoring infectious diseases and preventing epidemic outbreaks, especially when the capacity for clinical testing is limited. Thus, the present study describes the technical details of a low-cost method for concentrating and extracting nucleic acids from sewage samples, as a preliminary step for the detection of viruses and other pathogens. To validate the proposed methodology, after the concentration and extraction steps, the presence of the SARS coronavirus-2 (COVID-19) in the samples was analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The virus’ ribonucleic acid was detected in 80% of the sewage samples analyzed, proving the success of the methodological procedure adopted. The early detection of a pathogen associated with the work of multidisciplinary teams allows the practice of epidemiological surveillance, which assists in making decisions about One Health — an inseparable union between animal, human, and environmental health.

Keywords:
one health; COVID-19; epidemiology; wastewater