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This content will become publicly available on November 1, 2025

Title: Revealing patterns of SARS-CoV-2 variant emergence and evolution using RBD amplicon sequencing of wastewater
Objectives: Rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in the emergence of numerous variants, posing significant challenges to public health surveillance. Clinical genome sequencing, while valuable, has limitations in capturing the full epidemiological dynamics of circulating variants in the general population. This study aimed to monitor the SARS-CoV-2 variant community dynamics and evolution using receptor-binding domain (RBD) amplicon sequencing of wastewater samples. Methods: We sequenced wastewater from El Paso, Texas, over 17 months, compared the sequencing data with clinical genome data, and performed biodiversity analysis to reveal SARS-CoV-2 variant dynamics and evolution. Results: We identified 91 variants and observed waves of dominant variants transitioning from BA.2 to BA.2.12.1, BA.4&5, BQ.1, and XBB.1.5. Comparison with clinical genome sequencing data revealed earlier detection of variants and identification of unreported outbreaks. Our results also showed strong consistency with clinical data for dominant variants at the local, state, and national levels. Alpha diversity analyses revealed significant seasonal variations, with the highest diversity observed in winter. By segmenting the outbreak into lag, growth, stationary, and decline phases, we found higher variant diversity during the lag phase, likely due to lower inter-variant competition preceding outbreak growth. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the importance of low transmission periods in facilitating rapid mutation and variant evolution. Our approach, integrating RBD amplicon sequencing with wastewater surveillance, demonstrates effectiveness in tracking viral evolution and understanding variant emergence, thus enhancing public health preparedness.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2421257
PAR ID:
10612901
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
ELSEVIER
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Journal of Infection
Volume:
89
Issue:
5
ISSN:
0163-4453
Page Range / eLocation ID:
106284
Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
Amplicon sequencing Receptor-binding domain SARS-CoV-2 Variant emergence Viral evolution Wastewater surveillance.
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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