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Title: Robust Performance of SARS-CoV-2 Whole-Genome Sequencing from Wastewater with a Nonselective Virus Concentration Method
The sequencing of human virus genomes from wastewater samples is an efficient method for tracking viral transmission and evolution at the community level. However, this requires the recovery of viral nucleic acids of high quality. We developed a reusable tangential-flow filtration system to concentrate and purify viruses from wastewater for genome sequencing. A pilot study was conducted with 94 wastewater samples from four local sewersheds, from which viral nucleic acids were extracted, and the whole genome of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was sequenced using the ARTIC V4.0 primers. Our method yielded a high probability (0.9) of recovering complete or near-complete SARS-CoV-2 genomes (>90% coverage at 10× depth) from wastewater when the COVID-19 incidence rate exceeded 33 cases per 100 000 people. The relative abundances of sequenced SARS-CoV-2 variants followed the trends observed from patient-derived samples. We also identified SARS-CoV-2 lineages in wastewater that were underrepresented or not present in the clinical whole-genome sequencing data. The developed tangential-flow filtration system can be easily adopted for the sequencing of other viruses in wastewater, particularly those at low concentrations.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2200173
PAR ID:
10630438
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Corporate Creator(s):
Editor(s):
NA
Publisher / Repository:
American Chemical Society: Environsmental Scince & Technology - Water
Date Published:
Journal Name:
ACS ES&T Water
Edition / Version:
1
Volume:
3
Issue:
4
ISSN:
2690-0637
Page Range / eLocation ID:
954 to 962
Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 tangential-flow filtration wastewater genome sequencing wastewater-based epidemiology
Format(s):
Medium: X Size: 5.3 MB Other: pdf
Size(s):
5.3 MB
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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