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Comparison of gene targets and sampling regimes for SARS-CoV-2 quantification for wastewater epidemiology in UK prisons
- Source :
- Journal of Water and Health, Vol 22, Iss 1, Pp 64-76 (2024)
- Publication Year :
- 2024
- Publisher :
- IWA Publishing, 2024.
-
Abstract
- Prisons are high-risk settings for infectious disease transmission, due to their enclosed and semi-enclosed environments. The proximity between prisoners and staff, and the diversity of prisons reduces the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as social distancing. Therefore, alternative health monitoring methods, such as wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), are needed to track pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2. This pilot study assessed WBE to quantify SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in prison wastewater to determine its utility within a health protection system for residents. The study analysed 266 samples from six prisons in England over a 12-week period for nucleoprotein 1 (N1 gene) and envelope protein (E gene) using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Both gene assays successfully detected SARS-CoV-2 fragments in wastewater samples, with both genes significantly correlating with COVID-19 case numbers across the prisons (p < 0.01). However, in 25% of the SARS-positive samples, only one gene target was detected, suggesting that both genes be used to reduce false-negative results. No significant differences were observed between 14- and 2-h composite samples, although 2-h samples showed greater signal variance. Population normalisation did not improve correlations between the N1 and E genes and COVID-19 case data. Overall, WBE shows considerable promise for health protection in prison settings. HIGHLIGHTS Wastewater epidemiology is effective in flagging COVID-19 cases in prison settings.; SARS-CoV-2 levels were quantified using N1 and E gene targets.; Both targets should be used in routine analysis to reduce false negatives.; COVID-19 case numbers significantly correlated with both wastewater gene targets across all samples.; Each prison is different – local activities are important when designing sampling programmes.;
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14778920 and 19967829
- Volume :
- 22
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Journal of Water and Health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.35fc8eefe2814e098c5d2bef694c547c
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2023.093