Implications of long-term sample storage on the recovery of viruses from wastewater and biobanking

Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolynErthygladolygiad gan gymheiriaid

Fersiynau electronig

Dangosydd eitem ddigidol (DOI)

  • Kata Farkas
    School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University
  • Jessica Fletcher
    School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University
  • James Oxley
    School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University
  • Nicola Ridding
    School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University
  • Rachel C Williams
    School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University
  • Nick Woodhall
    School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University
  • Andrew J Weightman
    School of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University
  • Gareth Cross
    Science Evidence Advice Division
  • Davey L Jones
    School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University

Wastewater-based monitoring has been widely implemented worldwide for the tracking of SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks and other viral diseases. In many surveillance programmes, unprocessed and processed wastewater samples are often frozen and stored for long periods of time in case the identification and tracing of an emerging health threat becomes necessary. However, extensive sample bioarchives may be difficult to maintain due to limitations in ultra-freezer capacity and associated cost. Furthermore, the stability of viruses in such samples has not been systematically investigated and hence the usefulness of bioarchives is unknown. In this study, we assessed the stability of SARS-CoV-2, influenza viruses, noroviruses and the faecal indicator virus, crAssphage, in raw wastewater and purified nucleic aacid extracts stored at -80 °C for 6-24 months. We found that the isolated viral RNA and DNA showed little signs of degradation in storage over 8-24 months, whereas extensive decay viral and loss of qPCR signal was observed during the storage of raw unprocessed wastewater. The most stable viruses were noroviruses and crAssphage, followed by SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus. Based on our findings, we conclude that bioarchives comprised of nucleic acid extracts derived from concentrated wastewater samples may be archived long-term, for at least two years, whereas raw wastewater samples may be discarded after one year.

Allweddeiriau

Iaith wreiddiolSaesneg
Tudalennau (o-i)122209
CyfnodolynWater research
Cyfrol265
Dyddiad ar-lein cynnar3 Awst 2024
Dynodwyr Gwrthrych Digidol (DOIs)
StatwsCyhoeddwyd - 1 Tach 2024
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