Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron variant RNA in wastewater samples from Manila, Philippines
College
College of Science
Department/Unit
Biology
Document Type
Article
Source Title
Science of the Total Environment
Volume
919
Publication Date
2024
Abstract
Manila, a highly urbanized city, is listed as one of the top cities with the highest recorded number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines. This study aimed to detect and quantify the RNA of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the Omicron variant in 51 wastewater samples collected from three locations in Manila, namely Estero de Santa Clara, Estero de Pandacan, which are open drainages, and a sewage treatment plant (STP) at De La Salle University–Manila, between July 2022 and February 2023. Using one-step reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron variant RNA were detected in 78 % (40/51; 4.9 ±0.5 log10 copies/L) and 60 % (24/40; 4.4 ±0.3 log10 copies/L) of wastewater samples collected from all sampling sites, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected frequently at Estero de Santa Clara (88 %, 15/17); its highest concentration was at the STP (6.3 log 10 The Omicron variant RNA was present in the samples collected (4.4 ± 0.3 log 10 copies/L). copies/L) from all sampling sites, with the highest concentration at the STP (4.9 log 10 copies/L). Regardless of normalization, using concentrations of pepper mild mottle virus RNA, SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations exhibited the highest positive correlation with COVID-19 reported cases in Manila 5 days after the clinical report. These findings revealed that wastewater-based epidemiology may aid in identifying and monitoring of the presence of pathogens in open drainages and STPs in the Philippines. This paper provides the first documentation on SARS-CoV-2 and the Omicron variant in wastewater from Manila.
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Recommended Citation
Inson, J. M., Malla, B., Amalin, D. M., Carvajal, T. M., Enriquez, M. D., Hirai, S., Raya, S., Rahmani, A., Angga, M., Sthapit, N., Shrestha, S., Ruti, A., Takeda, T., Kitajima, M., Alam, Z. F., & Haramoto, E. (2024). Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron variant RNA in wastewater samples from Manila, Philippines. Science of the Total Environment, 919 Retrieved from https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/14008
Disciplines
Biology | Other Immunology and Infectious Disease
Keywords
COVID-19 (Disease)—Environmental aspects
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