FN Archimer Export Format PT J TI Epidemiological surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 by genome quantification in wastewater applied to a city in the northeast of France: comparison of ultrafiltration- and protein precipitation-based methods BT AF Bertrand, Isabelle Challant, Julie Jeulin, Hélène Hartard, Cédric Mathieu, Laurence Lopez, Séverine Schvoerer, Evelyne Courtois, Sophie Gantzer, Christophe AS 1:1;2:1;3:1,2;4:1,2;5:1,3;6:1;7:;8:1,2;9:4;10:1; FF 1:;2:;3:;4:;5:;6:;7:;8:;9:;10:; C1 Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LCPME, F-54000, Nancy, France Laboratoire de Virologie, CHRU de Nancy Brabois, F-54500, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France EPHE, PSL, UMR CNRS 7564, LCPME, F-54000, Nancy, France SUEZ, CIRSEE, 38 rue du Président Wilson, F-78230 Le Pecq, France C2 UNIV LORRAINE, FRANCE CHU NANCY, FRANCE EPHE, FRANCE SUEZ, FRANCE SI NANTES SE PDG-RBE-SGMM-LSEM IF 7.401 TC 32 UR https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00678/78988/81382.pdf LA English DT Article DE ;SARS-CoV-2;Wastewater;Concentration methods;Prevalence AB The aim of the present study was to develop a simple, sensitive, and specific approach to quantifying the SARS-CoV-2 genome in wastewater and to evaluate this approach as a means of epidemiological surveillance. Twelve wastewater samples were collected from a metropolitan area in north-eastern France during April and May 2020. In addition to the quantification of the SARS-CoV-2 genome, F-specific RNA phages of genogroup II (FRNAPH GGII), naturally present in wastewater, were used as an internal process control for the viral concentration and processing of RT-PCR inhibitors. A concentration method was required to allow the quantification of the SARS-CoV-2 genome over the longest possible period. A procedure combining ultrafiltration, phenol-chloroform-isoamyl alcohol purification, and the additional purification of the RNA extracts was chosen for the quantification of the SARS-CoV-2 genome in 100-mL wastewater samples. At the same time, the COVID-19 outbreak was evaluated through patients from the neighbouring University Hospital of Nancy, France. A regular decrease in the concentration of the SARS-CoV-2 genome from ∼104 gc/L to ∼102 gc/L of wastewater was observed over the eight weeks of the study, during which the population was placed under lockdown. The SARS-CoV-2 genome was even undetectable during one week in the second half of May and present but non-quantifiable in the last sample (28 May). A concordant circulation in the human community was highlighted by virological diagnosis using respiratory samples, which showed a decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases from 677 to 52 per week over the same period. The environmental surveillance of COVID-19 using a reliable viral quantification procedure to test wastewater is a key approach. The real-time detection of viral genomes can allow us to predict and monitor the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in clinical settings and survey the entire urban human population. PY 2021 PD APR SO International Journal Of Hygiene And Environmental Health SN 1438-4639 PU Elsevier BV VL 233 UT 000630722900001 DI 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113692 ID 78988 ER EF