Looking for a needle in a haystack. SARS-CoV-2 variant characterization in sewage

SARS-CoV-2 variants are emerging worldwide, and monitoring them is key in providing early warnings. Here, we summarize the different analytical approaches currently used to study the dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 variants in wastewater and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. We also provide preliminary results of two sensitive and cost-effective approaches: variant-specific reverse transcription-nested PCR assays and a nonvariant-specific amplicon deep sequencing strategy that targets three key regions of the viral spike protein. Next-generation sequencing approaches enable the simultaneous detection of signature mutations of different variants of concern in a single assay and may be the best option to explore the real picture at a particular time. Targeted PCR approaches focused on specific signature mutations will need continuous updating but are sensitive and cost-effective.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Itarte, Marta, Bofill-Mas, Sílvia, Martínez-Puchol, Sandra, Torrell, Helena, Ceretó, Adrià, Carrasco, Marina, Forés, Eva, Canela, Núria, Girones, Rosina, Rusiñol, Marta
Other Authors: 0000-0002-0314-0768
Format: artículo biblioteca
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2021-12
Subjects:Next-generation sequencing, SARS-CoV-2, Signature mutations, Variants of concern (VOCs), Variants of interest (VOIs), Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE),
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/257609
https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85119900666
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:SARS-CoV-2 variants are emerging worldwide, and monitoring them is key in providing early warnings. Here, we summarize the different analytical approaches currently used to study the dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 variants in wastewater and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. We also provide preliminary results of two sensitive and cost-effective approaches: variant-specific reverse transcription-nested PCR assays and a nonvariant-specific amplicon deep sequencing strategy that targets three key regions of the viral spike protein. Next-generation sequencing approaches enable the simultaneous detection of signature mutations of different variants of concern in a single assay and may be the best option to explore the real picture at a particular time. Targeted PCR approaches focused on specific signature mutations will need continuous updating but are sensitive and cost-effective.