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Development of a magnetic nanoparticle-based method for concentrating SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater
Made Sandhyana Angga1, Bikash Malla2, Sunayana Raya1
1Department of Engineering, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8511, Japan.
The Science of the Total Environment
|July 28, 2022
Summary
Pegcision, a modified magnetic nanoparticle method, efficiently concentrates SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, offering a faster alternative to traditional polyethylene glycol precipitation for wastewater-based epidemiology surveillance.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Virology
- Public health
Background:
- Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is crucial for monitoring public health threats like SARS-CoV-2.
- Traditional virus concentration methods, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, have limitations including long processing times.
- Improved sensitivity and throughput are needed for effective WBE surveillance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and optimize Pegcision, a magnetic nanoparticle (MNP)-based method, for concentrating SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater.
- To compare the performance of Pegcision against the conventional PEG precipitation method.
- To assess the impact of modifications on Pegcision's sensitivity and recovery rates.
Main Methods:
- Pegcision method utilizing MNPs was applied and modified for SARS-CoV-2 concentration.
- Virus surrogates (Pseudomonas phage φ6, coliphage MS2) and indigenous pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) were used to assess recovery.
- Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was employed for viral quantification.
- SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in wastewater samples (n=27) was performed using both Pegcision and PEG precipitation.
Main Results:
- Pegcision modifications, including polyacrylic acid addition, improved detection sensitivity.
- Recovery rates for Pegcision were 14.1% for φ6 and 1.4% for MS2, compared to PEG precipitation (20.4% and 18.4%).
- Comparable concentrations of PMMoV and successful SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection (41%) were observed with both methods.
Conclusions:
- Pegcision demonstrates comparable performance to PEG precipitation for SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentration in wastewater.
- The modified Pegcision method offers potential for increased throughput and sensitivity in WBE.
- Pegcision is a viable alternative for virus concentration in wastewater surveillance programs.
