Review of Concerned SARS-CoV-2 Variants Like Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2), and Omicron (B.1.1.529), as well as Novel Methods for Reducing and Inactivating SARS-CoV-2 Mutants in Wastewater Treatment Facilities

The coronavirus known as COVID-19, which causes pandemics, is causing a global epidemic at a critical stage today. Furthermore, novel mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein have been discovered in an entirely new strain, impacting the clinical and epidemiological features of COVID-19. Variants of these viruses can increase the transmission in wastewater, lead to reinfection, and reduce immunity provided by monoclonal antibodies and vaccinations. According to the research, a large quantity of viral RNA was discovered in wastewater, suggesting that wastewater can be a crucial source of epidemiological data and health hazards. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a few basic concepts regarding wastewater surveillance as a starting point for comprehending COVID-19′s epidemiological aspects. Next, the observation of Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2), and Omicron (B.1.1.529) in wastewater is discussed in detail. Secondly, the essential information for the initial, primary, and final treating sewage in SARS-CoV-2 is introduced. Following that, a thorough examination is provided to highlight the newly developed methods for eradicating SARS-CoV-2 using a combination of solar water disinfection (SODIS) and ultraviolet radiation A (UVA (315-400 nm)), ultraviolet radiation B (UVB (280-315 nm)), and ultraviolet radiation C (UVC (100-280 nm)) processes. SARS-CoV-2 eradication requires high temperatures (above 56°C) and UVC. However, SODIS technologies are based on UVA and operate at cooler temperatures (less than 45°C). Hence, it is not appropriate for sewage treatment (or water consumption) to be conducted using SODIS methods in the current pandemic. Finally, SARS-CoV-2 may be discovered in sewage utilizing the wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) monitoring method.

Low Neutralizing Antibody Titers against the Mu Variant of SARS-CoV-2 in 31 BNT162b2 Vaccinated Individuals in Colombia.

Global surveillance programs for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are showing the emergence of variants with mutations in the spike protein. Genomic and laboratory surveillance are important to determine if these variants may be more infectious or less susceptible to antiviral treatments and vaccine-induced antibodies. Three of the most predominant SARS-CoV-2 variants in Colombia during the epidemiological peaks of 2021 were isolated: Mu, a variant of interest; Gamma, a variant of concern; B.1.111, which lacks genetic markers associated with greater virulence. Microneutralization assays were performed by incubating 120 mean tissue culture infectious doses (TCID50) of each SARS-CoV-2 isolate with five two-fold serial dilutions of sera from 31 BNT162b2-vaccinated volunteers. The mean neutralization titer (MN50) was calculated by the Reed-Muench method. At the end of August, Mu represented 49% of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Colombia, followed by 25% of Gamma. In contrast, B.1.111 became almost undetectable. The evaluation of neutralizing antibodies suggests that patients vaccinated with BNT162b2 generate neutralizing antibody titers against the Mu variant at significantly lower concentrations relative to B.1.111 and Gamma. This study shows the importance of continuing surveillance programs of emerging variants, as well as the need to evaluate the neutralizing antibody response induced by other vaccines.