Design and Validation of Sample Splitting Protocol for Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 Quantification in Wastewater
Journal of Environmental Engineering
; 148(8), 2022.
Article
in English
| ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-1873600
ABSTRACT
Evaluations of analytical performance through interlaboratory comparisons and proficiency tests are underway globally for biomolecular-based methods [e.g., reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)] used in the surveillance of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in wastewater. These evaluations often rely on sharing a common reference wastewater sample that is split among participating laboratories. A known quantity of recovery surrogates can be introduced to the wastewater matrix by the coordinating laboratory as an exogenous control in a spike-and-recovery approach;however, split-sample comparisons are increasingly performed to evaluate in situ quantities of SARS-CoV-2 genetic signal native to the sample due to the lack of a universally accepted recovery surrogate of SARS-CoV-2. A reproducible procedure that minimizes the variability of SARS-CoV-2 genetic signal among split wastewater aliquots is therefore necessary to facilitate the method comparisons, especially when a large number of aliquots are required. Emerging literature has suggested that SARS-CoV-2 genetic signal in wastewater is linked to the solids fraction. Accordingly, a protocol that allows for equal distribution of solids content evenly among wastewater aliquots was also likely to facilitate even distribution of the SARS-CoV-2 genetic signal. Based on this premise, we reviewed existing sample splitting apparatus and approaches used for solids-based parameters in environmental samples. A portable batch reactor was designed, comprised of readily accessible materials and equipment. This design was validated through splitting of real wastewater samples collected from a municipal wastewater treatment facility serving a population with reported cases of COVID-19. This work applies well-established solid-liquid mixing theory and concepts that are likely unfamiliar to molecular microbiologists and laboratory analysts, providing (1) a prototype adaptable for a range of sample quantities, aliquot sizes, microbial targets, and water matrices;and (2) a pragmatic demonstration of critical considerations for design and validation of a reproducible and effective sample splitting protocol.
Environmental Studies; COVID-19; Wastewater surveillance; Quality assurance/quality control; Interlaboratory method comparisons; Laboratories; Coronaviruses; Splitting; Microorganisms; Performance evaluation; Batch reactors; Polymerase chain reaction; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome; Wastewater treatment; Solids; Recovery; Municipal wastewater; Portable equipment; Design
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
ProQuest Central
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Language:
English
Journal:
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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