Wastewater Sequencing-An Innovative Method for Variant Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in Populations.

The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has already affected more than 555 million people, and 6.3 million people have died. Due to its high infectivity, it is crucial to track SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks early to prevent the spread of infection. Wastewater monitoring appears to be a powerful and effective tool for managing epidemiological situations. Due to emerging mutations of SARS-CoV-2, there is a need to monitor mutations in order to control the pandemic. Since the sequencing of randomly chosen individuals is time-consuming and expensive, sequencing of wastewater plays an important role in revealing the dynamics of infection in a population. The sampling method used is a crucial factor and significantly impacts the results. Wastewater can be collected as a grab sample or as a 24 h composite sample. Another essential factor is the sample volume, as is the method of transport used. This review discusses different pretreatment procedures and RNA extraction, which may be performed using various methods, such as column-based extraction, TRIzol, or magnetic extraction. Each of the methods has its advantages and disadvantages, which are described accordingly. RT-qPCR is a procedure that confirms the presence of SARS-CoV-2 genes before sequencing. This review provides an overview of currently used methods for preparing wastewater samples, from sampling to sequencing.

Dynamics of Plasma and Urinary Extracellular DNA in Acute Kidney Injury.

Early and reliable markers of acute kidney injury (AKI) are essential. One such candidate marker of tissue damage is extracellular DNA (ecDNA). The aim of our present study is to describe the unknown dynamics of ecDNA in an animal model of AKI. Glycerol-induced nephropathy was used to model AKI in adult male Wistar rats (n = 93). Blood and urine samples were collected 1, 3, and 24 h after model induction. Total ecDNA and its sub-cellular origin was assessed. In the plasma, total ecDNA and nuclear ecDNA were significantly increased in the AKI group already after 1 h (160% and 270%, respectively, p = 0.02 and p = 0.04). Both nuclear and mitochondrial ecDNA were higher after 3 h (180% and 170%, respectively, p = 0.002 and p = 0.005). Urinary ecDNA concentrations in the AKI group were significantly increased only 24 h after model induction (130% for total ecDNA, p = 0.009; 210% for nuclear ecDNA, p = 0.02; and 200% for mitochondrial ecDNA, p = 0.0009). Our results indicate that plasma ecDNA has the potential to serve as an early and sensitive, albeit non-specific marker of AKI. Further studies should elucidate the source of ecDNA and the dynamics of ecDNA in other animal models of AKI and patients with AKI.

Sorption of SARS-CoV-2 Virus Particles to the Surface of Microplastics Released during Washing Processes.

The research aims at washing processes as possible sources of microplastics, specifical microfibers in wastewater, and the behavior of the virus particles SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater after the washing process as well as their ability to sorb to the surface of microfibers, released from washing processes. The conclusions of the research point to the ability of the virus to attach to possible solid impurities such as textile fibers (microfibers) occurring in the sewer and to the ability of wash water to influence their possible occurrence in the sewer. The highest efficiency (more than 99%) of removal virus particles was after washing process, using liquid washing powder, and washing soda. These findings may gradually contribute to a better understanding of the behavior of the virus particles in the sewer.