Evaluation of RT-qPCR Primer-Probe Sets to Inform Public Health Interventions Based on COVID-19 Sewage Tests

Xiaoqing Xu, Yu Deng, Xiawan Zheng, Shuxian Li, Jiahui Ding, Yu Yang, Hei Yin On, Rong Yang, Ho Kwong Chui, Chung In Yau, Hein Min Tun, Alex W.H. Chin, Leo L.M. Poon, Malik Peiris, Gabriel M. Leung, Tong Zhang*

*Kontaktforfatter

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

10 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

Sewage surveillance is increasingly employed as a supplementary tool for COVID-19 control. Experiences learnt from large-scale trials could guide better interpretation of the sewage data for public health interventions. Here, we compared the performance of seven commonly used primer-probe sets in RT-qPCR and evaluated the usefulness in the sewage surveillance program in Hong Kong. All selected primer-probe sets reliably detected SARS-CoV-2 in pure water at 7 copies per μL. Sewage matrix did not influence RT-qPCR determination of SARS-CoV-2 concentrated from a small-volume sewage (30 mL) but introduced inhibitory impacts on a large-volume sewage (920 mL) with a ΔCt of 0.2-10.8. Diagnostic performance evaluation in finding COVID-19 cases showed that N1 was the best single primer-probe set, while the ORF1ab set is not recommended. Sewage surveillance using the N1 set for over 3200 samples effectively caught the outbreak trend and, importantly, had a 56% sensitivity and a 96% specificity in uncovering the signal sources from new cases and/or convalescent patients in the community. Our study paves the way for selecting detection primer-probe sets in wider applications in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftEnvironmental Science and Technology
Vol/bind56
Udgave nummer12
Sider (fra-til)8875-8884
Antal sider10
ISSN0013-936X
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 21 jun. 2022
Udgivet eksterntJa

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© 2022 American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

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