Monitoring Sars-Cov-2 Evolution Through Targeted Next-Gen Sequencing of Wastewater Extracts in Kent County
Location
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
Description
PURPOSE: As clinical testing rates decline, wastewater monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 has become an important method of estimating community spread. Wastewater extracts can be used to determine variant composition through sequencing. The aim of our work was to trace the emergence, and sometimes the following disappearance, of SARS-CoV-2 variants. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Since Sept. 2022, we monitored the SARS-CoV-2 variant composition in Kent County wastewater through targeted Next-Gen sequencing of the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of the S-gene. ANALYSES: Mutations were identified by comparing the resultant sequences with the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan (original) wild type variant. Mutations were then compared by Python program with sequences deposited in global databases to identify recognized and named variants. RESULTS: Results show our methodology was successful in tracking variant emergence. Most recently, we identified the emergence of JN.1*, which has become the dominant variant. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that targeted sequencing of the RBD region of the S-gene by next-gen sequencing is an accurate, timely, and cost effective means of SARS-CoV-2 variant monitoring from sewer samples.
Monitoring Sars-Cov-2 Evolution Through Targeted Next-Gen Sequencing of Wastewater Extracts in Kent County
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
PURPOSE: As clinical testing rates decline, wastewater monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 has become an important method of estimating community spread. Wastewater extracts can be used to determine variant composition through sequencing. The aim of our work was to trace the emergence, and sometimes the following disappearance, of SARS-CoV-2 variants. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Since Sept. 2022, we monitored the SARS-CoV-2 variant composition in Kent County wastewater through targeted Next-Gen sequencing of the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of the S-gene. ANALYSES: Mutations were identified by comparing the resultant sequences with the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan (original) wild type variant. Mutations were then compared by Python program with sequences deposited in global databases to identify recognized and named variants. RESULTS: Results show our methodology was successful in tracking variant emergence. Most recently, we identified the emergence of JN.1*, which has become the dominant variant. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that targeted sequencing of the RBD region of the S-gene by next-gen sequencing is an accurate, timely, and cost effective means of SARS-CoV-2 variant monitoring from sewer samples.