Scientists find SARS-CoV-2’s genetic material in sewage
A team of scientists from Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) and North South University (NSU) has claimed the first and successful detection of SARS-CoV-2's genetic material in sewage water.
The team is led by Prof Firoz Ahmed, chairperson of NSTU's microbiology department, said an NSTU media release yesterday.
They collected specimens between July 10 and August 29 from drains, sewage and toilets near Shaheed Bhulu Stadium Detention Centre for Covid-19 patients in Noakhali.
The team "successfully detected" several genes of the virus from the samples, it said.
While wastewater surveillance for Covid-19 around the world has focused on wastewater treatment plants, the researchers opted for drain water monitoring near isolation centres, which is first of its kind.
The study focuses on tracing genetic load, how much genetic material is found at certain points, in vicinity of isolation centres that contain constant number of Covid-19 patients. The critical observation has been variation, where small drains showed reduction of genetic load than bigger canals and main city sewers, where the team observed temporal accumulation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA.
According Prof Nazrul Islam, renowned virologist and former vice chancellor (VC) of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, it is internationally accepted that SARS-CoV-2 can be present in the gastrointestinal system. Therefore, the team's method to identify the virus' presence in sewage water could serve as a tool to prevent future spread of the disease.
Prof Nazrul considers the initiative a remarkable achievement in developing an effective waste water surveillance system in Bangladesh.
"Wastewater is an important source to monitor the presence and progression of the infection rate, because the virus leaves the body of not only those who are symptomatic but also asymptomatic individuals through excretion," said Prof Firoz.
He added, "Our finding effectively substantiates the ability of wastewater surveillance to enormously supplement testing individuals who are infected or incubating the virus."
NSTU VC Prof Didar-ul-Alam said, "I am very happy with the research findings…This will help establish national surveillance of the spread of Covid-19 and its interplay with the environment."
"In the meantime, our lab has performed about 21,000 SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR tests to serve residents of ten upazilas in Noakhali and Laxmipur, with financial support from our university," he added.
The team consists of Prof Md Jakariya, Dr Maqsud Hossain and Prof Hasan Mahmud Reza, all from NSU; and Prof Firoz Ahmed, Prof Newaz Mohammed Bahadur, Foysal Hossen, Md Shahadat Hossain, Aminul Islam, Md Main Uddin and Md Nur Islam from NSTU.
Comments