New Test to detect SARS-CoV-2 in the wastewater
An English research team is currently working on a new test method for the detection of the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in the effluent from municipalities. This approach could be a quick and effective method to predict the potential spread of the Virus within an area.
Researchers at the Cranfield University in England are developing a rapid test with which help it accumulate genetic parts of the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in waste water isolate, and can detect. Thus, it can be provided to the research team, according to a proof of the presence of the Coronavirus in certain areas or communities, without the need for the entire population to test. The test procedure has recently been Environmental in the journal “Science & Technology“ will be presented.
Coronavirus-a Biomarker in the feces and urine
Recent studies have shown that the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 from the feces and urine of infected people can be isolated, and that the Virus can survive after leaving the human body a suitable environment for several days. This made use of an English research team developed a Test, with the corona virus in the sewage can prove.
Sewage treatment plants could reveal foci of infection
The Test reacts to a Biomarker in the feces and urine of persons infected with SARS-CoV-2. The excrements pass through the sewage system to treatment plants, where samples of the effluent to be tested. So an early detection of areas would, in which an increasing number of such viruses are detectable.
Asymptomatic Carrier detect
“In the case of asymptomatic infections in the community or if the people are not sure whether you are infected or not, could determine the real-time detection of municipal sewage with the help of paper analytical devices, whether it is in an area COVID-19-Infected, in order to allow a quick scan, quarantine and prevention,” explains Dr. Zhugen Yang from the Cranfield Water Science Institute.
The Test allows local restrictions to assess
“If COVID-19 is monitored in a community in an early stage of the waste water, can be given as early as possible to intervene,” says Dr. Yang. For example, you might restrict the movement of the population locally, and the threat to public health are minimised.
How does the Test work?
A special test strip will be folded in predetermined steps and unfolded. Through this process, the nucleic acid of the pathogen is filtered out of the wastewater samples. Using vorbeladener reagents can then be based on a biochemical reaction to determine whether the nucleic acid of SARS-CoV-2 is present. The results are according to the research team, with the naked eye to read – a green circle indicates a positive and a blue circle with a negative result.
Cheap and Amateur use
“This Test is cheap (less than £1, so 1,13 €) and will be use to further improvements, also for Non-experts easy to,” says Yang. In addition, the analysis of the strips of paper were to stack easy to store and transport. After use they can be burned to reduce further contamination. The research team anticipates that this Test will be able to deliver a complete and immediate picture of the health status of the population in terms of COVID-19.
Similar Tests have been applied to other purposes
As the research team reported, have been applied to similar test methods to determine, for example, illicit drugs in wastewater, or to receive other information about pathogens in the wastewater. (vb)