Localised wastewater SARS-CoV-2 levels linked to COVID-19 cases: A long-term multisite study in England

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 962, С. 178455 - 178455

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) can monitor for the presence of human health pathogens in population. During COVID-19, WBS was widely used to determine wastewater SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentration (concentrations) providing information on community COVID-19 cases (cases). However, studies examining relationship between concentrations and tend be localised or focussed small-scale institutional settings. Few have examined this multiple settings, over long periods, with large sample numbers, nor attempted quantify detail how catchment characteristics affected these. This 18-month study (07/20-12/21) explored correlation quantitative using censored regression. Our analysis >94,000 samples collected from 452 diverse sampling sites (259 Sewage Treatment Works (STW) 193 Sewer Network Sites (SNS)) covering ~65 % English Wastewater were linked ~6 million diagnostically confirmed cases. High coefficients found (STW: median r = 0.66, IQR: 0.57-0.74; SNS: 0.65, 0.54-0.74). The (regression coefficient) variable catchments. Catchment (e.g. size population grab vs automated sampling) had significant but small effects regression coefficients. last six months reduced became highly coincided a shift towards younger cases, vaccinated rapid emergence variant Omicron. programme rapidly introduced at scale during COVID-19. Laboratory methods evolved catchments characteristics. Despite diversity, findings indicate that provides an effective proxy establishing dynamics across wide variety communities. While there is potential predicting concentration, may more smaller scales.

Язык: Английский

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Application of machine learning for multi-community COVID-19 outbreak predictions with wastewater surveillance

PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 17(11), С. e0277154 - e0277154

Опубликована: Ноя. 10, 2022

The potential of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) as a surveillance and early warning tool for the COVID-19 outbreak has been demonstrated. For areas with limited testing capacity, wastewater can provide information on disease dynamic at community level. A predictive model is key to generating quantitative estimates infected population. Modeling longitudinal data be challenging biomarkers in are susceptible variations caused by multiple factors associated matrix sewersheds characteristics. As WBE an emerging trend, should able address uncertainties from different sewersheds. We proposed exploiting machine learning deep techniques, which supported growing data. In this article, we reviewed existing models, among learning/deep models showed great potential. However, most built individual few features extracted wastewater. To fulfill research gap, compared time-series non-time-series their short-term performance cases 9 diverse long memory (LSTM) Prophet, outcompeted models. Besides viral (SARS-CoV-2) loads location identity, domain-specific like biochemical parameters wastewater, geographical sewersheds, some socioeconomic communities contribute With proper feature engineering hyperparameter tuning, believe LSTM feasible solution trend prediction via WBE. Overall, proof-of-concept study application Future studies needed deploy maintain more real-world applications.

Язык: Английский

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Financial Incentives for Smoking Cessation Among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Adults

JAMA Network Open, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 7(7), С. e2418821 - e2418821

Опубликована: Июль 2, 2024

Importance Socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals (ie, those with low socioeconomic status [SES]) have difficulty quitting smoking and may benefit from incentive-based cessation interventions. Objectives To evaluate the impact of incentivizing abstinence on among adults SES. Design, Setting, Participants This study used a 2-group randomized clinical trial design. Data collection occurred between January 30, 2017, February 7, 2022. included SES who were willing to undergo treatment. analyzed April 18, 2023, 19, 2024. Interventions usual care (UC) for (counseling plus pharmacotherapy) or UC abstinence-contingent financial incentives (UC FI). Main Outcomes Measures The primary outcome was biochemically verified 7-day point prevalence (PPA) at 26 weeks after quit date. Secondary outcomes PPA earlier follow-ups, 30-day 12 weeks, repeated PPA, continuous abstinence. Multiple approaches employed handle missing follow-up, including categorizing data as (primary), complete case analysis, multiple imputation. Results 320 participants had mean (SD) age 48.9 (11.6) predominantly female (202 [63.1%]); 82 (25.6%) Black, 15 (4.7%) Hispanic, 200 (62.5%) White; 146 (45.6%) participated during COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, 161 159 FI. After covariate adjustment treated smoking, assignment FI associated greater likelihood 4-week (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.11 [95% CI, 1.81-5.34]), 8-week (AOR, 2.93 1.62-5.31]), 12-week 3.18 1.70-5.95]) but not 26-week follow-up (22 [13.8%] vs 14 [8.7%] abstinent; AOR, 1.79 0.85-3.80]). However, association group reached statistical significance all imputation (37.37 [23.5%] in 19.48 [12.1%] 2.29 1.14-4.63]). Repeated-measures analyses indicated that significantly more likely achieve across assessments through estimation methods. Other secondary also showed comparable patterns earned $72 ($90) (of $250 possible) incentives. Participation pandemic reduced assessments. Conclusions Relevance In this trial, did increase when smoking; however, follow-ups weeks. Cessation rates higher estimate outcomes. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02737566

Язык: Английский

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The role of wastewater-based epidemiology for SARS-CoV-2 in developing countries: Cumulative evidence from South Africa supports sentinel site surveillance to guide public health decision-making

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 903, С. 165817 - 165817

Опубликована: Июль 26, 2023

Язык: Английский

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Identifying spatiotemporal trends of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater: from the perspective of upstream and downstream wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 31(8), С. 11576 - 11590

Опубликована: Янв. 14, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Geospatial Modeling of Health, Socioeconomic, Demographic, and Environmental Factors with COVID-19 Incidence Rate in Arkansas, US

ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 12(2), С. 45 - 45

Опубликована: Янв. 31, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed numerous challenges to human society. Previous studies explored multiple factors in virus transmission. Yet, their impacts on are not universal and vary across geographical regions. In this study, we thoroughly quantified the spatiotemporal associations of 49 health, socioeconomic, demographic, environmental with at county level Arkansas, US. To identify associations, applied ordinary least squares (OLS) linear regression, spatial lag model (SLM), error (SEM), multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) model. reveal how such change different times, conducted analyses for each season (i.e., spring, summer, fall, winter) from 2020 2021. We demonstrate that there driving along variants, magnitudes spatiotemporally. However, our results adult obesity a positive association incidence rate over entire thus confirming people vulnerable COVID-19. Humidity consistently negatively affects all seasons, denoting increasing humidity could reduce risk infection. addition, diabetes shows roles spread both early variants Delta, while plays Delta Omicron. Our study highlights complexity multifactor affect seasons counties Arkansas. These findings useful informing local health planning (e.g., vaccine rollout, mask regulation, testing/tracing) residents

Язык: Английский

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Wastewater surveillance overcomes socio-economic limitations of laboratory-based surveillance when monitoring disease transmission: The South African experience during the COVID-19 pandemic

PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 20(2), С. e0311332 - e0311332

Опубликована: Фев. 25, 2025

Wastewater and environmental surveillance has been promoted as a communicable disease tool because it overcomes inherent biases in laboratory-based surveillance. Yet, little empirical evidence exists to support this notion, remains largely an intuitive, though highly plausible hypothesis. Our interdisciplinary study uses WES data show for underreporting of SARS-CoV-2 the context measurable statistically significant associations between economic conditions incidence testing rates. We obtained geolocated, anonymised, laboratory-confirmed cases, wastewater viral load socio-demographic Gauteng Province, South Africa. spatially located all create single dataset sewershed catchments served by two large treatment plants. conducted epidemiological, persons infected principal component analysis explore relationships variables. Overall, we demonstrate co-contributory influences socio-economic indicators on access cumulative incidence, thus reflecting that apparent rates mirror socioeconomic considerations rather than true epidemiology. These analyses how provides valuable information contextualise interpret epidemiological data. Whilst is useful have these established SARS-CoV-2, implications beyond are legion reasons, namely clinical broadly applicable across pathogens infecting humans will find their way into albeit varying quantities. should be implemented strengthen systems, especially where inequalities limit interpretability conventional

Язык: Английский

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Advancing Health Equity in Wastewater-Based Epidemiology: A Global Critical Review and Conceptual Framework

SSM - Population Health, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 101786 - 101786

Опубликована: Март 1, 2025

Population health data from wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) are being used at unprecedented scales worldwide, yet there is limited focus on how to advance equity in the field. Addressing this gap, we conducted a critical review of published literature PubMed, targeting studies intersection WBE and equity. Of 145 articles assessed full-text screening, identified 68 with considerations. These spanned various spatial biochemical targets, addressing domains such as study design methodologies, ethical social considerations, feasibility implementation monitoring. We summarize synthesize equity-oriented considerations across domains. further propose five key research practice, integrate these into conceptual framework illustrate they apply major steps process conducting WBE. include global inequities access, need prevent potential harms stigma via misuse (inappropriate reporting use for criminal surveillance), importance regulation community engagement, particularly amidst growing privatization WBE, especially United States.

Язык: Английский

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Targeting a free viral fraction enhances the early alert potential of wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2: a methods comparison spanning the transition between delta and omicron variants in a large urban center

Frontiers in Public Health, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 11

Опубликована: Июль 20, 2023

Introduction Wastewater surveillance has proven to be a valuable approach monitoring the spread of SARS-CoV-2, virus that causes Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Recognizing benefits wastewater as tool support public health in tracking SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens, numerous sampling concentration methods have been tested for appropriate applications well their significance actionability by practices. Methods Here, we present 34-week long study covers nearly 4 million residents Detroit (MI, United States) metropolitan area. Three primary were compared with respect recovery from wastewater: Virus Adsorption-Elution (VIRADEL), polyethylene glycol precipitation (PEG), polysulfone (PES) filtration. viral concentrations normalized using various parameters (flow rate, population, total suspended solids) account variations flow. analytical approaches implemented compare across three COVID-19 clinical data both non-normalized data: Pearson Spearman correlations, Dynamic Time Warping (DTW), Lagged Cross Correlation (TLCC) peak synchrony. Results It was found VIRADEL, which captures free supernatant wastewater, leading indicator cases within region, whereas PEG PES filtration, target particle-associated virus, each lagged behind early alert potential VIRADEL. may potentially capture previously shed accumulated resuspended sediments interceptors. Discussion These results indicate VIRADEL method can used enhance early-warning although drawbacks include need process large volumes concentrate sufficiently detection. While lagging early-alert potential, filtration routine since they allow number samples processed concurrently while being more cost-effective rapid turn-around yielding same day collection.

Язык: Английский

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Measuring SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in neighborhood wastewater

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 926, С. 172021 - 172021

Опубликована: Март 27, 2024

Longitudinal wastewater sampling during the COVID-19 pandemic was an important aspect of disease surveillance, adding to a more complete understanding infection dynamics and providing data for community public health monitoring intervention planning. This largely accomplished by testing SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in samples from municipal treatment plants (WWTPs). We evaluated utility virus levels upstream WWTP within residential neighborhoods that feed into WWTP. propose across could reveal health-relevant information about sub-group heterogeneity concentrations. Virus concentration patterns display between over time. Sewage as measured RT-qPCR also corresponded closely verified counts individual neighborhoods. More importantly, our suggest loss disease-relevant when occurs only at level instead Spikes are often masked dilution other samples. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) employed reliably detects city-sized population but provides less actionable experiencing greater viral disease. Neighborhood sewershed reveals population-based local improves opportunities intervention. Longitudinally employed, neighborhood surveillance may provide 3–6 day early warning spikes and, highly specific on subpopulations particularly higher risk different points Sampling thus timely cost-saving targeted interventions communities.

Язык: Английский

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