Tracking the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern in South Africa using wastewater-based epidemiology

This study uses wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) to rapidly and, through targeted surveillance, track the geographical distribution of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (Alpha, Beta and Delta) within 24 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Western Cape of South Africa. Information obtained was...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2022-01, Vol.12 (1), p.1182-1182, Article 1182
Main Authors: Johnson, Rabia, Sharma, Jyoti R., Ramharack, Pritika, Mangwana, Noluxabiso, Kinnear, Craig, Viraragavan, Amsha, Glanzmann, Brigitte, Louw, Johan, Abdelatif, Nada, Reddy, Tarylee, Surujlal-Naicker, Swastika, Nkambule, Sizwe, Mahlangeni, Nomfundo, Webster, Candice, Mdhluli, Mongezi, Gray, Glenda, Mathee, Angela, Preiser, Wolfgang, Muller, Christo, Street, Renee
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
631/208/727
631/45/500
692/699/255/2514
COVID-19
COVID-19 - epidemiology
COVID-19 - genetics
Epidemiology
Genotyping
Geographical distribution
Humanities and Social Sciences
Humans
Infectivity
multidisciplinary
Mutation
SARS-CoV-2 - genetics
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
South Africa - epidemiology
Wastewater treatment
Wastewater treatment plants
Wastewater-Based Epidemiological Monitoring
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Summary:This study uses wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) to rapidly and, through targeted surveillance, track the geographical distribution of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (Alpha, Beta and Delta) within 24 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Western Cape of South Africa. Information obtained was used to identify the circulating variant of concern (VOC) within a population and retrospectively trace when the predominant variant was introduced. Genotyping analysis of SARS-CoV-2 showed that 50% of wastewater samples harbored signature mutations linked to the Beta variant before the third wave, with the Delta variant absent within the population. Over time, the prevalence of the beta variant decreased steadily. The onset of the third wave resulted in the Delta variant becoming the predominant variant, with a 100% prevalence supporting the theory that the Delta variant was driving the third wave. In silico molecular docking analysis showed that the signature mutations of the Delta variant increased binding to host proteins, suggesting a possible molecular mechanism that increased viral infectivity of the Delta variant.
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-022-05110-4