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Journal Article Epublish 3 citations

PubMed: 38937848 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-024-00641-5

EU surveys insights: analytical tools, future directions, and the essential requirement for reference materials in wastewater monitoring of SARS-CoV-2, antimicrobial resistance and beyond.

Hum Genomics 18(1):72

Authors: Valentina Paracchini, Mauro Petrillo, Anandasagari Arcot Rajashekar, Piotr Robuch, Ursula Vincent, Philippe Corbisier, Simona Tavazzi, Barbara Raffael, Elisabetta Suffredini, Giuseppina La Rosa, Bernd Manfred Gawlik, Antonio Marchini

Affiliations

  • European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Geel, Belgium.
  • Seidor Italy SRL, Milano, Italy.
  • European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy.
  • Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Rome, Italy.
  • National Center for Water Safety (CeNSia), Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Rome, Italy.
  • European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Geel, Belgium.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Wastewater surveillance (WWS) acts as a vigilant sentinel system for communities, analysing sewage to protect public health by detecting outbreaks and monitoring trends in pathogens and contaminants. To achieve a thorough comprehension of present and upcoming practices and to identify challenges and opportunities for standardisation and improvement in WWS methodologies, two EU surveys were conducted targeting over 750 WWS laboratories across Europe and other regions. The first survey explored a diverse range of activities currently undertaken or planned by laboratories. The second survey specifically targeted methods and quality controls utilised for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance.

RESULTS

The findings of the two surveys provide a comprehensive insight into the procedures and methodologies applied in WWS. In Europe, WWS primarily focuses on SARS-CoV-2 with 99% of the survey participants dedicated to this virus. However, the responses highlighted a lack of standardisation in the methodologies employed for monitoring SARS-CoV-2. The surveillance of other pathogens, including antimicrobial resistance, is currently fragmented and conducted by only a limited number of laboratories. Notably, these activities are anticipated to expand in the future. Survey replies emphasise the collective recognition of the need to enhance the accuracy of results in WWS practices, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing precision and effectiveness in WWS methodologies.

CONCLUSIONS

These surveys identified a lack of standardised common procedures in WWS practices and the need for quality standards and reference materials to enhance the accuracy and reliability of WWS methods in the future. In addition, it is important to broaden surveillance efforts beyond SARS-CoV-2 to include other emerging pathogens and antimicrobial resistance to ensure a comprehensive approach to protecting public health.

MeSH

Sars-Cov-2, Genomics, Laboratories, Public Health, Surveys And Questionnaires, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Related Coronavirus

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