University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

SARS-CoV-2 detection in wastewater

Zhou, Aijia

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/114028

Description

Title
SARS-CoV-2 detection in wastewater
Author(s)
Zhou, Aijia
Issue Date
2021-12-10
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Nguyen, Thanh Huong
Department of Study
Civil & Environmental Eng
Discipline
Environ Engr in Civil Engr
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Date of Ingest
2022-04-29T21:47:48Z
Keyword(s)
  • Wastewater-based epidemiology
  • SARS-COV-2
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic is a global concern which has caused millions of cases and deaths. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) can track SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics through wastewater. Aiming to detect the existence of pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic patients in specific areas prior clinical test results, and to remind special attention for viral spreading, the SARS-CoV-2 viral concentration in wastewater was monitored from April to October 2021.Wastewater samples were collected in 9 locations in Urbana-Champaign and a rural area nearby. Our study developed a timesaving WBE method, which used MgCl2 addition and centrifugation to concentrate SARS-CoV-2 into sludge, based on the understanding that enveloped virus RNA in sludge was dozens of times higher than it in supernatant. We correlated wastewater viral concentration data with clinical tests and found Pearson’s relationship showed weak to moderate positive in four of seven sampling locations. Campus town, the location where had most frequent clinical tests, performed the best correlation. In addition, it was found the appearance of undetectable RNA concentration overlapped with zero clinical cases. The infection peaks of reporting cases always occurred in the periods when viral concentration kept stable.
Graduation Semester
2021-12
Type of Resource
Thesis
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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/114028
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2021 Aijia Zhou

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