Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater for prevalence estimation and investigating clinical diagnostic test biases

Here we analyze SARS-CoV-2 genome copies in Catalonia's wastewater during the Omicron peak and develop a mathematical model to estimate the number of infections and the temporal relationship between reported and unreported cases. 1-liter samples from 16 wastewater treatment plants were collecte...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Mattei, Mattia, Pintó Solé, Rosa María, Guix Arnau, Susana, Bosch, Albert, Arenas, Àlex
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de la UB
OAI Identifier:oai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/200624
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/200624
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:SARS-CoV-2
Models matemàtics
Mathematical models
Descripción
Sumario:Here we analyze SARS-CoV-2 genome copies in Catalonia's wastewater during the Omicron peak and develop a mathematical model to estimate the number of infections and the temporal relationship between reported and unreported cases. 1-liter samples from 16 wastewater treatment plants were collected and used in a compartmental epidemiological model. The average correlation between genome copies and reported cases was 0.85, with an average delay of 8.8 days. The model estimated that 53% of the population was infected, compared to the 19% reported cases. The under-reporting was highest in November and December 2021. The maximum genome copies shed in feces by an infected individual was estimated to range from 1.4×108 gc/g to 4.4×108 gc/g. Our framework demonstrates the potential of wastewater data as a leading indicator for daily new infections, particularly in contexts with low detection rates. It also serves as a complementary tool for prevalence estimation and offers a general approach for integrating wastewater data into compartmental models.