RT-qPCR assays for SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in wastewater reveals compromised vaccination-induced immunity.

ABSTRACT: SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, demonstrating higher infection rate and lower vaccine effectiveness as compared with the original virus, are important factors propelling the ongoing COVID-19 global outbreak. Therefore, prompt identification of these variants in the environment is essential for pandemic assessment and containment efforts. One well established tool for such viral monitoring is the use of wastewater systems. Here, we describe continuous monitoring of traces of SARS-CoV-2 viruses in the municipal wastewater of a large city in Israel. By observing morbidity fluctuations (during three main COVID-19 surges) occurring in parallel with Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine vaccination rate, compromised immunity was revealed in the current morbidity peak. RT-qPCR assays for the Original

SUBMITTER: Yaniv K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8551083 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature