RT-qPCR detection of SARS-CoV-2 mutations S 69-70 del, S N501Y and N D3L associated with variants of concern in Canadian wastewater samples.

ABSTRACT: SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VoC) have been increasingly detected in clinical surveillance in Canada and internationally. These VoC are associated with higher transmissibility rates and in some cases, increased mortality. In this work we present a national wastewater survey of the distribution of three SARS-CoV-2 mutations found in the B.1.1.7 (alpha), B.1.351 (beta), and P.1 (gamma) VoC, namely the S-gene 69-70 deletion, N501Y mutation, and N-gene D3L. RT-qPCR allelic discrimination assays were sufficiently sensitive and specific for detection and relative quantitation of SARS-CoV-2 variants in wastewater to allow for rapid population-level screening and surveillance. We tested 261 samples collected from 5 Canadian cities (Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax) and 6 comm

SUBMITTER: Peterson SW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8552806 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature