Hospital Wastewater Surveillance of SARS-CoV-۲ RNA: Association With COVID-۱۹ Cases and Insights into Environmental Persistence

Introduction: Analyzing municipal wastewater for the presence of SARS-CoV-۲ RNA serves as a cost-effective and timely tool for epidemiological surveillance to mitigate virus-related health risks. Therefore, this study assessed the presence of SARS-CoV-۲ RNA in untreated hospital wastewater and its correlation with COVID-۱۹ case numbers over six months at Shahidzadeh Hospital in southwest Iran. Materials and Methods: In this analytical investigation, a total of ۲۴ grab samples of untreated hospital wastewater were systematically collected over six months, spanning from September ۲۰۲۰ to February ۲۰۲۱. Each sample was subsequently processed and analyzed using a reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) approach, with specific amplification targeting both the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene and the nucleocapsid (N) gene of SARS-CoV-۲. Results: All ۲۴ wastewater samples tested positive for SARS-CoV-۲ RNA. Concentrations ranged between ۱۳۰ to ۴۹۰ gene copies/۱۰۰ mL, with mean values increasing from ۲۴۷ (September) to ۴۲۵ (February). RNA levels were strongly correlated with hospitalized COVID-۱۹ cases (Spearman’s p < ۰.۰۵, R² = ۰.۸۷). Conclusion:  These findings highlight the value of hospital wastewater surveillance as a cost-effective epidemiological tool, particularly in settings with limited diagnostic capacity. Future research should investigate viral viability and optimize disinfection strategies to reduce potential environmental risk.

کلیدواژه ها:

Covid ۱۹ ، SARS-CoV-۲ ، Hospital ، Wastewater ، Health Monitoring