Distribution of SARS-CoV-2 Genomes in Wastewaters and the Associated Potential Infection Risk for Plant Workers in Typical Urban and Peri-Urban Communities of the Buffalo City Region, South Africa.

The presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in wastewater has been reported in several studies and similar research can be used as a proxy for an early warning of potential Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks. This study focused on profiling the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 genomes in wastewater samples obtained from facilities located in the Buffalo City Municipality. Raw samples were collected weekly using the grab technique for a period of 48 weeks. Ribonucleic acids were extracted from the samples, using the QIAGEN Powersoil Total RNA Extraction kit, and extracted RNA samples were further profiled for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 genomes using Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) technique. Furthermore, various environmental matrices were utilized to estimate the potential health risk to plant operators associated with exposure to SARS-CoV-2 viral particles using the quantitative microbiological risk assessment (QMRA) model. Our findings revealed the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 genomes with concentrations that ranged from 0.22 × 103 to 17.60 × 103 genome copies per milliliter (GC/mL). Different exposure scenarios were employed for the QMRA model, and the findings indicate a probability of infection (P(i)) ranging from 0.93% to 37.81% across the study sites. Similarly, the P(i) was highly significant (p < 0.001) for the 20 mL volumetric intake as compared to other volumetric intake scenarios, and high P(i) was also observed in spring, autumn, and winter for all WWTPs. The P(i) was significantly different (p < 0.05) with respect to the different seasons and with respect to different volume scenarios.

A systematic review on the incidence of influenza viruses in wastewater matrices: Implications for public health.

Influenza viruses pose a significant public health threat, necessitating comprehensive surveillance strategies to enhance early detection and preventive measures. This systematic review investigates the incidence of influenza viruses in wastewater matrices, aiming to elucidate the potential implications for public health. The study synthesizes existing literature, employing rigorous inclusion criteria to identify relevant studies conducted globally. The essence of the problem lies in the gaps of traditional surveillance methods, which often rely on clinical data and may underestimate the true prevalence of influenza within communities. Wastewater-based epidemiology offers a novel approach to supplementing these conventional methods, providing a broader and more representative assessment of viral circulation. This review systematically examines the methodologies employed in the selected studies, including virus concentration techniques and molecular detection methods, to establish a standardized framework for future research. Our findings reveal a consistent presence of influenza viruses in diverse wastewater matrices across different geographic locations and seasons. Recommendations for future research include the standardization of sampling protocols, improvement of virus concentration methods, and the integration of wastewater surveillance into existing public health frameworks. In conclusion, this systematic review contributes to the understanding of influenza dynamics in wastewater matrices, offering valuable insights for public health practitioners and policymakers. Implementation of wastewater surveillance alongside traditional methods can enhance the resilience of public health systems and better prepare communities for the challenges posed by influenza outbreaks.

Rotavirus and Cryptosporidium pathogens as etiological proxies of gastroenteritis in some pastoral communities of the Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

OBJECTIVE: Cryptosporidium and Rotavirus agents have been associated with severe diarrheal illnesses and remain as one of the worst human health burdens in most developing regions. In the present study, we evaluated the incidences of Cryptosporidium and Rotavirus in diarrheal stool specimens of patients in some rural settlements of the Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Stool specimens from diarrheal children and elderly individuals were collected from clinics and hospitals within the rural communities of the region over a period of 21 months (February 2017-November 2018). Commercial enzyme-immuno-assays were used for the detection of Rotavirus and Cryptosporidium pathogens from processed diarrheal stool specimens. RESULTS: A total of 53 fresh stool samples from diarrheal patients were screened and 36% of the diarrheagenic stool specimens tested positive for Group A Rotavirus antigens, while 5.7% tested positive for Cryptosporidium antigens. Our findings reveal Rotavirus and Cryptosporidium pathogens as important etiological agents associated with diarrheal illnesses in children, among the rural hinterlands of the Amathole District Municipality.

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) and Salmonella Species Recovered from Diarrheal Patients in Selected Rural Communities of the Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

PURPOSE: The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria remains as one of the major impediments towards the prevention and treatment of microbial infections and continues to be a serious threat to medicine. Henceforth, this study aimed at elucidating the antimicrobial resistance profiles of diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) and Salmonella species recovered from diarrheal patients in selected rural communities of the Amathole District Municipality (ADM), Eastern Cape Province, South Africa (SA). METHODS: The antimicrobial resistance profiles of diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) and Salmonella isolates were evaluated using antimicrobial susceptibility tests and the relevant antimicrobial resistance factors were elucidated by the Polymerase Chain Reaction technique. RESULTS: A sum of 324 diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) and 62 Salmonella isolates were recovered from diarrheal stool specimens collected amongst diarrheal patients admitted in medical facilities/health-care centers within the ADM in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Multiple antimicrobial resistance index mean values of 0.7 and 0.5 for DEC and Salmonella isolates, respectively, were observed in this study, indicating that these isolates were from sources where antimicrobials were frequently used. The antimicrobial resistance factors ampC, blaTEM, SulI and II, tet A and aadA were detected among antimicrobial-resistant DEC pathotypes and Salmonella isolates recovered in this study. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of the multiple antimicrobial-resistant DEC and Salmonella isolates with the relevant antimicrobial resistance factors in this study suggests a portentous human health threat associated with diarrhea and a major deterrent in medicine.