QIAGEN and GT Molecular, have started to offer a complete wastewater workflow solution designed to enable surveillance of COVID-19 outbreaks by U.S. and Canadian laboratories, with future options to offer the solution in other countries.

The workflow leverages QIAGEN’s sample-preparation expertise and its innovative QIAcuity digital PCR system, which hosts GT Molecular’s digital SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Surveillance Assay. The assay was developed to comply with the CDC guidelines for the United States National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS). The complete workflow has become available as of the beginning of August when the assay launched.

In response to the pandemic and the demand from authorities for health data about broad sections of the population, the solution sets new standards. It allows for the quantification of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater in less than two and a half hours, compared to up to 6 hours with other dPCR systems. Furthermore, the integration of QIAGEN’s AllPrep PowerViral DNA/RNA Kit, which leverages QIAGEN’s patented Inhibitor Removal Technology, with a robust multiplex dPCR detection on the QIAcuity Digital PCR System, enables highly accurate viral RNA analysis from typically very variable wastewater samples.

“There are various methods and workflows for testing for SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater and developing and optimizing them can be challenging and time-consuming,” said Thomas Schweins, Senior Vice President of QIAGEN’s Life Science Business Area. “QIAGEN and GT Molecular are offering a comprehensive solution for detection of SARS-CoV-2 and variants that significantly reduces the upfront time investment for our customers working in public health.”

Christopher McKee, CEO of GT Molecular, a Colorado-based company with deep experience in water testing and developing SARS-CoV-2 tests said, “Our ultra-sensitive assay and the QIAcuity platform have combined to form a fast, easy-to-use and highly accurate system for tracking and managing the spread of COVID-19.”

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) of SARS-CoV-2 allows public authorities to collect data from broad sweeps of the population, including those not featured in public-health statistics because they lack access to healthcare or do not seek testing. Wastewater surveillance has the potential to reveal viral infection and mutational dynamics earlier than diagnostic testing. This near real-time information will allow public-health officials to take faster action in addressing SARS-CoV-2 surges.

Interest in wastewater testing has increased during the pandemic. Authorities in the U.S. and other countries have already begun to look at other targets beyond SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, researchers in various countries have been able to detect influenza, norovirus and other pathogens in wastewater, suggesting the utility of WBE will remain even after COVID-19 has been controlled.