Near full-automation of COPMAN using a LabDroid enables high-throughput and sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater as a leading indicator

• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163454
• Publication Date: 2023-04-13T10:16:42Z
• Authors: Shin Hayase; Yuka Adachi Katayama; Tomohisa Hatta; Ryo Iwamoto; Tomohiro Kuroita; Yoshinori Ando; Tomohiko Okuda; Masaaki Kitajima; Tohru Natsume; Yusaku Masago
• Keywords: Automated method

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a promising tool to efficiently monitor COVID-19 prevalence in community. For WBE community surveillance, automation of the viral RNA detection process ideal. In present study, we achieved near full-automation previously established method, COPMAN (COagulation and Proteolysis method using MAgnetic beads for Nucleic acids wastewater), which was then applied detect SARS-CoV-2 wastewater half year. The line employed Maholo LabDroid an automated-pipetting device achieve high-throughput sample-processing capability 576 samples per week. quantified with automated collected from two treatment plants Sagami River basin Japan between 1 November 2021 24 May 2022, when numbers daily reported cases ranged 0 130.3 100,000 inhabitants. detected 81 out 132 at concentrations up 2.8 × 105 copies/L. These showed direct correlations subsequently clinical (5-13 days later), as determined by Pearson's Spearman's cross-correlation analyses. To compare results, also conducted testing EPISENS-S (Efficient Practical virus Identification System ENhanced Sensitivity Solids, Ando et al., 2022), method. correlated only Our shown be efficient timely large-scale monitoring RNA, making more feasible surveillance.