In a new study focused on viral outbreak control, researchers at the University of Barcelona explored innovative sequencing methods to identify intermediate hosts and reservoirs for those viruses. This One-Health approach, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, aimed to improve early detection and surveillance of potential viral threats.
The team began by collecting 100 mL wastewater samples, which were then pre-centrifuged then concentrated using the Concentrating Pipette (CP) ultrafiltration method, significantly enhancing the detection capabilities. The viral concentrates were extracted with Qiagen's QIAmp Viral Mini Kit.
To further understand the prevalence of coronaviruses, samples from bat guano and other animal sources were also processed.
The researchers then compared the new sequencing approach to the traditional untargeted method, finding that the Concentrating Pipette method provided nearly three logs more in read acquisition. This substantial increase in data accuracy was pivotal in identifying potential intermediate hosts and reservoirs for coronaviruses.
With their method refined, the team analyzed the samples using targeted enrichment sequencing (TES) and untargeted viral metagenomics (UVM). Their findings underscored the importance of a One-Health approach in anticipating and responding to viral outbreaks, enhancing monitoring solutions in public health.
"The information obtained can significantly contribute to early detection, surveillance, and control measures for coronaviruses, including viral discovery and potential spillover events," the publication stated.
Read the Publication
Target Enrichment Metaviromics Enables Comprehensive Surveillance of Coronaviruses in Environmental and Animal Samples, Martínez-Puchol, et al. Heliyon, 2024
