Release
2022/10/12
Development of an automatable highly sensitive method for coronavirus detection in wastewater (COPMAN method)
OSAKA, Japan, October 6, 2022 - AdvanSentinel Inc. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan, President & CEO: Masatoshi Koga, hereafter, “AdvanSentinel”), Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Osaka, Japan; Chief Executive Officer: Isao Teshirogi, Ph.D.; hereafter "Shionogi"), and Masaaki Kitajima, associate professor at the Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University (Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, President: Kiyohiro Houkin, M.D., Ph.D.) have developed a highly sensitive detection technology for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater (Official name: COPMAN method), in which most of the steps are compatible with automation.
Wastewater-based epidemiology is utilized as an effective tool to understand the prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (hereafter, “COVID-19”) at the population level, including asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients. Shionogi and Hokkaido University have been conducting collaborative research towards social implementation of wastewater-based epidemiology since October 2020. In regions where the prevalence of COVID-19 is low (such as Japan in the early phase of the pandemic), the virus concentration in wastewater is relatively low, making it difficult to quantitatively detect the viral RNA using conventional methods due to the lack of sensitivity.
One of the major aims of this collaborative research have been the development of a highly sensitive method for virus detection in wastewater that is essential for social implementation of wastewater-based epidemiology in Japan. Based on this background, the team recently reported the development of the EPISENS-S method, a highly sensitive and practical method for viral RNA detection in wastewater (note 1). In addition, efforts are being made to establish an automated analysis system that can analyze a large number of samples, which is required for social implementation at the national level1. Consequently, the team has successfully developed the COagulation and Proteolysis method using MAgnetic beads for detection of Nucleic acids in wastewater method (hereafter, “COPMAN method”): a highly sensitive detection technology and suitable for automation. The study results have been published online in Science of the Total Environment (a journal of environmental science) on September 23, 2022 (note 2).
The COPMAN method achieves rapid and stable virus recovery by using a coagulant in the virus concentration process from wastewater, which is expected to enable efficient detection of not only SARS-CoV-2 but also other viruses. It is expected that the dissemination of the COPMAN method will further accelerate the social implementation of wastewater-based epidemiology because a large number of samples can be analyzed by implementing this method with humanoid robots.
AdvanSentinel and Shionogi are making efforts with Hokkaido University in the technology development of wastewater-based epidemiology, which enables more accurate understanding of the prevalence of infectious diseases. We will contribute to an urgent issue, understanding of the prevalence of COVID-19 including variants, and continue to establish nation-wide wastewater surveillance systems to identify the public health threat and risk of possible next pandemic after COVID-19.
[Details of study results]
The COPMAN method developed in this study consists of the following steps: concentration of viruses in wastewater using a coagulant, extraction and purification of RNA using magnetic beads, and reverse transcription (RT)-preamplification-quantitative PCR (qPCR) (Figure 1). The virus concentration step of the polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation method, the most widely used method used in Japan, takes more than 9 hours, whereas the use of a coagulant enables the COPMAN method to complete this step within just 10 minutes. In addition, the method ensured the highly sensitive detection of viral RNA in wastewater by extracting RNA using a unique lysis buffer containing enzymes that degrade viral proteins in combination with a set of inhibitor-resistant enzymes in the RT-preamplification-qPCR step. Using 12 municipal wastewater samples (i.e., influent wastewater collected at wastewater treatment plants) containing relatively low concentrations of viral RNA, we compared the COPMAN method with the PEG precipitation method and the ultrafiltration method for concentration, followed by conventional qPCR. The detection rate was 100% (12/12 samples) by the COPMAN method, which was much higher than those of PEG precipitation and ultrafiltration methods (17% (2/12 samples) and 42% (5/12 samples), respectively), demonstrating the high sensitivity of the COPMAN method (Figure 2).
The COPMAN method can also quantify pepper mild mottle virus (hereafter, “PMMoV”) contained in feces, and thus SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentration can be normalized by the concentration of PMMoV (i.e, the influences of the fluctuation of the fecal load and dilution by rain water can be corrected). While most of the SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater is associated with the solid fraction, many non-enveloped viruses including PMMoV are known to be present at a high proportion not only in the solid fraction but also in the liquid fraction. The COPMAN method can efficiently recover the virus in the liquid fraction in addition to that in the solid fraction in wastewater due to the use of the coagulant in the concentration step; in fact, PMMoV yield of the COPMAN method was higher than that of the EPISENS-S method, which only analyzes the solid fraction. Thus, we consider that the COPMAN method is effective in detecting a variety of viruses including those abundantly present also in the liquid fraction like PMMoV and norovirus (Figure 3).
The COPMAN method eliminates the centrifugation process as much as possible as it is incompatible with automation, and adopts a nucleic acid purification method using magnetic beads, which is more suitable for automation. This innovation enables the analysis of a large number of specimens, and the dissemination of this technology is expected to further accelerate the social implementation of wastewater-based epidemiology.
[RNA extraction kit for analysis with the COPMAN method]
The COPMAN RNA extraction kit for wastewater analysis is commercially available from AdvanSentinel. This kit is suitable for not only manual processing but also for general automated magnetic separators, and a large number of samples can be simultaneously processed because magnetic beads are used for RNA purification.
[Corporate information]
AdvanSentinel Inc.
AdvanSentinel Inc. is a joint venture established by Shionogi & Co., Ltd. and Shimadzu Corporation (Head office: Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan, President and CEO: Teruhisa Ueda) in January 20222. In social implementation of wastewater-based epidemiology all over Japan in the future, a huge number of samples should be analyzed at one time efficiently at low cost. Based on this background, AdvanSentinel has already established an automated analysis line of this method using LabDroid “Maholo” with Robotic Biology Institute Inc (RBI).
Shionogi & Co., Ltd.
Shionogi has identified “Protecting people from the threat of infectious diseases” as a material issue (Materiality), and is making efforts for total care for infectious diseases covering pre-symptomatic, and preventive care through education, prevention, diagnosis, and control of disease severity, not only research and development of treatments. As a leading company in infectious diseases, we will strengthen our efforts including the corporation with outside partners to provide healthcare solutions to as many patients as possible to help societies restore safety and confidence by bringing this pandemic of COVID-19 to an end as soon as possible.
Hokkaido University
Founded in 1876 as Sapporo Agricultural College, Hokkaido University is one of the oldest, largest, and most prestigious universities in Japan. The university attracts prospective students all around the globe with the diverse degree programs offered and the year-round scenic beauty. The campuses are located in the cities of Sapporo and Hakodate of Hokkaido and 21 facilities are spread throughout Hokkaido and mainland Japan, contributing towards the resolution of global issues.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on expectations in light of the information currently available, assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. Risks and uncertainties include general domestic and international economic conditions such as general industry and market conditions, and changes of interest rate and currency exchange rate. These risks and uncertainties particularly apply with respect to product-related forward-looking statements. Product risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, completion and discontinuation of clinical trials; obtaining regulatory approvals; claims and concerns about product safety and efficacy; technological advances; adverse outcome of important litigation; domestic and foreign healthcare reforms and changes of laws and regulations. Also for existing products, there are manufacturing and marketing risks, which include, but are not limited to, inability to build production capacity to meet demand, lack of availability of raw materials and entry of competitive products. The company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For Further Information, Contact:
・ AdvanSentinel Contact information: Info@advansentinel.co.jp
・ SHIONOGI Website Inquiry Form: https://www.shionogi.com/global/en/contact.html
・ Hokkaido University:
Associate Professor Masaaki Kitajima
Division of Environmental Engineering
Faculty of Engineering
Email: mkitajima@eng.hokudai.ac.jp
References:
1. Press release dated March 19, 2021: Establishing an Automated System for the Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater
https://www.shionogi.com/global/en/news/2021/03/210319.html
2. Press release dated February 8, 2022: SHIMADZU and SHIONOGI establishes joint venture AdvanSentinel —Helping society through better public health risk assessment, including wastewater surveillance—
https://www.shionogi.com/global/en/news/2022/2/e-20220208.html
Note 1. https://www.global.hokudai.ac.jp/blog/a-rapid-highly-sensitive-method-to-measure-sars-cov-2-in-wastewater/
【Reference diagram】
Figure 1: Schematic diagram of the COPMAN method
Figure 2: Comparison of the detection sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in municipal wastewater
Figure 3: COPMAN method is suitable for virus detection in both solid and liquid fractions of wastewater
