Airplane wastewater as a gateway for pathogen surveillance
This pilot project demonstrates the feasibility of detecting SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in wastewater of commercial airplanes. This method offers a valuable means of obtaining information from regions with limited SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance data. Moreover, using a hybrid-capture approach, a broad range of viruses of concern can be detected. The implementation of this novel screening approach is promising for enhancing traveler-based surveillance.
Authors
- Lander De Coninck (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6847-2379)
- Stefanie Desmet (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4338-1929)
- Lila Close
- Mandy Bloemen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3395-0462)
- Elke Wollants (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4057-2236)
- Mahmoud Reza Pourkarim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4620-6453)
- Jill Swinnen
- Annabel Rector (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3714-449X)
- Mustafa Karataş (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2464-0593)
- Marc Johnson
- Marc Van Ranst
- Marijn Thijssen
- Jelle Matthijnssens
Institutions
- Rega Institute for Medical Research (BE)
- University of Missouri (US)
- KU Leuven (BE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Infection Genetics and Evolution
- Published
- 2026-03-22
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meegid.2026.105930
- Primary Topic
- Fecal contamination and water quality
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00