About this Research Topic
Since modern epidemiological records, the burden of respiratory pathogens on the global population has been high, with millions of cases causing more than 100,000 deaths every year. The endemicity of seasonal influenza viruses, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and since 2019, SARS-CoV-2 causes this persistent high morbidity. In addition to seasonal epidemics, respiratory pathogens can trigger pandemics that significantly worsen the seasonal burden. The recent example of the COVID-19 pandemic is a stark example.
Despite the pandemic potential of some seasonal respiratory viruses, it is difficult to perform an accurate epidemiological assessment because many infections are asymptomatic. However, there is evidence that the genetic material of respiratory pathogens is found in stools. Hence, it can be possible, by sampling the wastewater, to estimate the prevalence of respiratory infection in a community and to detect the type/variant of the pathogen by performing mutation-specific qPCR or rapid genomic sequencing. Worldwide, multiple academic and governmental groups started this wastewater-based surveillance during the COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. They demonstrated the possibility to monitor the epidemic trajectory of a respiratory pathogen by measuring its concentration through RNA viral particles in wastewater. This global-scale proof-of-concept pushed further the frontiers of epidemiological surveillance. As scientists and epidemiologists try to better understand the wastewater signals and improve its epidemiological interpretation, many questions remain unanswered.
This Research Topic aims to explore and cover some of the latest multidisciplinary research in wastewater-based surveillance for respiratory pathogens. We are specifically interested in empirical research, reviews, opinions and methodological articles.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Epidemiological interpretation of wastewater signals from respiratory pathogens
• Methodological studies that address the variance of wastewater signals (e.g., normalizations)
• Modelling studies to support epidemiological interpretation
• Systematic reviews
• Policy and Practice Reviews for wastewater-based surveillance integration in public health
• Perspective articles
Despite the pandemic potential of some seasonal respiratory viruses, it is difficult to perform an accurate epidemiological assessment because many infections are asymptomatic. However, there is evidence that the genetic material of respiratory pathogens is found in stools. Hence, it can be possible, by sampling the wastewater, to estimate the prevalence of respiratory infection in a community and to detect the type/variant of the pathogen by performing mutation-specific qPCR or rapid genomic sequencing. Worldwide, multiple academic and governmental groups started this wastewater-based surveillance during the COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. They demonstrated the possibility to monitor the epidemic trajectory of a respiratory pathogen by measuring its concentration through RNA viral particles in wastewater. This global-scale proof-of-concept pushed further the frontiers of epidemiological surveillance. As scientists and epidemiologists try to better understand the wastewater signals and improve its epidemiological interpretation, many questions remain unanswered.
This Research Topic aims to explore and cover some of the latest multidisciplinary research in wastewater-based surveillance for respiratory pathogens. We are specifically interested in empirical research, reviews, opinions and methodological articles.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Epidemiological interpretation of wastewater signals from respiratory pathogens
• Methodological studies that address the variance of wastewater signals (e.g., normalizations)
• Modelling studies to support epidemiological interpretation
• Systematic reviews
• Policy and Practice Reviews for wastewater-based surveillance integration in public health
• Perspective articles
Keywords: wastewater-based epidemiology, respiratory pathogens, surveillance, pandemic, epidemic, public health, wastewater
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
