04 - Follow That Flush: Using Biotechnology for Early Disease Detection
fecal contamination. While useful, culture methods are slow and ineffective for viruses. • PCR testing is faster and more accurate. Scientists isolate genetic material from the sample and amplify specific DNA sequences. Through cycles of denatur - ation, annealing, and extension, billions of copies of a target sequence can be produced, allowing detec- tion of even tiny amounts of pathogens. • If pathogens are present, DNA is amplified and visualized using agarose gel electrophoresis. DNA is loaded into gel wells, and an electric current moves fragments through the porous gel. Smaller frag- ments move faster than larger ones, forming bands that can be stained and viewed. THE IMPORTANCE OF WASTEWATER MONITORING Wastewater detection of bacteria and viruses is transform- ing the way scientists monitor disease outbreaks and
Figure 2: Colorimetric detection of bacterial contamination.
RELATED KIT: Cat. #951 Chromogenic Analysis of Water Contaminants
emerging health threats. One of the biggest advantages of wastewater testing is its ability to detect disease outbreaks before hospitals report an increase in cases (Figure 3). People infected with a virus start shedding it in their waste before showing symptoms, sometimes up to a week in advance. This means public health officials can take early action—like increasing testing, issuing health advisories, or deploying vaccines—before a full-scale outbreak occurs.
Figure 3: Wastewater testing and public health reporting.
For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater testing became a valuable tool to moni- tor community transmission. Cities around the world used it to predict infection spikes, adjust public health responses, and detect new variants. Wastewater testing can be used to detect common foodborne pathogens like Norovirus and E. coli O157:H7. They cause outbreaks through the fecal-oral route, where pathogens in human waste enter the food or water supply through contaminated water, or poor handwashing after using the bathroom. Wastewater testing has been used to track and prevent the spread of poliovirus in the United States and worldwide. This data can be used to help doctors select the correct treatments for patients.
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