Upon the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in domestic wastewater have led to an increase in the efforts to define and implement the wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE). This application provides valuable information to define local contamination monitoring, emergence of COVID-19 and its variants and many other aspects to cope with and control the pandemic. WBE surveillance, however, requires several consecutive steps such as sampling, pretreatment and concentration of samples, and detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in wastewater. In this review paper, the literature regarding to all these applications reviewed considering their advantages, disadvantages as well as their applicability. A specific emphasis was placed on the last step, detection and quantification since it covers the most critical procedure for concentrating the virus before measurement. Evaluation of the existing data indicating ultrafiltration, polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation and electronegative membrane filtration (ENMF) were the most promising techniques for concentration. The ongoing studies are proposed to be continued within the context of standard methods. Future research needs are delineated and suggestions are made for details.

在 COVID-19 大流行爆发后，对生活废水中 SARS-CoV-2 遗传物质的检测和量化导致人们加大了定义和实施基于废水的流行病学 (WBE) 的力度。该应用程序提供了有价值的信息，用于定义本地污染监测、COVID-19 及其变种的出现以及应对和控制大流行的许多其他方面。然而，WBE 监测需要几个连续的步骤，例如采样、预处理和浓缩样品，以及检测和量化废水中的 SARS-CoV-2 遗传物质。在这篇评论文章中，回顾了所有这些应用程序的文献，考虑了它们的优点、缺点以及它们的适用性。特别强调了最后一步，检测和量化，因为它涵盖了测量前浓缩病毒的最关键程序。对现有数据的评估表明超滤、聚乙二醇 (PEG) 沉淀和电负性膜过滤 (ENMF) 是最有前途的浓缩技术。建议在标准方法的范围内继续进行正在进行的研究。勾画了未来的研究需求并提出了具体建议。建议在标准方法的范围内继续进行正在进行的研究。勾画了未来的研究需求并提出了具体建议。建议在标准方法的范围内继续进行正在进行的研究。勾画了未来的研究需求并提出了具体建议。