Impact of sample clarification by size exclusion on virus detection and diversity in wastewater-based epidemiology

We showed that virus presence or absence in Wastewater samples in both filter trapped solids [FTS] and filtrate (post size fractionation) are not consistent with each other. We also found that in cases where virus was detected in both fractions, virus diversity (or types) captured either in FTS or filtrate were not consistent with each other. Hence, preferring one fraction of WW over the other can undermine the capacity of WBE to function as an early warning system and negatively impact the accurate representation of virus presence and diversity in a population.