[The French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute (IRBA) and wastewater-based epidemiology: Applicability and relevance in armed forces].
M Boni, O Gorg��, J-U Mullot, S Wurtzer, L Moulin, Y Maday, Gis Ob��pine, F Canini, M Chantre, R Teyssou, V Mar��chal, F Janvier, J-N Tournier
Author Information
M Boni: Institut de recherche biom��dicale des arm��es, 1, place Val��rie-Andr��, 91220 Br��tigny-sur-Orge, France.
O Gorg��: Institut de recherche biom��dicale des arm��es, 1, place Val��rie-Andr��, 91220 Br��tigny-sur-Orge, France.
J-U Mullot: Laboratoire d'analyses de surveillance et d'expertise de la Marine, 83000 Toulon, France.
S Wurtzer: Eau de Paris, d��partement de recherche, d��veloppement et qualit�� de l'eau, 33, avenue Jean-Jaur��s, 94200 Ivry-sur-Seine, France.
L Moulin: Eau de Paris, d��partement de recherche, d��veloppement et qualit�� de l'eau, 33, avenue Jean-Jaur��s, 94200 Ivry-sur-Seine, France.
Y Maday: Sorbonne Universit��, CNRS, Universit�� de Paris, Laboratoire Jacques-Louis Lions (LJLL), Institut universitaire de France, 75005 Paris, France.
Gis Ob��pine: Groupement d'int��r��t scientifique Ob��pine, France.
F Canini: Institut de recherche biom��dicale des arm��es, 1, place Val��rie-Andr��, 91220 Br��tigny-sur-Orge, France.
M Chantre: Institut de recherche biom��dicale des arm��es, 1, place Val��rie-Andr��, 91220 Br��tigny-sur-Orge, France.
R Teyssou: Institut de recherche biom��dicale des arm��es, 1, place Val��rie-Andr��, 91220 Br��tigny-sur-Orge, France.
V Mar��chal: Sorbonne Universit��, Inserm, Centre de recherche Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France.
F Janvier: H��pital d'instruction des arm��es Sainte-Anne, service de microbiologie et hygi��ne hospitali��re, 83000 Toulon, France.
J-N Tournier: Institut de recherche biom��dicale des arm��es, 1, place Val��rie-Andr��, 91220 Br��tigny-sur-Orge, France.
The French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute (IRBA) deeply involved in research on SARS-COV-2, participated in the creation of the Ob��pine sentinel network in charge of detecting, qualifying and quantifying the virus genome in wastewater in France. During this pandemic, wastewater-based epidemiology has proven to be a first class public health tool for assessing viral dynamics in populations and environment. Ob��pine has also conducted research demonstrating the low infectivity of faeces and wastewater and allowed for early detection of epidemic waves linked to new variants. The IRBA has adapted this powerful tool to the monitoring of viral infections on board the aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle in order to get an operational system for anticipation after the first local outbreak in 2020. The presence of this surveillance and anticipation tool has allowed a better management of SARS-CoV-2 contingent introductions on board during stopovers or crewmembers entries. The combination of a mandatory vaccination protocol and the surveillance of viral circulation in black waters has made it possible to identify and locate cases, and thus to continue the operational mission in the COVID-19 environment while limiting the spread and preserving the health of the crew. This innovative tool can easily be redirected to the search for any other pathogens in blackwater or even, in the long term, to ensure health surveillance of any military establishment, at sea or on land, in France or on overseas bases.
