Occurrence of Hepatitis A Virus in Water Matrices: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Guy Roussel Takuissu, Sebastien Kenmoe, Jean Thierry Ebogo-Belobo, Cyprien Kengne-Ndé, Donatien Serge Mbaga, Arnol Bowo-Ngandji, Juliette Laure Ndzie Ondigui, Raoul Kenfack-Momo, Serges Tchatchouang, Josiane Kenfack-Zanguim, Robertine Lontuo Fogang, Elisabeth Zeuko’o Menkem, Ginette Irma Kame-Ngasse, Jeannette Nina Magoudjou-Pekam, Carolina Veneri, Pamela Mancini, Giusy Bonanno Ferraro, Marcello Iaconelli, Lidia Orlandi, Claudia Del Giudice, Elisabetta Suffredini and Giuseppina La Rosa ()
Additional contact information
Guy Roussel Takuissu: Centre for Food, Food Security and Nutrition Research, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaounde, Cameroon
Sebastien Kenmoe: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Jean Thierry Ebogo-Belobo: Medical Research Centre, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaounde, Cameroon
Cyprien Kengne-Ndé: Epidemiological Surveillance, Evaluation and Research Unit, National AIDS Control Committee, Yaounde, Cameroon
Donatien Serge Mbaga: Department of Microbiology, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
Arnol Bowo-Ngandji: Department of Microbiology, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
Juliette Laure Ndzie Ondigui: Department of Microbiology, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
Raoul Kenfack-Momo: Department of Biochemistry, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
Serges Tchatchouang: Scientific Direction, Centre Pasteur du Cameroun, Yaounde, Cameroon
Josiane Kenfack-Zanguim: Department of Biochemistry, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
Robertine Lontuo Fogang: Department of Animal Biology, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
Elisabeth Zeuko’o Menkem: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Ginette Irma Kame-Ngasse: Medical Research Centre, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaounde, Cameroon
Jeannette Nina Magoudjou-Pekam: Department of Biochemistry, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
Carolina Veneri: Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Pamela Mancini: Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Giusy Bonanno Ferraro: Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Marcello Iaconelli: Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Lidia Orlandi: Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Claudia Del Giudice: Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Elisabetta Suffredini: Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Giuseppina La Rosa: Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-16

Abstract: Hepatitis A is a common form of viral hepatitis. It is usually transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food and water. This systematic review was carried out to summarise the overall prevalence of Hepatitis A virus (HAV) in different water matrices: untreated and treated wastewater, surface water, groundwater, drinking water, and others (e.g., irrigation water and floodwater). The literature search was performed in four databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Global Index Medicus, and Excerpta Medica Database. Heterogeneity (I 2 ) was assessed using the χ 2 test on the Cochran Q statistic and H parameters. A total of 200 prevalence data from 144 articles were included in this meta-analysis. The overall prevalence of HAV in water matrices was 16.7% (95% CI: 13.4–20.3). The prevalence for individual matrix was as follows: 31.4% (95% CI: 23.0–40.4) untreated wastewater, 18.0% (95% CI: 9.5–28.2) treated wastewater, 15.0% (95% CI: 10.1–20.5) surface water, 2.3% (95% CI: 0.1–6.0) in groundwater, 0.3% (95% CI: 0.0–1.7) in drinking water, and 8.5% (95% CI: 3.1–15.6) in other matrices. The prevalence was higher in low-income economies (29.0%). Africa and Eastern Mediterranean were the regions with higher HAV prevalence values. This study showed a high heterogeneity (I 2 > 75%) with a significant publication bias ( p value Egger test < 0.001). The results of this review suggest that water matrices could be an important route of HAV transmission even in industrialized countries, despite the lower prevalence compared to less industrialized countries, and the availability of advanced water management systems. More effective water/wastewater treatment strategies are needed in developing countries to limit the environmental circulation of HAV.

Keywords: HAV; Hepatitis A virus; water matrices; prevalence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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