Exploring adenovirus in water environments: a systematic review and meta-analysis
G. R. Takuissu, Sébastien Kenmoe, Jean Thierry Ebogo‐Belobo, Cyprien Kengne-Ndé, Donatien Serge Mbaga, Arnol Bowo‐Ngandji, J. L. Ondigui Ndzie, Raoul Kenfack‐Momo, S. Tchatchouang, Josiane Kenfack‐Zanguim, Robertine Lontuo Fogang, Elisabeth Zeuko’o Menkem, Ginette Irma Kame‐Ngasse, Jeannette Nina Magoudjou‐Pekam, Elisabetta Suffredini, Carolina Veneri, Pamela Mancini, Giusy Bonanno Ferraro, M. Iaconelli, Marco Verani, Ileana Federigi, Annalaura Carducci, Giuseppina La Rosa
Abstract
Adenoviruses (AdVs) have a significant impact in both medical and environmental contexts. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of AdV in different water types, such as untreated and treated wastewater, surface water, groundwater, drinking water, and other water matrices. A total of 239 articles were included in this meta-analysis. Adenoviruses were detected in various waters worldwide. The overall prevalence in water was found to be 59.2%, with the highest prevalence in untreated wastewater (83.1%) and treated wastewater (75.3%), followed by "other water matrices" (53.4%), surface water (49.5%) drinking water (22.7%), and groundwater (18.5%). Most of the studies did not assess the viability of the viruses, leading to weak links between water contamination and risk. Both human and animal AdV were found in water environments. The findings suggest that water, including drinking water, could be a significant route of AdV transmission in both developed and developing economies.