Waterborne protozoan outbreaks: An update on the global, regional, and national prevalence from 2017 to 2020 and sources of contamination

Ma, Jun Yang; Li, Man Yao; Qi, Ze Zheng; Fu, Ming; Sun, Tian Feng; Elsheikha, Hany M.; Cong, Wei

Abstract

The aim of this review is to identify the worldwide trend of waterborne protozoan outbreaks and how it varies between geographic regions during the period from 2017 to 2020. Data about waterborne protozoan outbreaks were gathered and stratified by continent, country, water source, and protozoan species associated with the outbreak. The highest prevalence of waterborne protozoan outbreaks was reported in developed countries. Out of 251 outbreaks reported worldwide during the studied period, 141, 51 and 24 outbreaks were recorded in the USA, UK, and New Zealand, respectively. These outbreaks were mainly associated with Cryptosporidium (192 outbreaks) and Giardia (48 outbreaks). Cyclospora cayetanensis, Dientamoeba fragilis and Toxoplasma gondii were associated with 7 outbreaks. One outbreak was associated with each of Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba histolytica, Microsporidia or Naegleria fowleri. This data suggests large discrepancies in the number of outbreaks reported between geographic regions, with most outbreaks recorded in developed countries. Differences in the prevalence of outbreaks between countries are likely attributed to the availability of diagnostic capabilities and surveillance programs to monitor water contamination with pathogenic protozoa. More attention and concerted efforts are required to improve water safety and to alleviate the impact of waterborne protozoan infections. Appropriate surveillance of water contamination with protozoa can enable public health officials to identify source of contamination and implement the necessary measures to limit transmission and prevent outbreaks.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 20, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Sep 24, 2021
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2022
• Deposit Date: Mar 26, 2022
• Journal: Science of the Total Environment
• Print ISSN: 0048-9697
• Electronic ISSN: 1879-1026
• Publisher: Elsevier BV
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 806
• Issue: Part 2
• Article Number: 150562
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150562
• Keywords: Pollution; Waste Management and Disposal; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Engineering
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/6509812
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969721056394?via%3Dihub
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Waterborne protozoan outbreaks: An update on the global, regional, and national prevalence from 2017 to 2020 and sources of contamination; Journal Title: Science of The Total Environment; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150562