Background There is still a dearth of knowledge on the burden of HEV infection in the global population of pregnant women. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the global burden of HEV infection in pregnancy. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Knowledge, and Global Index Medicus to identify articles published until January 26, 2020. We considered cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies reporting the immunoglobulins M HEV seroprevalence in asymptomatic and symptomatic (jaundice or elevated transaminases) pregnant women or investigating the association between HEV infection and maternofoetal outcomes. We used a random-effects model to pool studies. This review was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42018093820. Results For HEV prevalence estimates, we included 52 studies (11,663 pregnant women). The seroprevalence was 3.5% (95% confidence interval: 1.4–6.4) in asymptomatic women (most of whom from high endemic areas). The prevalence in symptomatic women was 49.6% (42.6–56.7) with data only from HEV high endemic countries. In the multivariable meta-regression model, the prevalence was higher in symptomatic women compared to asymptomatic (adjusted prevalence odds ratio [aPOR]: 1.76; 95%CI: 1.61–1.91) and decreased with increasing year of publication (by 10-year) (aPOR: 0.90; 95%CI: 0.84–0.96). The proportion of HEV vertical transmission was 36.9% (13.3–64.2). Risk of bias was low, moderate and high respectively in 12 (23%), 37 (70%), and 4 studies (7%) addressing HEV prevalence estimation. HEV infection was associated with maternal deaths (pooled OR 7.17; 3.32–15.47), low birth weight (OR: 3.23; 1.71–6.10), small for gestational age (OR: 3.63; 1.25–10.49), preterm < 32 weeks (OR: 4.18; 1.23–14.20), and preterm < 37 weeks (OR: 3.45; 2.32–5.13), stillbirth (OR: 2.61; 1.64–4.14), intrauterine deaths (OR: 3.07; 2.13–4.43), and not with miscarriage (OR: 1.74; 0.77–3.90). All studies which assessed the association between HEV infection and maternofoetal outcomes had a moderate risk of bias. Conclusions Findings from this study are suggestive of a high burden of HEV infection in pregnancy in high endemic countries, its association with poor maternofoetal outcomes, and a high rate of vertical transmission. This study supports the need for specific strategies to prevent exposure of pregnant women to HEV infection, especially in high endemic areas.

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Microbiological water quality of the Mfoundi River watershed at Yaoundé, Cameroon, as inferred from indicator bacteria of fecal contamination Djuikom, E.; Njine, T.; Nola, M.; Sikati, V.; Jugnia, L.-B. Abstract. Using the membrane filtration technique to count total coliform (TC), fecal coliform (FC) and fecal streptococci (FS), the microbiological water quality of the Mfoundi River and four of its representative tributaries at Yaoundé, Cameroon, was assessed for human use and contact. Sampling was conducted so as to examine the potential origin of fecal contamination and how rainfall affects the measured concentrations of indicators organisms. Our results revealed that waters were not safe for human use or primary contact according to the standards for water quality established by the Word Health Organization (WHO). Indeed, these waters exhibited high concentrations of TC (Mean ± SD = 5.6 × 10 8 ± 2.5 × 10 6 CFU/100 ml), FC (Mean ± SD = 6.8 × 10 5 ± 2.4 × 10 3 CFU/100 ml) and FS (Mean ± SD = 7.3 × 10 5 ± 2.1 × 10 3 CFU/100 ml) that varied with the sampling sites and points. FC/FS ratio suggested that this contamination was more from warm-blooded animals than humans and correlation analysis points to the role of rainfall as a contributing factor, which enhanced the bacterial numbers detected. We conclude that there is a great potential risk of infection for users of waters from the Mfoundi River and its tributaries at Yaoundé.

Une étude bactériologique a été menée sur 588 échantillons d'eau prélevés dans 49 puits de 7 quartiers de la ville de Douala. Les quartiers ont été choisis suivant la typologie de l'habitat. Les analyses des coliformes ont été faites suivant la technique par inclusion en une couche, et celle des streptocoques par ensemencement dans les tubes à vis avec bouillon de Rothe. Les résultats montrent que ces eaux abritent de nombreuses bactéries pathogènes, coliformes fécaux et streptocoques fécaux. Leurs densités subissent d'importantes fluctuations spatiales et temporelles, et varient entre 200 et 29*10 5 UFC/100 ml pour les coliformes totaux et entre 30 et 44*10 3 UFC/100 ml pour les coliformes fécaux ; les streptocoques fécaux sont le plus souvent présents. Les facteurs de variation sont l'environnement du puits, l'entretien, le niveau de la nappe dans le puits, la situation géographique. Les puits les plus contaminés sont ceux qui sont situés à moins de 5 m des sources de pollution telles que les latrines à fond perdu, les dépôts sauvages des ordures ménagères, l'absence ou le traitement régulier de l'eau, le niveau superficiel de l'eau dans le puits. Les puits aménagés, c' est-à-dire munis d'un couvercle bien utilisé et d'une margelle en béton, avec une profondeur d'au moins 4 m, situés au moins à 15 m en amont d'une quelconque source de pollution et dont le traitement est régulier, présentent tous une eau de qualité beaucoup améliorée ; les contaminations fécales y baissent d'au moins 1000 unités. Les points d'eau non aménagés sont très nombreux et les fortes densités de germes dans ces eaux montrent de grands risques sanitaires à court terme pour les consommateurs.

Abstract:The purpose of the study was to investigate changes of soil chemical and biological properties changes resulting from a single application of the fungicide Ridomil Gold plus copper (Ridomil Gold plus)(mefenoxam 6% + copper oxide 60%) at the following rates 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, and 10 g m -2 . Selected chemical properties generally differed between fungicide rates over longer incubation periods. Microbial activity indices (available N, ammonification rates and specific enzymatic systems) were more sensitive indicators of change. Values of these indicators generally increased with incubation period and decreased or increased at high rates. Significant changes in P availability occurred after 90 days of incubation at rates ≥ 1 g m -2 . Incorporation of the fungicide significantly increased NH 4 + levels in soil after 75 days of incubation. These changes stimulated soil microbial activity as evidenced by increased ammonification rates especially at long-term exposure. Of the enzyme activities studied, dehydrogenase and ß-glucosidase activities were the most sensitive to ridomil gold plus. This sensitivity was more pronounced with the dehydrogenase activity.