Fecal-oral transmission of SARS-CoV-2. A systematic review of evidence from epidemiological and experimental studies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been detected in feces; but RNA is not infectious. This systematic review aims to answer if fecal SARS-CoV-2 is experimentally infectious and if evidence of human fecal-oral SARS-CoV-2 transmission exists.

Methods

On September 19, 2022 we searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, medRxiv, and bioRxiv. Biomedical studies inoculating SARS-CoV-2 from feces, rectal, or anal swabs in cells, tissue, organoids, or animals were included. Epidemiological studies of groups differing in exposure to fecal SARS-CoV-2 were included. Risk of bias was assessed using standardized tools. Results were summarized by vote counting, tabulation, and a Harvest plot. PROSPERO registration no. CRD42020221719.

Results

4874 studies were screened. 26 studies were incl

SUBMITTER: Termansen MB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10141930 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature