The global serological prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in felids during the last five decades (1967-2017): a systematic review and meta-analysis

Montazeri, M. and Mikaeili Galeh, T. and Moosazadeh, M. and Sarvi, S. and Dodangeh, S. and Javidnia, J. and Sharif, M. and Daryani, A.

Parasit Vectors (2020) 13: 82

DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3954-1

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Felids (domestic and wild cats) are important in the epidemiology of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii because they are the only hosts that can excrete the environmentally resistant oocysts. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the global prevalence of T. gondii in species of the family Felidae. METHODS: We searched seven databases (PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Proquest and Web of Science) for studies reporting seroprevalence of T. gondii in felids from 1967 to 31 December 2017. A total of 217 published papers, containing 223 datasets were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis, comprised 59,517 domestic and 2733 wild cats from 1967 to 2017. RESULTS: The pooled global T. gondii seroprevalence was estimated to be 35% (95% CI: 32-38%) and 59% (95% CI: 56-63%) in domestic cats and wild felids, respectively, using random effects model. The seroprevalence was higher in Australia and Africa where the T. gondii seropositivity in domestic cats was 52% (95% CI: 15-89%) and 51% (95% CI: 20-81%), respectively. The lowest seroprevalence was estimated in Asia 27% (95% CI: 24-30%). The seroprevalence values for T. gondii in wild felids were 74% (95% CI: 62-83%) in Africa, 67% (95% CI: 23-111%) in Asia, 67% (95% CI: 58-75%) in Europe and 66% (95% CI: 41-91%) in South America. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides the global prevalence of T. gondii in species of the family Felidae and is a source of information to aid public health workers in developing prevention plans.

Citation

Montazeri, M., Mikaeili Galeh, T., Moosazadeh, M., Sarvi, S., Dodangeh, S., Javidnia, J., Sharif, M., & Daryani, A. (2020). The global serological prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in felids during the last five decades (1967-2017): a systematic review and meta-analysis. Parasit Vectors, 13(1), 82. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-020-3954-1 Animals, Risk Factors, Time Factors, Africa/epidemiology, Prevalence, Seroepidemiologic Studies, Meta-analysis, Toxoplasma gondii, Australia/epidemiology, Europe/epidemiology, Animals, Wild/parasitology, Toxoplasmosis, Animal/*epidemiology, Serology, Asia/epidemiology, South America/epidemiology, Antibodies, Protozoan/blood, Cat Diseases/*epidemiology/*parasitology, Cats/*parasitology, Domestic cat, Pets/parasitology, Toxoplasma/isolation & purification, Wild cat

Keywords

• Animals
• Risk Factors
• Time Factors
• Africa/epidemiology
• Prevalence
• Seroepidemiologic Studies
• Meta-analysis
• Toxoplasma gondii
• Australia/epidemiology
• Europe/epidemiology
• Animals
• Wild/parasitology
• Toxoplasmosis
• Animal/*epidemiology
• Serology
• Asia/epidemiology
• South America/epidemiology
• Antibodies
• Protozoan/blood
• Cat Diseases/*epidemiology/*parasitology
• Cats/*parasitology
• Domestic cat
• Pets/parasitology
• Toxoplasma/isolation & purification
• Wild cat