A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on the Global Molecular Epidemiology of Microsporidia Infection Among Rodents: A Serious Threat to Public Health

Taghipour, A. and Bahadory, S. and Abdoli, A. and Javanmard, E.

Acta Parasitol (2021) :

DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00447-8

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Microsporidiosis as a zoonotic disease has caused serious health problems in high-risk groups, including immunosuppressed individuals. Among the potential animal reservoirs of microsporidia, rodents play a key role due to close-contact with humans and their dispersion in different environments. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the global status and genetic diversity of microsporidia infection in different rodents. METHODS: The standard protocol of preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched from 1 January 2000 to 15 April 2021. All peer-reviewed original research articles describing the molecular prevalence of microsporidia infection in rodents were included. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. The point estimates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a random-effects model. The variance between studies (heterogeneity) were quantified by I(2) index. RESULTS: Of 1695 retrieved studies, 22 articles (including 34 datasets) were included for final meta-analysis. The pooled global molecular prevalence (95% CI) of microsporidia infection in rodents was 14.2% (95% CI 10.9-18.3%). The highest prevalence of microsporidia was found in Apodemus spp. 27.3% (95% CI 15-44.5%). Enterocytozoon bieneusi was the most common pathogen (26/34; 76.47% studies) according to PCR-based methods, and the genotype D as the highest reported genotype (15 studies). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the study showed a relatively high prevalence of microsporidia infection in rodents as a potential animal reservoir for infecting human. Given the relatively high incidence of microsporidiosis, designing strategies for control, and prevention of microsporidia infection in rodents should be recommended.

Citation

Taghipour, A., Bahadory, S., Abdoli, A., & Javanmard, E. (2021). A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on the Global Molecular Epidemiology of Microsporidia Infection Among Rodents: A Serious Threat to Public Health. Acta Parasitol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-021-00447-8 Rodents, Meta-analysis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Microsporidia, Molecular prevalence

Keywords

• Rodents
• Meta-analysis
• Enterocytozoon bieneusi
• Microsporidia
• Molecular prevalence