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Veterinary parasitology2020; 288; 109299; doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109299

Global seroprevalence of Neospora spp. in horses and donkeys: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract: Neospora infections due to Neospora caninum and N. hughesi are prevalent among equids of the world. The disease may affect reproductive and neurological consequences. The present systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the global Neospora seroprevalence among horses and donkeys. A number of 57 out of 1575 total retrieved studies were included by searching the PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science and ProQuest. A total of 25,783 horses and 4377 donkeys were examined serologically, yielding a weighted seroprevalence of 13.46 % (95 % CI: 10.26 %-17.42 %) globally. Subgroup analysis revealed that there were statistically significant differences in the overall prevalence of Neospora spp. in the examined animals according to year, continent, WHO region, country, host, and diagnostic method. Age and sex in horses as well as sex in donkeys were significantly associated with the Neospora seroprevalence (P < 0.001). Our findings showed a relatively high exposure to Neospora spp. in horses and donkeys worldwide. Considering the possible economic impact, as well as the importance in animal health, more studies are needed to clarify the species causing equine neosporosis, correlate serological findings with clinical outcomes and assess the risk factors, in order to define adequate prevention and control strategies.
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2020-10-28 PubMed ID: 33227673DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109299Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research attempts to estimate the worldwide prevalence of Neospora infection in horses and donkeys. The study considers 57 studies gathered from several scholarly databases, examining over 25,000 horses and nearly 5,000 donkeys serologically. Results suggest slightly more than a 13% global seroprevalence of the infection.

Objectives and Methodology of the Research

  • The primary objective of the study was to ascertain the global spread of Neospora infection in horses and donkeys, a disease with potentially serious reproductive and neurological consequences.
  • The researchers performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of 57 studies gathered from five scholarly databases: PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and ProQuest.
  • The studies included in the meta-analysis examined 25,783 horses and 4,377 donkeys serologically, testing them for the presence of Neospora infection.

Findings

  • The weighted seroprevalence of Neospora infection in globally examined horses and donkeys was found to be 13.46%. This means almost 13.5 in 100 horses and donkeys are estimated to be infected with Neospora parasites.
  • The research study findings also revealed statistically significant variances in Neospora prevalence according to several factors, including the year of study, continental location, World Health Organization (WHO) region, country, type of host (horse or donkey), and diagnostic method used in the study.
  • Further, certain demographic variables like age and sex in horses, as well as sex in donkeys, were found to be significantly associated with Neospora seroprevalence.

Implications and Recommendations

  • This study reveals a notable exposure to Neospora parasites in horses and donkeys worldwide.
  • The research emphasizes the potential economic implications and significance in animal health of such a high rate of infection.
  • Given the findings, the researchers conclude that further studies are required to distinguish the species causing equine neosporosis, correlate serological findings with clinical outcomes, and evaluate the associated risk factors.
  • Such additional research could assist in devising accurate disease prevention and control strategies, thereby possibly reducing the incidence of Neuropora infections in horses and donkeys.

Cite This Article

APA
(2020). Global seroprevalence of Neospora spp. in horses and donkeys: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Vet Parasitol, 288, 109299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109299

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 1873-2550
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 288
Pages: 109299
PII: S0304-4017(20)30279-X

Researcher Affiliations

MeSH Terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Coccidiosis / epidemiology
  • Coccidiosis / parasitology
  • Coccidiosis / veterinary
  • Equidae
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Neospora
  • Prevalence
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Sex Factors

Citations

This article has been cited 14 times.
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