Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Equids: A Global Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Abstract: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by T. gondii, a widely distributed obligate intracellular parasite. It has received widespread attention because it can infect a large number of domestic and wild animals, thereby posing a threat to public health and the economy on a global scale. Among them, equine animals are critical intermediate hosts. However, studies on T. gondii infection in equine animals are currently not systematic on a global scale. For this purpose, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: This study searched for relevant studies in six significant databases (PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Wanfang database, VIP database and CNKI database). From 1099 articles, we selected 30 articles from 17 countries published from the database creation to July 1, 2023, and used a random-effects model to estimate the T. gondii infection rate in equids. Results: The global infection rate of T. gondii in equids was estimated at 15.0% (2539/15,882, 95% CI 14.0-15.0%). The infection rate was highest in Africa (25.5%) and lowest in North America (8.4%). The infection rate after 2016 (24.0%) was higher than that before 2016 (14.6%). The infection rate was highest in equids aged 5-10 years (20.3%). Among equids, donkeys had the highest overall infection rate at 23.4%, which was higher than that of horses (15.8%) and mules (16.8%). The infection rate among female equine animals (17.5%) is higher than that among males (13.9%). These data indicate that T. gondii is widespread among equine animals globally, posing a potential infection risk to humans. Therefore, continuous monitoring of toxoplasmosis infection rates and control of T. gondii transmission are of great significance for both economic and public health.
© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
Publication Date: 2025-08-07 PubMed ID: 40773076PubMed Central: 3346298DOI: 10.1007/s11686-025-01108-wGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Systematic Review
- Meta-Analysis
- Review
Summary
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The article investigates the global prevalence of the infectious disease Toxoplasmosis, caused by T. gondii, in equine animals and its potential implications for public health and economy. The study’s key findings include varying infection rates based on geography, period, animal age and type, and gender.
Research Methodology
- The article’s authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to collectively analyze the available range of studies regarding T. gondii infection in equine animals.
- Six significant databases – PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, WanFang, VIP, and CNKI – were scoured for pertinent studies.
- From the 1099 identified articles, 30 were selected that spanned 17 different countries and were published up until July 1, 2023.
- A random-effects model was applied to derive the rate of T. gondii infection in equids (horse family animals).
Results and Findings
- The global infection rate of T. gondii in equids was calculated to be 15.0%.
- Across continents, Africa had the highest infection rate at 25.5% while North America had the lowest at 8.4%.
- Infection rates were notably higher after 2016 (24.0%) as compared to rates before 2016 (14.6%).
- Among equids, animals in the 5 to 10-year-old age group were found to have the highest infection rate of 20.3%.
- On comparing types of equids, donkeys had the highest infection rate at 23.4% which was higher than horses (15.8%) and mules (16.8%).
- In terms of gender, female equids had a higher infection rate (17.5%) compared to males (13.9%).
Conclusion
- The study reveals that T. gondii is widely prevalent among equine animals globally, thus posing a potential infection risk to humans and economic resources associated with these animals.
- The authors stress the importance of continuous monitoring of toxoplasmosis infection rates and the control of T. gondii transmission for the sake of economy and public health.
Cite This Article
APA
Ye T, Li XM, Tan WX, Wang CL, Jiang J, Zhao Q.
(2025).
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Equids: A Global Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Acta Parasitol, 70(4), 167.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-025-01108-w Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, Jilin, People's Republic of China.
- College of Life Science, Changchun Sci-Tech University, Shuangyang, 130600, Jilin, People's Republic of China.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, Jilin, People's Republic of China.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
- College of Life Science, Changchun Sci-Tech University, Shuangyang, 130600, Jilin, People's Republic of China. jiangjingxiaoyao@163.com.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, Jilin, People's Republic of China. zhaoquan0825@163.com.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal / epidemiology
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal / parasitology
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- Toxoplasma / immunology
- Equidae / parasitology
- Horses / parasitology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
- Female
- Male
- Global Health
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. Ethical approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable.
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