The Global Seroprevalence of Equine Brucellosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Based on Publications From 1990 to 2022.

The study examines the global occurrence of equine brucellosis, a bacterial infection in horses, mules, and donkeys that can be transmitted to humans. It identified factors contributing to the disease’s prevalence and found that the condition is most common in Asia, with female equines and donkeys particularly at risk.

Research Objective

• The aim of this research was to determine the global prevalence of equine brucellosis, a bacterial infection found in horses that can be transferred to humans. This disease often causes no symptoms in infected equines, or it can manifest as arthritis, bursitis, and tenosynovitis.
• The study sought to understand how factors such as geographic location, the method of detection, the species and gender of the horse, and the horse’s age and physical condition might influence the prevalence of the disease.

Research Methodology

• The researchers conducted a systematic literature search for studies published between January 1990 and April 2022. They searched various electronic databases including Google Scholar, Scopus, Pub Med, Science Direct, Web of Science, Embase, Springer, and ProQuest.
• They selected 49 studies for their meta-analysis based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines and established inclusion criteria.
• The researchers used the trim-and-fill method to adjust for significant publication bias, which was revealed by an Egger’s test and funnel plot asymmetry.

Findings

• The overall prevalence of equine brucellosis across the globe was determined to be 1.92% after adjusting for bias. This estimate was calculated using a random effect model.
• Significant variations were found in the prevalence of the disease across different geographical regions. The disease was found to be most prevalent in Asia, with a prevalence of 10.03%, and least prevalent in Europe, with a prevalence of 0%.
• The seroprevalence (the level of a pathogen in a population, as measured by serology tests) of Brucella infection in equines was the highest when detected with the serum agglutination test (10.2%).
• Amongst different equine species, donkeys had the maximum seroprevalence (7.3%), which was notably higher than in other species.
• Female equines had a significantly higher overall seroprevalence than males.
• Other risk factors such as age and physical condition did not show a significant difference in the disease’s overall prevalence.

Significance of the Study

• Understanding the epidemiology of equine brucellosis is crucial for integrating a one-health approach. This approach recognizes that human health is interconnected with the health of animals and the environment.
• The findings of this study can contribute to managing and controlling equine brucellosis more effectively by providing insights about the disease’s prevalence and the risks associated with it.