Global prevalence and epidemiology of leptospirosis in domestic cats, a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Research worldwide describes different prevalences of leptospirosis in domestic cats. The aims of this study were: to perform a systematic review to determine epidemiologic characteristics of published observational studies on leptospirosis, and to obtain pooled measures of the global prevalence of the disease with a meta-analysis for studies using indirect diagnostic tests (M1) and direct diagnostic tests (M2). A bibliographic search to find observational epidemiological studies reporting the prevalence of leptospirosis in cats was performed. The geographic location and decade of publication of the studies, serovars, serogroups and factors associated with Leptospira infection were summarized through a systematic review. Meta-analyses were achieved to obtain the pooled global prevalence (M1 and M2), prevalences according to the continent and origin of the sampled cats. 139 articles were found, and 93 were selected. In 16 articles, Leptospira serogroups were recorded and seropositivity was more frequent for Icterohaemorragiae, Australis, Autumnalis, Pomona. In 59 articles, the serovars were reported, being the most common reactions for Pomona, Grippotyphosa and Canicola. The M1 included 83 articles; the pooled prevalence was 11.09 % (95 % CI = 8.68–13.73). The M2 comprised 23 studies and the pooled prevalence was 9.22 % (95 % CI = 4.30–15.41). A subgroup analysis revealed higher pooled prevalences in Oceania and Europe, shelter, rural and outdoor cats in studies using indirect diagnostic tests and in Asia, stray cats and veterinary hospital patients in studies with direct tests.

Basic Aspects and Epidemiological Studies on Leptospirosis Carried Out in Animals in Chile: A Bibliographic Review

“…These findings emphasize the need for more research on leptospirosis in domestic cats due to the potential for the zoonotic transmission of the infection, which has already been proven in some studies [ 92 , 93 ]. In a recently published meta-analysis that included 93 epidemiologic studies, a global prevalence of leptospirosis in domestic cats of 11.09% was established in studies using indirect diagnostic tests, and a prevalence of 9.22% was reported in publications that used direct diagnostic tests for Leptospira [ 29 ].…”

“…A bibliographic search was conducted in the electronic documentary databases PubMed and ScienceDirect and via the search engine Google Scholar. There was no consideration given to the year of publication of the information [ 29 ].…”

Feline leptospirosis prevalence worldwide: A systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic approaches

“…However, the results of these studies show varying prevalence across different regions globally. In addition, recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses have mainly focused on elucidating the prevalence of leptospirosis in domestic cats [ 22 , 23 ]. Consequently, this research endeavors to provide a comprehensive investigation into the seroprevalence and infection prevalence of leptospirosis in both domestic and wild cats using various diagnostic methodologies.…”