Zoonotic pathogens in equids in Central Europe: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Equids play diverse roles, increasing human contact and potential zoonotic disease transmission.
• Central Europe is a region of interest due to equid proximity to human populations.
• A systematic review was conducted to identify zoonotic pathogens in equids within this region.

Purpose of the Study:

• To catalogue zoonotic pathogens detected in equids across Central Europe.
• To analyze research trends and collaborations in equid zoonosis studies.
• To provide an updated list of potential zoonotic threats from equids.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search following PRISMA guidelines.
• Searched PubMed, Scopus, and CABI databases for relevant publications.
• Included 256 publications spanning 58 years (1964-2022) from nine Central European countries.

Main Results:

• Increased publications on equine zoonoses since the 1990s, with a surge in research on emerging agents.
• 191 zoonotic pathogens investigated; 183 potential zoonotic taxa identified (79.2% bacteria, 15.8% eukaryotes, 4.9% viruses).
• Identified key research collaborations, with Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, and USA playing pivotal roles.

Conclusions:

• Presents an updated list of zoonotic pathogens in Central European equids.
• Highlights emerging threats, including West Nile virus.
• Emphasizes the need for ongoing surveillance and international cooperation to manage zoonotic risks.