Global epidemiology and diagnostic insights into canine brucellosis: A comprehensive meta-analysis and...

This meta-analysis on canine brucellosis aimed to examine the global epidemiology, risk factors, diagnostic techniques, and clinical symptoms associated with the disease. The study adhered to the Cochrane approach and PRISMA recommendations for precise data selection and analysis, drawing from research published between 1970 and 2025. Data was gathered from various databases, including Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Strict criteria were implemented to evaluate relevant papers for inclusion, ensuring that the research focused specifically on Brucella spp. infections in dogs. Non-peer-reviewed sources and studies lacking sufficient data were excluded from the meta-analysis, with the focus placed on peer-reviewed original research employing robust methodologies. Extracted data encompassed sample size, diagnostic techniques, geographic distributions, and epidemiological indicators. Bacterial culture, PCR, and serological tests were compared among the various diagnostic techniques. The prevalence of canine brucellosis was estimated on 175,675 samples by dividing the number of positive samples by the total sample count. Statistical tools such as the I² index and Chi-square tests assessed heterogeneity and temporal trends. Results indicated marked geographic variation in canine brucellosis prevalence. While countries like China, Japan, and the UK reported lower rates, others, such as Canada (37.8 %), the Netherlands (32.5 %), and South Korea (26.5 %), showed higher rates. The overall pooled prevalence was 7.96 %. Among different types, farm dogs showed the highest infection rate (23.52 %). Diagnostic techniques varied in sensitivity. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) showed higher detection rates than PCR or other techniques. B. canis emerged as the predominant species, followed by B. abortus and B. suis. The meta-analysis further emphasized the importance of identifying Brucella species in dogs. Female and symptomatic dogs had significantly higher infection rates, with typical clinical signs including fever, reproductive disorders, and joint pain. In summary, this meta-analysis provides comprehensive insight into the global status of canine brucellosis, emphasizing the need for further research to improve diagnostic accuracy, close epidemiological knowledge gaps, and enhance public health strategies.