Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Chinese stray dogs: a meta-analysis

Toxoplasma gondii is a globally distributed zoonotic parasite infecting nearly all warm-blooded animals. However, data on the prevalence of T. gondii in stray dogs across China remain fragmented.

To estimate the pooled prevalence of T. gondii in stray dogs in China.

Five databases (PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, VIP, and Baidu Scholar) were searched for studies reporting the serological or molecular detection of T. gondii in stray dogs. A random-effects model was used to calculate pooled prevalence. Subgroup analyses were performed according to sex, age, detection method, period, and region. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias were performed to assess study robustness.

Seventeen studies (2009-2022) involving 2,320 stray dogs from 14 provinces were included. The pooled seroprevalence of T. gondii was 31% (95% confidence interval: 22%-40%). No significant differences were found among sex, age, region, or study period (p > 0.05), whereas seroprevalence estimates were significantly higher in studies using ELISA compared with IHA (Q = 19.24, df = 1, p < 0.0001). Only three studies detected T. gondii DNA, with reported positivity rates ranging from 2% to 47%, precluding pooled estimation.

Toxoplasma gondii infection is widespread among stray dogs in China, highlighting the need for strengthened surveillance and integrated control measures.