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Blastocystis sp. in Small Ruminants: A Universal Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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Abstract

Purpose

The present review was done to evaluate the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis infection among small ruminants, at a global perspective.

Methods

Systematic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science until 30th January 2022 and total estimates along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using a random-effects model.

Results

Ultimately, the required data were extracted from 25 papers including 19 datasets for each animal. Among 3125 sheep, the Blastocystis prevalence was 25.3% (95% CI 16.1–37.4%) (10 countries), being lower in comparison to that in 2869 examined goats [20.5% (95% CI 11–35.1%)] (12 countries). Regarding STs distribution, fourteen genetically diverse STs of Blastocystis (ST1-ST5, ST7, ST10, ST12, ST14, ST15, ST21, ST23, ST24, ST26) have been reported in sheep, and the highest pooled prevalence was related to ST10 [11 datasets, 57.8% (95% CI 43.7–70.8%)], followed by ST14 [8 datasets, 28.4% (95% CI 20.2–38.4%)], and ST7 [2 datasets, 21.1% (95% CI 4.5–60.3%)]. Compared to sheep, more STs (ST1, ST3-ST7, ST10, ST12, ST14, ST21, ST23-ST26, and ST32) were reported from goats, and the highest weighted frequency was related to ST10 [6 datasets, 45.1% (95% CI: 25.6–66.2%)], followed by ST7 [2 datasets, 40.4% (95% CI 30–51.7%)], and ST14 [4 datasets, 29% (95% CI 15.5–47.7%)]. Out of ten known zoonotic STs reported for Blastocystis (ST1-ST9, and ST12), 7 were isolated from sheep (ST1-ST5, ST7, and ST12) and 7 were reported from goats (ST1, ST3-ST7, ST12).

Conclusions

Overall, Blastocystis epidemiology in sheep and goats is yet to be elucidated and demands more comprehensive studies.

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Availability of Data and Materials

The datasets supporting the conclusions of this article are included in the article (and its additional files).

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Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran

    Morteza Shams

  2. Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

    Ali Asghari

  3. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

    Maryam Baniasad

  4. Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

    Laya Shamsi

  5. Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Mashhad, Iran

    Alireza Sadrebazzaz

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  1. Morteza Shams
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Contributions

AA and MS conceived and designed the study. LS, MB, and AS extracted the data. AA performed the analyses. AA wrote and revised the paper. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Ali Asghari.

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Shams, M., Asghari, A., Baniasad, M. et al. Blastocystis sp. in Small Ruminants: A Universal Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Acta Parasit. 67, 1073–1085 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-022-00589-3

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