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

Research (Published online: 01-02-2024)

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

Morsid Andityas, Dian Meididewi Nuraini, Pornphutthachat Sota, Shih Keng Loong, Banchob Sripa, Peerapol Sukon, Prasarn Tangkawattana, and Sirikachorn Tangkawattana

Veterinary World, 17(2): 255-272

Morsid Andityas: Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; Veterinary Technology Study Program, Department of Bioresources Technology and Veterinary, Vocational College, Universitas Gadjah Mada, 55281, Indonesia.

Dian Meididewi Nuraini: Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Science, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, 57126, Indonesia.

Pornphutthachat Sota: Tropical Disease Research Center, WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Control of Opisthorchiasis (Southeast Asian Liver Fluke Disease), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand.

Shih Keng Loong: Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre, Higher Institution Centre of Excellence, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia.

Banchob Sripa: Tropical Disease Research Center, WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Control of Opisthorchiasis (Southeast Asian Liver Fluke Disease), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand.

Peerapol Sukon: Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand.

Prasarn Tangkawattana: Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand.

Sirikachorn Tangkawattana: Tropical Disease Research Center, WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Control of Opisthorchiasis (Southeast Asian Liver Fluke Disease), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand.

Background and Aim: Leptospirosis in felids (domestic and wild cats) presents an ongoing challenge in our understanding. Numerous studies have reported the detection of Leptospira spp. in these feline populations, highlighting their potential as zoonotic carriers. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to provide insight into the global prevalence of leptospirosis in domestic and wild cats.

Materials and Methods: We conducted extensive searches across five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar) following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Protocols guidelines. Random-effect meta-analyses were performed using R software version 4.3.0 to estimate pooled prevalence rates. Subgroup meta-analyses were conducted based on continents, diagnostic methods, sample types, and wildcat genera.

Results: A total of 71 articles on leptospirosis in domestic cats and 23 articles on leptospirosis in wild cats met the eligibility criteria. Our findings indicated a significantly higher pooled seroprevalence of leptospirosis in domestic cats compared with infection prevalence (9.95% [95% confidence interval (CI), 7.60%–12.54%] vs. 4.62% [95% CI, 2.10%–7.83%], p = 0.01). In contrast, no significant difference was observed in pooled seroprevalence and infection prevalence among wild cats (13.38% [95% CI, 6.25%–21.93%] vs. 2.9% [95% CI, 0.00%-18.91%], p = 0.21). A subgroup meta-analysis of domestic cats revealed significant differences in seroprevalence across continents, sample types, and diagnostic methods. On the contrary, wild cats had no significant differences in any of the subgroups.

Conclusion: Leptospira spp. have evidently been exposed to both domestic and wild cats, highlighting their potential roles as reservoir hosts for leptospirosis. These findings highlight the importance of considering felids as a possible public health threat.

Keywords: cat, diagnosis, felid, global prevalence, Leptospira spp., meta-analysis, natural infection.