Meta-analysis of the prevalence of Echinococcus in dogs in China from 2010 to 2019

Qing-Long Gong, Gui-Yang Ge, Qi Wang, Tian Tian, Fei Liu, Nai-Chao Diao, Lan-Bi Nie, Ying Zong, Jian-Ming Li, Kun Shi, Xue Leng and Rui Du

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2021, vol. 15, issue 4, 1-17

Abstract: Background: Echinococcosis (canine Echinococcus disease) is a neglected tropical disease that causes serious public harm. Dogs, as a terminal host of Echinococcus spp., are a key part of the Echinococcus epidemic. Echinococcosis spreads easily in humans and animals in some areas of China and it is therefore necessary to fully understand the prevalence of Echinococcus spp. in dogs. Methodology/Principal findings: PubMed, ScienceDirect, Chongqing VIP, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and WanFang databases were searched for relevant articles published in the past 10 years. A final total of 108 studies were included. The overall prevalence of Echinococcus spp. in dogs in China was 7.3%, with the highest point estimate found in sampling year 2015 (8.2%) and publication year 2015 (16.5%). Northwestern China (7.9%) had the highest infection rate in China. Qinghai Province (13.5%) showed the highest prevalence among the 11 provinces we included. We also found that geographical and climatic factors are related to the incidence of canine echinococcosis. We further investigated the source of heterogeneity by analysis of subgroups (sampling district, detection method, dog type, season, parasite species, medication, and study quality level). Conclusions/Significance: Our research indicated that Echinococcus spp. were still prevalent in some areas in China. More localized prevention and control policies should be formulated, including improving drinking water hygiene and strengthening hygiene promotion. We recommend the rational use of anti-Echinococcus drugs. In addition, treatment of livestock offal and feces and improving the welfare of stray dogs may play an important role in reducing canine Echinococcus infections. Author summary: Echinococcosis is a neglected zoonotic disease caused by the larval form of Echinococcus spp. tapeworms. It is prevalent in parts of China although unevenly distributed. The dog is one of the terminal hosts of Echinococcus spp., which is key in controlling the epidemic of canine echinococcosis. We constructed the first meta-analysis to assess the epidemic of Echinococcus in dogs in China over the past 10 years, and analyzed potential risk factors. We analyzed 108 studies of Echinococcus in dogs in China and evaluated the infection status and potential risk factors. The influential factors included province, geographical and climatic factors, publication year, sampling district category, detection methods, dog classification, medication, and the quality level of included studies. These important findings explain the differences in prevalence of canine echinococcosis in parts of China, and help to prevent the disease and reduce the risk to the public.

Date: 2021
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pntd00:0009268

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009268

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