The global epidemiology of Microsporidia infection in birds: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to assess the global status and genetic diversity of Microsporidia infection in different birds. An online search was conducted in international databases from 1 January 1990 to 30 June 2022. A total of 34 articles (including 37 datasets) were included for the final meta-analysis. The pooled global prevalence of Microsporidia infection in birds was 14.6% (95% CI: 11.6–18.1). The highest prevalence of Microsporidia was found in wild waterfowl which was 54.5% (28.1–78.6). In terms of detection methods, the pooled prevalence was estimated to be 21.2% (95% CI: 12.1–34.4) and 13.4% (95% CI: 10.3–17.3) for using microscopic and molecular detection methods, respectively. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was the most common pathogen (24/31; 77.42% of the studies) according to PCR-based methods, and genotype D was the highest reported genotype (nine studies). In conclusion, designing strategies for the control and prevention of Microsporidia infection in birds should be recommended.

KEYWORDS:

• Microsporidia
• birds
• prevalence
• Enterocytozoon bieneusi
• systematic review
• meta-analysis

Acknowledgements

We thank the scientists and personnel of Zoonoses Research Center, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, for their collaboration.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Authors’ contributions

All authors contributed to the study design. AT, SB, and AA contributed to all parts of the study. AT, VR, SG, and MJ contributed to the study implementation. AT, SB, and MZ collaborated in the analysis and interpretation of data. AT, SB, NM, KS, and AA collaborated on the manuscript writing and revision. All the authors commented on the drafts of the manuscript and approved the final version of the article.

Availability of data and materials

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article (and its supplementary information files).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2023.2219988

Additional information

Funding

This study was financially supported by Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran.