Prevalence of Bovine Tuberculosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ABSTRACT: Bovine tuberculosis is a zoonotic disease with global distribution. This study aimed to describe its prevalence in cattle through a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies conducted all around the world. The research consisted of a systematic literature review following the precepts of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. Cross-sectional studies that described the prevalence of the disease using the diagnostic method through an intradermal test with bovine and avian purified protein derivative (PPD) were selected. Identifying articles was performed in the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Of the total number of studies found (n=1,839), 60 met all criteria and were included in this review. The overall prevalence was 3.27% (2.11-5.05%) for animals and 18.09% (11.20-27.90%) for herds. Analysis of risk factors for tuberculosis in cattle was found or performed in 50 studies. The heterogeneity identified among the works included was expected, given the differences in research design, year of publication, and the number of animals sampled. It is necessary to evaluate the insertion of new ante mortem diagnostic tests into control and eradication programs, which, combined with allergic tests, may identify the largest number of animals that presented an actual positive for the disease.