Toxoplasmosis in rodents: A systematic review and meta-analysis in Iran

During recent years, implication of rodents in the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii is overlooked in Iran;thus, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the prevalence of toxoplasmosisin rodents of Iran. For this purpose, following the general methodology recommended for systematicreviews and meta-analysis, 5 English and 3 Persian databases were explored from 1 January 2000 till 10September 2016 using related keywords. Finally, 9 out of 291 citations were met to be included in thisstudy. Due to significant heterogeneity, the random-effects model was conducted (I2= 93.55%). Duringthe years, 661 rodents were trapped, and 121 of them were identified positive for T. gondii 15% (95%CI = 5–27). Moreover, overall prevalence using direct microscopic examination (1/230), PCR-based tech-niques (41/246) and serological tests (83/437) was obtained 0.1% (95% CI = 0.0–1.5), 18% (95% CI = 4–39)and 15% (95% CI = 3–33), respectively. Our study revealed the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in rodents isremarkable. Considering this fact, they play a key role in the life cycle of T. gondii and should not beneglected. Further surveys is needed to better recognize the role of various rodent species in distributionof toxoplasmosis.