Brucellosis in Marine Mammals: Meta-Analysis of Prevalence, Infection Patterns, Host Specificity and Zoonotic Potential
Abstract
Background: Marine brucellosis, primarily caused by Brucella species, presents significant ecological and public health challenges, impacting marine biodiversity and posing zoonotic risks. Despite ongoing research, data on the disease's prevalence, host specificity and transmission within marine ecosystems remains limited, underscoring the need for comprehensive analysis.
Objective: This review assesses Brucella infection patterns in marine mammals, focusing on prevalence, species susceptibility and implications for conservation and health strategies.
Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis using PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus, covering studies from 2001 to 2024. Random-effects models were employed to analyse prevalence rates, transmission pathways and regional variations, accounting for high inter-study heterogeneity.
Results: The analysis revealed substantial variation in Brucella detection rates, ranging from 0.25% to 100%, with an average pooled prevalence of approximately 30%. Species-specific susceptibility was identified, with cetaceans showing the highest infection rates (52%), followed by other marine mammals (30%) and pinnipeds (18%). High prevalence rates were observed in species such as striped dolphins and beluga whales, particularly in the Mediterranean and Arctic regions. Geographic patterns indicated Asia as the region with the highest prevalence (36%), followed by Oceania and Antarctica, suggesting environmental and population density…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in animal, not in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Nano Biosensors: Properties, applications and electrochemical techniques
- Electrochemically Synthesized MIP Sensors: Applications in Healthcare Diagnostics
- Toward a Harmonization for Using in situ Nutrient Sensors in the Marine Environment
- Electrochemical determination of rutin by using NiFe2O4 nanoparticles-loaded reduced graphene oxide
- Application of Polyoxometalate-based composites for sensor systems: A review
- Sensitive Electrochemical and Thermal Detection of Human Noroviruses Using Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Nanoparticles Generated against a Viral Target
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.