Global prevalence of lagomorpha coccidiosis from 1951 to 2024: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The global prevalence of coccidia infection in lagomorphs and potential risk factors were investigated through a meta-analysis of 149 studies published between 1951 and 2024. The pooled prevalence of Eimeriidae, Sarcocystidae and Cryptosporidiidae was found to be 66.0 %, 8.0 % and 6.1 %, respectively. Rabbits and hares exhibited the highest prevalence of Eimeriidae at 63.1 % and 71.8 %, while pikas had the highest prevalence of Cryptosporidiidae at 17.1 %. Countries located in the southern hemisphere exhibited the highest prevalence of Cryptosporidiidae (11.4 %). The African Region had the highest prevalence of Eimeriidae (73.3 %) and Sarcocystidae(14.6 %), while the Eastern Mediterranean Region had the highest prevalence of Cryptosporidiidae(13.6 %). Juvenile rabbits exhibited the highest prevalence of Eimeriidae (67.4 %), while senior Rabbit exhibited the highest prevalence of Sarcocystidae(17.1 %) and Cryptosporidiidae(13.1 %). The prevalence of coccidia in intensively farmed lagomorphs showed a slight upward trend over time, nearly reaching statistical significance (R2 = 7.88 %, coefficient = 0.019, P = 0.127). This suggests that the current intensive farming practices may be losing effectiveness in controlling coccidia infections, which is concerning. Among Eimeriidae in lagomorphs, Eimeria coquelinae showed the highest prevalence (68.4 %), while E. magna was most frequently reported. For Sarcocystidae, Besnoitia spp. had the highest prevalence (31.3 %), with Toxoplasma gondii being most frequently reported. Cryptosporidium cuniculus was both the most prevalent and frequently reported Cryptosporidiidae species (6.9 %), suggesting it may be a major Cryptosporidiidae pathogen in lagomorphs. These findings highlight the differences in prevalence of various Eimeriida species among different lagomorpha genera. This diversity underscores the complex relationships between specific parasites and their host species, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of coccidiosis epidemiology in lagomorphs worldwide.