Global Prevalence and Future Prediction of Sarcocystis Infection in Pigs: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Sarcocystis parasites are intricate intracellular protozoans that present significant health risks to both animals and humans. This study aims to provide a global overview of Sarcocystis prevalence in wild and domestic pigs. A comprehensive search across multiple electronic databases yielded 40 eligible studies from 21 countries around the world. The global pooled prevalence of Sarcocystis infection in pigs was estimated at 0.473 (95% CI = 0.392–0.555). The highest prevalence was found in jaw and diaphragm samples, with molecular detection methods providing the highest pooled prevalence. There were significant geographical and environmental factors influencing infection rates, with higher prevalence observed in European countries, high-income nations, and regions with specific climatic conditions. The findings give reason to enhance diagnostic techniques and control measures to lower the economic and public health burden caused by Sarcocystis infection in pigs, pointing out the need for further investigation regarding the potential of these parasites to be a zoonotic agent and environmental conditions.