Meta-analysis and systematic review of the prevalence and risk factors of Cryptosporidium infection in ruminants in China.

Abstract

Cryptosporidiosis, a zoonotic disease caused by Cryptosporidium, is a significant threat to both livestock and human health. In this study, we systematically reviewed the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in bovines and ovines in China. We conducted a comprehensive search of six databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP, covering studies published up to May 15, 2025. A total of 276 studies from 31 provinces were included in the meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was 17% (95% CI: 15%-19%) in bovines and 12% (95% CI: 8%-15%) in ovines. The most prevalent species were C. parvum (26.87%; 95% CI: 17.69%-37.14%) in bovines and C. xiaoi (26.80%; 95 % CI: 11.81%-45.21%) in ovines, with dairy cattle and goats identified as the highest-risk hosts. Significant risk factors included region, age, host species, presence of diarrhoea, and sampling year. Higher infection rates were observed in Northwestern China, in younger ruminants (<6 months for bovines and <3 months for ovines), in free-ranging ruminants, and in those with diarrhoea. Prevalence was also higher in studies conducted before 2004. These findings provide important epidemiological insights and highlight the need for targeted control strategies that address key risk factors in the Chinese ruminant industry, and underscore the importance of a One Health approach that integrates animal, human, and environmental health.