Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40788178›Full record

SynthesisVeterinary medicine and science2025

Brucellosis in Marine Mammals: Meta-Analysis of Prevalence, Infection Patterns, Host Specificity and Zoonotic Potential.

Nasrin Sultana Tonu, Anowar Hossain, Sadequl Islam, Bristi Kona Debnath

Abstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Veterinary medicine and science, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Nasrin Sultana TonuUpazila Livestock Office and Veterinary Hospital, Barura, Cumilla, Bangladesh.
Anowar HossainMedical Center, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh.
Sadequl IslamDepartment of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Science, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh.ORCID 0000-0003-4198-9452
Bristi Kona DebnathDepartment of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Science, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMarine 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.

objectiveThis review assesses Brucella infection patterns in marine mammals, focusing on prevalence, species susceptibility and implications for conservation and health strategies.

methodsWe 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.

resultsThe 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 factors may influence infection rates. Smaller studies displayed a tendency toward higher reported detection rates, indicating potential publication bias.

conclusionThis meta-analysis underscores the widespread prevalence of Brucella in marine mammals and the pressing need for advanced diagnostics, strengthened surveillance and targeted interventions, particularly in high-risk regions and species. An interdisciplinary, collaborative approach including the development of molecular diagnostic tools and international research partnerships will be essential to support conservation efforts and mitigate zoonotic risks associated with marine brucellosis.

Indexed as

BrucellaBrucellosisCaniformiaCetaceaHost SpecificityZoonosesAnimalsPrevalenceBrucella prevalencemarine brucellosismarine mammal healthmolecular diagnosticszoonotic disease

Identifiers

PMID40788178
PMCPMC12337757

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.