Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42585216›Full record

SynthesisVeterinary medicine and science2026

Prevalence, Genetic Diversity, and Zoonotic Transmission Potential of Cryptosporidium spp. in Snakes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Ali Asghari, Ali Pouryousef, Kambiz Karimi, Amin Kheiri, Mohammad Reza Soltani, Farajolah Maleki

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Veterinary medicine and science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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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

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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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

6 authors.

Ali AsghariDepartment of Basic Medical Sciences, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4005-2687
Ali PouryousefLeishmaniasis Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0185-2438
Kambiz KarimiDepartment of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Amin KheiriZoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
Mohammad Reza SoltaniZoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1525-5046
Farajolah MalekiZoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCryptosporidium spp. are important protozoan parasites infecting a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including reptiles. In snakes, this parasite is primarily associated with chronic gastrointestinal disease and substantial genetic diversity, including potentially zoonotic species. However, epidemiological data remain fragmented and heterogeneous. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prevalence, genetic diversity, and zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium spp. in snakes.

methodsA systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science from database inception to 5 May 2026. Additional studies were identified through Google Scholar and reference screening. Eligible studies reporting Cryptosporidium spp. prevalence in snakes were included. Pooled prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analysis, meta-regression and publication bias assessment were also performed.

resultsA total of 35 studies comprising 36 datasets were included. The pooled prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in snakes was 12.6% (95% CI: 9.2%-17.0%), with substantial heterogeneity (I

conclusionsThe present study demonstrates that Cryptosporidium infection is relatively common in snakes and exhibits considerable genetic diversity. The detection of zoonotic species highlights the potential epidemiological importance of snakes within a One Health context, particularly in captive-associated environments. However, substantial heterogeneity, limited data from wild populations and incomplete molecular characterization warrant cautious interpretation of the findings. Further large-scale molecular epidemiological studies are needed to better clarify the ecology and zoonotic significance of Cryptosporidium spp. in snakes.

Indexed as

CryptosporidiosisCryptosporidiumGenetic VariationSnakesZoonosesAnimalsPrevalencecryptosporidiosisCryptosporidium sppreptilesnakessystematic reviewzoonotic transmission

Identifiers

PMID42585216
PMCPMC13465780

What OpenQuestion holds

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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.