title: Cattle toxoplasmosis in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze and review the overall seroprevalence rate of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in cattle from Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the current study, data collection (published and unpublished papers, abstracts of national scientific congresses and dissertations) using particular terms was carried out systematically on the following electronic databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, Ebsco, Science Direct, Scopus, Magiran, Irandoc, IranMedex and SID (Scientific Information Database).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 22 studies since 1983 to 2012 reporting the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in cattle from different regions of Iran met our eligibility criteria. The pooled proportion of toxoplasmosis, using random effect model, among cattle in Iran from over the 30-year period was estimated 18.1% (95% CI: 9.9% to 28.2%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study firstly establishes a crude seroprevalence rate of Toxoplasma infection in cattle which can lead us to understand the condition of cattle toxoplasmosis, which have to take into accounted for an appropriate and effective prevention and controls. Secondly, it compares and discusses elaborately the role of risk factors including sex, age and breed in the epidemiology of the disease. Thus, it determines gaps and drawbacks in the prior studies which are greatly useful to design more accurate investigations in the future.
authors.affiliation: Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Postal Code: 48168-95475; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Postal Code: 48168-95475.
authors.forename: Shahabeddin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sarvi
authors.affiliation: Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Postal Code: 48168-95475; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Postal Code: 48168-95475.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Daryani
authors.affiliation: Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Postal Code: 48168-95475; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Postal Code: 48168-95475.
authors.forename: Mohammad Taghi
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Rahimi
authors.affiliation: Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Postal Code: 48168-95475.
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aarabi
authors.affiliation: Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Postal Code: 48168-95475; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Postal Code: 48168-95475.
authors.forename: Azar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shokri
authors.affiliation: Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Postal Code: 48168-95475; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Postal Code: 48168-95475.
authors.forename: Ehsan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ahmadpour
authors.affiliation: Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Postal Code: 48168-95475; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Postal Code: 48168-95475.
authors.forename: Azadeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mizani
authors.affiliation: Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Postal Code: 48168-95475; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Postal Code: 48168-95475. Electronic address: msharifmahdi@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mahdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharif
keywords: Iran; Meta–analysis; Prevalence; Systematic review; Toxoplasma gondii