title: Investigating the Determinants of Toxoplasma gondii Prevalence in Meat: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most widespread parasites in humans and can cause severe illness in immunocompromised individuals. However, its role in healthy people is probably under-appreciated. The complex epidemiology of this protozoan recognizes several infection routes but consumption of contaminated food is likely to be the predominant one. Among food, consumption of raw and undercooked meat is a relevant route of transmission, but the role of different meat producing animal species and meats thereof is controversial.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present work is to summarize and analyse literature data reporting prevalence estimates of T. gondii in meat animals/meats.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched Medline, Web of Science, Science Direct (last update 31/03/2015).
  
  
  METHODS
  Relevant papers should report data from primary studies dealing with the prevalence of T. gondii in meat from livestock species as obtained through direct detection methods. Meta-analysis and meta-regression were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 1915 papers screened, 69 papers were included, dealing mainly with cattle, pigs and sheep. Pooled prevalences, based on random-effect models, were 2.6% (CI95 [0.5-5.8]) for cattle, 12.3% (CI95 [7.6-17.8]) for pigs and 14.7% (CI95 [8.9-21.5]) for sheep. Due to the high heterogeneity observed, univariable and multivariable meta-regression models were fitted showing that the geographic area for cattle (p = 0.032), the farming type for pigs (p = 0.0004) and the sample composition for sheep (p = 0.03) had significant effects on the prevalences of Toxoplasma detected/estimated. Moreover, the role of different animal species was dependent on the geographic location of animals' origin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Limitations were due mainly to a possible publication bias.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present work confirms the role of meat, including beef, as T. gondii sources, and highlights the need for a control system for this parasite to be implemented along the meat production chain. Moreover, consumer knowledge should be strengthened in order to reduce the impact of disease.
authors.affiliation: Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, viale dell'Università 10, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy.|Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Viale dell'Università, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Belluco
authors.affiliation: Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, viale dell'Università 10, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy.
authors.forename: Marzia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mancin
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Viale dell'Università, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Conficoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Viale dell'Università, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Simonato
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Viale dell'Università, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pietrobelli
authors.affiliation: Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, viale dell'Università 10, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ricci
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003296:Cooking; D005506:Food Contamination; D006041:Goats; D006736:Horses; D008460:Meat / Q000469:parasitology*; D008461:Meat Products / Q000469:parasitology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012756:Sheep; D013552:Swine; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000469:parasitology*