title: Toxoplasmosis in rodents: A systematic review and meta-analysis in Iran.
abstract: During recent years, implication of rodents in the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii is overlooked in Iran; thus, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in rodents of Iran. For this purpose, following the general methodology recommended for systematic reviews and meta-analysis, 5 English and 3 Persian databases were explored from 1 January 2000 till 10 September 2016 using related keywords. Finally, 9 out of 291 citations were met to be included in this study. Due to significant heterogeneity, the random-effects model was conducted (I2=93.55%). During the years, 661 rodents were trapped, and 121 of them were identified positive for T. gondii 15% (95% CI=5-27). Moreover, overall prevalence using direct microscopic examination (1/230), PCR-based techniques (41/246) and serological tests (83/437) was obtained 0.1% (95% CI=0.0-1.5), 18% (95% CI=4-39) and 15% (95% CI=3-33), respectively. Our study revealed the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in rodents is remarkable. Considering this fact, they play a key role in the life cycle of T. gondii and should not be neglected. Further surveys is needed to better recognize the role of various rodent species in distribution of toxoplasmosis.
authors.affiliation: Cellular and Molecular Research Center & Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
authors.forename: Shahram
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khademvatan
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran; Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran. Electronic address: m.foroutan@modares.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Foroutan
authors.affiliation: Cellular and Molecular Research Center & Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
authors.forename: Khosrow
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hazrati-Tappeh
authors.affiliation: Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Sahar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dalvand
authors.affiliation: Inpatient's Safety Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamidreza
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Khalkhali
authors.affiliation: Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
authors.forename: Sajjad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Masoumifard
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran; Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran. Electronic address: f.hedayati.rad@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Faezeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hedayati-Rad
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D012377:Rodentia; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: Iran; Meta-analysis; Rodents; Systematic review; Toxoplasma gondii