The global prevalence of in sheep: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

spp. are important pathogens with some species causing diarrhoea in humans and animals. Sheep are one of the most common potential hosts for various spp. The prevalence of in sheep globally was evaluated from published information including molecular data via meta-analysis. In total, 126 datasets from 41 countries were included for final quantitative analysis. Sheep aged <3 months had a significantly higher prevalence (27.8%; 3284/11 938) than those at the age of 3–12 and >12 months. The prevalence of in sheep with diarrhoea of 35.4% (844/1915) was higher than in sheep that did not show diarrhoea (11.3%; 176/1691). Fourteen species/genotypes were detected in sheep globally. The proportion of subgenotype family XIIa of was 90.0% (216/240); the proportions of subgenotypes IIdA20G1 and IIaA15G2R1 of were 15.4% (62/402) and 19.7% (79/402). The results indicate that is the dominant species in Europe while is the dominant species in Oceania, Asia and Africa and is the dominant species in North America and South America. Subgenotype family IIa of is particularly widespread among sheep worldwide. The results highlight the role of sheep as a reservoir host for zoonotic cryptosporidia and the need for further study of prevalence, transmission and control of this pathogen in sheep.