Accuracy of diagnostic tests for feline sporotrichosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Feline sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous infection caused by fungi of the Sporothrix genus, particularly concerning in endemic regions of South America, where cats are important vectors. Traditional diagnosis through fungal culture is time-consuming, which can delay the start of treatment. Objective: Our goal was to synthesize the evidence on the accuracy of alternative diagnostic methods for feline sporotrichosis. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the Cochrane Collaboration recommendations and the PRISMA-DTA checklist (CRD42023456520). Searches for observational studies were performed in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Using a random-effects model, bivariate meta-analysis was employed to estimate combined sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) with 95 % confidence intervals. The results were presented in forest plots and Summary Receiver Operating Characteristic (SROC) curves; heterogeneity was assessed using Tau2 and I2 statistics (R-software). Results: Eight studies, totaling 1,920 cats, evaluated five diagnostic methods. PCR tests had the highest accuracy (90 % sensitivity, 94 % specificity, area under the curve 0.950), while cytological methods demonstrated moderate diagnostic accuracy (89 %, 22 % and 0.879, respectively). The findings highlight the need for faster, more accurate, and cost-effective diagnostic alternatives, especially in resource-limited regions, and underscore the importance of advancing techniques to improve early detection and treatment of sporotrichosis.