Prevalence and Economic Significance of Fasciolosis among Cattle Slaughtered at Municipal Abattoirs in Ethiopia from 2010 to 2023: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BackgroundFasciolosis is a prevalent disease that significantly impairs the health and productivity of cattle and causes significant economic damage. Beyond the individually available studies with varying prevalence rates, there are no pooled national prevalence studies on bovine fasciolosis. Therefore, the current study aims to determine the pooled prevalence and economic significance of fasciolosis among cattle in Ethiopia.MethodsCochrane's Q, inverse variance (I2), sensitivity analysis, funnel plots, Begg's and Egger's regression tests were used to assess heterogeneity and publication bias. A random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled burden of fasciolosis among cattle.ResultsThe pooled prevalence of fasciolosis among cattle was 28.02% (7626/27,604) with (95% CI: 24.77%-31.26%). About 25.58% (3200/12,639) with (95% CI: 20.89, 30.27) and 30.45% (4426/14,965) with (95% CI: 26.05, 34.85) were found to harbour Fasciola through coprological inspection and post-mortem examination, respectively. Among a total of 14,965 livers of slaughtered cattle examined in municipal abattoirs, Fasciola hepatica (54.43%) was the predominant fluke identified compared to Fasciola gigantica (23.21%). Mixed infections of both species and unidentified immature flukes were detected in 15.04% and 7.02% of the affected livers, respectively. Regarding the severity of the pathological lesions observed, 35.08%, 49.31% and 15.61% of the livers were mildly, moderately and seriously infested, respectively. The total annual economic significance of fasciolosis among cattle from 21 reported studies was approximately 43,240,653.2 ETB (US$4,069,100.649). Increasing and decreasing trends of pooled fasciolosis prevalence were observed from 2010 to 2023 in coprological examination and post-partum inspection, respectively.ConclusionTherefore, bovine fasciolosis requires integrated control methods to address its influence on animal health and economic impact.