A systematic review and meta-analysis of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia in Ethiopian cattle

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is a severe respiratory disease in cattle, caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides. It poses a major threat to cattle health and livestock productivity. We aimed to pool CBPP prevalence estimates from different regions of Ethiopia, assessing implications for cattle management and productivity. The review followed PRISMA guidelines and searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, HINARI, Google, and Google Scholar from January to February 2024. Funnel plots and Egger's regression tests were used to assess publication bias and small study effects. A pooled prevalence and 95 % confidence interval (CI) were calculated using R software. Twenty-three studies, covering 52,373 cattle, showed high heterogeneity (I² = 99 %, p < 0.0001). The pooled CBPP prevalence in Ethiopia was 13 % (95 % CI: 7–21 %). Geographic differences, sampling methods, and cattle management practices influenced prevalence rates. There was no indication of publication bias (Egger's test, p = 0.618). Prevalence was highest in the eastern (18 %), western (15 %), northern (14 %), and southern (4 %) regions. The prevalence was 16 % post-2016, compared to 8 % before 2016. Meta-regression showed that study location, herd size, body condition, and publication year significantly impacted CBPP prevalence. Small herds had 59 % lower CBPP risk, and animals in poor condition had 2.34 times higher odds of CBPP. The findings suggest a changing prevalence trend and emphasize the need to update CBPP prevention and control policies.