Global seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. infection in workers with occupational risk: a systematic review with meta-analysis
4 affiliations
- 1Postgraduate Program in Animal Science (PPGCAN), Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB)
- 2Molecular Biology Laboratory, Center for Medical Sciences, Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB)
- 3Multi-User Laboratory of the Department of Morphology, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB)
- 4Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet
Abstract
Introduction: Leptospirosis is a globally important zoonosis with a strong occupational component, frequently associated with exposure to environments contaminated by the urine of infected animals. Seroprevalence estimates vary substantially across occupations, geographic regions, and diagnostic approaches. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the global seroprevalence of Leptospira spp . among occupationally exposed workers and investigate potential sources of between-study heterogeneity.
Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261356167). Searches were conducted in LILACS, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and ScienceDirect, covering studies published from January 1, 2011 to February 9, 2026. Studies reporting serological diagnosis and quantitative sampling data were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist. Pooled seroprevalence was estimated using a random-effects model, and heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s Q and I² statistics. Subgroup analyses were performed according to geographic region, diagnostic method, and occupational category. Sensitivity analyses, funnel plot assessment, Egger’s regression test, and meta-regression were also conducted.
Results: A total of 42 studies comprising 11,155 participants and 2,419 seropositive individuals were included. The pooled global seroprevalence was 18.3% (95% CI: 11.7 -27.4%), with substantial between-study heterogeneity (I² = 96.7%; p < 0.0001). Seroprevalence was higher in Asia and Africa and lower in Europe and the Americas. Geographic region significantly contributed to between-study variability, whereas diagnostic method and occupational category did not significantly explain heterogeneity. Meta-regression revealed a significant decrease in seroprevalence with increasing publication year (β = −0.146, 95% CI: −0.285 to −0.007; χ²M = 4.23, p = 0.0397), explaining 5.81% of the observed heterogeneity. Egger’s regression test indicated funnel plot asymmetry (p = 0.005), suggesting potential small-study effects or publication bias.
Discussion: The findings demonstrate substantial serological evidence of exposure to Leptospira spp . among occupationally exposed workers worldwide, with considerable geographic variability and between-study heterogeneity. These results highlight the need for standardized surveillance and diagnostic strategies, as well as targeted occupational health interventions integrating human, animal, and environmental components within a One Health framework.
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BibTeX
@article{batista2026global,
title = {{Global seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. infection in workers with occupational risk: a systematic review with meta-analysis}},
author = {Aksa Ingrid Vieira Batista and Brenna Moizinho Barbosa and Giliene Costa Monteiro Araújo and Tamirys Galvão dos Santos and Audisio Alves da Costa Filho and José Rômulo Soares dos Santos and Roberta Nunes Parentoni and Eloiza Helena Campana and Francisco Bernardino da Silva Neto and Sérgio Santos de Azevedo and Lucas Rannier Ribeiro Antonino Carvalho and Arthur Willian de Lima Brasil},
journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1931298},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1931298/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Global seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. infection in workers with occupational risk: a systematic review with meta-analysis
AU - Aksa Ingrid Vieira Batista
AU - Brenna Moizinho Barbosa
AU - Giliene Costa Monteiro Araújo
AU - Tamirys Galvão dos Santos
AU - Audisio Alves da Costa Filho
AU - José Rômulo Soares dos Santos
AU - Roberta Nunes Parentoni
AU - Eloiza Helena Campana
AU - Francisco Bernardino da Silva Neto
AU - Sérgio Santos de Azevedo
AU - Lucas Rannier Ribeiro Antonino Carvalho
AU - Arthur Willian de Lima Brasil
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/21
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1931298
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1931298/full
AB - Introduction: Leptospirosis is a globally important zoonosis with a strong occupational component, frequently associated with exposure to environments contaminated by the urine of infected animals. Seroprevalence estimates vary substantially across occupations, geographic regions, and diagnostic approaches. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the global seroprevalence of Leptospira spp . among occupationally exposed workers and investigate potential sources of between-study heterogeneity. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261356167). Searches were conducted in LILACS, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and ScienceDirect, covering studies published from January 1, 2011 to February 9, 2026. Studies reporting serological diagnosis and quantitative sampling data were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist. Pooled seroprevalence was estimated using a random-effects model, and heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s Q and I² statistics. Subgroup analyses were performed according to geographic region, diagnostic method, and occupational category. Sensitivity analyses, funnel plot assessment, Egger’s regression test, and meta-regression were also conducted. Results: A total of 42 studies comprising 11,155 participants and 2,419 seropositive individuals were included. The pooled global seroprevalence was 18.3% (95% CI: 11.7 -27.4%), with substantial between-study heterogeneity (I² = 96.7%; p < 0.0001). Seroprevalence was higher in Asia and Africa and lower in Europe and the Americas. Geographic region significantly contributed to between-study variability, whereas diagnostic method and occupational category did not significantly explain heterogeneity. Meta-regression revealed a significant decrease in seroprevalence with increasing publication year (β = −0.146, 95% CI: −0.285 to −0.007; χ²M = 4.23, p = 0.0397), explaining 5.81% of the observed heterogeneity. Egger’s regression test indicated funnel plot asymmetry (p = 0.005), suggesting potential small-study effects or publication bias. Discussion: The findings demonstrate substantial serological evidence of exposure to Leptospira spp . among occupationally exposed workers worldwide, with considerable geographic variability and between-study heterogeneity. These results highlight the need for standardized surveillance and diagnostic strategies, as well as targeted occupational health interventions integrating human, animal, and environmental components within a One Health framework.
SN - 2296-2565
ER -