Prevalence and risk factors of bovine tuberculosis in dairy cattle, 2020–2025: A systematic review and meta-analysis of available literature

BACKGROUND: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a zoonotic disease caused by members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), with Mycobacterium bovis being the primary agent responsible for infections in cattle, posing a significant threat to the global dairy industry. Although the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2020-2025 period may have disrupted its epidemiology, a comprehensive global meta-analysis of bTB prevalence and risk factors in dairy cattle for this period is currently lacking. METHODS: We conducted an extensive literature search across multiple databases, including CNKI, PubMed, ScienceDirect, VIP, and Wan Fang. A total of 4783 records were initially identified, of which 45 studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 468,769 dairy cattle across 10 countries. RESULTS: The global pooled bTB prevalence was 6.9% (95% CI: 4.4-9.9). Africa had the highest regional prevalence (12.4%, 95% CI: 6.6-19.7), and Ethiopia the highest among countries (16.6%, 95% CI: 7.8-27.9). Low-income countries showed higher prevalence (16.7%, 95% CI: 8.9-26.3) than others. Rapid antibody tests yielded significantly higher infection rates (24.8%, 95% CI: 9.7-44.1) than other diagnostic methods. Prevalence differed significantly between lactating and non-lactating cows (p < 0.05). Other risk factors assessed included breed, sex, age, farming mode, sampling time, sample type, and tuberculin type. CONCLUSIONS: bTB remains a significant challenge in dairy production, demanding tailored control strategies adapted to regional contexts. However, the geographic distribution of available studies was heavily skewed, with the majority originating from China and Africa, while regions with advanced control programs were underrepresented. This geographic limitation should be carefully considered when interpreting the global estimates. Surveillance efforts should prioritize high-risk populations, particularly hybrid cattle, aging animals, and lactating cows, through the combined use of interferon‑γ release assays and tuberculin tests. Effective control hinges on integrated approaches including veterinary capacity building, genetic selection for disease resistance, and management at the wildlife-livestock interface. Sustainable prevalence reduction requires evidence-based measures designed for local production systems.