Epidemiology of Tuberculosis amongst animal in Sudan: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Animal tuberculosis (TB) is a neglected bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) that affects animals and humans. Although, systematic surveillance and control strategies for the disease remain obviously absent, this study presents the first comprehensive meta-analysis assessing the epidemiology of MTBC infection among animals in Sudan. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of MTBC infection in domestic animals, its geographical distribution, and determine the strains circulating in domestic animals in Sudan. The study included data from studies published between 1974 and 2025 that reported on MTBC prevalence, risk factors, or M. bovis strains in Sudan. The findings of this study could help policymakers and public health officials develop effective strategies to control and prevent animal TB in Sudan. By identifying the risk factors associated with transmission, geographical distribution and determining the strains, public health officials can develop targeted interventions to reduce the disease incidence in both animals and humans.