METHODS: A search for all relevant articles was conducted in the major national and international electronic databases up to August 2018. Data on seroprevalence of SFTSV antibodies (IgM and IgG) were extracted as the primary outcome. The pooled seroprevalence rates and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were determined.
RESULTS: Overall, anti-SFTSV antibodies (IgG or IgM) were detected in 15 animal species. The pooled seroprevalence of anti-SFTSV antibodies was 45.70% in goats and sheep, 36.70% in cattle, 29.50% in dogs, 9.60% in chickens, 3.20% in rodents, and 3.20% in pigs. The seroprevalence of SFTSV in animals that had a confined range was significantly lower than that in free-range animals. SFTSV RNA was detected in 11 animal species, with a carriage rate varying from 0.23% to 26.31%.
CONCLUSIONS: SFTSV has a wide spectrum of animal hosts, including domestic and wild animals. The prevalence of SFTSV is high among specific animal species.