Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) is a major pathogen of cattle and contributes to substantial economic losses worldwide. A comprehensive understanding of its global prevalence is lacking, hindering the development of effective control strategies. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the global pooled prevalence of M. bovis, identify key factors influencing its epidemiology, and validate the findings with recent regional surveillance data. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A literature search was performed across four databases in June 2025, encompassing studies published between 2007 and 2023. Additionally, 979 nasal swab samples from Chinese herds from 2021 to 2024 were analyzed using conventional PCR. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies from 13 countries were included. The global pooled prevalence was 24.5 % (95 % CI: 12.7 %-38.7 %), with extremely high heterogeneity (I (2) = 99.9 %). Our independent laboratory data also revealed a nearly identical positivity level of 21.9 % in Chinese herds from 2021 to 2024. Subgroup analyses identified age as the most significant risk factor, with a dramatically greater prevalence in young stock (< 12 months) (56.2 %) than in adults (6.7 %) (p = 0.01). A relatively high prevalence was also associated with beef production systems, male cattle, serum samples, and culture method. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias assessment confirmed the robustness of the findings. CONCLUSION: This study provides the first robust estimate of the global prevalence of M. bovis, validated by contemporary surveillance data. These findings underscore the severe burden of infection in young stock and provide crucial evidence to inform targeted surveillance and control programs in the global cattle industry.