Abstract
Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a gram-positive bacterial pathogen in pigs which can cause serious infections in human including meningitis, and septicaemia resulting in serious complications. There were discrepancies between different data and little is known concerning associated risk factors of S. suis. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate on S. suis infection risk factors in human. We searched eight relevant databases using the MeSH terms “Streptococcus suis” OR “Streptococcus suis AND infection” limited in human with no time nor language restriction. Out of 4,999 articles identified, 32 and 3 studies were included for systematic review and meta-analysis respectively with a total of 1,454 Streptococcus suis cases reported. S. suis patients were generally adult males and the elderly. The mean age ranged between 37 to 63 years. Meningitis was the most common clinical manifestation, and deafness was the most common sequelae found among survivors followed by vestibular dysfunction. Infective endocarditis was also noted as among the most common clinical presentations associated with high mortality rate in a few studies. Meta-analyses categorized by type of control groups (community control, and non-S. suis sepsis) were done among 850 participants in 3 studies. The combined odd ratios for studies using community control groups and non-S. Suis sepsis as controls respectively were 4.63 (95% CI 2.94–7.29) and 78.00 (95% CI 10.38–585.87) for raw pork consumption, 4.01 (95% CI 2.61–6.15) and 3.03 (95% CI 1.61–5.68) for exposure to pigs or pork, 11.47, (95% CI 5.68–23.14) and 3.07 (95% CI 1.81–5.18) for pig-related occupation and 3.56 (95% CI 2.18–5.80) and 5.84 (95% CI 2.76–12.36) for male sex. The results were found to be significantly associated with S. suis infection and there was non-significant heterogeneity. History of skin injury and underlying diseases were noted only a small percentage in most studies. Setting up an effective screening protocol and public health interventions would be effective to enhance understanding about the disease.
Highlights
Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a gram-positive bacterial pathogen in pigs which can cause serious infections in human including meningitis, septicaemia, and others[1,2,3]
The case fatality rate among S. suis meningitis cases is lower than those caused by other agents[5,6], the rates of neurological and other sequelae found among S. suis meningitis survivors seem to be higher than other bacterial meningitis according to a recent meta-analysis[7]
There were 682 records remaining after removing duplicates in which 636 citations that were proceedings or did not contain risk factors were excluded upon title and abstract screening
Summary
Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a gram-positive bacterial pathogen in pigs which can cause serious infections in human including meningitis, septicaemia, and others[1,2,3]. While pig-related occupation is a main risk factor for human S. suis infection, pig exposure is not present in all cases of S. suis infection[1]. A lower proportion rates of occupational exposure to pigs were found in Thailand and Vietnam among S. suis infected patients[4]. This reflects that the risk of infection may be among general population[12] and other risk factors such as raw or partially cooked pork consumption habit may play an important part of infection in Asia[4]. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to identify potential risk factors associated with S. suis infection as well as provides an update on evidences regarding clinical presentations and outcomes of the disease
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
