ABSTRACT
Background and Aim:
Materials and Methods: A descriptive observational scientometric study was conducted using the Scopus database. A structured search strategy identified 104 relevant documents published between 2019 and 2024. Bibliometric indicators, including publication output, citation metrics, and author h-index, were analyzed using SciVal and Bibliometrix in R. Keyword co-occurrence, thematic evolution, and international collaboration networks were evaluated to map research dynamics.
Results: A total of 104 documents from 70 sources were analyzed, showing a slight negative annual growth rate (−5.59%). The mean document age was 2.64 years, with an average of 3.17 citations per publication. Research output involved 503 authors and 223 keywords, reflecting moderate thematic diversity but limited international collaboration (6.73%). Original articles predominated (n = 80), followed by reviews and other document types. Publication activity peaked in 2020 and 2022, with most studies appearing in mid-tier journals. Thematic analysis revealed a transition from early focus on infections and dog bites toward meningitis, bacteremia, and zoonotic diseases. Keyword clustering highlighted “meningitis,” “bacteremia,” and “dog bites” as central research themes. Spain and Belgium emerged as leading contributors in international collaborations, although global networking remained limited and unevenly distributed. Research trends increasingly emphasized zoonotic aspects of
Conclusion: This scientometric analysis highlights evolving research priorities in
Keywords: bacteremia, bibliometrics, Capnocytophaga canimorsus, dog bites, meningitis, One Health, scientometrics, zoonosis.
INTRODUCTION
Diagnosis of infection can be difficult, ranging from mild localized infections to fulminant sepsis, and often presenting with mild or vague symptoms that are difficult to detect clinically [4, 5]. Conventional culture is a less desirable method in many cases due to the time required for detection. Recent advancements in molecular diagnostic methods, such as polymerase chain reaction and real-time Nanopore sequencing, have shown promise in early detection, allowing more accurate and rapid identification of
There has been an increase in the number of scientific papers on
Earlier scientometric studies on
Research on
Despite increasing scientific interest in
Therefore, this study aimed to perform a comprehensive scientometric analysis of global scientific output on
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Ethical approval
This study did not require ethical approval because it relied solely on the collection and analysis of secondary data from publicly available scientific databases.
Study period and location
The study was conducted using data retrieved from the Scopus database. Data collection was performed on October 8, 2024, and included publications from 2019 to 2024.
Study design
This scientometric analysis was elaborated and reported according to the recommendations of the Reporting and Measurement of Items for Bibliometric or Scientometric Studies in Health Sciences (RAMIBS) [10]. Scientometric analysis is particularly appropriate for pathogens such as
Data source and search strategy
The search formula used was: TITLE-ABS-KEY(“Capnocytophaga canimorsus”) AND TITLE-ABS-KEY(“sepsis” OR “septic shock” OR “endocarditis” OR “meningitis” OR “abscesses” OR “cellulitis” OR “septic arthritis” OR “peritonitis” OR “gangrene” OR “acute renal failure” OR “pneumonia”), identifying a total of 104 relevant documents.
Data extraction
A descriptive, observational study was conducted, employing a comprehensive search in the Scopus database using the search formula detailed above. The retrieved data covered the period from 2019 to 2024.
Eligibility criteria and screening process
The inclusion criteria comprised peer-reviewed articles, reviews, case reports, and other scientific documents in English directly addressing
Scientometric indicators and operational definitions
For the scientometric analyses, the records retrieved from Scopus were exported in comma-separated values format to ensure standardized handling and compatibility across platforms. The database was uploaded to SciVal for classification based on bibliometric indicators, including scientific output, views, citations per publication, and author h-index. The file was then uploaded to Bibliometrix in R Studio version 4.3.2 (https://posit.co/download/ rstudio-desktop) for further analysis, where parameters were explicitly defined to improve reproducibility. The association strength clustering algorithm was used for keyword co-occurrence analysis, with a minimum keyword frequency of two occurrences per cluster to reduce noise and highlight thematic structures. Statistical and graphical packages within R Studio were used to generate visualizations of keyword networks, thematic evolution, and international collaboration.
Software and analytical tools
Document selection and extraction were conducted after searching Scopus using a predefined search formula. Relevant documents were exported in comma-separated values format for processing. The dataset was initially analyzed in SciVal (https://www.scival.com/home) based on bibliometric indicators, including scholarly output, views, citations per publication, and author h-index. Subsequently, the dataset was analyzed in Bibliometrix within R Studio using statistical and visualization packages such as ggplot2, igraph, and base graphics to perform keyword co-occurrence mapping, thematic evolution analysis, and evaluation of international collaboration networks.
RESULTS
Overall publication characteristics
From 2019 to 2024, 104 documents were analyzed, originating from 70 different countries. An annual growth rate of −5.59% indicated a slight decline in scientific production on
Table 1. Main characteristics of the analyzed publications.
| Main description | Results |
|---|---|
| Timespan | 2019–2024 |
| Sources | 70 |
| Documents | 104 |
| Annual growth (%) | −5.59 |
| Document average age (years) | 2.64 |
| Average citations per document | 3.173 |
| References | 1836 |
| Author’s keywords | 223 |
| Authors | 503 |
| Authors of single-authored documents | 3 |
| Single-authored documents | 3 |
| Co-authors per document | 4.95 |
| International co-authorships (%) | 6.731 |
| Article | 80 |
| Book chapter | 1 |
| Conference paper | 1 |
| Erratum | 1 |
| Letter | 5 |
| Note | 6 |
| Review | 9 |
| Short survey | 1 |
The observed negative annual growth rate may be attributed to the rarity of reported cases of
Journal quartile distribution and publication trends
A total of 101 publications were distributed across CiteScore quartiles, demonstrating heterogeneous journal performance. Quartile 3 accounted for the majority (n = 39), followed by quartile 2 (n = 30) and quartile 1 (n = 21), while quartile 4 included only 11 publications. Year-wise analysis showed slight fluctuations, with peaks in 2020 and 2022 (20 and 21 publications, respectively) and a decline in 2024 (12 publications). Notably, quartile 3 journals dominated in 2022 (13 publications), suggesting a preference for mid-tier outlets during that period, whereas quartile 1 journals regained traction in 2024 with five publications. Overall, these findings highlight variability in journal impact and a tendency toward publication in mid-range sources (Table 2).
Table 2. Impact of scientific production according to quartile.
| CiteScore quartile | Overall | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 21 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
| Q2 | 30 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Q3 | 39 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 13 | 6 | 3 |
| Q4 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 101 | 15 | 20 | 17 | 21 | 16 | 12 |
Leading journals and citation impact
Analysis of Scopus-indexed sources revealed heterogeneity in journal impact. BMC Infectious Diseases had the highest number of publications (n = 8) and also showed a high CiteScore (6.5) with 5.6 citations per paper. BMJ Case Reports (n = 7) and IDCases (n = 6) had lower CiteScores (1.4 and 2.6, respectively), consistent with their focus on clinical case reporting rather than high-impact research. However, the highest citation impact was observed in the European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, with 13.5 citations per paper and the highest CiteScore (10.4). Other journals, such as Antibiotics and APMIS, exhibited relatively high CiteScores but lower citation averages, indicating variability in visibility and scientific impact (Table 3).
Table 3. Top 10 scientific journals.
| Scopus source | Scholarly output | CiteScore 2023 | Citations per publication | SNIP 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMC Infectious Diseases | 8 | 6.5 | 5.6 | 1.11 |
| BMJ Case Reports | 7 | 1.4 | 4.3 | 0.34 |
| IDCases | 6 | 2.6 | 2.8 | 0.48 |
| European Heart Journal – Case Reports | 3 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 0.46 |
| Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice | 3 | 0.8 | 0 | 0.1 |
| American Journal of Emergency Medicine | 2 | 6.0 | 2.5 | 0.95 |
| Antibiotics | 2 | 7.3 | 1 | 1.13 |
| APMIS | 2 | 5.2 | 0.5 | 0.76 |
| Clinical Infection in Practice | 2 | 2.1 | 0 | 0.4 |
| European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases | 2 | 10.4 | 13.5 | 1.1 |
SNIP = Source normalized impact per paper
Author productivity and impact
Several authors contributed to research on
Table 4. Top 10 authors.
| Author | Affiliation | Country/ Region | Scholarly output | Views count | Citations per publication | h-index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calvo-Muro, Felicitas Elena | Hospital de Cruces | Spain | 2 | 11 | 1.5 | 3 |
| Del-Arco, José Luis Diaz De Tuesta | Hospital de Basurto | Spain | 2 | 11 | 1.5 | 2 |
| Duployez, Claire | Université de Lille | France | 2 | 7 | 0.5 | 7 |
| Fernández-Vecilla, Domingo | Hospital de Basurto | Spain | 2 | 11 | 1.5 | 3 |
| Herget-Rosenthal, Stefan | University of Duisburg-Essen | Germany | 2 | 20 | 15.5 | 32 |
| Langenbeck, Martin | Rotes-Kreuz-Krankenhaus | Germany | 2 | 20 | 15.5 | 4 |
| Loiëz, Caroline | Université de Lille | France | 2 | 7 | 0.5 | 18 |
| Lührs, Fabian | Rotes-Kreuz-Krankenhaus | Germany | 2 | 20 | 15.5 | 2 |
| Mader, Naomi | Rotes-Kreuz-Krankenhaus | Germany | 2 | 20 | 15.5 | 2 |
| Rasmussen, Magnus | Lund University | Sweden | 2 | 19 | 3.5 | 35 |
Core journal distribution based on Bradford’s law
The distribution of publications according to Bradford’s law identified core journals and zones of influence. Zone 1 included BMC Infectious Diseases (8 publications), BMJ Case Reports (7), and IDCases (6), representing the core sources where research is most concentrated. Zone 2 included the European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases and the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, each with two publications. Zone 3 comprised sources such as Greene’s Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat, Fifth Edition, with one publication. In this classification, Zone 1 accounted for approximately one-third of total publications (n = 21), Zone 2 represented the second third (n = 20), and Zone 3 included the remaining sources (n = 19), reflecting the dispersion of scientific output across journals (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Main core sources.
Thematic evolution of research
Thematic evolution analysis showed a shift in research focus from
Figure 2. Thematic evolution.
Keyword co-occurrence patterns
Keyword co-occurrence analysis revealed multiple clusters, with the green cluster (
Figure 3. Co-occurrence per keyword.
International collaboration patterns
The cross-country collaboration map demonstrated several notable collaborations in recent studies. Spain and Belgium led with two collaborations. Additional collaborations were observed between Belgium and Haiti, Italy and Switzerland, and Qatar and Pakistan, each occurring once. Other collaborations included Sweden and Denmark, as well as the United States and Uganda, each at a frequency of one.
These findings indicate geographic diversity in international research collaboration. When analyzed by continent, Europe accounted for the majority of collaborations, followed by North America, Asia, and Africa, with limited contributions. In contrast, Latin America and Oceania showed no scientific production or collaborations in this dataset, highlighting regional gaps. Furthermore, participation from countries such as Haiti, Uganda, and Pakistan indicates some involvement from low-income regions; however, these remain underrepresented compared to high-income countries, which dominate the collaborative landscape. This imbalance underscores the need to strengthen global research networks and promote the inclusion of resource-limited settings in zoonotic research (Figure 4).
Figure 4. Country collaboration map.
DISCUSSION
Overview of study period and research trends
The study of the literature on
Thematic evolution and One Health perspective
The gradual thematic shift from infections and dog bites toward zoonosis observed in these studies reflects broader One Health drivers at the global level. Similar to the impact of COVID-19 on infectious disease awareness, the increase in dog ownership worldwide, along with advancements in diagnostics and biotechnology, has contributed to re-framing subsequent studies of
Interpretation of strong collaborations, such as those between Spain and Belgium, should be approached with caution. While these countries possess established expertise and research infrastructure, their dominance also highlights the need for broader multinational collaboration. Zoonotic threats require coordinated global responses across diverse health systems, emphasizing the importance of expanding international research networks.
Pathogen relevance and research importance
The species
Role of bibliometric approaches
Bibliometric studies are widely used to assess characteristics of scientific literature within specific disciplines. Scopus, recognized for its comprehensive database of publications and citations, provides tools for analyzing authorship and citation patterns. Compared with other databases, such as Web of Science, Scopus includes a broader range of references and publications, offering a more extensive perspective [12]. Consequently, it has been widely used in previous bibliometric studies focusing on infectious diseases in human medicine [13, 14].
Journal impact and publication quality
During the study period, the proportion of articles published in journals indexed in the first two quartiles was comparable to that in the lower quartiles. This suggests that novelty and scientific quality remain key determinants for publication in high-impact journals [15]. Furthermore, the absence of publications in the lowest quartile during the last two years may indicate increasing relevance and scientific value of recent research in this field.
Additionally, among journals with the highest number of publications, approximately half were classified in the first or second quartile, ensuring broader visibility and dissemination. High-quartile journals are more likely to reach a wider scientific audience and provide estimates closer to true values [16]. Therefore, careful journal selection is essential to maximize the impact and relevance of research findings, particularly in specialized fields such as infectious diseases and microbiology. Notably, the inclusion of a cardiology-related journal may be explained by the high mortality associated with
Authorship trends and citation patterns
Among the top 10 authors, all contributed two publications; however, four were co-authors of a systematic review of case reports that received 21 citations. This observation is consistent with evidence that systematic reviews tend to receive more citations than narrative reviews, even when published in the same journal [18]. Systematic reviews synthesize large volumes of evidence and are considered robust resources for clinicians and researchers.
Evolution of research themes
Thematic evolution analysis demonstrated that early research primarily focused on case reports, particularly involving immunosuppressed patients following animal bites, meningitis, and superficial infections [19, 20]. In more recent years, the focus has shifted toward evidence synthesis and diagnostic studies. However, clustering patterns indicate that case report production remains ongoing. The growing global attention to zoonoses, particularly in the context of emerging infectious diseases, likely contributes to this thematic shift [21].
International collaboration patterns
Spain emerged as the leading country in international collaboration in this field. This finding aligns with previous bibliometric analyses showing that a substantial proportion of Spanish research in infectious diseases involves international collaboration [22]. Such collaborations provide benefits, including shared expertise, access to funding, and increased opportunities for joint publications.
International collaborations also enable inclusion of diverse populations, enhancing generalizability and expanding the scope of infectious disease research [23–25]. Despite a high proportion of studies originating from the American and European regions, limited collaboration between them has been reported, highlighting the need to strengthen intercontinental research networks.
Study limitations
Several limitations should be considered. First, the available literature on
Third, the automated clustering approach used in thematic evolution analysis may limit interpretation of causal relationships, as clusters are generated based on algorithmic parameters rather than conceptual linkages [24]. Finally, citation counts were used as a measure of impact; however, this metric inherently favors older publications that have had more time to accumulate citations, potentially biasing the interpretation of recent trends.
Implications for One Health and future research
The identified scientometric trends in
Expanding interdisciplinary and international research networks is essential to improve the detection, diagnosis, and prevention of zoonotic diseases. Integrating
CONCLUSION
This study provides a comprehensive scientometric overview of global research on
A major strength of this study lies in its systematic and reproducible scientometric approach, integrating bibliometric indicators, thematic mapping, and collaboration network analysis using standardized tools. The use of a well-defined search strategy and multiple analytical platforms enabled a robust evaluation of research productivity, impact, and emerging themes. In addition, applying a One Health perspective provides a broader interpretation of the findings, linking the human, animal, and environmental dimensions of
Future research should focus on strengthening global and interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly by increasing the participation of low- and middle-income countries. Greater emphasis on genomic surveillance, molecular epidemiology, and integrated One Health frameworks is needed to better understand transmission dynamics and disease burden. Furthermore, expanding research beyond case reports toward large-scale observational and experimental studies will enhance the evidence base for clinical management and prevention strategies. Inclusion of veterinary and environmental data will be critical to bridging existing knowledge gaps and improving cross-sectoral integration.
In conclusion, research on
DATA AVAILABILITY
The data generated during the study are fully included in the manuscript. Supplementary materials can be made available by the corresponding author upon reasonable request, ensuring transparency and reproducibility of the reported findings.
AUTHORS’ CONTRIBUTIONS
FEC, JPM, FMT, CMV, MCL, JA, and AT: Conception of the study. FMT and FEC: Data extraction, verification, analysis, and writing – original draft and revision. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
COMPETING INTERESTS
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Veterinary World remains neutral regarding jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliation.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors thank Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Perú, for its continuous support in training researchers.
REFERENCES
- Suominen K, Åvall-Jääskeläinen S, Sallinen I, Virtala AM, Koort J. Emergence of
Capnocytophaga canimorsus andCapnocytophaga cynodegmi in oral cavities of newborn puppies, a pilot study. Acta Vet Scand 2024;66(1):26. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref] - Umeda K, Hatakeyama R, Abe T, Takakura KI, Wada T, Ogasawara J. Distribution of
Capnocytophaga canimorsus in dogs and cats with genetic characterization of isolates. Vet Microbiol 2014;171(1):153-159. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref] - Mader N, Lührs F, Langenbeck M, Herget-Rosenthal S.
Capnocytophaga canimorsus –a potent pathogen in immunocompetent humans –systematic review and retrospective observational study of case reports. Infect Dis 2020;52(2):65-74. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref] - van Dam AP, Jansz A.
Capnocytophaga canimorsus infections in the Netherlands: A nationwide survey. Clin Microbiol Infect 2011;17(2):312-315. [Google Scholar] - Kühnle JL, Leitner M, Mazuru V, Borchardt K, Becker SL, Roth F.
Capnocytophaga canimorsus septicemia with sepsis-induced coagulopathy and endocarditis. Case Rep Infect Dis 2024;2024(1):4010115. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref] - Bialasiewicz S, Duarte TPS, Nguyen SH, Sukumaran V, Stewart A, Appleton S. Rapid diagnosis of
Capnocytophaga canimorsus septic shock in an immunocompetent individual using real-time Nanopore sequencing: A case report. BMC Infect Dis 2019;19(1):660. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref] - Hansen M, Crum-Cianflone NF.
Capnocytophaga canimorsus meningitis: Diagnosis using polymerase chain reaction testing and systematic review of the literature. Infect Dis Ther 2019;8(1):119-136. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref] - Schiavo L, Ribeiro ML, de Almeida MB, da Cunha GR, Espírito Santo GAN, Morikawa VM. One Health approach for
Brucella canis : Serological and molecular detection in animal-hoarding individuals and their dogs. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024;18(3):e0011974. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref] - Jokelainen P, Virtala AK, Raulo S, Kantele A, Vapalahti O, Kinnunen PM. Veterinarians and zoonotic pathogens, infections and diseases: Questionnaire study and case series, Finland. Infect Dis (Lond) 2024;56(5):384-392. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref]
- Mayta-Tovalino F, Diaz-Barrera ME, Runzer-Colmenares FM, Pacheco-Mendoza J. RAMIBS: Reporting and measurement of items for bibliometric or scientometric studies in health sciences. J Int Oral Health 2024;16(3):253-256. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref]
- Chesdachai S, Tai DBG, Yetmar ZA, Misra A, Ough N, Abu Saleh O. The characteristics of
Capnocytophaga infection:10 years of experience. Open Forum Infect Dis 2021;8(7):ofab175. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref] - Ellegaard O, Wallin JA. The bibliometric analysis of scholarly production: How great is the impact?. Scientometrics 2015;105(3):1809-1831. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref]
- Dehghanbanadaki H, Aazami H, Keshavarz Azizi Raftar S, Ashrafian F, Ejtahed HS, Hashemi E. Global scientific output trend for
Akkermansia muciniphila research: A bibliometric and scientometric analysis. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2020;20(1):291. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref] - Quispe-Vicuña C, Cabanillas-Lazo M, Guerrero ME, Mauricio F, Barja-Ore J, Mayta-Tovalino F. Global academic output on COVID-19 and Guillain–Barrésyndrome: A bibliometric analysis. Heliyon 2022;8(11). [Google Scholar] | [Crossref]
- Salman S, Shad F. Difficulties getting published in high-impact journals. Hong Kong Med J 2019;25(3):258-259. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref]
- Heidenreich A, Eisemann N, Katalinic A, Hübner J. Study results from journals with a higher impact factor are closer to “truth”: A meta-epidemiological study. Syst Rev 2023;12(1):8. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref]
- Sandoe JAT.
Capnocytophaga canimorsus endocarditis. J Med Microbiol 2004;53(3):245-248. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref] - Montori VM, Wilczynski NL, Morgan D, Haynes RB, Team the H. Systematic reviews: A cross-sectional study of location and citation counts. BMC Med 2003;1(1):2. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref]
- Goetzinger JC, LaGrow AL, Shibib DR, Thind SK.
Capnocytophaga canimorsus bloodstream infection associated with an urticarial exanthem. Case Rep Infect Dis 2021;2021(1):9932170. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref] - Wiroth V, Will K, Siege R. Life-threatening
Capnocytophaga canimorsus sepsis due to a dog bite in an immunosuppressed/splenectomized patient. Dtsch Arztebl Int 2024;121(8):250. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref] - Stevenson M, Halpin K. Emerging and endemic zoonotic diseases: Surveillance and diagnostics. Rev Sci Tech 2021;40(1):119-129. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref]
- González-Alcaide G, Bolaños-Pizarro M, Ramos-Rincón JM, Gutiérrez-Rodero F. Bibliometric analysis of the Spanish scientific production in infectious diseases and microbiology (2014–2021). Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin (Engl Ed) 2024;42(1):42-50. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref]
- Dusdal J, Powell JJW. Benefits, motivations, and challenges of international collaborative research: A sociology of science case study. Sci Public Policy 2021;48(2):235-245. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref]
- AlRyalat SAS, Malkawi LW, Momani SM. Comparing bibliometric analysis using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. J Vis Exp 2019(152):e58494. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref]
- Alvitez-Temoche D, del Aguila E, Galarza-Valencia D, Calderón I, Espinoza-Carhuancho F, Pacheco-Mendoza J. Current trends and spatial-temporal dynamics of veterinary dentistry research: A scientometric study. Vet World 2024;17(3):666-671. [Google Scholar] | [Crossref]