A Scientometrics-based Systematic Analysis to Understand the Research Status of Leptospirosis in India during 1965–2019

Abstract

Introduction: Leptospirosis is one of the neglected zoonotic diseases of public health importance due to its surge in emergence and reemergence in India. There is a lack of information on critical areas of the disease such as epidemiology, disease dynamics, infection status, and poor management. This study aimed to critically review the status of leptospirosis over time with a holistic review utilizing scientometrics and systematic analysis techniques to quantify the research activities with available evidence from existing databases and address the research gap in the Indian subcontinent. Methods: The analysis was conducted using the keywords “Leptospirosis” and “India” from the Web of Science database, and the research output was explored through a scientometric analysis. We searched research articles related to leptospirosis in India from the science citation index expanded database of Thomson Reuters Web of Science from 1965 to 2019 (54 years). The Bibliometrix package of R software, online Word cloud, and VOS Viewer were used to conduct a formal scientometric analysis of 50 articles and systematic analysis for the qualitative data obtained from the available 37 articles. Results: A total of 50 articles were obtained. These articles were extensively analyzed to extract the qualitative and quantitative research data. The results of the analysis concerning the research gap were extensively discussed in this scientometric analysis. Conclusion: Our research outcomes help contemplate the research status in India where there has been a slight increase in publication rates in recent years. There is a significant need for an increase in the articles, authors, collaboration, patent registration, and interdisciplinary research in the field of leptospirosis in India. Even now, more than five decades after the first report of the disease in India, basic data are scarce, notably on epidemiology, disease burden, morbidity, etc., This article extensively reviewed research lacunae and credible interpretation.