Prevalence of camel trypanosomiasis in Gulf region: a systematic meta-analysis

Trypanosomiasis in camels is a worldwide major clinical problem. The objective of this review was to present analysis of comprehensive studies on camel trypansomiasis in the Gulf region through meta-analytical investigation. This meta-analysis was conducted according to the rules of PRISMA. Data were extracted after complete search; then finally eligible articles were identified. Using comprehensive meta-analysis software program, the data were analyzed. The results of meta-analysis were effect size, confidence intervals (CI), heterogeneity, and publication bias. Out of 11837 camels in 19 accepted studies, 3179 were proved to be infected with T. evansi (26.85 %). At random, and fixed effects, the Z-value of -6.724 (P-value = 0.000) -30.349 (P-value = 0.000) was recorded, respectively. The Q-value (917.361), I-squared (98.038), and P- value (0.000) are the final heterogeneity variables. Additionally, the Tau-squared is 0.632 with a 0.403 Standard Error. Egger’s linear regression test for asymmetry did not indicate publication bias, Intercept (-4.95), 95% confidence interval (from -9.54 to -0.35), t-value (2.27), and df = 17.00. The 1-tailed P-value (recommended) is 0.018, and the 2-tailed P-value is 0.036.  The outcome of Kendall’s tau with continuity correction (-0.29240), with a 1-tailed P-value (recommended) of 0.040 and 2 -tailed P-value of 0.080. Duval and Tweedie’s trim-and-fill method (no studies trimmed) resulted in an adjusted correlation from 0.32702 to 0.34658 (95% CI). In conclusion, the present results indicate that camel trypanosomiasis is a common infection in Gulf countries. Therefore, strict prevention and control policies should be formulated.