A meta-analysis on Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens in countries of North Africa and the Middle East

Abstract Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens are globally distributed mosquito-borne parasitic filarial nematodes. Data on the prevalence of Dirofilaria spp. is not aggregated or publicly available at the national level for countries in North Africa and the Middle East. A systematic review and meta-a...

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Main Authors: Katie Izenour, Fayez Salib, Jordan Eckert, Jeba R.J. Jesudoss Chelladurai, Lindsay Starkey, Byron Blagburn, Christine Sundermann, Janna Willoughby, Sarah Zohdy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press
Series:Parasitology
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Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S003118202500037X/type/journal_article
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author Katie Izenour
Fayez Salib
Jordan Eckert
Jeba R.J. Jesudoss Chelladurai
Lindsay Starkey
Byron Blagburn
Christine Sundermann
Janna Willoughby
Sarah Zohdy
author_facet Katie Izenour
Fayez Salib
Jordan Eckert
Jeba R.J. Jesudoss Chelladurai
Lindsay Starkey
Byron Blagburn
Christine Sundermann
Janna Willoughby
Sarah Zohdy
author_sort Katie Izenour
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens are globally distributed mosquito-borne parasitic filarial nematodes. Data on the prevalence of Dirofilaria spp. is not aggregated or publicly available at the national level for countries in North Africa and the Middle East. A systematic review and meta-analysis of publications describing cases of D. immitis and D. repens in 21 countries in North Africa and the Middle East was performed following PRISMA guidelines to estimate the prevalence of Dirofilaria spp. where national and regional estimates don’t exist. In total, 460 publications were reviewed, and 34 met all inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis model. This analysis found that the combined prevalence of Dirofilaria spp. in the included countries was 2.4% (95% CI: 1.6–3.6%; I2 = 81.7%, 95% CI: 78.6–84.3%). Moderator analysis showed a statistically significant difference in the prevalence estimate between diagnostic test methods used. The model detected a high degree of heterogeneity among studies and publication bias. Removal of model identified outliers reduced the estimated prevalence from 2.4% to 1.0%, whereas the trim-and-fill analysis suggested a higher adjusted prevalence (12%). Despite these findings, Dirofilaria spp. prevalence is likely dynamic due to seasonal variations in mosquito vector populations and differences in local mosquito control practices. Additional studies from the countries in and surrounding this region are needed to better identify key risk factors for Dirofilaria spp. in domestic canids and other species (including humans) to inform prevention and control decisions to limit further transmission.
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spelling doaj-art-8dabbcc6a65242e68981764953bffa672025-08-20T03:17:32ZengCambridge University PressParasitology0031-18201469-816111910.1017/S003118202500037XA meta-analysis on Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens in countries of North Africa and the Middle EastKatie Izenour0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2097-6145Fayez Salib1Jordan Eckert2Jeba R.J. Jesudoss Chelladurai3Lindsay Starkey4Byron Blagburn5Christine Sundermann6Janna Willoughby7Sarah Zohdy8Department of Pathobiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USAFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza Governorate, Cairo EgyptDepartment of Mathematics and Statistics, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USADepartment of Pathobiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USADepartment of Pathobiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USADepartment of Pathobiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USADepartment of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USACollege of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USADepartment of Pathobiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USAAbstract Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens are globally distributed mosquito-borne parasitic filarial nematodes. Data on the prevalence of Dirofilaria spp. is not aggregated or publicly available at the national level for countries in North Africa and the Middle East. A systematic review and meta-analysis of publications describing cases of D. immitis and D. repens in 21 countries in North Africa and the Middle East was performed following PRISMA guidelines to estimate the prevalence of Dirofilaria spp. where national and regional estimates don’t exist. In total, 460 publications were reviewed, and 34 met all inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis model. This analysis found that the combined prevalence of Dirofilaria spp. in the included countries was 2.4% (95% CI: 1.6–3.6%; I2 = 81.7%, 95% CI: 78.6–84.3%). Moderator analysis showed a statistically significant difference in the prevalence estimate between diagnostic test methods used. The model detected a high degree of heterogeneity among studies and publication bias. Removal of model identified outliers reduced the estimated prevalence from 2.4% to 1.0%, whereas the trim-and-fill analysis suggested a higher adjusted prevalence (12%). Despite these findings, Dirofilaria spp. prevalence is likely dynamic due to seasonal variations in mosquito vector populations and differences in local mosquito control practices. Additional studies from the countries in and surrounding this region are needed to better identify key risk factors for Dirofilaria spp. in domestic canids and other species (including humans) to inform prevention and control decisions to limit further transmission. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S003118202500037X/type/journal_articleDirofilaria immitisDirofilaria repensglobal animal healthheartwormmeta-analysisMiddle EastNorth Africaveterinary medicine
spellingShingle Katie Izenour
Fayez Salib
Jordan Eckert
Jeba R.J. Jesudoss Chelladurai
Lindsay Starkey
Byron Blagburn
Christine Sundermann
Janna Willoughby
Sarah Zohdy
A meta-analysis on Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens in countries of North Africa and the Middle East
Parasitology
Dirofilaria immitis
Dirofilaria repens
global animal health
heartworm
meta-analysis
Middle East
North Africa
veterinary medicine
title A meta-analysis on Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens in countries of North Africa and the Middle East
title_full A meta-analysis on Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens in countries of North Africa and the Middle East
title_fullStr A meta-analysis on Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens in countries of North Africa and the Middle East
title_full_unstemmed A meta-analysis on Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens in countries of North Africa and the Middle East
title_short A meta-analysis on Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens in countries of North Africa and the Middle East
title_sort meta analysis on dirofilaria immitis and dirofilaria repens in countries of north africa and the middle east
topic Dirofilaria immitis
Dirofilaria repens
global animal health
heartworm
meta-analysis
Middle East
North Africa
veterinary medicine
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S003118202500037X/type/journal_article
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