Comparison 1. Parasite‐related outcomes.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Positive serology	9	3414	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.21 [0.10, 0.44]
1.1 RCT data ‐ nitroderivatives	3	524	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.12 [0.03, 0.42]
1.2 Non‐RCT data ‐ adults ‐ nitroderivatives ‐ conventional serology	5	1878	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.34 [0.16, 0.73]
1.3 RCT data ‐ allopurinol	1	35	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	2.0 [0.11, 35.09]
1.4 Non‐RCT data ‐ adults ‐ allopurinol ‐ conventional serology	1	977	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.07 [0.00, 1.27]
2 Positive PCR: nitroderivatives	2	192	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.50 [0.27, 0.92]
2.1 RCT data ‐ children	1	129	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.51 [0.25, 1.04]
2.2 Non‐RCT data ‐ adults	1	63	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.48 [0.15, 1.55]
3 Positive xenodiagnosis: all populations, all tested drugs	6	1073	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.35 [0.14, 0.86]
3.1 RCT data ‐ nitroderivatives	2	366	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.09 [0.04, 0.18]
3.2 RCT data ‐ allopurinol	2	75	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.58 [0.19, 1.74]
3.3 Non‐RCT data	2	632	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.72 [0.33, 1.57]
4 Mean reduction of antibodies titres: all populations, all tested drugs	3	225	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.56 [‐0.89, ‐0.23]
4.1 Benznidazole children	2	200	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.67 [‐0.96, ‐0.39]
4.2 Allopurinol adults	1	25	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.04 [‐0.75, 0.82]