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Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Aug 2023Since 2013, heater-cooler unit (HCU) associated Mycobacterium chimaera infections linked to a global outbreak have been described. These infections were characterised by... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Clinical characteristics and outcome of Mycobacterium chimaera infections after cardiac surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis of 180 heater-cooler unit-associated cases.
OBJECTIVES
Since 2013, heater-cooler unit (HCU) associated Mycobacterium chimaera infections linked to a global outbreak have been described. These infections were characterised by high morbidity and mortality due to delayed diagnosis, as well as challenges in antimycobacterial and surgical therapy. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcome of published cases of HCU-associated M. chimaera infections.
METHODS
We searched PubMed and the Web of Science until 15 June 2022 for case reports, case series, and cohort studies, without language restriction, on patients with M. chimaera infection and a prior history of cardiac surgery. In this systematic review of case reports, no risk of bias assessment could be performed. Clinical, microbiological, and radiological features were recorded. Logistic regression and time-to-event analyses were performed to identify the potential factors associated with better survival.
RESULTS
One hundred eighty patients from 54 publications were included. Most patients underwent surgical aortic valve (67.0%; 118/176 of patients with available data) or combined aortic valve and root replacement (15.3%; 27/176). The median period between the time point of surgery and the first symptoms was 17 months (interquartile range 13-26 months). The overall case fatality rate was 45.5% (80/176), with a median survival of 24 months after the initiation of antimycobacterial therapy or diagnosis. A reoperation (including the removal or exchange of foreign material) was associated with better survival in multivariate logistic regression (OR 0.32 for lethal events; 95% CI 0.12-0.79; p 0.015) and in time-to-event analysis (p 0.0094).
DISCUSSION
This systematic review and meta-analysis confirm the high overall mortality of HCU -associated disseminated M. chimaera infections after cardiac surgery. A reoperation seems to be associated with better survival. Physicians have to stay aware of this infection, as patients might still be present today due to the long latency period.
Topics: Humans; Mycobacterium Infections; Mycobacterium; Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Mycobacterium avium Complex; Equipment Contamination; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous
PubMed: 36918144
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2023.03.005 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2021The multicenter literature review and case studies of 3 patients were undertaken to provide an updated understanding of nocardiosis, an opportunistic bacterial infection...
OBJECTIVE
The multicenter literature review and case studies of 3 patients were undertaken to provide an updated understanding of nocardiosis, an opportunistic bacterial infection affecting immunosuppressed nephrotic syndrome (NS) patients receiving long-term glucocorticoid and immunosuppressant treatment. The results provided clinical and microbiological data to assist physicians in managing nocardiosis patients.
METHODS
Three cases between 2017 and 2018 from a single center were reported. Additionally, a systematic review of multicenter cases described in the NCBI PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase in English between January 1, 2001 and May 10, 2021 was conducted.
RESULTS
This study described three cases of infection in NS patients. The systematic literature review identified 24 cases with sufficient individual patient data. A total of 27 cases extracted from the literature review showed that most patients were > 50 years of age and 70.4% were male. Furthermore, the glucocorticoid or corticosteroid mean dose was 30.9 ± 13.7 mg per day. The average time between hormone therapy and infection was 8.5 ± 9.7 months. Pulmonary (85.2%) and skin (44.4%) infections were the most common manifestations in NS patients, with disseminated infections in 77.8% of patients. Nodule/masses and consolidations were the major radiological manifestations. Most patients showed elevated inflammatory biomarkers levels, including white blood cell counts, neutrophils percentage, and C-reactive protein. Twenty-five patients received trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole monotherapy (18.5%) or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-based multidrug therapy (74.1%), and the remaining two patients (7.4%) received biapenem monotherapy. All patients, except the two who were lost to follow-up, survived without relapse after antibiotic therapy.
CONCLUSIONS
Nephrotic syndrome patients are at high risk of infection even if receiving low-dose glucocorticoid during the maintenance therapy. The most common manifestations of nocardiosis in NS patients include abnormal lungs revealing nodules and consolidations, skin and subcutaneous abscesses. The NS patients have a high rate of disseminated and cutaneous infections but a low mortality rate. Accurate and prompt microbiological diagnosis is critical for early treatment, besides the combination of appropriate antibiotic therapy and surgical drainage when needed for an improved prognosis.
Topics: Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Leprostatic Agents; Male; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Nephrotic Syndrome; Nocardia; Nocardia Infections
PubMed: 35141169
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.789754 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Jul 2023In 2008, bacilli from 2 Hansen disease (leprosy) cases were identified as a new species, Mycobacterium lepromatosis. We conducted a systematic review of studies...
In 2008, bacilli from 2 Hansen disease (leprosy) cases were identified as a new species, Mycobacterium lepromatosis. We conducted a systematic review of studies investigating M. lepromatosis as a cause of HD. Twenty-one case reports described 27 patients with PCR-confirmed M. lepromatosis infection (6 dual M. leprae/M. lepromatosis): 10 case-patients in the United States (7 originally from Mexico), 6 in Mexico, 3 in the Dominican Republic, 2 each in Singapore and Myanmar, and 1 each in Indonesia, Paraguay, Cuba, and Canada. Twelve specimen surveys reported 1,098 PCR-positive findings from 1,428 specimens, including M. lepromatosis in 44.9% (133/296) from Mexico, 3.8% (5/133) in Colombia, 12.5% (10/80) in Brazil, and 0.9% (2/224) from the Asia-Pacific region. Biases toward investigating M. lepromatosis as an agent in cases of diffuse lepromatous leprosy or from Mesoamerica precluded conclusions about clinicopathologic manifestations and geographic distribution. Current multidrug treatments seem effective for this infection.
Topics: Humans; Mycobacterium; Leprosy; Leprosy, Lepromatous; Mycobacterium leprae
PubMed: 37347507
DOI: 10.3201/eid2907.230024 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major underdiagnosed public health threat worldwide, being responsible for more than 10 million cases and one million deaths annually. TB... (Review)
Review
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major underdiagnosed public health threat worldwide, being responsible for more than 10 million cases and one million deaths annually. TB diagnosis has become more rapid with the development and adoption of molecular tests, but remains challenging with traditional TB diagnosis, but there has not been a critical review of this area. Here, we systematically review these approaches to assess their diagnostic potential and issues with the development and clinical evaluation of proposed CRISPR-based TB assays. Based on these observations, we propose constructive suggestions to improve sample pretreatment, method development, clinical validation, and accessibility of these assays to streamline future assay development and validation studies.
Topics: Humans; Biological Assay; Public Health; Tuberculosis
PubMed: 37600797
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1172035 -
European Respiratory Review : An... Jun 2023A substantial proportion of tuberculosis patients remain with pulmonary symptoms and reduced physical capacity despite successful treatment. We performed a systematic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
A substantial proportion of tuberculosis patients remain with pulmonary symptoms and reduced physical capacity despite successful treatment. We performed a systematic review to analyse the burden of post-tuberculosis lung impairment measured by lung function testing.
METHODS
We searched the PubMed database for articles published between database inception and November 2020 and performed meta-analyses to estimate the prevalence, type and severity of lung impairment among drug-susceptible and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis survivors. Methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.
RESULTS
54 articles were included in this review. For subjects with former drug-susceptible tuberculosis, the combined estimated mean was 76.6% (95% CI 71.6-81.6) of predicted for forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV) and 81.8% (95% CI 77.4-86.2) for forced vital capacity (FVC). In former patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, it was 65.9% (95% CI 57.1-74.7) for FEV and 76.0% (95% CI 66.3-85.8) for FVC, respectively. The analysis of impairment types in former patients with drug-susceptible and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis showed that 22.0% 19.0% had obstructive, 23.0% 22.0% restrictive and 15.0% 43.0% had mixed impairment type, respectively. In the majority of studies, at least 10-15% of tuberculosis survivors had severe lung impairment.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review showed long-term abnormal spirometry results in a significant proportion of tuberculosis survivors.
Topics: Humans; Lung; Spirometry; Vital Capacity; Forced Expiratory Volume; Tuberculosis; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant
PubMed: 37076175
DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0221-2022 -
The Lancet. Microbe Oct 2023Pulmonary tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis can be challenging to diagnose when sputum samples cannot be obtained, which is especially problematic in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis can be challenging to diagnose when sputum samples cannot be obtained, which is especially problematic in children and older people. We systematically appraised the performance characteristics and diagnostic accuracy of upper respiratory tract sampling for diagnosing active pulmonary tuberculosis.
METHODS
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Cinahl, Web of Science, Global Health, and Global Health Archive databases for studies published between database inception and Dec 6, 2022 that reported on the accuracy of upper respiratory tract sampling for tuberculosis diagnosis compared with microbiological testing of sputum or gastric aspirate reference standard. We included studies that evaluated the accuracy of upper respiratory tract sampling (laryngeal swabs, nasopharyngeal aspirate, oral swabs, saliva, mouth wash, nasal swabs, plaque samples, and nasopharyngeal swabs) to be tested for microbiological diagnosis of tuberculous (by culture and nucleic acid amplification tests) compared with a reference standard using either sputum or gastric lavage for a microbiological test. We included cohort, case-control, cross-sectional, and randomised controlled studies that recruited participants from any community or clinical setting. We excluded post-mortem studies. We used a random-effects meta-analysis with a bivariate hierarchical model to estimate pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostics odds ratio (DOR; odds of a positive test with disease relative to without), stratified by sampling method. We assessed bias using QUADAS-2 criteria. This study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021262392).
FINDINGS
We screened 10 159 titles for inclusion, reviewed 274 full texts, and included 71, comprising 119 test comparisons published between May 13, 1933, and Dec 19, 2022, in the systematic review (53 in the meta-analysis). For laryngeal swabs, pooled sensitivity was 57·8% (95% CI 50·5-65·0), specificity was 93·8% (88·4-96·8), and DOR was 20·7 (11·1-38·8). Nasopharyngeal aspirate sensitivity was 65·2% (52·0-76·4), specificity was 97·9% (96·0-99·0), and DOR was 91·0 (37·8-218·8). Oral swabs sensitivity was 56·7% (44·3-68·2), specificity was 91·3% (CI 81·0-96·3), and DOR was 13·8 (5·6-34·0). Substantial heterogeneity in diagnostic accuracy was found, probably due to differences in reference and index standards.
INTERPRETATION
Upper respiratory tract sampling holds promise to expand access to tuberculosis diagnosis. Exploring historical methods using modern microbiological techniques might further increase options for alternative sample types. Prospective studies are needed to optimise accuracy and utility of sampling methods in clinical practice.
FUNDING
UK Medical Research Council, Wellcome, and UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Topics: Child; Humans; Aged; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Cross-Sectional Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tuberculosis; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary; Respiratory System
PubMed: 37714173
DOI: 10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00190-8 -
The Lancet. Infectious Diseases Feb 2022Novel skin-based tests for tuberculosis infection might present suitable alternatives to current tests; however, diagnostic performance of new tests compared with the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The diagnostic performance of novel skin-based in-vivo tests for tuberculosis infection compared with purified protein derivative tuberculin skin tests and blood-based in vitro interferon-γ release assays: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Novel skin-based tests for tuberculosis infection might present suitable alternatives to current tests; however, diagnostic performance of new tests compared with the purified protein derivative-tuberculin skin test (TST) or interferon-γ release assays (IGRA) needs systematic assessment.
METHODS
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched English (Medline OVID), Chinese (Chinese Biomedical Literature Database and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure), and Russian (e-library) databases from the inception of each database to May 15, 2019, (with updated search of the Russian and English databases on Oct, 20 2020) using terms "ESAT6" OR "CFP10" AND "skin test" AND "Tuberculosis" OR "C-Tb" OR "Diaskintest". We included studies reporting on the performance of index tests alone or compared with a comparator. Inclusion criteria varied according to review objectives and performance outcome, but reporting of test cut-offs for positivity applied to study population was required from all studies. We used a hierarchy of reference standards for tuberculosis infection consistent with the 2020 WHO framework to evaluate diagnostic performance. Two authors independently reviewed the titles and abstracts for English and Chinese (LF and MK) and Russian studies (MK and VN). Study quality was assessed with QUADAS-2. Pooled random-effects estimates are presented when appropriate for total agreement proportion, sensitivity in microbiologically confirmed tuberculosis and specificity in cohorts with low risk of tuberculosis infection. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42019135572.
FINDINGS
We identified 1466 original articles, of which 37 (2·5%) studies, including 10 915 individuals (7111 Diaskintest, 2744 C-Tb, 887 EC, 173 DPPD), were included in the qualitative analysis (29 [78%] studies of Diaskintest, five [15%] studies of C-Tb, two [5%] studies of EC-skintest, and one [3%] study of DPPD). 22 (1·5%) studies including 5810 individuals (3143 Diaskintest, 2129 C-Tb, 538 EC-skintest) were included in the quantitative analysis: 15 (68%) of Diaskintest, five (23%) of C-Tb, and two (9%) of EC-skintest. Tested sub-populations included individuals with HIV, children (0-18 years), and individuals exposed to tuberculosis. Studies were heterogeneous with moderate to high risk of bias. Nine head-to-head studies of index test versus TST and IGRA permitted direct comparisons and pooling. In a mixed cohort of people with and without tuberculosis, Diaskintest pooled agreement with IGRA was 87·16% (95% CI 79·47-92·24) and 55·45% (46·08-64·45) with TST-5 mm cut-off (TST). Diaskintest sensitivity was 91·18% (95% CI 81·72-95·98) compared with 88·24% (78·20-94·01) for TST, 89·66 (78·83-95·28) for IGRA QuantiFERON, and 90·91% (79·95-96·16) for TSPOT.TB. C-Tb agreement with IGRA in individuals with active tuberculosis was 79·80% (95% CI 76·10-83·07) compared with 78·92% (74·65-82·63) for TST5 mm/15 mm cut-off (TST). TST reflects threshold in cohorts that applied stratified cutoffs: 5 mm for HIV-infected, immunocompromised, or BCG-naive individuals, and 15mm for BCG-vaccinated immunocompetent individuals. C-Tb sensitivity was 74·52% (95% CI 70·39-78·25) compared with a sensitivity of 78·18% (67·75-85·94) for TST, and 71·67% (63·44-78·68) for IGRA. Specificity was 97·85% (95% CI 93·96-99·25) for C-Tb versus 93·31% (90·22-95·48) for TST 15 mm cut-off and 99·15% (79·66-99·97) for IGRA. EC-skintest sensitivity was 86·06% (95% CI 82·39-89·07).
INTERPRETATION
Novel skin-based tests for tuberculosis infection appear to perform similarly to IGRA or TST; however, study quality varied. Evaluation of test performance, patient-important outcomes, and diagnostic use in current clinical algorithms will inform implementation in key populations.
FUNDING
StopTB (New Diagnostics Working Group) and FIND.
TRANSLATIONS
For the Chinese and Russian translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
Topics: BCG Vaccine; Child; HIV Infections; Humans; Interferon-gamma Release Tests; Latent Tuberculosis; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tuberculin; Tuberculin Test; Tuberculosis
PubMed: 34606768
DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(21)00261-9 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023We aimed to evaluate the indeterminate rate of interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) in the detection of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
We aimed to evaluate the indeterminate rate of interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) in the detection of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI).
METHODS
On 15 November 2022, we searched the PubMed® (National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA), Embase® (Elsevier, Amsterdam, the Netherlands), and Cochrane Library databases in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Two investigators independently extracted the study data and assessed their quality using a modified quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies (i.e., QUADAS-2) tool. A random-effects model was used to calculate pooled results.
RESULTS
We included 403 studies involving 486,886 individuals and found that the pooled indeterminate rate was 3.9% (95% CI 3.5%-4.2%). The pooled indeterminate rate for QuantiFERON®-TB (QFT) was similar to that for T-SPOT®.TB (T-SPOT) [odds ratio (OR) = 0.88, 95% CI 0.59-1.32]; however, the indeterminate rate for a new generation of QFT (QFT-plus) was lower than that of T-SPOT (OR = 0.24, 95% CI 0.16-0.35). The indeterminate rate in the immunocompromised population was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (OR = 3.51, 95% CI 2.11-5.82), and it increased with the reduction of CD4+ cell count in HIV-positive patients. Children's pooled indeterminate rates (OR = 2.56, 95% CI 1.79-3.57) were significantly higher than those of adults, and the rates increased as the children's age decreased.
CONCLUSION
On average, 1 in 26 tests yields indeterminate IGRA results in LTBI screening. The use of advanced versions of the QuantiFERON-TB assay (QFT-plus), may potentially reduce the occurrence of an indeterminate result. Our study emphasizes the high risk of immunosuppression and young age in relation to indeterminate IGRA, which should receive more attention in the management of LTBI.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020211363, CRD42020211363.
Topics: United States; Child; Adult; Humans; Interferon-gamma Release Tests; Latent Tuberculosis; Mass Screening; HIV Seropositivity; Immunocompromised Host
PubMed: 37256138
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1170579 -
Systematic Reviews Feb 2023Tuberculosis (TB)-associated mortality in South Africa remains high. This review aimed to systematically assess risk factors associated with death during TB treatment in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Tuberculosis (TB)-associated mortality in South Africa remains high. This review aimed to systematically assess risk factors associated with death during TB treatment in South African patients.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review of TB research articles published between 2010 and 2018. We searched BioMed Central (BMC), PubMed®, EBSCOhost, Cochrane, and SCOPUS for publications between January 2010 and December 2018. Searches were conducted between August 2019 and October 2019. We included randomised control trials (RCTs), case control, cross sectional, retrospective, and prospective cohort studies where TB mortality was a primary endpoint and effect measure estimates were provided for risk factors for TB mortality during TB treatment. Due to heterogeneity in effect measures and risk factors evaluated, a formal meta-analysis of risk factors for TB mortality was not appropriate. A random effects meta-analysis was used to estimate case fatality ratios (CFRs) for all studies and for specific subgroups so that these could be compared. Quality assessments were performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale or the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool.
RESULTS
We identified 1995 titles for screening, 24 publications met our inclusion criteria (one cross-sectional study, 2 RCTs, and 21 cohort studies). Twenty-two studies reported on adults (n = 12561) and two were restricted to children < 15 years of age (n = 696). The CFR estimated for all studies was 26.4% (CI 18.1-34.7, n = 13257 ); 37.5% (CI 24.8-50.3, n = 5149) for drug-resistant (DR) TB; 12.5% (CI 1.1-23.9, n = 1935) for drug-susceptible (DS) TB; 15.6% (CI 8.1-23.2, n = 6173) for studies in which drug susceptibility was mixed or not specified; 21.3% (CI 15.3-27.3, n = 7375) for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV); 19.2% (CI 7.7-30.7, n = 1691) in HIV-negative TB patients; and 6.8% (CI 4.9-8.7, n = 696) in paediatric studies. The main risk factors associated with TB mortality were HIV infection, prior TB treatment, DR-TB, and lower body weight at TB diagnosis.
CONCLUSIONS
In South Africa, overall mortality during TB treatment remains high, people with DR-TB have an elevated risk of mortality during TB treatment and interventions to mitigate high mortality are needed. In addition, better prospective data on TB mortality are needed, especially amongst vulnerable sub-populations including young children, adolescents, pregnant women, and people with co-morbidities other than HIV. Limitations included a lack of prospective studies and RCTs and a high degree of heterogeneity in risk factors and comparator variables.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
The systematic review protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under the registration number CRD42018108622. This study was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (Investment ID OPP1173131) via the South African TB Think Tank.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; HIV Infections; Risk Factors; South Africa; Tuberculosis; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant
PubMed: 36814335
DOI: 10.1186/s13643-023-02175-8 -
Journal of Global Antimicrobial... Sep 2020Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a major global public health threat. India, as it shares a large fraction of the world's TB burden, is currently at a critical... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a major global public health threat. India, as it shares a large fraction of the world's TB burden, is currently at a critical phase due to the rise of drug resistance. Monitoring the prevalence and patterns of drug resistance is essential to measure the progress of TB control programmes. We aimed to systematically review Indian studies on the prevalence and patterns of DR-TB among various treatment types and risk groups.
METHODS
A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Google Scholar, IndMed, major TB journals and other databases for English language articles published till March 2018 that estimated the prevalence of DR TB in new, previously treated, presumptive multidrug resistance (MDR), paediatric and HIV co-infected pulmonary TB patients. Two authors independently conducted the search, assessed study quality, and extracted the relevant data. Pooled prevalence of DR-TB and its types were calculated by DerSimonian-Laird random effects meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was investigated by sub-group and sensitivity analyses.
RESULTS
Ninety non-duplicate studies were included. The prevalence of MDR, any drug resistance and extensive drug resistance was 3.5%, 24.9% and 0.06% (among new) and 26.7%, 58.4% and 1.3% (among previously treated), respectively. MDR prevalence among presumptive MDR, paediatric and HIV co-infected TB patients was 23.3%, 5.1% and 18.8%, respectively. MDR prevalence among new TB patients was highest in Maharashtra and lowest in Telangana. There was high heterogeneity between the studies. Study period, place of study and zone were significantly associated with MDR prevalence.
CONCLUSIONS
India suffers from a significant burden of DR-TB. Its patterns and prevalence are very heterogeneous across time, region and setting. Implementation of universal drug susceptibility testing in all districts and continuous DR-TB surveillance is crucial to ensure programmatic success.
Topics: Antitubercular Agents; Child; Humans; India; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Prevalence; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary
PubMed: 32247079
DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2020.03.008