-
Acta Oto-laryngologica Mar 2024Larynx transplantation has been successfully performed four times, in 1998, 2010, 2015 and 2023 remained the ultimate goal of voice, feeding and breathing rehabilitation. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUNDS
Larynx transplantation has been successfully performed four times, in 1998, 2010, 2015 and 2023 remained the ultimate goal of voice, feeding and breathing rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVE
Immunosuppressive protocols used during the previous successful larynx allotransplantation are detailed.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A systematic review of the literature on PUBMED/Medline, Cochrane and Embase was conducted. Articles relating to actual human larynx transplantations were included.
RESULTS
Bibliography search gathered = 10 publications related to the performance and follow-up of human laryngeal transplantations. = 8 publications were included corresponding to = 3 actual human larynx transplantations performed in 1998 and 2010 in the USA and in 2015 in Poland. Immunosuppression protocols, induction and maintenance strategies, rejection monitoring and history of all the three previous laryngeal grafts were detailed.
CONCLUSIONS
Beyond the surgical prowess, larynx transplantation is feasible and associated with a reasonably successful outcome when compared to other solid organ transplants. Immunosuppressive regimen protocols and technologies for the monitoring of the organ viability have evolved.
SIGNIFICANCE
The reevaluation of this surgical option serves as the reminder of the critical necessity to implement a meticulous immunosuppression protocol when transplanting this inherently immunogenic composite organ, the larynx.
Topics: Humans; Larynx; Immunosuppressive Agents; Immunosuppression Therapy; Graft Rejection
PubMed: 38662869
DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2024.2339341 -
International Orthopaedics Jan 2024Knowledge of Candida spondylodiscitis is limited to case reports and smaller case series. Controversy remains on the most effective diagnostical and therapeutical steps... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
Knowledge of Candida spondylodiscitis is limited to case reports and smaller case series. Controversy remains on the most effective diagnostical and therapeutical steps once Candida is suspected. This systematic review summarized all cases of Candida spondylodiscitis reported to date concerning baseline demographics, symptoms, treatment, and prognostic factors.
METHODS
A PRISMA-based search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and OVID Medline was performed from database inception to November 30, 2022. Reported cases of Candida spondylodiscitis were included regardless of Candida strain or spinal levels involved. Based on these criteria, 656 studies were analyzed and 72 included for analysis. Kaplan-Meier curves, Fisher's exact, and Wilcoxon's rank sum tests were performed.
RESULTS
In total, 89 patients (67% males) treated for Candida spondylodiscitis were included. Median age was 61 years, 23% were immunocompromised, and 15% IV drug users. Median length of antifungal treatment was six months, and fluconazole (68%) most commonly used. Thirteen percent underwent debridement, 34% discectomy with and 21% without additional instrumentation. Median follow-up was 12 months. The two year survivorship free of death was 80%. The two year survivorship free of revision was 94%. Younger age (p = 0.042) and longer length of antifungal treatment (p = 0.061) were predictive of survival.
CONCLUSION
Most patients affected by Candida spondylodiscitis were males in their sixties, with one in four being immunocompromised. While one in five patients died within two years of diagnosis, younger age and prolonged antifungal treatment might play a protective role.
Topics: Male; Humans; Middle Aged; Female; Candida; Antifungal Agents; Discitis; Candidiasis; Immunocompromised Host
PubMed: 37792014
DOI: 10.1007/s00264-023-05989-2 -
Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 2017Conditioned pharmacological effects may provide relevant clinical opportunities to improve treatment for patients with a variety of conditions. The aim of this... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Conditioned pharmacological effects may provide relevant clinical opportunities to improve treatment for patients with a variety of conditions. The aim of this systematic review was to create an overview of studies in this field of research and to investigate whether specific characteristics of the study design make for successful conditioning.
METHODS
The protocol of this review was registered in Prospero (PROSPERO 2015: CRD42015024148). A systematic literature search was conducted in the databases PubMed, Embase, and PsychInfo. Studies were included if they were placebo-controlled trials in humans in which the effects of a pharmacological agent on immune or endocrine outcomes (e.g., interleukin-2 and cortisol) were conditioned, using a specific conditioned stimulus. The risk of bias of each study was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool.
RESULTS
The final selection included 16 studies. Overall, those studies indicate that conditioning of immunosuppression, conditioning of allergic responses, and conditioning of insulin and glycemic responses is possible. Regarding immunostimulants, antiallergic effects, and cortisol conditioning, the preliminary results are promising, but additional studies are needed.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review shows classical conditioning of immune and endocrine responses for various pharmaceutical substances. The studies reviewed here indicate that the number of acquisition and evocation sessions, and characteristics of the unconditioned and conditioned stimuli, are important determinants of the effectiveness of pharmacological conditioning on immune and endocrine parameters. In the future, conditioned pharmacological effects may be used clinically as adjunct therapy in various patient populations.
Topics: Conditioning, Classical; Endocrine System; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Immune System; Placebo Effect
PubMed: 28183096
DOI: 10.1159/000449470 -
Transplantation Oct 2014Rituximab is a B lymphocyte-depleting agent used to treat lymphoma and autoimmune diseases. Recently, it has been used for desensitization therapy in ABO-incompatible... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Rituximab is a B lymphocyte-depleting agent used to treat lymphoma and autoimmune diseases. Recently, it has been used for desensitization therapy in ABO-incompatible and highly sensitized recipients undergoing renal transplantation.
METHODS
A systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Four databases and three trial registries were searched for studies comparing rituximab with non-rituximab desensitization protocols. A lack of randomized evidence precluded meta-analysis, and thus a narrative review was conducted.
RESULTS
Forty-five records met the inclusion criteria, relating to 21 individual studies (two randomized controlled trials and 19 retrospective cohort studies). Ten studies investigated the use of rituximab in ABO-incompatible patients; most found no significant differences in patient and graft outcomes when compared most frequently to splenectomy-based protocols. Nine studies of limited quality focused on highly sensitized recipients (positive cross-match, donor-specific antibody, and elevated panel reactive antibody) and demonstrated some benefits in graft survival, acute and chronic rejection, and sensitization levels with rituximab. The remaining two studies combined ABO-incompatible and highly sensitized recipients and found no statistically significant increase in infectious complications with rituximab.
CONCLUSION
Evidence of limited quality was identified to support the use of rituximab desensitization in highly sensitized recipients. Among ABO-incompatible recipients, rituximab was found to be equivalent to splenectomy, indicating that this invasive surgical procedure is not necessary. Further randomized controlled trials are required to better define the efficacy, long-term safety, and optimal dosing regimen of rituximab in this setting.
Topics: ABO Blood-Group System; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; Blood Group Incompatibility; Desensitization, Immunologic; Histocompatibility Testing; Humans; Isoantibodies; Kidney Transplantation; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Rituximab; Tissue Donors
PubMed: 25321163
DOI: 10.1097/TP.0000000000000362 -
Clinical Rheumatology Dec 2022Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a less common large-vessel vasculitis which can occur in either children or adults. However, differences between pediatric-onset and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a less common large-vessel vasculitis which can occur in either children or adults. However, differences between pediatric-onset and adult-onset TAK have not been systematically analyzed. We undertook a systematic review (pre-registered on PROSPERO, identifier CRD42022300238) to analyze differences in clinical presentation, angiographic involvement, treatments, and outcomes between pediatric-onset and adult-onset TAK. We searched PubMed (MEDLINE and PubMed Central), Scopus, major recent international rheumatology conference abstracts, Cochrane database, and clinicaltrials.gov, and identified seven studies of moderate to high quality comparing pediatric-onset and adult-onset TAK. Meta-analysis of 263 pediatric-onset and 981 adult-onset TAK suggested that constitutional features (fever, and in subgroup analyses, weight loss), hypertension, headache, and sinister features of cardiomyopathy, elevated serum creatinine, and abdominal pain were more frequent in pediatric-onset TAK, whereas pulse loss/pulse deficit and claudication (particularly upper limb claudication) were more frequent in adult-onset TAK. Hata's type IV TAK was more common in pediatric-onset TAK, and Hata's type I TAK in adult-onset TAK. Children with TAK also appeared to require more intense immunosuppression with more frequent use of cyclophosphamide, biologic DMARDs, tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors, and, in subgroup analyses, tocilizumab in pediatric-onset TAK than in adult-onset TAK. Surgical or endovascular procedures, remission, and risk of mortality were similar in both children and adults with TAK. No studies had compared patient-reported outcome measures between pediatric-onset and adult-onset TAK. Distinct clinical features and angiographic extent prevail between pediatric-onset and adult-onset TAK. Clinical outcomes in these subgroups require further study in multicentric cohorts.
Topics: Child; Adult; Humans; Takayasu Arteritis; Retrospective Studies; Cyclophosphamide; Immunosuppression Therapy; Antirheumatic Agents
PubMed: 35927524
DOI: 10.1007/s10067-022-06318-5 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis (AR) and provide evidence for clinical treatment. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis (AR) and provide evidence for clinical treatment.
METHODS
A literature search was performed on the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase database. Data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of sublingual immunotherapy for AR were screened and extracted from the establishment of those databases to November 2022. Subsequently, a network meta-analysis was performed using a statistical software R 4.2.
RESULTS
Totally 22 RCTs that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and screened from 1,164 literature were included. A total of 4,941 AR patients were involved in the 22 trials, as well as five interventions including placebo, pharmacotherapy, subcutaneous immunotherapy_dust mite, sublingual immunotherapy_dust mite, and sublingual immunotherapy_ grass mix plus pollen extract. The results of network meta-analysis showed that, based on symptom scores after different interventions for AR, the most effective treatments for AR were in order as follows: sublingual immunotherapy_dust mite, subcutaneous immunotherapy_dust mite, sublingual immunotherapy_ grass mix plus pollen extract, placebo, and pharmacotherapy. Importantly, sublingual immunotherapy had fewer adverse reactions and higher safety.
CONCLUSION
Sublingual immunotherapy_dust mite for AR has the best efficacy, whereas traditional medicine has the worst. More high-quality studies with a large sample and multiple centers are needed to verify this conclusion in the future, so as to further provide more reliable evidence-based medical evidence for the clinical treatment options of AR patients.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Sublingual Immunotherapy; Network Meta-Analysis; Rhinitis, Allergic; Pyroglyphidae; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 37063866
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1144816 -
Irish Journal of Medical Science Aug 2022The World Health Organisation (WHO) End Tuberculosis (TB) Strategy and the WHO Framework Towards Tuberculosis Elimination in Low Incidence Countries state that latent... (Review)
Review
The World Health Organisation (WHO) End Tuberculosis (TB) Strategy and the WHO Framework Towards Tuberculosis Elimination in Low Incidence Countries state that latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening and treatment in selected high-risk groups is a priority action to eliminate TB. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) advises that this should be done through high-quality programmatic management, which they describe as having six key components. The research aim was to systematically review the literature to identify what is known about the epidemiology of LTBI and the uptake and completion of LTBI screening and treatment in Ireland to inform the programmatic management of LTBI nationally. A systematic literature review was performed according to a review protocol and reported in adherence with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. Twenty-eight studies were eligible for inclusion and described LTBI screening or treatment performed in one of five contexts, pre-biologic or other immunosuppression screening, people living with HIV, TB case contacts, other vulnerable populations, or healthcare workers. The risk of bias across studies with regard to prevalence of LTBI was generally high. One study reported a complete cascade of LTBI care from screening initiation to treatment completion. This systematic review has described what published research there is on the epidemiology and cascade of LTBI care in Ireland and identified knowledge gaps. A strategy for addressing these knowledge gaps has been proposed.
Topics: Humans; Incidence; Ireland; Latent Tuberculosis; Mass Screening; Tuberculosis
PubMed: 34595689
DOI: 10.1007/s11845-021-02779-w -
The Journal of Hospital Infection May 2023Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a serious global public health issue. However, a comprehensive analysis of risk factors for HAIs has yet been undertaken at a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
A systematic review and meta-analysis of risk factors associated with healthcare-associated infections among hospitalized patients in Chinese general hospitals from 2001 to2022.
BACKGROUND
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a serious global public health issue. However, a comprehensive analysis of risk factors for HAIs has yet been undertaken at a large scale among general hospitals in China. The aim of this review was to assess risk factors associated with HAIs in Chinese general hospitals.
METHODS
Medline, EMBASE and Chinese Journals Online databases were searched to find studies published from 1 January 2001 to 31 May 2022. The random-effects model was used to estimate odds ratio (OR). Heterogeneity was assessed based on the τˆ and I statistics.
RESULTS
A total of 5037 published papers were identified from the initial search and 58 studies were included in the quantitative meta-analysis; 1,211,117 hospitalized patients were incorporated covering 41 regions in 23 provinces of China and 29,737 were identified as having HAIs. Our review showed that HAIs were significantly associated with sociodemographic characteristics including age older than 60 years (OR: 1.74 (1.38-2.19)) and male sex (1.33 (1.20-1.47)); invasive procedures (3.54 (1.50-8.34)); health conditions such as chronic diseases (1.49 (1.22-1.82)), coma (OR: 5.12 (1.70-15.38)) and immunosuppression (2.45 (1.55-3.87)). Other risk factors included long-term bed (5.84 (5.12-6.66)), and healthcare-related risk factors such as chemotherapy (1.96 (1.28-3.01)), haemodialysis (3.12 (1.80-5.39)), hormone therapy (2.96(1.96-4.45)), immunosuppression (2.45 (1.55-3.87)) and use of antibiotics (6.64 (3.16-13.96)), and longer than 15 hospitalization days (13.36 (6.80-26.26)).
CONCLUSIONS
Being male and aged over 60 years, invasive procedure, health conditions, healthcare-related risk factors, and longer than 15 hospitalization days were the main risk factors associated with HAIs in Chinese general hospitals. This supports the evidence base to inform the relevant cost-effective prevention and control strategies.
Topics: Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Aged; Female; Hospitals, General; East Asian People; Cross Infection; Risk Factors; Delivery of Health Care
PubMed: 36907333
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2023.02.013 -
International Urology and Nephrology Apr 2023Patients under renal replacement therapy are at an increased risk of severe infection with SARS-CoV-2, and have been known to have impaired response to standard... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Patients under renal replacement therapy are at an increased risk of severe infection with SARS-CoV-2, and have been known to have impaired response to standard vaccination. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims at evaluating the efficacy of booster dose vaccination in this population.
METHODS
A systematic review has been conducted to find trials on the booster dose vaccination in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) or patients under dialysis. Data of seroconversion rates at different timepoints, especially 1 month prior and post-booster dose vaccination have been collected and analyzed. Effects of different factors including type of renal replacement therapy (RRT), vaccine type and brands, magnitude of response to the standard vaccination, and immunosuppression drugs on the response rates have been investigated. Meta-analyses were performed using software Stata v.17.
RESULTS
Overall 58 studies were included. Both RRT patient subgroups represented significant seroconversion, post- (versus pre-) booster dose vaccination, but only in KTRs the booster dose seroconversion surpassed that of the standard protocol. T-cell response was also significantly augmented after booster vaccination, with no difference between the RRT subgroups. mRNA and vector vaccine types had comparable immunogenicity when employed as boosters, both significantly higher than the inactivated virus vaccine, with no significant disparity regarding the vaccine brands. Patients with poor response to standard vaccination had a significant response to booster dose, with dialysis patients having stronger response. The differential effects of vaccine types and brands in the poor responders was similar to that of the overall RRT population. No rejection episodes or graft failure post-booster vaccination was reported.
CONCLUSION
In patients under RRT, booster dose vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is safe and efficacious determined by significant seroconversion, and therefore, it should be considered to be implemented in all these patients. Since in the KTR patients, the third dose vaccination significantly increased the seroconversion rates even beyond that of the standard protocol, three dose vaccine doses is recommended to be recognized as the standard vaccination protocol in this population. The same recommendation could be considered for dialysis patients, due to their augmented risk of breakthrough infection.
Topics: Humans; Renal Dialysis; Kidney Transplantation; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Vaccination; Antibodies, Viral
PubMed: 36723829
DOI: 10.1007/s11255-023-03471-x -
Seminars in Respiratory and Critical... Dec 2021Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first identified as a novel coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei province, central China, in December 2019, and...
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first identified as a novel coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei province, central China, in December 2019, and is responsible for the 2019-to-present pandemic. According to the most recent data released by the World Health Organization, more than 200 million people have been infected by SARS-CoV-2 so far, and more than 4 million people died worldwide. Although our knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 is constantly growing, data on COVID-19 in immunocompromised patients are still limited. The aim of the present systematic review is to describe clinical picture, disease severity, proposed treatment regimen, and response to vaccination in patients with different types and severity of immunosuppression.
Topics: COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Humans; Immune Tolerance; Immunocompromised Host; Immunosuppression Therapy; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34918325
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1740110