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The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jan 2015Eczema is an inflammatory skin disease that tends to involve skin creases, such as the folds of the elbows or knees; it is an intensely itchy skin condition, which can... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Eczema is an inflammatory skin disease that tends to involve skin creases, such as the folds of the elbows or knees; it is an intensely itchy skin condition, which can relapse and remit over time. As many as a third of people with eczema who have a positive test for allergy to house dust mite have reported worsening of eczema or respiratory symptoms when exposed to dust.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of all house dust mite reduction and avoidance measures for the treatment of eczema.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the following databases up to 14 August 2014: the Cochrane Skin Group Specialised Register, CENTRAL in The Cochrane Library (2014, Issue 8), MEDLINE (from 1946), Embase (from 1974), LILACS (from 1982), and the GREAT database. We also searched five trials registers and checked the reference lists of included and excluded studies for further references to relevant studies. We handsearched abstracts from international eczema and allergy meetings.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of any of the house dust mite reduction and avoidance measures for the treatment of eczema, which included participants of any age diagnosed by a clinician with eczema as defined by the World Allergy Organization. We included all non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions that sought to reduce or avoid exposure to house dust mite and their allergenic faeces. The comparators were any active treatment, no treatment, placebo, or standard care only.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two authors independently checked the titles and abstracts identified, and there were no disagreements. We contacted authors of included studies for additional information. We assessed the risk of bias using Cochrane methodology.
MAIN RESULTS
We included seven studies of 324 adults and children with eczema. Overall, the included studies had a high risk of bias. Four of the seven trials tested interventions with multiple components, and three tested a single intervention. Two of the seven trials included only children, four included children and adults, and one included only adults. Interventions to reduce or avoid exposure to house dust mite included covers for mattresses and bedding, increased or high-quality vacuuming of carpets and mattresses, and sprays that kill house dust mites.Four studies assessed our first primary outcome of 'Clinician-assessed eczema severity using a named scale'. Of these, one study (n = 20) did not show any significant short-term benefit from allergen impermeable polyurethane mattress encasings and acaricide spray versus allergen permeable cotton mattress encasings and placebo acaricide spray. One study (n = 60) found a modest statistically significant benefit in the Six Area, Six Sign Atopic Dermatitis (SASSAD) scale over six months (mean difference of 4.2 (95% confidence interval 1.7 to 6.7), P = 0.008) in favour of a mite impermeable bedding system combined with benzyltannate spray and high-filtration vacuuming versus mite permeable cotton encasings, water with a trace of alcohol spray, and a low-filtration vacuum cleaner. The third study (n = 41) did not compare the change in severity of eczema between the two treatment groups. The fourth study (n = 86) reported no evidence of a difference between the treatment groups.With regard to the secondary outcomes 'Participant- or caregiver-assessed global eczema severity score' and the 'Amount and frequency of topical treatment required', one study (n = 20) assessed these outcomes with similar results being reported for these outcomes in both groups. Four studies (n = 159) assessed 'Sensitivity to house dust mite allergen using a marker'; there was no clear evidence of a difference in sensitivity levels reported between treatments in any of the four trials.None of the seven included studies assessed our second primary outcome 'Participant- or caregiver-assessed eczema-related quality of life using a named instrument' or the secondary outcome of 'Adverse effects'.We were unable to combine any of our results because of variability in the interventions and paucity of data.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
We were unable to determine clear implications to inform clinical practice from the very low-quality evidence currently available. The modest treatment responses reported were in people with atopic eczema, specifically with sensitivity to one or more aeroallergens. Thus, their use in the eczema population as a whole is unknown. High-quality long-term trials of single, easy-to-administer house dust mite reduction or avoidance measures are worth pursuing.
Topics: Acaricides; Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Bedding and Linens; Child; Child, Preschool; Dust; Eczema; Elbow; Environmental Exposure; Household Work; Humans; Knee; Middle Aged; Pyroglyphidae; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Young Adult
PubMed: 25598014
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008426.pub2 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Jul 2023Honey bees and honeycomb bees are very valuable for wild flowering plants and economically important crops due to their role as pollinators. However, these insects... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Honey bees and honeycomb bees are very valuable for wild flowering plants and economically important crops due to their role as pollinators. However, these insects confront many disease threats (viruses, parasites, bacteria and fungi) and large pesticide concentrations in the environment. Varroa destructor is the most prevalent disease that has had the most negative effects on the fitness and survival of different honey bees (Apis mellifera and A. cerana). Moreover, honey bees are social insects and this ectoparasite can be easily transmitted within and across bee colonies.
OBJECTIVE
This review aims to provide a survey of the diversity and distribution of important bee infections and possible management and treatment options, so that honey bee colony health can be maintained.
METHODS
We used PRISMA guidelines throughout article selection, published between January 1960 and December 2020. PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Ovid databases were searched.
RESULTS
We have collected 132 articles and retained 106 articles for this study. The data obtained revealed that V. destructor and Nosema spp. were found to be the major pathogens of honey bees worldwide. The impact of these infections can result in the incapacity of forager bees to fly, disorientation, paralysis, and death of many individuals in the colony. We find that both hygienic and chemical pest management strategies must be implemented to prevent, reduce the parasite loads and transmission of pathogens. The use of an effective miticide (fluvalinate-tau, coumaphos and amitraz) now seems to be an essential and common practice required to minimise the impact of Varroa mites and other pathogens on bee colonies. New, alternative biofriendly control methods, are on the rise, and could be critical for maintaining honey bee hive health and improving honey productivity.
CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that critical health control methods be adopted globally and that an international monitoring system be implemented to determine honey bee colony safety, regularly identify parasite prevalence, as well as potential risk factors, so that the impact of pathogens on bee health can be recognised and quantified on a global scale.
Topics: Animals; Bees; Nosema; Pesticides; Varroidae; Animal Diseases
PubMed: 37335585
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1194 -
Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and... Jul 2021Scabies is an extremely fastidious infestation caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. It causes a persistent itch that can disrupt a person's mental health, sleep, and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Scabies is an extremely fastidious infestation caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. It causes a persistent itch that can disrupt a person's mental health, sleep, and overall quality of life. In endemic areas, treatment by targeting symptomatic individuals and their contacts is often unsuccessful due to an asymptomatic period and high rates of re-infection. To overcome this, Mass Drug Administration (MDA) is often used to treat the whole community, irrespective of whether individuals presently have scabies. This review summarises the evidence for the effectiveness of MDA in treating scabies.
METHODS
An exhaustive literature review was conducted on MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and Scopus. All peer-reviewed articles published in English January 1990 to March 2020 were eligible and only if the studies were primary and interventional. Furthermore, the intervention had to be a pharmacological MDA method involving human subjects.
RESULTS
TWELVE articles that qualified for inclusion were identified. MDA for scabies significantly reduced its prevalence in communities at follow up. Some of the drivers of success were communities with low levels of migration, an uptake of MDA of > 85%, the use of oral Ivermectin therapy, the treatment of children and pregnant women within the treated population, and repeated treatment for participants diagnosed with scabies at baseline.
CONCLUSIONS
The average absolute reduction in prevalence of scabies was 22.0% and the relative reduction average was 73.4%. These results suggest MDA is effective in treating scabies in the endemic community. Further evidence is needed surrounding MDA use in urban areas with increased levels of migration. Importantly, MDA should not substitute the tackling of socioeconomic factors which contribute to endemic disease such as good sanitation and hygiene.
PubMed: 34193305
DOI: 10.1186/s40794-021-00143-5 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2021Herbivore oviposition produces all sorts of responses in plants, involving wide and complex genetic rearrangements. Many transcriptomic studies have been performed to...
Herbivore oviposition produces all sorts of responses in plants, involving wide and complex genetic rearrangements. Many transcriptomic studies have been performed to understand this interaction, producing a bulk of transcriptomic data. However, the use of many transcriptomic techniques across the years, the lack of comparable transcriptomic context at the time of publication, and the use of outdated databases are limitations to understand this biological process. The current analysis intends to retrieve oviposition studies and process them with up-to-date techniques and updated databases. To reduce heterogeneities, the same processing techniques were applied, and Arabidopsis was selected to avoid divergencies on plant taxa stress response strategies. By doing so, we intended to understand the major mechanisms and regulatory processes linked to oviposition response. Differentially expressed gene (DEG) identification and co-expression network-based analyses were the main tools to achieve this goal. Two microarray studies and three RNA-seq analyses passed the screening criteria. The collected data pertained to the lepidopteran and the mite , and covered a timeline from 3 to 144 h. Among the 18, 221 DEGs found, 15, 406 were exclusive of (72 h) and 801 were exclusive for the rest of the experiments. Excluding (72 h), shared genes on the rest of the experiments were twice the unique genes, indicating common response mechanisms were predominant. Enrichment analyses indicated that shared processes were circumscribed to earlier time points, and after 24 h, the divergences escalated. The response was characterized by patterns of time-dependent waves of unique processes. oviposition induced a rich response that shared functions across time points, while eggs triggered less but more diverse time-dependent functions. The main processes altered were associated with hormonal cascades [e.g., salicilic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA)], defense [reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glucosinolates], cell wall rearrangements, abiotic stress responses, and energy metabolism. Key gene drivers of the identified processes were also identified and presented. The current results enrich and clarify the information regarding the molecular behavior of the plant in response to oviposition by herbivores. This information is valuable for multiple stress response engineering tools, among other applications.
PubMed: 35126411
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.772492 -
Journal of Occupational and... Aug 2017Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant public health problem but it is unclear whether agricultural work causes an increased risk of disease. The... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant public health problem but it is unclear whether agricultural work causes an increased risk of disease. The aim of this review was to study COPD risk among farmers and analyze occupational exposures in agricultural workplaces.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted to identify epidemiological studies investigating COPD prevalence in farmers.
RESULTS
In the 14 studies reviewed, COPD prevalence ranged from 3% to 68% due to different characteristics of study population, working activities, case definition/diagnosis. Livestock farmers were at higher risk and significant associations were observed for exposure to organic dusts, endotoxins, mites, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide.
CONCLUSIONS
Farming work was associated with greater risk of developing COPD. However, considering the several variables that may influence the disease prevalence in farmers, we suggest the adoption of a standardized research strategy.
Topics: Agriculture; Ammonia; Animals; Dairying; Dust; Endotoxins; Humans; Hydrogen Sulfide; Livestock; Mites; Occupational Exposure; Pesticides; Prevalence; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
PubMed: 28594705
DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001072 -
International Forum of Allergy &... Jul 2017Although the preventive efficacy of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) in the onset of new allergen sensitizations has been asserted by many reviews, position papers, and... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Although the preventive efficacy of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) in the onset of new allergen sensitizations has been asserted by many reviews, position papers, and consensus conferences, the evidence available is from only 3 studies. The objective of this work was a systematic review to evaluate the preventive efficacy of AIT in the onset of new allergen sensitizations. The end-point was the risk difference (RD) in the onset of new allergen sensitizations between patients treated with AIT and pharmacotherapy.
METHODS
Computerized bibliographic searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library (until November 30th, 2016) were done. Random-effects and fixed-effects model meta-analyses were performed. Randomized controlled trials or observational studies comparing children treated with AIT with house dust mite (HDM) to subjects who did not receive AIT, with a long-term observation period (at least 3 years including treatment and follow-up) have been included.
RESULTS
Eight studies totaling 721 children (390 treated with AIT and 331 with pharmacotherapy) met the inclusion criteria. The risk of bias was high. Low evidence supports the conclusion that AIT prevents the onset of new allergen sensitizations, with 3 of 8 studies reporting a reduction in the onset of new sensitizations in patients treated with AIT vs pharmacotherapy. Our meta-analysis found no difference between AIT and pharmacotherapy, with high heterogeneity (RD, -0.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.31 to 0.11; p = 0.32; I = 91.4%).
CONCLUSION
The data of this systematic review do not support a preventive effect in the onset of new allergen sensitizations, in children treated with AIT in comparison with those treated with pharmacotherapy.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Allergic Agents; Antigens, Dermatophagoides; Child; Desensitization, Immunologic; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Immunization; Pyroglyphidae; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 28544523
DOI: 10.1002/alr.21946 -
Acta Tropica Aug 2022More than ever, there is a need to understand how pathogens, vectors and hosts occur temporally and spatially to predict the occurrence of zoonotic outbreaks. Related to...
More than ever, there is a need to understand how pathogens, vectors and hosts occur temporally and spatially to predict the occurrence of zoonotic outbreaks. Related to this, mites of the Mesostigmata and Trombidiformes orders have the potential to transmit several diseases, yet their information of occurrence, distribution and zoonotic accompanying agents have not been systematically organized. We conducted a systematic review using a combination of words through the Sysrev platform, as well as literature searches in specialised databases to identify global patterns of infections, trends in mite-rodent-pathogen research and existing knowledge gaps. The inclusion criterion was the detection of pathogens in mites, either by molecular or serological techniques or by direct observation under the microscope, which rendered 125 papers. Most works have been carried out in Asia, mainly around the transmission of Orientia tsutsugamushi. Interestingly, co-infections, i.e., the presence of more than one pathogen in an individual, are common in other Acari groups such as ticks. Moreover, this is not the case for Trombidiformes and Mesostigmata as only 4.7 percent of the articles reviewed detected more than one pathogen in these mites. It is important to include a multi-host, multi-vector and multi-pathogen approaches to understand complex systems in disease ecology. A synergy between mite taxonomists, physicians and veterinarians, decision-makers, governmental organisations, and society is needed to address the emergence of mite-borne new or neglected diseases.
Topics: Animals; Asia; Disease Vectors; Mites; Orientia tsutsugamushi; Rodentia
PubMed: 35569525
DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106509 -
The World Allergy Organization Journal Sep 2022House dust mite (HDM) sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablets have been approved for the treatment of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). However, the meta-analysis on...
BACKGROUND
House dust mite (HDM) sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablets have been approved for the treatment of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). However, the meta-analysis on the efficacy of HDM-SLIT tablets for HDM-induced AR patients remained limited.
METHODS
Five databases were searched including: PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and CINAHL for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that addressed the efficacy and safetyof HDM-SLIT tablets compared with placebo until January 2022. The primary outcome was a combined symptom and medication score (CSMS) after treatment.
RESULTS
Eight eligible RCTs were identified with a total of 3601 patients treated with HDM-SLIT tablets and 2783 patients who received a placebo. The CSMS was significantly lower in the HDM-SLIT tablet group compared with the placebo (standardized mean difference (SMD) -0.28 [95% CI: -0.32 to -0.23]). There was a significant reduction in rhinitis symptom scores, rhinitis medication scores, total combined conjunctivitis scores, and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire scores. The consistent efficacy compared to the placebo has been exhibited over the different kinds and doses of HDM tablets (6 SQ, 12 SQ, 300 IR, and 500 IR) and age groups (>5 years old, adolescents and adults) with low degrees of variability across the studies. There was no significant difference in proportions of participants who were injected with epinephrine between the treatment- and placebo groups.
CONCLUSIONS
HDM-SLIT tablet is an effective treatment in reducing rhinitis symptoms and medication use in AR patients with favorable safety. They also improve quality of life and conjunctivitis symptoms.
PubMed: 36119654
DOI: 10.1016/j.waojou.2022.100691 -
Contact Lens & Anterior Eye : the... Jun 2024Demodex blepharitis, often overlooked in ocular surface disease, involves Demodex mites, prevalent ectoparasites on human skin. Current treatments may not effectively... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
Demodex blepharitis, often overlooked in ocular surface disease, involves Demodex mites, prevalent ectoparasites on human skin. Current treatments may not effectively eliminate these mites, prompting a need for targeted therapies. Lotilaner, an antiparasitic agent, shows promise. This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses 0.25% lotilaner ophthalmic solution's efficacy in reducing Demodex mite populations and its impact on ocular surface inflammation in Demodex blepharitis patients.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was performed in the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases from inception until February 2024 to identify relevant trials investigating the use of lotilaner in patients with Demodex blepharitis. The included studies were assessed for quality, and a meta-analysis was conducted to determine the overall treatment effects of lotilaner. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for binary variables. All statistical analyses were performed using the R Statistical Software.
RESULTS
Five studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Lotilaner demonstrated significant efficacy in Collarette Cure [OR = 6.64; 95 % CI 3.78 to 11.04; p < 0.00001, I = 62 %] %], clinically meaningful collarette reduction [OR = 6.21; 95 % CI 3.67 to 10.49; p < 0.00001, I = 90 %], and achieving at least 1-grade collarette improvement [OR = 5.12; 95 % CI (2.96 to 8.88); p < 0.00001, I = 90 %] compared to the placebo group. The treatment also resulted in mite eradication [OR = 6.18; 95 % CI 4.67 to 6.18; p < 0.00001, I = 34 %], reduction in mite density [OR = 9.37; 95 % CI 5.36 to 16.36; p < 0.00001, I = 84 %], and erythema cure [OR = 2.29; 95 % CI 2.24 to 3.39; p < 0.00001, I = 5 %] and composite cure [OR = 7.05; 95 % CI 3.66 13. 61; p < 0.00001, I = 11 %]. The study suggests that lotilaner is a promising therapeutic option for collarette and associated symptoms, but the high heterogeneity in some outcomes and limited long-term data warrant further research to confirm its effectiveness and safety.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review and meta-analysis provides robust evidence supporting the efficacy of 0.25% lotilaner ophthalmic solution in treating Demodex blepharitis. Approval of this targeted therapy represents a significant milestone in ophthalmology and offers a promising treatment option for patients with Demodex blepharitis. Eye care professionals should consider the potential benefits of lotilaner in managing and alleviating the symptoms associated with Demodex infestations on the eyelids. Further research and long-term follow-up studies are warranted to assess the safety and effectiveness of lotilaner in treating Demodex blepharitis.
Topics: Blepharitis; Mite Infestations; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Humans; Animals; Eye Infections, Parasitic; Ophthalmic Solutions; Mites; Treatment Outcome; Antiparasitic Agents
PubMed: 38514290
DOI: 10.1016/j.clae.2024.102148 -
The Lancet. Digital Health Jan 2023Emerging and re-emerging spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses are increasingly recognised worldwide as threats to public health, yet their global distribution and...
BACKGROUND
Emerging and re-emerging spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses are increasingly recognised worldwide as threats to public health, yet their global distribution and associated risk burden remain poorly understood.
METHODS
In this systematic review and modelling analysis, we mapped global distributions of all confirmed species of SFG rickettsiae (SFGR) detected in animals, vectors, and human beings, using data collected from the literature. We assessed ecological drivers for the distributions of 17 major SFGR species using machine learning algorithms, and mapped model-predicted risks.
FINDINGS
Between Jan 1, 1906, and March 31, 2021, we found reports of 48 confirmed SFGR species, with 66 133 human infections worldwide, with a large spatial variation across the continents. 198 vector species were detected to carry 47 of these Rickettsia spp. (146 ticks, 24 fleas, 15 mosquitoes, six mites, four lice, two keds, and one bug). Based on model-predicted global distributions of the 17 major SFGR species, we found five spatial clusters aggregated by ecological similarity in terms of environmental and ecoclimatic features. Rickettsia felis is the leading SFGR species to which 4·4 billion (95% CI 3·8-5·3 billion) people are at risk, followed by Rickettsia conorii (3·7 billion) and Rickettsia africae (3·6 billion).
INTERPRETATION
The wide spectrum of vectors is contributing substantially to the increasing incidence of SFGR infections among humans. Awareness, diagnosis, and surveillance of SFGR infections should be improved in the high-risk regions, especially in areas where human infections are underreported.
FUNDING
National Key Research and Development Program of China.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Rickettsia; Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis; Ticks; China; Public Health
PubMed: 36424337
DOI: 10.1016/S2589-7500(22)00212-6