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American Journal of Infection Control Mar 2023The spread of some respiratory and gastro-intestinal infections has been linked to the exposure to infectious bioaerosols released after toilet flushing. This represents... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The spread of some respiratory and gastro-intestinal infections has been linked to the exposure to infectious bioaerosols released after toilet flushing. This represents a health hazard and infection risk for immunocompromised patients, health workers and the public, particularly within the health care and hospitality settings. This systematic review provides current knowledge and identifies gaps in the evidence regarding toilet plume bioaerosols and the potential contributory role in spreading infections in health care and hospitality settings.
METHODS
The PRISMA guidelines were used. Searches were run in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar from 1950 to 30th June 2021. Searches of global and regional reports and updates from relevant international and governmental organizations were also conducted.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION
The search yielded 712 results, and 37 studies were finally selected for this review. There is a lack of national and international bioaerosol sampling and exposure standards for health care and hospitality settings. Toilet plume bioaerosols are complex in nature, thus, measured bioaerosol concentrations in these settings depend on many variables and may differ for every pathogen responsible for a particular infectious disease. The contact and airborne transmission risks posed by toilet plume bioaerosols also remain unquantified. They are an important pathway that can increase the exposure to enteric and airborne pathogens. Hence, quantitative risk assessment and related research are needed to investigate these transmission risks.
Topics: Humans; Bathroom Equipment; Air Microbiology; Health Facilities; Delivery of Health Care; Aerosols
PubMed: 35870658
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2022.07.006 -
European Journal of Medical Research Jun 2021Coronavirus Disease-2019 (SARS-CoV-2) started its devastating trajectory into a global pandemic in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Ever since, several variants of...
INTRODUCTION
Coronavirus Disease-2019 (SARS-CoV-2) started its devastating trajectory into a global pandemic in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Ever since, several variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been identified. In the present review, we aimed to characterize the different variants of SARS-CoV-2 and explore the related morbidity and mortality.
METHODS
A systematic review including the current evidence related to different variants of SARS-CoV-2 and the related morbidity and mortality was conducted through a systematic search utilizing the keywords in the online databases including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct; we retrieved all related papers and reports published in English from December 2019 to September 2020.
RESULTS
A review of identified articles has shown three main genomic variants, including type A, type B, and type C. we also identified three clades including S, V, and G. Studies have demonstrated that the C14408T and A23403G alterations in the Nsp12 and S proteins are the most prominent alterations in the world, leading to life-threatening mutations.The spike D614G amino acid change has become the most common variant since December 2019. From missense mutations found from Gujarat SARS-CoV-2 genomes, C28854T, deleterious mutation in the nucleocapsid (N) gene was significantly associated with patients' mortality. The other significant deleterious variant (G25563T) is found in patients located in Orf3a and has a potential role in viral pathogenesis.
CONCLUSION
Overall, researchers identified several SARS-CoV-2 variants changing clinical manifestations and increasing the transmissibility, morbidity, and mortality of COVID-19. This should be considered in current practice and interventions to combat the pandemic and prevent related morbidity and mortality.
Topics: COVID-19; Coronavirus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase; Humans; Morbidity; Mutation; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; Survival Rate; Virulence
PubMed: 34103090
DOI: 10.1186/s40001-021-00524-8 -
Reviews in Medical Virology Mar 2017Sandfly-transmitted phleboviruses are globally spread agents causing febrile diseases and central nervous system infections. The activity of pathogenic phleboviruses, as... (Review)
Review
Sandfly-transmitted phleboviruses are globally spread agents causing febrile diseases and central nervous system infections. The activity of pathogenic phleboviruses, as well as several novel strains, has been reported from Turkey, a transboundary country connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa with suitable habitats for sandflies. This study overviews all published data on phleboviruses from Turkey and evaluates the impact from the virological, epidemiological, and public health perspectives. A systematic review of Web-based global and local resources was performed. Comparison and phylogenetic analyses of particular phlebovirus sequences were also undertaken. Through the evaluation of 1693 international and regional entries, 31 manuscripts providing data on case reports or outbreaks, serological surveillance, animal infections and exposure, virus characterization, vector surveillance, and/or diagnostics were accessed. Detailed information on 5 novel phleboviruses completely or partially characterized during 2008-2015 as well as on clinical and epidemiological features of major phleboviruses established as human pathogens such as Toscana virus and sandfly fever Sicilian virus has been compiled. The ongoing activity of these agents, as indicated by consistently reported symptomatic cases and confirmed exposure in vertebrates including humans, was noted. The circulation in the Anatolian peninsula of phleboviruses with surprising diversity as well as distinct virus species is documented. Specific phlebovirus strains constitute a public health threat for local populations and travelers and must be considered in the diagnostic workup of clinically compatible cases. Human health impact and epidemiological aspects of certain viruses require further investigation via intensive surveillance.
Topics: Animals; Asia; Humans; Phlebotomus Fever; Phlebovirus; Psychodidae; Vertebrates
PubMed: 27531681
DOI: 10.1002/rmv.1898 -
International Journal of Nursing Studies Jan 2015Environmental surfaces may contribute to transmission of nosocomial pathogens. Noninvasive portable clinical items potentially shared among patients (NPIs) are part of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Environmental surfaces may contribute to transmission of nosocomial pathogens. Noninvasive portable clinical items potentially shared among patients (NPIs) are part of the patient's immediate surroundings and may pose a threat of pathogen transmission.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the body of literature describing the range of microorganisms found on NPIs and evaluate the evidence regarding the potential for cross-transmission of microorganisms between NPIs and hospitalized patients in non-outbreak conditions.
DESIGN
A comprehensive list of NPIs was developed, and a systematic review of these items combined with healthcare-associated infection related keywords was performed.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library.
REVIEW METHODS
A systematic review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist to identify and synthesize research reports published between January 1990 and July 2013 on studies regarding contamination of NPIs and association to infections in non-outbreak circumstances.
RESULTS
1498 records were scanned for eligibility. Thirteen studies met inclusion criteria. Overall, rates of NPI contamination ranged from 23% to 100%. Normal skin or environmental flora were found on almost all positive cultures. Potential pathogens, e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, were present on up to 86%, and Pseudomonas spp. and/or Enterobacteriaceae in 38% of positive cultures. Multi-drug resistant organisms were isolated from up to 25% of items. Three studies explored association between NPIs contamination and patient colonization and infection. One study reported 5 patients with healthcare-associated infections with pathogens found concurrently on NPIs, one found cross-transmission between patient skin bacteria and NPI contamination, and a third did not find any cross-transmission.
CONCLUSIONS
Potential pathogens and multiply resistant organisms present on NPIs in routine, non-outbreak conditions and in a variety of settings confirms the need to improve NPIs decontamination practices.
Topics: Cross Infection; Humans; Patient Care
PubMed: 24997681
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.06.001 -
International Journal of Infectious... Mar 2021A valid measurement of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) incubation period is needed for case definitions and for adapting appropriate... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
A valid measurement of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) incubation period is needed for case definitions and for adapting appropriate isolation measures but is challenging in an emergency context. Our objective was to systematically review recent literature reporting estimates of the distribution of the incubation period of SARS-CoV-2 and describe the distribution and its variability and dispersion through a meta-analysis.
METHODS
A systematic review was carried out on studies published from 1 January 2020 to 10 January 2021 reporting the SARS-CoV-2 incubation period. Individual mean and standard deviation were used to produce the pooled estimate. Sources of heterogeneity were explored by age, gender and study design using a meta-regression.
RESULTS
In total, 99 studies were eligible for analysis in our meta-analysis. The pooled estimate of the mean incubation period across the studies was 6.38 days, 95% CI (5.79; 6.97).
CONCLUSION
Calculation of the mean incubation period will help with the identification of time of exposure, however, determinants of its variations/range might be explored for potential links with the clinical outcome or pathogenic steps at the early stage of infection. A real-time meta-analysis, named the InCoVid Lyon, is proposed following this initial analysis.
Topics: COVID-19; Female; Humans; Infectious Disease Incubation Period; Male; SARS-CoV-2; Time Factors
PubMed: 33548553
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.01.069 -
Frontiers in Genetics 2020A compound heterozygous () variant is a type of germline variant that occurs when each parent donates one alternate allele and these alleles are located at different... (Review)
Review
A compound heterozygous () variant is a type of germline variant that occurs when each parent donates one alternate allele and these alleles are located at different loci within the same gene. Pathogenic germline variants have been identified for some pediatric cancer types but in most studies, variants are overlooked. Thus, the prevalence of pathogenic variants in most pediatric cancer types is unknown. We identified 26 studies (published between 1999 and 2019) that identified a variant in at least one pediatric cancer patient. These studies encompass 21 cancer types and have collectively identified 25 different genes in which a variant occurred. However, the sequencing methods used and the number of patients and genes evaluated in each study were highly variable across the studies. In addition, methods for assessing pathogenicity of variants varied widely and were often not reported. In this review, we discuss technologies and methods for identifying variants, provide an overview of studies that have identified variants in pediatric cancer patients, provide insights into future directions in the field, and give a summary of publicly available pediatric cancer sequencing data. Although considerable insights have been gained over the last 20 years, much has yet to be learned about the involvement of variants in pediatric cancers. In future studies, larger sample sizes, more pediatric cancer types, and better pathogenicity assessment and filtering methods will be needed to move this field forward.
PubMed: 32508881
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00493 -
Annals of Hepatology 2017Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the leading causes of cirrhosis. As a result of chronic inflammatory response to the virus, HCV-infected patients may be at a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the leading causes of cirrhosis. As a result of chronic inflammatory response to the virus, HCV-infected patients may be at a higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, the data on this association is unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted with the aims to summarize all available evidence.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A literature search was performed using MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to April 2016. Studies that reported relative risks, odd ratios, or hazard ratios comparing the risk of VTE among HCV-infected patients vs. subjects without HCV infection were included. Pooled risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method.
RESULTS
Three studies met our eligibility criteria and were included in analysis. The pooled RR of VTE in HCV-infected patients vs. subjects without HCV infection was 1.38 (95% CI, 1.08-1.77, I2 = 40%). Subgroup analysis showed that risk was increased for both pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) even though without adequate power to demonstrate statistical significance (Pooled RR of 1.34, 95% CI, 0.67-2.66 for PE and pooled RR 1.45, 95% CI, 0.93-2.77 for DVT).
CONCLUSION
Our study demonstrated a significantly increased risk of VTE among HCV-infected patients. Further studies are required to clarify how this risk should be addressed in clinical practice.
Topics: Blood Coagulation; Chi-Square Distribution; Female; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis C; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Pulmonary Embolism; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Venous Thromboembolism; Venous Thrombosis
PubMed: 28611268
DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0010.0279 -
Parasites & Vectors May 2016The blacklegged tick Ixodes scapularis transmits Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu stricto) in eastern North America; however, the agent of Lyme disease is not the sole... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The blacklegged tick Ixodes scapularis transmits Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu stricto) in eastern North America; however, the agent of Lyme disease is not the sole pathogen harbored by the blacklegged tick. The blacklegged tick is expanding its range into areas of southern Canada such as Ontario, an area where exposure to blacklegged tick bites and tick-borne pathogens is increasing. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the public health risks posed by expanding blacklegged tick populations and their associated pathogens.
METHODS
We followed PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for conducting our systematic review. We searched Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, BIOSIS, Scopus and Environment Complete databases for studies published from 2000 through 2015, using subject headings and keywords that included "Ixodes scapularis", "Rickettsia", "Borrelia", "Anaplasma", "Babesia" and "pathogen." Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts against eligibility criteria (i.e. studies that included field-collected blacklegged ticks and studies that did not focus solely on B. burgdorferi) and performed quality assessments on eligible studies.
RESULTS
Seventy-eight studies were included in the final review, 72 were from the US and eight were from Canada (two studies included blacklegged ticks from both countries). Sixty-four (82%) studies met ≥ 75% of the quality assessment criteria. Blacklegged ticks harbored 91 distinct taxa, 16 of these are tick-transmitted human pathogens, including species of Anaplasma, Babesia, Bartonella, Borrelia, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, Theileria and Flavivirus. Organism richness was highest in the Northeast (Connecticut, New York) and Upper Midwest US (Wisconsin); however, organism richness was dependent on sampling effort. The primary tick-borne pathogens of public health concern in Ontario, due to the geographic proximity or historical detection in Ontario, are Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, B. burgdorferi, Borrelia miyamotoi, deer tick virus and Ehrlichia muris-like sp. Aside from B. burgdorferi and to a much lesser concern A. phagocytophilum, these pathogens are not immediate concerns to public health in Ontario; rather they represent future threats as the distribution of vectors and pathogens continue to proliferate.
CONCLUSIONS
Our review is the first systematic assessment of the literature on the human pathogens associated with the blacklegged tick. As Lyme disease awareness continues to increase, it is an opportune time to document the full spectrum of human pathogens transmittable by blacklegged ticks.
Topics: Animals; Arachnid Vectors; Bacterial Infections; Humans; Ixodes; Protozoan Infections; Tick-Borne Diseases
PubMed: 27151067
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1529-y -
Animal Health Research Reviews Jun 2022The objective of this study was to summarize peer-reviewed literature on the prevalence and concentration of non-O157 STEC (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
A systematic review and meta-analysis of published literature on prevalence of non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing serogroups (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145) and virulence genes in feces, hides, and carcasses of pre- and peri-harvest cattle worldwide.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to summarize peer-reviewed literature on the prevalence and concentration of non-O157 STEC (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145) serogroups and virulence genes ( and ) in fecal, hide, and carcass samples in pre- and peri-harvest cattle worldwide, using a systematic review of the literature and meta-analyses.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Seventy articles were eligible for meta-analysis inclusion; data from 65 articles were subjected to random-effects meta-analysis models to yield fecal prevalence estimates. Meta-regression models were built to explore variables contributing to the between-study heterogeneity.
RESULTS
Worldwide pooled non-O157 serogroup, STEC, and EHEC fecal prevalence estimates (95% confidence interval) were 4.7% (3.4-6.3%), 0.7% (0.5-0.8%), and 1.0% (0.8-1.1%), respectively. Fecal prevalence estimates significantly differed by geographic region ( < 0.01) for each outcome classification. Meta-regression analyses identified region, cattle type, and specimen type as factors that contribute to heterogeneity for worldwide fecal prevalence estimates.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of these global foodborne pathogens in the cattle reservoir is widespread and highly variable by region. The scarcity of prevalence and concentration data for hide and carcass matrices identifies a large data gap in the literature as these are the closest proxies for potential beef contamination at harvest.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Feces; Prevalence; Serogroup; Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli; Virulence
PubMed: 35678500
DOI: 10.1017/S1466252321000153 -
Anaerobe Feb 2023Clostridioide difficile is the leading cause of diarrhea disease worldwide and is a CDC-designated urgent threat level pathogen. Mammalian models are commonly utilized... (Review)
Review
Clostridioide difficile is the leading cause of diarrhea disease worldwide and is a CDC-designated urgent threat level pathogen. Mammalian models are commonly utilized as gold standard to study the pathogenesis of C. difficile infection (CDI); however, alternatives are needed due to cost, higher throughput ability, and mammalian animal ethics. Nonmammalian models such as great wax worm, nematode, fruit fly, and zebrafish have been used as CDI models. This review provides a comprehensive summary of nonmammalian models used to study CDI. Multiple studies were identified using these models to study C. difficile infection, pathogenicity, colonization, host immunity, and therapy. Translational outcomes and strength and weakness of each nonmammalian model are discussed.
Topics: Animals; Clostridioides difficile; Zebrafish; Clostridium Infections; Mammals
PubMed: 36626950
DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2023.102694