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The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal Jul 2016Studies have explored the risk for and impact of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection requiring hospitalization among healthy preterm infants born at 29-35 weeks... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Studies have explored the risk for and impact of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection requiring hospitalization among healthy preterm infants born at 29-35 weeks of gestational age not given RSV immunoprophylaxis. We performed a systematic review and qualitative synthesis of these studies.
METHODS
Two experienced reviewers used prespecified inclusion/exclusion criteria to screen titles/abstracts and full-text studies using MEDLINE, Embase, BIOSIS and Cochrane Library (January 1, 1985, to November 6, 2014). We abstracted data on risk factors for RSV hospitalization, incidence and short- and long-term outcomes of RSV hospitalization. Using standard procedures, we assessed study risk of bias and graded strength of evidence (SOE).
RESULTS
We identified 4754 records and reviewed 27. Important risk factors for RSV hospitalization included young age during the RSV season, having school-age siblings and day-care attendance, with odds ratios >2.5 in at least one study (high SOE). Incidence rates for RSV hospitalizations ranged from 2.3% to 10% (low SOE). Length of hospital stays ranged from 3.8 to 6.1 days (low SOE). Recurrent wheezing rates ranged from 20.7% to 42.8% 1 to 2 years after RSV hospitalization (low SOE).
CONCLUSIONS
Young chronological age and some environmental risk factors are important clinical indicators of an increased risk of RSV hospitalization in healthy preterm infants 32 to 35 weeks of gestational age. SOE was low for estimates of incidence of RSV hospitalizations, in-hospital resource use and recurrent wheezing in this population. Studies were inconsistent in study characteristics, including weeks of gestational age, age during RSV season and control for confounding factors.
Topics: Gestational Age; Hospitalization; Humans; Incidence; Infant, Premature; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Palivizumab; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human; Risk Factors; Seasons; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 27093166
DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000001163 -
Journal of Dairy Science Feb 2016Bovine paratuberculosis is a disease characterized by chronic granulomatous enteritis causing protein-losing enteropathy. Adverse effects on animal productivity are key... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Bovine paratuberculosis is a disease characterized by chronic granulomatous enteritis causing protein-losing enteropathy. Adverse effects on animal productivity are key drivers in the attempt to control paratuberculosis at the farm level. Economic models require an accurate estimation of the production effects associated with paratuberculosis. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effect of paratuberculosis on milk production. A total of 20 effect estimates from 15 studies were included in the final meta-analysis. Substantial between-study heterogeneity was observed. Subgroup analysis by case definition and study design was carried out to investigate heterogeneity. The majority of between-study variation was attributed to studies that defined cases on serology. Calculation of a pooled effect estimate was only appropriate for studies that defined cases by organism detection. A reduction in milk yield, corrected for lactation number and herd of origin of 1.87 kg/d, equivalent to 5.9% of yield, was associated with fecal culture or PCR positivity in individual cows.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Feces; Female; Lactation; Milk; Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis; Paratuberculosis
PubMed: 26686704
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2015-10156 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Mar 2021COVID-19 has been arguably the most important public health concern worldwide in 2020, and efforts are now escalating to suppress or eliminate its spread. In this study... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
COVID-19 has been arguably the most important public health concern worldwide in 2020, and efforts are now escalating to suppress or eliminate its spread. In this study we undertook a meta-analysis to estimate the global and regional seroprevalence rates in humans of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and to assess whether seroprevalence is associated with geographical, climatic and/or sociodemographic factors.
METHODS
We systematically reviewed PubMed, Scopus, Embase, medRxiv and bioRxiv databases for preprints or peer-reviewed articles (up to 14 August 2020). Study eligibility criteria were population-based studies describing the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 (IgG and/or IgM) serum antibodies. Participants were people from different socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds (from the general population), whose prior COVID-19 status was unknown and who were tested for the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 serum antibodies. We used a random-effects model to estimate pooled seroprevalence, and then extrapolated the findings to the global population (for 2020). Subgroup and meta-regression analyses explored potential sources of heterogeneity in the data, and relationships between seroprevalence and sociodemographic, geographical and/or climatic factors.
RESULTS
In total, 47 studies involving 399 265 people from 23 countries met the inclusion criteria. Heterogeneity (I = 99.4%, p < 0.001) was seen among studies; SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in the general population varied from 0.37% to 22.1%, with a pooled estimate of 3.38% (95%CI 3.05-3.72%; 15 879/399 265). On a regional level, seroprevalence varied from 1.45% (0.95-1.94%, South America) to 5.27% (3.97-6.57%, Northern Europe), although some variation appeared to relate to the serological assay used. The findings suggested an association of seroprevalence with income levels, human development indices, geographic latitudes and/or climate. Extrapolating to the 2020 world population, we estimated that 263.5 million individuals had been exposed or infected at the time of this study.
CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence varied markedly among geographic regions, as might be expected early in a pandemic. Longitudinal surveys to continually monitor seroprevalence around the globe will be critical to support prevention and control efforts, and might indicate levels of endemic stability or instability in particular countries and regions.
Topics: Adult; Antibodies, Viral; COVID-19; COVID-19 Serological Testing; Child; Climate; Female; Geography; Global Health; Humans; Male; SARS-CoV-2; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Socioeconomic Factors; Time Factors
PubMed: 33228974
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2020.10.020 -
JBJS Reviews Sep 2017Modern management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has afforded patients longevity while increasing the burden of arthroplasty procedures because of the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Modern management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has afforded patients longevity while increasing the burden of arthroplasty procedures because of the increased risk of osteonecrosis, fragility fractures, and degenerative joint disease. Early publications on hip and knee arthroplasty in HIV-positive patients reported a high risk of complications, although some more recent publications demonstrated acceptable outcomes. Despite the widespread nature of the HIV pandemic, there is a paucity of literature addressing outcomes following joint arthroplasty in infected patients. We pooled available studies to obtain the best evidence regarding the safety of total hip and knee arthroplasty procedures in HIV-positive patients. The studies identified were heterogeneous, precluding a meta-analysis. However, we performed a review of the literature focusing on complications and outcomes.
METHODS
Twenty-one published English-language articles involving 6,516,186 joints were identified by a systematic review as suitable for inclusion in the study. The articles were analyzed for complication and prosthesis survivorship rates and relative risks.
RESULTS
An overall complication rate of 3.3% was found across the 19 articles that provided such data. HIV-positive patients had a significantly elevated risk of periprosthetic joint infection, at 7.6%, compared with HIV-negative patients, at 3.3% (relative risk = 2.28, 95% confidence interval = 2.14 to 2.43). Eleven articles were suitable for analysis of prosthesis survivorship, and survivorship rates did not differ significantly between HIV-positive and negative patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Total hip and total knee arthroplasty appear to be safe procedures with acceptable outcomes in HIV-positive patients.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Topics: Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; Clostridioides difficile; HIV; HIV Infections; HIV Seropositivity; Humans; Interleukin-1; Joint Prosthesis; Male; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Osteonecrosis; Postoperative Complications; Prevalence; Reoperation; Risk Factors; Staphylococcus aureus; Survivorship; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
PubMed: 28953137
DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.RVW.17.00029 -
Viruses Feb 2021For over 100 years after the description of the first case of African swine fever (ASF) in Kenya, ASF virus (ASFV) cross-border spread in eastern and southern Africa has... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
For over 100 years after the description of the first case of African swine fever (ASF) in Kenya, ASF virus (ASFV) cross-border spread in eastern and southern Africa has not been fully investigated. In this manuscript, we reviewed systematically the available literature on molecular epidemiology of ASF in Tanzania and its eight neighboring countries in order to establish the transmission dynamics of ASFV between these countries. Data were retrieved from World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS), Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and CrossRef databases, using the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and reviewed to document ASF outbreaks and ASFV genotypes distribution. Using phylogeographic approach applied to ASFV p72 sequence dataset, the evolutionary history and the dispersal pattern of the ASFV strains were assessed. From 2005 to 2019, a total of 1588 ASF outbreaks affecting 341,742 cases that led to 302,739 domestic pig deaths were reported. The case fatality rates (CFR) varied from 15.41% to 98.95% with an overall CFR of 88.58%. Fifteen different p72 ASFV genotypes were reported and the time to the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) for ASFV strains dated back to 1652.233 (1626.473, 1667.735) with an evolutionary rate of 4.805 × 10 (2.5857 × 10, 9.7789 × 10). Phylogeographic dispersal analysis revealed several transboundary spread events of ASFV strains between these countries. These results suggest persistent circulation of ASFV in these countries and advocate for more research to improve our understanding of the transmission dynamics of the virus and for a regional approach to mitigate the spread of ASFV.
Topics: African Swine Fever; African Swine Fever Virus; Animals; Capsid Proteins; Disease Outbreaks; Female; Genotype; Kenya; Male; Molecular Epidemiology; Phylogeny; Sus scrofa; Swine; Tanzania
PubMed: 33672090
DOI: 10.3390/v13020306 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Jun 2021Increasing incidences of syphilis highlight the preoccupation with the occurrence of neurosyphilis. This study aimed to understand the current diagnostic tools and their...
PURPOSE
Increasing incidences of syphilis highlight the preoccupation with the occurrence of neurosyphilis. This study aimed to understand the current diagnostic tools and their performance to detect neurosyphilis, including new technologies and the variety of existing methods.
METHODS
We searched databases to select articles that reported neurosyphilis diagnostic methods and assessed their accuracy, presenting sensitivity and specificity values. Information was synthesized in tables. The risk of bias was examined using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy recommendations.
RESULTS
Fourteen studies were included. The main finding was a remarkable diversity of tests, which had varied purposes, techniques, and evaluation methodologies. There was no uniform criterion or gold standard to define neurosyphilis. The current basis for its diagnosis is clinical suspicion and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. There are new promising tests such as PCR tests and chemokine measurement assays.
CONCLUSIONS
The diagnosis of neurosyphilis is still a challenge, despite the variety of existing and developing tests. We believe that the multiplicity of reference standards adopted as criteria for diagnosis reveals the imprecision of the current definitions of neurosyphilis. An important next step for the scientific community is to create a universally accepted diagnostic definition for this disease.
Topics: Chemokines; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Humans; Neurosyphilis; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Reference Standards; Sensitivity and Specificity; Treponema pallidum
PubMed: 34126948
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06264-8 -
Artificial Organs Dec 2021Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) ranges from asymptomatic infection to severe cases requiring admission to the intensive care unit. Together with supportive therapies...
BACKGROUND
Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) ranges from asymptomatic infection to severe cases requiring admission to the intensive care unit. Together with supportive therapies (ventilation in particular), the suppression of the pro-inflammatory state has been a hypothesized target. Pharmacological therapies with corticosteroids and interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonists have reduced mortality. The use of extracorporeal cytokine removal, also known as hemoperfusion (HP), could be a promising non-pharmacological approach to decrease the pro-inflammatory state in COVID-19.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review of PubMed and EMBASE databases in order to summarize the evidence regarding HP therapy in COVID-19. We included original studies and case series enrolling at least five patients.
RESULTS
We included 11 articles and describe the characteristics of the populations studied from both clinical and biological perspectives. The methodological quality of the included studies was generally low. Only two studies had a control group, one of which included 101 patients in total. The remaining studies had a range between 10 and 50 patients included. There was large variability in the HP techniques implemented and in clinical and biological outcomes reported. Most studies described decreasing levels of IL-6 after HP treatment.
CONCLUSION
Our review does not support strong conclusions regarding the role of HP in COVID-19. Considering the very low level of clinical evidence detected, starting HP therapies in COVID-19 patients does not seem supported outside of clinical trials. Prospective randomized data are needed.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Biomarkers; COVID-19; Cytokines; Female; Hemoperfusion; Humans; Inflammation Mediators; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34632596
DOI: 10.1111/aor.14078 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Dec 2016Dengue virus (DENV) infection is widespread and its disease burden has increased in past decades. However, little is known about the epidemiology of dengue in the Middle... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Dengue virus (DENV) infection is widespread and its disease burden has increased in past decades. However, little is known about the epidemiology of dengue in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
METHODOLOGY / PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
Following Cochrane Collaboration guidelines and reporting our findings following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed available records across MENA describing dengue occurrence in humans (prevalence studies, incidence studies, and outbreak reports), occurrence of suitable vectors (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus), and DENV vector infection rates. We identified 105 human prevalence measures in 13 of 24 MENA countries; 81 outbreaks reported from 9 countries from 1941-2015; and reports of Ae. aegypti and/or Ae. albopictus occurrence in 15 countries. The majority of seroprevalence studies were reported from the Red Sea region and Pakistan, with multiple studies indicating >20% DENV seroprevalence in general populations (median 25%, range 0-62%) in these subregions. Fifty percent of these studies were conducted prior to 1990. Multiple studies utilized assays susceptible to serologic cross-reactions and 5% of seroprevalence studies utilized viral neutralization testing. There was considerable heterogeneity in study design and outbreak reporting, as well as variability in subregional study coverage, study populations, and laboratory methods used for diagnosis.
CONCLUSIONS / SIGNIFICANCE
DENV seroprevalence in the MENA is high among some populations in the Red Sea region and Pakistan, while recent outbreaks in these subregions suggest increasing incidence of DENV which may be driven by a variety of ecologic and social factors. However, there is insufficient study coverage to draw conclusions about Aedes or DENV presence in multiple MENA countries. These findings illustrate the epidemiology of DENV in the MENA while revealing priorities for DENV surveillance and Aedes control.
Topics: Aedes; Africa, Northern; Animals; Antibodies, Viral; Dengue; Dengue Virus; Humans; Insect Vectors; Seroepidemiologic Studies
PubMed: 27926925
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005194 -
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 2016Preterm birth is a worldwide tragedy with a high incidence. Several medications are used to inhibit acute preterm labor, but tocolysis by these medicines do not extend... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Preterm birth is a worldwide tragedy with a high incidence. Several medications are used to inhibit acute preterm labor, but tocolysis by these medicines do not extend pregnancy beyond 1-2 days.
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to discover new medications from plant extracts or their active compounds which inhibit the uterine contractions in order to treat preterm labor.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and IranMedex databases were searched up to 1st February 2012 with the most relevant keywords.
STUDY SELECTION
All studies in which plant extracts or their active compounds inhibited the uterine contractions both in vivo and in vitro were included.
THE RESULTS
Of initial search, 259 records were reviewed and finally 72 were included among which only 31 studies isolated an active compound from the plants extract belonging mostly to classes of flavonoids and terpenes classes. Flavonoids have been known as a phosphodiesterase (PDE) and a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor. It seems that the uterolytic activity of reviewed flavonoids such as naringenin, kaempferol and quercetin, especially in a calcium free solution, was via these inhibitory pathways.
CONCLUSION
Laboring uterus response to dissimilar tocolytics differs from that of non-laboring uterus. In order to find a treatment for preterm labor, future studies should focus on the laboring uterus and also determine the structure activity relationship of the different tocolytics. This systematic review was registered to the PROSPERO with code number CRD42015027551.
Topics: Animals; Female; Flavonoids; Humans; Muscle Relaxation; Obstetric Labor, Premature; Plant Preparations; Pregnancy; Tocolytic Agents; Uterine Contraction
PubMed: 27396394
DOI: No ID Found -
Blood Coagulation & Fibrinolysis : An... Jan 2022Human coagulation factor IX (FIX) is a vitamin K dependent glycoprotein. It is used in therapy of factor IX deficiency, known as haemophilia B. This article explained...
Human coagulation factor IX (FIX) is a vitamin K dependent glycoprotein. It is used in therapy of factor IX deficiency, known as haemophilia B. This article explained the coagulation process involved in FIX and the principle of haemophilia B caused by its absence. We searched and aligned the sequence information of IX in the NCBI's EST database to predict its structure and understand the molecular biological basis of its function. Further, by sorting out the development history of FIX, we summarized the general process of its isolation and purification. Finally, the clinical indications and complications of FIX were overviewed. Through a comprehensive description of the characteristics of FIX, we hope to give readers a clear understanding and put forward our views on the future development of the product.
Topics: Blood Coagulation; Factor IX; Hemophilia B; Humans
PubMed: 34412085
DOI: 10.1097/MBC.0000000000001076