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Clinical Infectious Diseases : An... Nov 2018The microbiome influences malaria parasite fitness and transmission efficiency in mosquitoes and appears to affect malaria dynamics in mammalian hosts as well. Nascent...
BACKGROUND
The microbiome influences malaria parasite fitness and transmission efficiency in mosquitoes and appears to affect malaria dynamics in mammalian hosts as well. Nascent research examining the interrelationship of malaria and the mammalian microbiome has yielded interesting insights inviting further study.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review of the literature examining associations between the microbiome and malaria in mammalian hosts. An electronic search algorithm was adapted to PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science, and reference lists of relevant sources were manually searched. Identified studies were screened and assessed independently by 2 authors, and results were compiled in a qualitative synthesis of the evidence.
RESULTS
Ten relevant studies were identified. They demonstrate associations between certain intestinal communities and protection against Plasmodium infection and modulation of disease severity. Plasmodium infection acutely and reversibly reshapes gut microbial composition in mice. The makeup of human skin microbial communities may influence mosquito attraction and thus disease transmission.
CONCLUSIONS
Early research supports a relationship between malaria and the microbiome. The evidence is incomplete, but the observed associations are evocative and signal a promising avenue of inquiry. Microbiome-based studies of malaria can be readily integrated into field-based research.
Topics: Animals; Culicidae; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Malaria; Mice; Microbiota; Plasmodium; Skin
PubMed: 29701835
DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciy374 -
Journal of Infection and Public Health Feb 2023Leishmaniasis is a highly prevalent neglected tropical disease. It mainly presents as two forms: cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, the latter being the most severe... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Leishmaniasis is a highly prevalent neglected tropical disease. It mainly presents as two forms: cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, the latter being the most severe form. However, asymptomatic cases of Leishmania infection result in an increase in the underreporting and transmission of the protozoan OBJECTIVES: In this study, articles on the incidence of asymptomatic Leishmania infection were systematically reviewed.
METHODS
The publications identified in the Medline/PubMed and Science Direct databases included 4568 articles. Inclusion, exclusion, and eligibility criterion analysis resulted in 83 articles being retained. These studies were mostly performed in Brazil (n = 26) and India (n = 15).
RESULTS
Several detection techniques have been used for diagnosis. Among the species found were L. infantum and L. donovani, which result in visceral leishmaniasis, and L. amazonensis, L. braziliensis, and L. panamensis. The incidence rates varied between the analyzed locations, largely due to sampling and the presence or absence of endemism in the regions. The largest populations analyzed were in two studies performed in India and Nepal. One of these studies evaluated 32,529 people and the incidence rate was 8.3% (n = 2702), while the other study evaluated 21,267 people and the incidence rate was 1.76% (n = 375). Only 14.28% of the studies investigated leishmaniasis in blood donors. Preexisting diseases have also been reported.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this systematic review present the incidence of cases of asymptomatic Leishmania infection worldwide, in addition to detailing the studies and offering information for researchers and health authorities to seek alternatives to reduce the number of leishmaniasis cases.
Topics: Humans; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Leishmania infantum; Leishmaniasis; Brazil; Blood Donors
PubMed: 36630836
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2022.12.021 -
Malaria Journal Aug 2023Malaria affects 24 million children globally, resulting in nearly 500,000 child deaths annually in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Recent studies have provided... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Malaria affects 24 million children globally, resulting in nearly 500,000 child deaths annually in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Recent studies have provided evidence that severe malaria infection results in sustained impairment in cognition and behaviour among young children; however, a formal meta-analysis has not been published. The objective was to assess the association between severe malaria infection with cognitive and behavioural outcomes among children living in LMICs.
METHODS
Six online bibliographic databases were searched and reviewed in November 2022. Studies included involved children < 18 years of age living in LMICs with active or past severe malaria infection and measured cognitive and/or behaviour outcomes. The quality of studies was assessed. Definitions of severe malaria included cerebral malaria, severe malarial anaemia, and author-defined severe malaria. Results from all studies were qualitatively summarized. For studies with relevant data on attention, learning, memory, language, internalizing behaviour and externalizing behaviour, results were pooled and a meta-analysis was performed. A random-effects model was used across included cohorts, yielding a standardized mean difference between the severe malaria group and control group.
RESULTS
Out of 3,803 initial records meeting the search criteria, 24 studies were included in the review, with data from 14 studies eligible for meta-analysis inclusion. Studies across sub-Saharan Africa assessed 11 cohorts of children from pre-school to school age. Of all the studies, composite measures of cognition were the most affected areas of development. Overall, attention, memory, and behavioural problems were domains most commonly found to have lower scores in children with severe malaria. Meta-analysis revealed that children with severe malaria had worse scores compared to children without malaria in attention (standardized mean difference (SMD) -0.68, 95% CI -1.26 to -0.10), memory (SMD -0.52, 95% CI -0.99 to -0.06), and externalizing behavioural problems (SMD 0.45, 95% CI 0.13-0.78).
CONCLUSION
Severe malaria is associated with worse neuropsychological outcomes for children living in LMICs, specifically in attention, memory, and externalizing behaviours. More research is needed to identify the long-term implications of these findings. Further interventions are needed to prevent cognitive and behavioural problems after severe malaria infection.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
This systematic review was registered under PROSPERO: CRD42020154777.
Topics: Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Developing Countries; Cognition; Malaria, Cerebral; Africa South of the Sahara
PubMed: 37537555
DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04653-9 -
International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2023Type-1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease characterized by damage to pancreatic insulin-producing beta cells, is associated with adverse renal, retinal, cardiovascular, and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Type-1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease characterized by damage to pancreatic insulin-producing beta cells, is associated with adverse renal, retinal, cardiovascular, and cognitive outcomes, possibly including dementia. Moreover, the protozoal parasite has been associated with type-1 diabetes. To better characterize the association between type-1 diabetes and infection, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies that evaluated the relationship between type-1 diabetes and infection. A random-effects model based on nine primary studies (total number of participants = 2655) that met our inclusion criteria demonstrated a pooled odds ratio of 2.45 (95% confidence interval, 0.91-6.61). Removing one outlying study increased the pooled odds ratio to 3.38 (95% confidence interval, 2.09-5.48). These findings suggest that infection might be positively associated with type-1 diabetes, although more research is needed to better characterize this association. Additional research is required to determine whether changes in immune function due to type-1 diabetes increase the risk of infection with infection with increases the risk of type-1 diabetes, or both processes occur.
Topics: Humans; Risk Factors; Toxoplasmosis; Toxoplasma; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Odds Ratio; Seroepidemiologic Studies
PubMed: 36901457
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054436 -
Pathogens and Global Health Oct 2017Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, and is associated with clinically significant infection in... (Review)
Review
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, and is associated with clinically significant infection in immunocompromised individuals. Vertical transmission during pregnancy can manifest as congenital toxoplasmosis in the neonate, and can have serious consequences. This review aims to describe the modalities for prophylaxis of toxoplasmosis in susceptible populations, and focuses on the following: (1) prophylaxis of congenital toxoplasmosis; (2) prophylaxis of toxoplasmosis in patients with HIV/AIDS; and (3) prophylaxis of toxoplasmosis in transplant recipients.
Topics: HIV Infections; Humans; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Toxoplasmosis; Transplant Recipients
PubMed: 28948861
DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2017.1370528 -
Acta Parasitologica Sep 2021In recent years, antimonial agents and other synthetic antileishmanial drugs, such as amphotericin B, paromomycin, and many other drugs, have restrictions in use due to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
In recent years, antimonial agents and other synthetic antileishmanial drugs, such as amphotericin B, paromomycin, and many other drugs, have restrictions in use due to the toxicity risk, high cost, and emerging resistance to these drugs. The present study aimed to review the antileishmanial effects of curcumin, its derivatives, and other relevant pharmaceutical formulations on leishmaniasis.
METHODS
The present study was carried out according to the 06-preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guideline and registered in the CAMARADES-NC3Rs Preclinical Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Facility (SyRF) database. Some English-language databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, EBSCO, Science Direct, and Scopus were searched for publications worldwide related to antileishmanial effects of curcumin, its derivatives, and other relevant pharmaceutical formulations, without date limitation, to identify all the published articles (in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies). Keywords included "curcumin", "Curcuma longa", "antileishmanial", "Leishmania", "leishmaniasis", "cutaneous leishmaniasis", "visceral leishmaniasis", "in vitro", and "in vivo".
RESULTS
Out of 5492 papers, 29 papers including 20 in vitro (69.0%), 1 in vivo (3.4%), and 8 in vitro/in vivo (27.6%) studies conducted up to 2020, met the inclusion criteria for discussion in this systematic review. The most common species of the Leishmania parasite used in these studies were L. donovani (n = 13, 44.8%), L. major (n = 10, 34.5%), and L. amazonensis (n = 6, 20.7%), respectively. The most used derivatives in these studies were curcumin (n = 15, 33.3%) and curcuminoids (n = 5, 16.7%), respectively.
CONCLUSION
In the present review, according to the studies in the literature, various forms of drugs based on curcumin and their derivatives exhibited significant in vitro and in vivo antileishmanial activity against different Leishmania spp. The results revealed that curcumin and its derivatives could be considered as an alternative and complementary source of valuable antileishmanial components against leishmaniasis, which had no significant toxicity. However, further studies are required to elucidate this concluding remark, especially in clinical settings.
Topics: Antiprotozoal Agents; Curcumin; Humans; Leishmania; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous; Leishmaniasis, Visceral
PubMed: 33770343
DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00351-1 -
The Lancet. HIV Apr 2017Worldwide, 30% of the world's population have antibodies to the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii and about 36·7 million people are infected with HIV,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Worldwide, 30% of the world's population have antibodies to the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii and about 36·7 million people are infected with HIV, but little is known about the prevalence of co-infection with T gondii and HIV. We aimed to characterise the epidemiology and burden of T gondii co-infection in people with HIV infection.
METHODS
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Chinese Web of Knowledge, Wanfang, and Chongqing VIP databases for studies reporting T gondii infection in HIV-infected people from inception to Feb 29, 2016. Studies were included if they investigated people with HIV infection and presented data that allowed us to establish the prevalence of T gondii infection. We excluded reviews, repeated studies, or animal studies, as well as studies that provided the final results without raw data, had a sample size less than 30 people, had unclear diagnostic methods of T gondii infection, or that included populations with increased risk of T gondii infection. We extracted the numbers of patients with HIV infection and T gondii co-infection from the identified studies. We estimated pooled prevalence of T gondii infection in HIV-infected people by a random-effects model, and evaluated its overall infection burden worldwide.
FINDINGS
Our search identified 7843 records and after removal of duplicates and initial screening, we reviewed 312 studies in full. Of these articles, 238 were excluded, leaving 74 studies that included 25 989 HIV-infected people from 34 countries. Of these people, 7326 had T gondii co-infection and we estimated the pooled worldwide prevalence of T gondii infection to be 35·8% (95% CI 30·8-40·7). 2353 of 8837 of people in Asia and the Pacific had co-infection with T gondii and HIV (prevalence 25·1%, 95% CI 19·0-31·2), and prevalence was low in this region compared with that in sub-Saharan Africa (44·9%, 32·3-57·5, 2129/5686; odds ratio [OR] 0·61), Latin America and the Caribbean (49·1%, 27·9-70·4, 510/980; OR 0·33), and North Africa and the Middle East (60·7%, 24·1-97·3, 245/439; OR 0·29). 1561 of 3780 people in low-income countries had co-infection (54·7%, 95% CI 35·8-73·5), which was higher than in middle-income countries (34·2%, 27·4-40·9, 3632/11 540; OR 1·53) and high-income countries (26·3%, 20·4-32·2, 2133/10 669; OR 2·82). Worldwide, we calculated that there were roughly 13 138 600 (95% CI 11 303 600-14 936 900) cases of T gondii co-infection in HIV-infected people, with 87·1% in sub-Saharan Africa (11 449 500 cases, 95% CI 8 236 500-14 662 500).
INTERPRETATION
Our findings suggest that people with HIV infection have a very high burden of T gondii infection, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, and emphasise the importance of routine surveillance for T gondii infection in all HIV-infected people.
FUNDING
National Natural Science Foundation and the Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest in China.
Topics: Adolescent; Africa South of the Sahara; Caribbean Region; Coinfection; Cost of Illness; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Latin America; Prevalence; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis
PubMed: 28159548
DOI: 10.1016/S2352-3018(17)30005-X -
PloS One 2022Neospora caninum (N. caninum) is known to be a major cause of reproductive failure in cattle herds around the world. Therefore, the current comprehensive study was... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Neospora caninum (N. caninum) is known to be a major cause of reproductive failure in cattle herds around the world. Therefore, the current comprehensive study was performed to estimate the global prevalence of N. caninum infection in bovines that had an abortion and aborted fetuses.
METHODS
In this study, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest databases were systematically searched for relevant studies up until November 4, 2021. Pooled prevalence and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using a random effect model. Other analyzes performed on the data of this study include sensitivity analysis, publication bias test, and quality assessment.
RESULTS
The final analyses included 71 studies conducted on 2965 abortive cattle and 4805 aborted fetuses. The overall prevalence rates of N. caninum infection in bovines that had an abortion were 47% and 1% using serological and molecular methods. Furthermore, overall prevalence rates of N. caninum infection in bovine aborted fetuses globally were 35% (95% CI: 8%-62%) and 43% (95% CI: 35%-52%) using serological and molecular methods.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study showed the high prevalence of N. caninum infection in bovines that had an abortion and aborted fetuses. It is hoped that the results of this study will help prevent abortion in bovines around the world and encourage further studies to determine the impact of this parasite on the occurrence of abortion that may help reduce the economic damage caused by abortion worldwide.
Topics: Abortion, Veterinary; Animals; Antibodies, Protozoan; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Coccidiosis; Female; Fetus; Humans; Neospora; Pregnancy
PubMed: 35604902
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268903 -
PLoS Medicine Jan 2022Plasmodium vivax infects an estimated 7 million people every year. Previously, vivax malaria was perceived as a benign condition, particularly when compared to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Plasmodium vivax infects an estimated 7 million people every year. Previously, vivax malaria was perceived as a benign condition, particularly when compared to falciparum malaria. Reports of the severe clinical impacts of vivax malaria have been increasing over the last decade.
METHODS AND FINDINGS
We describe the main clinical impacts of vivax malaria, incorporating a rapid systematic review of severe disease with meta-analysis of data from studies with clearly defined denominators, stratified by hospitalization status. Severe anemia is a serious consequence of relapsing infections in children in endemic areas, in whom vivax malaria causes increased morbidity and mortality and impaired school performance. P. vivax infection in pregnancy is associated with maternal anemia, prematurity, fetal loss, and low birth weight. More than 11,658 patients with severe vivax malaria have been reported since 1929, with 15,954 manifestations of severe malaria, of which only 7,157 (45%) conformed to the World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic criteria. Out of 423 articles, 311 (74%) were published since 2010. In a random-effects meta-analysis of 85 studies, 68 of which were in hospitalized patients with vivax malaria, we estimated the proportion of patients with WHO-defined severe disease as 0.7% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.19% to 2.57%] in all patients with vivax malaria and 7.11% [95% CI 4.30% to 11.55%] in hospitalized patients. We estimated the mortality from vivax malaria as 0.01% [95% CI 0.00% to 0.07%] in all patients and 0.56% [95% CI 0.35% to 0.92%] in hospital settings. WHO-defined cerebral, respiratory, and renal severe complications were generally estimated to occur in fewer than 0.5% patients in all included studies. Limitations of this review include the observational nature and small size of most of the studies of severe vivax malaria, high heterogeneity of included studies which were predominantly in hospitalized patients (who were therefore more likely to be severely unwell), and high risk of bias including small study effects.
CONCLUSIONS
Young children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to adverse clinical impacts of vivax malaria, and preventing infections and relapse in this groups is a priority. Substantial evidence of severe presentations of vivax malaria has accrued over the last 10 years, but reporting is inconsistent. There are major knowledge gaps, for example, limited understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and the reason for the heterogenous geographical distribution of reported complications. An adapted case definition of severe vivax malaria would facilitate surveillance and future research to better understand this condition.
Topics: Anemia; Humans; Malaria, Vivax; Prevalence
PubMed: 35041650
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003890 -
PloS One 2021The epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy is a major issue in public health. Toxoplasmosis is caused by the protozoan parasite. Toxoplasma parasite is at high risk... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy is a major issue in public health. Toxoplasmosis is caused by the protozoan parasite. Toxoplasma parasite is at high risk for life-threatening diseases during pregnancy. Congenital toxoplasmosis results from a maternal infection acquired during gestation. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis was aimed to determine the seropositive prevalence of toxoplasmosis infection among pregnant women who attended antenatal care in a health facility in Africa. A systematic review and meta-analysis of published and unpublished studies were included. Databases such as MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, African Journals Online were used with relevant search terms. The quality of the articles was critically evaluated using the tool of the Joanna Briggs Institute. Data were extracted on Microsoft word 2016. Meta-analysis was conducted using STATA 14 software. The heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using the I2 statistics and Egger's test, respectively. Forest plots were used to present the pooled prevalence and odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval of meta-analysis using the random effect model. In total, 23 studies comprising 7,579 pregnant women across ten countries in Africa were included in this meta-analysis. The overall prevalence of seropositive toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in Africa was 51.01% (95% CI; 37.66, 64.34). The heterogeneity test showed that heterogeneity was high, I2 = 99.6%, P-value < 0.001. The variables responsible for the source of heterogeneity were included from Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ethiopia. Overall prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Africa showed that more than one-half of pregnant women were infected. The risk of acquiring toxoplasmosis infection during pregnancy is high; hence, preventive measures to avoid exposure of pregnant women to Toxoplasma infection should be strictly applied.
Topics: Adult; Cameroon; Congo; Ethiopia; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic; Pregnant Women; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis; Young Adult
PubMed: 34283858
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254209