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PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Nov 2023Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect most impoverished communities in developing countries, like Myanmar in Southeast Asia. NTDs have been understudied and...
BACKGROUND
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect most impoverished communities in developing countries, like Myanmar in Southeast Asia. NTDs have been understudied and underreported in Myanmar.
METHODS
A systematic review of published and grey literature (1900-2023) on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Myanmar was conducted. The literature search included five international databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid Global Health, and Web of Science Core Collection and one national database: the Myanmar Central Biomedical Library (locally published papers and grey literature). The selection criteria included articles with all types of study designs of current or previous infections conducted in humans, that reported NTDs, recognised by WHO, US CDC, and listed in PLoS NTDs. We included melioidosis and rickettsioses which we consider also meet the definition of an NTD.
RESULTS
A total of 5941 records were retrieved and screened, of which, 672 (11%) met the selection criteria and were included in this review. Of the included articles, 449 (65%) were published after 2000 and 369 (55%) were from two regions (Yangon and Mandalay) of Myanmar. Of the included articles, 238 (35%) reported bacterial NTDs, 212 (32%) viral NTDs, 153 (23%) helminth NTDs, 25 (4%) protozoal NTDs and 39 (6%) reported more than one aetiology. Based on reported frequency in descending order, the bacterial NTDs were leprosy, Escherichia coli enteritis, salmonellosis, cholera, shigellosis, melioidosis, leptospirosis and rickettsioses; the viral NTDs were dengue, chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection; the protozoal NTDs were amoebiasis, giardiasis and leishmaniasis, and the helminth NTDs were ascariasis, trichuriasis, hookworm disease, filariasis and strongyloidiasis.
CONCLUSION
This review summarises NTDs reported in Myanmar over the past 100 years. The findings suggest that most NTDs are likely to be under reported, especially from the majority of the country which is far from academic centres. Research capacity building together with strengthening of laboratory systems would lead to better understanding of the true burden of NTDs in Myanmar.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
PROSPERO registration ID: CRD42018092627.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Myanmar; Melioidosis; Ascariasis; Helminths; Neglected Diseases; Tropical Medicine; Encephalitis, Japanese; Rickettsia Infections
PubMed: 37910592
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011706 -
Transactions of the Royal Society of... Nov 2023The aberrant migration of Ascaris lumbricoides may cause extra-intestinal ascariasis (EIA) involving hepato-biliary-pancreatic (HBP) or other extra-gastro-intestinal... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The aberrant migration of Ascaris lumbricoides may cause extra-intestinal ascariasis (EIA) involving hepato-biliary-pancreatic (HBP) or other extra-gastro-intestinal (EGI) organs. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to study the risk factors and clinical presentations of EIA, and differences in HBP and EGI ascariasis. Medline, Web of Science and Embase were searched for cases of EIA in the English language from India. From 1204 articles, 86 studies (105 cases) were included. The majority of the cases involved the HBP system (78%). Among HBP ascariasis, the most commonly involved site was the bile duct (53.6%). Females had 11.3 times higher odds (95% CI 2.852 to 44.856; p=0.001) of HBP ascariasis, while the pediatric population had lower odds (OR=0.323). Previous gallbladder disease was significantly associated with HBP ascariasis in adults (p=0.046), while a significantly higher number of cases of EGI ascariasis were observed among pediatric patients (p=0.003). Ocular symptoms occurred exclusively in the pediatric population (p=0.017). Overall, death was reported in 3.8% of patients (n=4). This review emphasizes the importance of the complications of EIA. It encourages future research into issues such as the reasons of higher gall bladder ascariasis in females and the implications of Ascaris-related complications following biliary tract interventions. It also suggests considering Ascaris as a differential diagnosis for airway obstuction in intubated critically ill patients.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Female; Child; Humans; Ascariasis; Ascaris lumbricoides; Intestines; Gastrointestinal Tract; India
PubMed: 37264906
DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trad033 -
Scientific Reports Jul 2023Soil-transmitted Helminth (STH) infections have been found associated with people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but little is known about the overall... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Soil-transmitted Helminth (STH) infections have been found associated with people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but little is known about the overall burden of STH coinfection in HIV patients. We aimed to assess the burden of STH infections among HIV patients. Relevant databases were systematically searched for studies reporting the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthic pathogens in HIV patients. Pooled estimates of each helminthic infection were calculated. The odds ratio was also determined as a measure of the association between STH infection and the HIV status of the patients. Sixty-one studies were finally included in the meta-analysis, consisting of 16,203 human subjects from all over the world. The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides infection in HIV patients was found to be 8% (95% CI 0.06, 0.09), the prevalence of Trichuris trichiura infection in HIV patients was found to be 5% (95% CI 0.04, 0.06), the prevalence of hookworm infection in HIV patients was found to be 5% (95% CI 0.04, 0.06), and prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in HIV patients was found to be 5% (95% CI 0.04, 0.05). Countries from Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America & Caribbean and Asia were identified with the highest burden of STH-HIV coinfection. Our analysis indicated that people living with HIV have a higher chance of developing Strongyloides stercoralis infections and decreased odds of developing hookworm infections. Our findings suggest a moderate level of prevalence of STH infections among people living with HIV. The endemicity of STH infections and HIV status both are partially responsible for the burden of STH-HIV coinfections.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Prevalence; HIV; Soil; HIV Infections; Helminthiasis; Ascariasis; Hookworm Infections; Helminths; Strongyloidiasis; Coinfection; Feces; Ascaris lumbricoides
PubMed: 37422549
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38030-y