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Current HIV Research 2024This article aimed to analyze upper endoscopic findings in the HIV patient population to elucidate the upper-gastrointestinal complications related to HIV infection....
OBJECTIVE
This article aimed to analyze upper endoscopic findings in the HIV patient population to elucidate the upper-gastrointestinal complications related to HIV infection. Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in individuals living with HIV/AIDS exhibit diverse and often nonspecific manifestations, imposing substantial morbidity and mortality burdens. Endoscopic evaluation with biopsies is essential in the diagnosis and management of these conditions. Delayed treatment due to undetected GI abnormalities during endoscopic examinations can lead to poorer health outcomes.
METHODS
This systematic review has determined the findings of upper-GI endoscopy of HIV-infected patients. Online databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Jisc Library Hub Discover, and Library of Congress have been searched using relevant keyword combinations. We have retrieved all the pertinent papers and reports published in English and screened them against inclusion/exclusion criteria for data extraction in two steps. First, titles/abstracts have been evaluated and then full-text screening has been performed by independent researchers. This study has adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist.
RESULTS
In this review, 24 articles have been included in the final analysis. The study has focused on the characteristics of participants and the findings of endoscopic evaluations. The participants of the study have been HIV-positive patients, and the majority of them have undergone endoscopy due to gastrointestinal symptoms. The biopsy regions primarily targeted have been observed to be the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The most common result of the biopsy specimens has been chronic active gastritis.
CONCLUSION
To improve clinical practice, this systematic review sought to provide an up-to-date reference for upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings of HIV-infected persons. Our results are in line with earlier research showing how effective endoscopy is for determining a precise diagnosis and directing care. The majority of HIV patients with gastrointestinal symptoms have been found to have opportunistic infections and persistent active gastritis as well as mucosal abnormalities of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Studies have shown that endoscopic and histological assessment can aid in the early detection and management of issues involving the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Topics: Humans; HIV Infections; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; Upper Gastrointestinal Tract
PubMed: 38279732
DOI: 10.2174/011570162X271270231215101009 -
Journal of Prosthodontics : Official... Jun 2024This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the prevalence of opportunistic respiratory pathogens colonizing removable dental prostheses in older... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the prevalence of opportunistic respiratory pathogens colonizing removable dental prostheses in older adults without respiratory diseases.
METHODS
This review was registered with PROSPERO and conducted in accordance with the principles formed by the working group of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) to evaluate systematic reviews of prevalence data. Literature searches were conducted across five electronic databases. Quality assessments were determined according to a revised JBI critical appraisal checklist across nine criteria. Comparison between fixed- and random-effects meta-analyses were performed for sensitivity analysis. Prediction intervals were also presented when three or more studies were included in the meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Across the databases, 1091 articles were identified, and 591 articles remained after the removal of duplicates. Twenty "potentially effective" studies were identified. Ultimately eight studies informed this review and meta-analyses were performed for 13 known respiratory pathogens. The meta-analyses identified the top three common respiratory pathogens residing on the removable prostheses were, in descending order: Staphylococcus aureus: 31.81% (95% CI: 13.34%-48.24%); Staphylococcus epidermidis: 14.07% (95% CI: 7.88%-21.48%); Klebsiella pneumoniae: 10.50% (95% CI: 2.55%-22.30%). The heterogeneity scores for nine respiratory pathogen analyses were classified as "unimportant inconsistency", I = 0% (p > 0.1). For sensitivity analysis, there was no difference between the random- and fixed-effects models.
CONCLUSION
The existing evidence demonstrated a high burden of certain opportunistic respiratory pathogens, which may be considered a major potential cause of respiratory infections in older adults wearing removable prostheses.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Prevalence; Respiratory Tract Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Prosthesis-Related Infections; Staphylococcus epidermidis
PubMed: 37970708
DOI: 10.1111/jopr.13802 -
Current Drug Research Reviews May 2024Ralstonia mannitolilytica is an emerging opportunistic pathogen that has been increasingly reported in clinical settings. Despite its low pathogenicity in...
BACKGROUND
Ralstonia mannitolilytica is an emerging opportunistic pathogen that has been increasingly reported in clinical settings. Despite its low pathogenicity in immunocompetent individuals, it poses a significant threat to immunocompromised patients, particularly those with underlying medical conditions or invasive medical interventions.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to evaluate the clinical impact and management strategies based on the analysis of individual case reports on Ralstonia mannitolilytica .
METHODS
A comprehensive search of PubMed was conducted from inception until July 31, 2023, using the terms "Ralstonia mannitolilytica" and/or "Pseudomonas thomasii". Inclusion criteria for our systematic review included human-centered case reports of Ralstonia mannitolilytica infections, excluding case series and review articles. Data extraction followed PRISMA guidelines, including study details and patient characteristics. Case reports were systematically assessed using the JBI critical appraisal checklist, evaluating patient demographics, clinical history, diagnostic methods, interventions, post-intervention outcomes, adverse events, and lessons learned to minimize bias risk.
RESULTS
A total of 17 case reports of Ralstonia mannitolilytica infections were included in our systematic review. Studies published from 2001 to 2023 revealed diverse global contributions, with 29.41% from China. Infection origins varied, with catheter-related cases being predominant. Mortality was reported in two studies. Antibiotic sensitivity analysis showed sensitivity to third-generation cephalosporins, notably Ceftazidime. Quality appraisal revealed that all studies had a low risk of bias, ensuring the overall robustness of the case reports.
CONCLUSION
This study emphasizes the importance of understanding Ralstonia mannitolilytica infections, given their varied clinical presentations and antibiotic responses. The study also underscores the necessity for precise identification, customized treatments, and ongoing research to manage these infections effectively.
PubMed: 38715335
DOI: 10.2174/0125899775287020240424071322 -
PloS One 2024At the end of 2022, globally, only 46% of children (aged 0-14 years) on ART had suppressed viral loads. Viral load suppression is crucial to reduce HIV-related deaths.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
At the end of 2022, globally, only 46% of children (aged 0-14 years) on ART had suppressed viral loads. Viral load suppression is crucial to reduce HIV-related deaths. To suppress the viral load at the expected level, children must be retained in ART treatment. Nevertheless, lost to follow-up from ART treatment continues to be a global challenge, particularly, in developing countries. Previously, primary studies were conducted in Ethiopia to assess the incidence of lost to follow-up among HIV-positive children on ART treatment. However, variations have been seen among the studies. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled incidence of lost to follow-up among HIV-positive children on ART and identify its associated factors in Ethiopia.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, HINARI, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and African Journals Online to obtain articles published up to November 20, 2023. Critical appraisal was done using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Heterogeneity was identified using I-square statistics. Funnel plot and Egger's tests were used to identify publication bias. Data was presented using forest plots and tables. Random and fixed-effect models were used to compute the pooled estimate.
RESULTS
Twenty-four studies were included in the final analysis. The pooled incidence of lost to follow-up among HIV-positive children on ART was 2.79 (95% CI: 1.99, 3.91) per 100-child-year observations. Advanced HIV disease (HR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.71, 2.73), having opportunistic infection (HR: 2.59, 95% CI: 1.39; 4.78), fair or poor ART treatment adherence (HR: 2.92, 95% CI: 1.31; 6.54) and children aged between 1-5 years (HR: 2.1,95% CI: 1.44; 2.95) were factors associated with lost to follow up among HIV positive children on ART.
CONCLUSIONS
The overall pooled incidence of lost to follow-up among HIV-positive children on ART is low in Ethiopia. Therefore, counseling on ART drug adherence should be strengthened. Moreover, emphasis has to be given to children with advanced HIV stage and opportunistic infection to reduce the rate of lost to follow up among HIV-positive children on ART.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Registered in PROSPERO with ID: CRD42024501071.
Topics: Humans; Ethiopia; HIV Infections; Child; Incidence; Child, Preschool; Lost to Follow-Up; Adolescent; Infant; Anti-HIV Agents; Viral Load; Female; Male; Anti-Retroviral Agents
PubMed: 38776343
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304239 -
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology : JDD Dec 2023Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogenic yeast commensal in human mucosa. In individuals with compromised immune systems, it can present as chronic mucocutaneous...
BACKGROUND
Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogenic yeast commensal in human mucosa. In individuals with compromised immune systems, it can present as chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) or systemic infection. CMC often exists in the presence of other infectious phenotypes due to dysfunction of the Th17 immune response.
OBJECTIVE
To examine innate error immunities (IEI) of the Th17 immune response associated with CMC.
METHODS
MEDLINE PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) related to the subject of interest. Nonapplicable and non-primary research methodologies were excluded.
RESULTS
We identified 266 articles; 89 were removed for being a duplicate, 108 for irrelevance, and 51 for being a review. We examined 18 studies, 5 on murine models, and 13 human studies.
CONCLUSION
Case reports in patients with CMC have identified a range of mutations in IL-17F, IL-17RA, IL-17RC, and ACT1. Mouse models confirm the role of IL-17A and IL-17F in disease susceptibility. J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(12):1197-1203. doi:10.36849/JDD.7579.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mice; Interleukin-17; Candidiasis, Chronic Mucocutaneous; Immunity, Innate; Candida albicans; Mutation
PubMed: 38051840
DOI: 10.36849/JDD.7579 -
Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia 2024Psoriasis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disease with a worldwide prevalence of approximately 2%. Currently, despite the difficulties faced every day by patients...
BACKGROUND
Psoriasis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disease with a worldwide prevalence of approximately 2%. Currently, despite the difficulties faced every day by patients and physicians in low-resource countries, literature describing the exact needs of psoriasis treatment in Latin America remains scarce.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the unmet needs in psoriasis treatment in Latin America.
METHODS
The authors conducted a systematic review following PRISMA statements in PubMed, Embase, and LILACS of studies published from January 2011 to March 2021 addressing challenges in psoriasis treatment in Latin America.
RESULTS
The search strategy identified 3,837 articles, of which 19 were included in the final analysis. Most were from Brazil (58%; n=11), all were observational, and most were cross-sectional (84%; n=16). Difficulties faced by psoriasis patients in Latin America included the high prevalence of opportunistic and endemic infections (42% of the studies addressed this matter; n=8), delay in diagnosis (5%; n=1), work productivity impairment (16%; n=3), limited access to medication/medical care (37%; n=7), poor adherence to treatment (5%; n=1) and poor adherence to guidelines (11%; n=2).
STUDY LIMITATIONS
Number and quality of studies currently available on this subject.
CONCLUSIONS
Current psoriasis guidelines do not always account for epidemiological, financial, and cultural characteristics. Most studies available are from Brazil, which might not accurately represent Latin America as a whole. In a region where neglected diseases and scarce resources remain a reality, it is imperative that dermatological training be offered to primary care providers, allowing for standardized conduct and earlier diagnosis.
Topics: Humans; Latin America; Psoriasis; Brazil
PubMed: 38061962
DOI: 10.1016/j.abd.2023.04.006 -
Epidemics Jun 2024Antibiotic-resistant Enterobacterales (ARE) are a public health threat worldwide. Dissemination of these opportunistic pathogens has been largely studied in hospitals....
BACKGROUND
Antibiotic-resistant Enterobacterales (ARE) are a public health threat worldwide. Dissemination of these opportunistic pathogens has been largely studied in hospitals. Despite high prevalence of asymptomatic colonization in the community in some regions of the world, less is known about ARE acquisition and spread in this setting. As explaining the community ARE dynamics has not been straightforward, mathematical models can be key to explore underlying phenomena and further evaluate the impact of interventions to curb ARE circulation outside of hospitals.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review of mathematical modeling studies focusing on the transmission of AR-E in the community, excluding models only specific to hospitals. We extracted model features (population, setting), formalism (compartmental, individual-based), biological hypotheses (transmission, infection, antibiotic impact, resistant strain specificities) and main findings. We discussed additional mechanisms to be considered, open scientific questions, and most pressing data needs.
RESULTS
We identified 18 modeling studies focusing on the human transmission of ARE in the community (n=11) or in both community and hospital (n=7). Models aimed at (i) understanding mechanisms driving resistance dynamics; (ii) identifying and quantifying transmission routes; or (iii) evaluating public health interventions to reduce resistance. To overcome the difficulty of reproducing observed ARE dynamics in the community using the classical two-strains competition model, studies proposed to include mechanisms such as within-host strain competition or a strong host population structure. Studies inferring model parameters from longitudinal carriage data were mostly based on models considering the ARE strain only. They showed differences in ARE carriage duration depending on the acquisition mode: returning travelers have a significantly shorter carriage duration than discharged hospitalized patient or healthy individuals. Interestingly, predictions across models regarding the success of public health interventions to reduce ARE rates depended on pathogens, settings, and antibiotic resistance mechanisms. For E. coli, reducing person-to-person transmission in the community had a stronger effect than reducing antibiotic use in the community. For Klebsiella pneumoniae, reducing antibiotic use in hospitals was more efficient than reducing community use.
CONCLUSIONS
This study raises the limited number of modeling studies specifically addressing the transmission of ARE in the community. It highlights the need for model development and community-based data collection especially in low- and middle-income countries to better understand acquisition routes and their relative contribution to observed ARE levels. Such modeling will be critical to correctly design and evaluate public health interventions to control ARE transmission in the community and further reduce the associated infection burden.
PubMed: 38944024
DOI: 10.1016/j.epidem.2024.100783 -
Journal of Translational Autoimmunity Jun 2024Thymoma with Immunodeficiency (Good's Syndrome, GS) is a rare association between thymoma and immunodeficiency, first described over 60 years ago. Patients with GS...
Thymoma with Immunodeficiency (Good's Syndrome, GS) is a rare association between thymoma and immunodeficiency, first described over 60 years ago. Patients with GS typically present with thymomas, reduced or absent B cells in the peripheral blood, hypogammaglobulinemia, and defects in cell-mediated immunity. We report the case of a 67-year-old woman diagnosed with GS following the development of a progressive, severe, refractory pulmonary infection and diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB). She also had diabetes, characterized by anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody positivity, leading to a diagnosis of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). A thorough review of existing literature revealed that GS is often confirmed after multiple episodes of opportunistic infections or autoimmune diseases post-thymoma surgery. Due to their immunodeficiency, GS patients frequently suffer from recurrent infections over extended periods, and some succumb to severe infections. Regular immunoglobulin infusions may be effective in treating GS.
PubMed: 38188041
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtauto.2023.100230 -
Heliyon Apr 2024Undernutrition is the leading cause of mortality among children infected with HIV particularly in resource-deprived settings. Despite several studies were disclosed the...
BACKGROUND
Undernutrition is the leading cause of mortality among children infected with HIV particularly in resource-deprived settings. Despite several studies were disclosed the effect of undernutrition on mortality of children living with HIV in Ethiopia, the findings were fragmented and inconclusive. Therefore, this review aimed to determine the pooled effects of undernutrition on mortality of children infected with HIV in Ethiopia.
METHODS
The search were performed using international online electronic data bases (MEDLINE/though PubMed, Google scholar, Hinari, Scopus and open Google). The review included only retrospective/prospective cohort studies reporting the effects of undernutrition on mortality of children infected with HIV. Heterogeneity between included studies was assessed using Cochrane Q-test and the I statistics. Sub-group analysis was done by study regions, sample size and publication year.
RESULTS
A total of 1345 articles were identified from databases. Among these, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria and included in the study. Meta-analysis of 4 studies revealed that stunting has a significant effect on mortality of children infected with HIV (AHR: 3.36; 95 % CI: 2.95-3.77). Of 14 included studies, 6 articles indicated that wasting has a significant effect on mortality in children infected with HIV (AHR: 3.93; 95 % CI: 2.56-5.30) as compared to their counterparts. Furthermore, the pooled effect of 8 studies showed that underweight has 3.4 times hazard of death among children who lived with HIV as compared to well-nourished children.
CONCLUSION
This review revealed that undernutrition has deleterious effect on mortality of children infected with HIV/AIDS by disease progression and prone the children to serious opportunistic infections. From the study, the authors recommended that nutritional status of children on antiretroviral therapy need to be evaluated regularly.
PubMed: 38601598
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29308