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PloS One 2024Malaria is a vector-borne disease that initially manifests as fever, headache, and chills. The illness could progress to more severe conditions, including lethargy,...
INTRODUCTION
Malaria is a vector-borne disease that initially manifests as fever, headache, and chills. The illness could progress to more severe conditions, including lethargy, impaired consciousness, convulsions, shortness of breath, blood in urine, jaundice, and haemorrhage if left untreated. The risk of contracting malaria is considerably heightened in specific occupational settings, particularly among forest rangers, following frequent exposure to natural habitats. Consequently, advancing the understanding of malaria and emphasising how specific occupational environments (including those of forest rangers) contribute to disease risk and management is imperative.
OBJECTIVE
The present study aims to determine the factors associated with malaria infection among forest rangers by systematically reviewing electronic articles from three databases (EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect, and ResearchGate).
METHODS
The current review was prepared based on the updated preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. First, three independent reviewers screened the titles and abstracts of the data collected. The information was then stored in Endnote20 based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The articles were critically appraised with the mixed methods appraisal tool (MMAT) to assess their quality.
RESULT
A total of 103, 31, and 51 articles from EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect, and ResearchGate, respectively, were selected, resulting in 185 unique hits. Nevertheless, only 63 full-text publications were assessed following a rigorous selection screening, from which only five were included in the final review. The studies revealed that several factors contribute to malaria infection among forest rangers. The parameters were classified into sociodemographic, individual, and living condition-related.
CONCLUSION
A better understanding of malaria progresses and identifying its potential risk factors is essential to impact worker well-being. The findings might be utilised to improve malaria infection prevention programme implementations, hence maximising their success. Pre-employment and regular health screenings could also aid in evaluating and identifying potential risks for malaria infection among forest rangers.
Topics: Humans; Malaria; Forests; Risk Factors; Animals
PubMed: 38748721
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303406 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024Given the rising interest in complementary therapeutic strategies for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this research aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the...
BACKGROUND
Given the rising interest in complementary therapeutic strategies for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this research aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of animal-assisted activities and therapies (AAAT) on various ASD symptoms.
METHODS
A meticulous search of databases, including Scopus and PubMed, was conducted to gather relevant research on AAAT for ASD. This process led to the selection of 45 studies encompassing 1,212 participants. The chosen studies were then subjected to a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of AAAT in alleviating core ASD symptoms.
RESULTS
The meta-analysis revealed significant improvements in several core ASD symptoms due to AAAT. Notably, there were improvements in social communication (MD = -4.96, 95% CI [-7.49, -2.44]), irritability (MD = -2.38, 95% CI [-4.06, -0.71]), hyperactivity (MD = -4.03, 95% CI [-6.17, -1.89]), and different word usage skills (MD = 20.48, 95% CI [7.41, 33.55]). However, social awareness (MD = -1.63, 95% CI [-4.07, 0.81]), social cognition (MD = -3.60, 95% CI [-9.36, 2.17]), social mannerisms (MD = -0.73, 95% CI [-2.55, 1.09]), social motivation (MD = -1.21, 95% CI [-2.56, 0.13]), lethargy (MD = -1.12, 95% CI [-3.92, 1.68]), and stereotypical behaviors (MD = -0.23, 95% CI [-1.27, 0.80]) did not significantly improve.
CONCLUSION
The study demonstrates the potential of AAAT in improving certain core symptoms of ASD, such as social communication, irritability, hyperactivity, and word usage skills. However, the effectiveness of AAAT in other ASD symptom domains remains uncertain. The research is limited by the absence of long-term follow-up data and a high risk of bias in existing studies. Therefore, while the findings indicate the promise of AAAT in specific areas, caution is advised in generalizing its efficacy across all ASD symptoms.
PubMed: 38895710
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1403527 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2023Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare rheumatologic disorder that may affect the neurological system with various presentations. In this study, we present a case and...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare rheumatologic disorder that may affect the neurological system with various presentations. In this study, we present a case and summarize the clinical characteristics of RP-associated meningoencephalitis.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 48-year-old man presented with first-ever seizures that were well controlled by valproate. Physical examination results were unremarkable, except for binaural deformation. The initial brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without contrast and electroencephalogram (EEG) findings were normal. However, the patient subsequently developed recurrent fever, scleritis, headache, lethargy, and left arm paresis. Repeated brain MRI with contrast demonstrated increased enhancement of the pia mater and abnormal diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) signals in the bilateral auricles. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed 2 leukocytes/μL, 736.5 mg/L of protein, and no evidence of infectious disease or autoimmune encephalitis. Meningoencephalitis secondary to RP was considered. The patient's condition improved significantly and quickly with the administration of dexamethasone (10 mg per day). Oral methylprednisolone was continued, and the patient remained well without relapse during the 9-month follow-up period.
CONCLUSION
RP-associated meningoencephalitis is rare but fatal. Although symptoms vary, red or deformed ears remain the most common and suggestive features. Non-specific parenchymal changes and/or meningeal enhancement can be observed on brain MRI scans. CSF lymphocytic pleocytosis with mild protein elevation was observed in most patients.
PubMed: 38033767
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1265345 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2023Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy (ANE) is a condition characterized by symmetric, bilateral lesions affecting the thalamus and potentially other areas of the brain...
Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy (ANE) is a condition characterized by symmetric, bilateral lesions affecting the thalamus and potentially other areas of the brain following an acute febrile illness. It manifests clinically as abrupt development of encephalopathy, or alteration in mental status that often includes development of seizures and progression to coma. Treatment strategies combine immunosuppressive therapies and supportive care with varying levels of recovery, however there are no universally accepted, data-driven, treatment algorithms for ANE. We first report a case of a previously healthy 10-year-old female with acute onset diplopia, visual hallucinations, lethargy, and seizures in the setting of subacute non-specific viral symptoms and found to have bilateral thalamic and brainstem lesions on MRI consistent with ANE. She was treated with a combination of immunomodulatory therapies and ultimately had a good outcome. Next, we present a meta-analysis of 10 articles with a total of 158 patients meeting clinical and radiographic criteria for ANE. Each article reported immunosuppressive treatments received, and associated morbidity or mortality outcome for each individual patient. Through our analysis, we confirm the effectiveness of high-dose, intravenous, methylprednisolone (HD-IV-MP) therapy implemented early in the disease course (initiation within 24 h of neurologic symptom onset). There was no significant difference between patients treated with and without intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). There was no benefit of combining IVIG with early HD-IV-MP. There is weak evidence suggesting a benefit of IL-6 inhibitor tocilizumab, especially when used in combination with early HD-IV-MP, though this analysis was limited by sample size. Finally, plasma exchange (PLEX) improved survival. We hope this meta-analysis will be useful for clinicians making treatment decisions for patients with this potentially devastating condition.
PubMed: 37745654
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1239746 -
Research in Veterinary Science Jul 2024Leptospirosis is a neglected bacterial zoonosis that affects a wide range of mammals, with important implications from a One Health perspective. Over the past years... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Leptospirosis is a neglected bacterial zoonosis that affects a wide range of mammals, with important implications from a One Health perspective. Over the past years feline leptospirosis has gained increased attention in the scientific community. Here we describe a systematic review with meta-analysis that followed the PRISMA guidelines, with an additional PROSPERO registration. The study provides global seropositivity, urinary shedding rates, global serogroup distribution, descriptive data of leptospires that had been isolated from cats and clinical and laboratory features presented by symptomatic cats with acute disease. The search was carried out in six different databases, with the identification of 79 reports describing leptospiral infection in cats. The pooled frequency of seroreactive cats was 11% (95% CI: 9%-13%), with Javanica and Pomona as the most frequent serogroups found. Frequency for urinary shedding was 8% (95% CI: 5%-10%), with L. interrogans identified in most samples. A total of 16 isolates were isolated from cats, with Bataviae as the most frequent serogroup. Twenty symptomatic cats with confirmed leptospiral infection were identified. Anorexia, lethargy, polydipsia, and bleeding disorders were the clinical signs most frequently reported. The results suggest that cats from some locations are exposed to leptospires and may act as urinary shedders of this pathogen, thus indicating a possible role of this species in disease transmission. Clinical data indicates that acute infection is mostly atypical when compared to dogs, and due to difficulties to define an archetypal clinical presentation in cats, feline leptospirosis is likely to be underdiagnosed disease in this species.
Topics: Animals; Cats; Cat Diseases; Leptospira; Leptospirosis
PubMed: 38759347
DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105292