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BMC Infectious Diseases Nov 2021Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is a severely neglected disease affecting millions of people with high mortality if left untreated. In Ethiopia, the primary laboratory... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is a severely neglected disease affecting millions of people with high mortality if left untreated. In Ethiopia, the primary laboratory diagnosis of VL is by using an antigen from a 39-amino acid sequence repeat of a kinesin-related (rK39) of leishmania donovani complex (L. donovani), rapid diagnostic tests (RDT). Different rk39 RDT brands are available with very variable performance and studies from Ethiopia showed a very wide range of sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to determine the pooled sensitivity and specificity of rk39 RDT in Ethiopia.
METHOD
PUBMED, EMBASE, and other sources were searched using predefined search terms to retrieve all relevant articles from 2007 to 2020. Heterogeneity was assessed by visually inspecting summary receiver operating curves (SROC), Spearman correlation coefficient (r), Cochran Q test statistics, inconsistency square (I) and subgroup analysis. The presence and statistical significance of publication bias were assessed by Egger's test at p < 0.05, and all the measurements showed the presence of considerable heterogeneity. Quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies (QUADAS-2) checklists was used to check the qualities of the study.
RESULTS
A total of 664 articles were retrieved, and of this 12 articles were included in the meta-analysis. Overall pooled sensitivity and specificity of the rk39 RDT to diagnose VL in Ethiopia were 88.0% (95% CI 86.0% to 89.0%) and 84.0% (95% CI 82.0% to 86.0%), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the rk39 RDT commercial test kits were DiaMed: 86.9% (95% CI 84.3% to 89.1%) and 82.2% (95% CI 79.3% to 85.0%), and InBios: 80.0% (95% CI 77.0% to 82.8%) and 97.4% (95% CI 95.0% to 98.8%), respectively.
CONCLUSION
Referring to our result, rk39 RDT considered an essential rapid diagnostic test for VL diagnosis. Besides to the diagnostic accuracy, the features such as easy to perform, quick (10-20 min), cheap, equipment-free, electric and cold chain free, and result reproducibility, rk39 RDT is advisable to remains in practice as a diagnostic test at least in the remote VL endemic localities till a better test will come.
Topics: Antigens, Protozoan; Ethiopia; Humans; Leishmania donovani; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 34789175
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06826-w -
Analytical Biochemistry Mar 2022The newly emerged coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) continues to infect humans, and no completely efficient treatment has yet been found. Antibody therapy is one way to control...
PURPOSE
The newly emerged coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) continues to infect humans, and no completely efficient treatment has yet been found. Antibody therapy is one way to control infection caused by COVID-19, but the use of classical antibodies has many disadvantages. Heavy chain antibodies (HCAbs) are single-domain antibodies derived from the Camelidae family. The variable part of these antibodies (Nanobodies or VHH) has interesting properties such as small size, identify criptic epitopes, stability in harsh conditions, good tissue permeability and cost-effective production causing nanobodies have become a good candidate in the treatment and diagnosis of viral infections.
METHODS
Totally 157 records (up to November 10, 2021), were recognized to be reviewed in this study. 62 studies were removed after first step screening due to their deviation from inclusion criteria. The remaining 95 studies were reviewed in details. After removing articles that were not in the study area, 45 remaining studies met the inclusion criteria and were qualified to be included in the systematic review.
RESULTS
In this systematic review, the application of nanobodies in the treatment and detection of COVID-19 infection was reviewed. The results of this study showed that extensive and sufficient studies have been performed in the field of production of nanobodies against SARS-CoV-2 virus and the obtained nanobodies have a great potential for use in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus.
CONCLUSION
According to the obtained results, it was found that nanobodies can be used effectively in the treatment and diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; SARS-CoV-2; Single-Domain Antibodies
PubMed: 34995616
DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2022.114546 -
European Journal of Cancer (Oxford,... Sep 2022Patients with cancer presented a lower probability to obtain seroconversion after a complete course of COVID-19 vaccination. However, little was known on the factors... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUNDS
Patients with cancer presented a lower probability to obtain seroconversion after a complete course of COVID-19 vaccination. However, little was known on the factors that predict poor seroconversion in this frail population.
METHODS
We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases for all articles within a range of published years from 2019 to 2022 on the predictors of response to COVID-19 vaccine in patients with cancer (last search was updated on 2st March 2022). The odds ratio corresponding to the 95% confidence interval was used to assess the outcome. The statistical heterogeneity among studies was assessed with the Q-test and I statistics. The review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022315687) and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
RESULTS
Twenty cohort studies met the inclusion criteria for this study, with 5,499 patients with cancer. We found that advanced age, male patients, and metastatic disease increased negative seropositivity to COVID-19 vaccine. Immunoglobulin heavy chain variable mutation status, high concentration of Ig G, Ig M, and Ig A were correlated with seropositivity. Relating to cancer treatment strategy, anti-CD20 therapy within recent 12 months and chemotherapy were negatively correlated with seroconversion. Meta-analysis found no significant difference associated with targeted treatment, immunotherapy, and endocrine treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
Our meta-analysis assessed the factors that predict poor seroconversion in order to plan better prevention strategies in this frail population. The results proposed that enhanced vaccination strategies would be beneficial for the special patients such as advanced male, or patients receiving active chemotherapy, and carefully prevention should be emphasised even after a complete course of vaccination.
Topics: COVID-19; COVID-19 Testing; COVID-19 Vaccines; Humans; Male; Neoplasms; Seroconversion; Vaccination
PubMed: 35752155
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.05.031