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Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2021is a worldwide emerging zoonotic tick-borne pathogen transmitted by ticks and naturally maintained in complex and incompletely assessed enzootic cycles. Several... (Review)
Review
is a worldwide emerging zoonotic tick-borne pathogen transmitted by ticks and naturally maintained in complex and incompletely assessed enzootic cycles. Several studies have demonstrated an extensive genetic variability with variable host tropisms and pathogenicity. However, the relationship between genetic diversity and modified pathogenicity is not yet understood. Because of their proximity to humans, dogs are potential sentinels for the transmission of vector-borne pathogens. Furthermore, the strong molecular similarity between human and canine isolates of in Europe and the USA and the positive association in the distribution of human and canine cases in the USA emphasizes the epidemiological role of dogs. infects and survives within neutrophils by disregulating neutrophil functions and evading specific immune responses. Moreover, the complex interaction between the bacterium and the infected host immune system contribute to induce inflammatory injuries. Canine granulocytic anaplasmosis is an acute febrile illness characterized by lethargy, inappetence, weight loss and musculoskeletal pain. Hematological and biochemistry profile modifications associated with this disease are unspecific and include thrombocytopenia, anemia, morulae within neutrophils and increased liver enzymes activity. Coinfections with other tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) may occur, especially with , complicating the clinical presentation, diagnosis and response to treatment. Although clinical studies have been published in dogs, it remains unclear if several clinical signs and clinicopathological abnormalities can be related to this infection.
PubMed: 34250067
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.686644 -
Water Research X Jan 2023The safe management of fecal sludge from the 3.4 billion people worldwide that use onsite sanitation systems can greatly reduce the global infectious disease burden.... (Review)
Review
The safe management of fecal sludge from the 3.4 billion people worldwide that use onsite sanitation systems can greatly reduce the global infectious disease burden. However, there is limited knowledge about the role of design, operational, and environmental factors on pathogen survival in pit latrines, urine diverting desiccation toilets, and other types of onsite toilets. We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to characterize pathogen reduction rates in fecal sludge, feces, and human excreta with respect to pH, temperature, moisture content, and the use of additives for desiccation, alkalinization, or disinfection. A meta-analysis of 1,382 data points extracted from 243 experiments described in 26 articles revealed significant differences between the decay rates and T values of pathogens and indicators from different microbial groups. The overall median T values were 4.8 days, 29 days, >341 days, and 429 days for bacteria, viruses, protozoan (oo)cysts, and eggs, respectively. As expected, higher pH values, higher temperatures, and the application of lime all significantly predicted greater pathogen reduction rates but the use of lime by itself was more effective for bacteria and viruses than for eggs, unless urea was also added. In multiple lab-scale experiments, the application of urea with enough lime or ash to reach a pH of 10 - 12 and a sustained concentration of 2,000 - 6,000 mg/L of non-protonated NHN reduced eggs more rapidly than without urea. In general, the storage of fecal sludge for 6 months adequately controls hazards from viruses and bacteria, but much longer storage times or alkaline treatment with urea and low moisture or heat is needed to control hazards from protozoa and helminths. More research is needed to demonstrate the efficacy of lime, ash, and urea in the field. More studies of protozoan pathogens are also needed, as very few qualifying experiments were found for this group.
PubMed: 37250291
DOI: 10.1016/j.wroa.2023.100171 -
Frontiers in Genetics 2020A compound heterozygous () variant is a type of germline variant that occurs when each parent donates one alternate allele and these alleles are located at different... (Review)
Review
A compound heterozygous () variant is a type of germline variant that occurs when each parent donates one alternate allele and these alleles are located at different loci within the same gene. Pathogenic germline variants have been identified for some pediatric cancer types but in most studies, variants are overlooked. Thus, the prevalence of pathogenic variants in most pediatric cancer types is unknown. We identified 26 studies (published between 1999 and 2019) that identified a variant in at least one pediatric cancer patient. These studies encompass 21 cancer types and have collectively identified 25 different genes in which a variant occurred. However, the sequencing methods used and the number of patients and genes evaluated in each study were highly variable across the studies. In addition, methods for assessing pathogenicity of variants varied widely and were often not reported. In this review, we discuss technologies and methods for identifying variants, provide an overview of studies that have identified variants in pediatric cancer patients, provide insights into future directions in the field, and give a summary of publicly available pediatric cancer sequencing data. Although considerable insights have been gained over the last 20 years, much has yet to be learned about the involvement of variants in pediatric cancers. In future studies, larger sample sizes, more pediatric cancer types, and better pathogenicity assessment and filtering methods will be needed to move this field forward.
PubMed: 32508881
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00493 -
BMJ Open Apr 2023We aimed to summarise the prevalence of atypical pathogens in patients with severe pneumonia to understand the prevalence of severe pneumonia caused by atypical... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
We aimed to summarise the prevalence of atypical pathogens in patients with severe pneumonia to understand the prevalence of severe pneumonia caused by atypical pathogens, improve clinical decision-making and guide antibiotic use.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were searched through November 2022.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
English language studies enrolled consecutive cases of patients diagnosed with severe pneumonia, with complete aetiological analysis.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
We conducted literature retrieval on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and The Cochrane Library to estimate the prevalence of , and in patients with severe pneumonia. After double arcsine transformation of the data, a random-effects model was used for meta-analyses to calculate the pooled prevalence of each pathogen. Meta-regression analysis was also used to explore whether the region, different diagnostic method, study population, pneumonia categories or sample size were potential sources of heterogeneity.
RESULTS
We included 75 eligible studies with 18 379 cases of severe pneumonia. The overall prevalence of atypical pneumonia is 8.1% (95% CI 6.3% to 10.1%) In patients with severe pneumonia, the pooled estimated prevalence of , and was 1.8% (95% CI 1.0% to 2.9%), 2.8% (95% CI 1.7% to 4.3%) and 4.0% (95% CI 2.8% to 5.3%), respectively. We noted significant heterogeneity in all pooled assessments. Meta-regression showed that the pneumonia category potentially influenced the prevalence rate of . The mean age and the diagnostic method of pathogens were likely moderators for the prevalence of and , and contribute to the heterogeneity of their prevalence.
CONCLUSIONS
In severe pneumonia, atypical pathogens are notable causes, especially . The diagnostic method, regional difference, sample size and other factors contribute to the heterogeneity of prevalence. The estimated prevalence and relative heterogeneity factors can help with microbiological screening, clinical treatment and future research planning.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42022373950.
Topics: Humans; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Prevalence; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Legionella; Chlamydia
PubMed: 37041056
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066721 -
Predictors of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis.The Journal of Hospital Infection Apr 2023Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) infections confer notable morbidity and mortality. Differential diagnosis to determine whether the infections are caused by... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) infections confer notable morbidity and mortality. Differential diagnosis to determine whether the infections are caused by either the hvKp or classical K. pneumoniae (cKp) strain is particularly important for undertaking optimal clinical care and infection control efforts.
AIM
To identify and assess the potential predictors of hvKp infections.
METHODS
PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for all relevant publications from January 2000 to March 2022. The search terms included a combination of the following terms: (i) Klebsiella pneumoniae or K. pneumoniae and (ii) hypervirulent or hypervirulence. A meta-analysis of factors for which risk ratio was reported in three or more studies was conducted, and at least one statistically significant association was identified.
FINDINGS
In this systematic review of 11 observational studies, a total of 1392 patients with K. pneumoniae infection and 596 (42.8%) with hvKp strains were evaluated. In the meta-analysis, diabetes mellitus and liver abscess (pooled risk ratio: 2.61 (95% confidence interval: 1.79-3.80) and 9.04 (2.58-31.72), respectively; all P < 0.001) were predictors of hvKp infections.
CONCLUSION
For patients with a history of the abovementioned predictors, prudent management, including the search for multiple sites of infection and/or metastatic spread and the enforcement of an early and appropriate source control procedure, should be initiated in consideration of the potential presence of hvKp. We believe that this research highlights the urgent need for increasing clinical awareness of the management of hvKp infections.
Topics: Humans; Virulence Factors; Virulence; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Klebsiella Infections; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 36813165
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2023.02.005 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2020The term ocular microbiota refers to all types of commensal and pathogenic microorganisms present on or in the eye. The ocular surface is continuously exposed to the...
The term ocular microbiota refers to all types of commensal and pathogenic microorganisms present on or in the eye. The ocular surface is continuously exposed to the environment and harbors various commensals. Commensal microbes have been demonstrated to regulate host metabolism, development of immune system, and host defense against pathogen invasion. An unbalanced microbiota could lead to pathogenic microbial overgrowth and cause local or systemic inflammation. The specific antigens that irritate the deleterious immune responses in various inflammatory eye diseases remain obscure, while recent evidence implies a microbial etiology of these illnesses. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the literature on ocular microbiota and the role of commensal microbes in several eye diseases. In addition, this review will also discuss the interaction between microbial pathogens and host factors involved in intraocular inflammation, and evaluate therapeutic potential of targeting ocular microbiota to treat intraocular inflammation.
Topics: Animals; Eye; Eye Diseases; Humans; Immune System; Immunity; Inflammation; Microbiota
PubMed: 33424865
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.609765 -
The Lancet. Microbe Apr 2022Multiplexed technologies for sexually transmitted infections offer a convenient diagnostics option to screen, confirm, and treat multiple pathogens simultaneously. Due... (Review)
Review
Multiplexed technologies for sexually transmitted infections offer a convenient diagnostics option to screen, confirm, and treat multiple pathogens simultaneously. Due to scarce published real-world diagnostic performance data, we did a systematic review. Two reviewers searched major databases for data published between Jan 1, 2009, and April 20, 2020, and abstracted and analysed sensitivity and specificity data from 24 studies, which assessed 17 multiplex rapid nucleic acid amplification test platforms and seven multiplex immunochromatographic devices. Overall, these studies evaluated 19 sexually transmitted infections in 26 126 individuals. High sensitivity and specificity were shown for rapid nucleic acid amplification platform tests and immunochromatographic devices, with performance varying by pathogen, device, seropositivity, and subpopulation screened. As most devices yielded more than 95% sensitivity and specificity, immunochromatographic tests and rapid nucleic acid amplification test platforms can be advised for screening and confirmatory use. These highly accurate devices are appropriate for integrated, rapid screening initiatives for sexually transmitted infections to screen and treat many of these infections simultaneously, for antimicrobial stewardship, and for disease elimination programmes.
Topics: Humans; Mass Screening; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Technology
PubMed: 35544067
DOI: 10.1016/S2666-5247(21)00191-9 -
Journal of Dentistry Jun 2023Peri-implantitis is associated with bacterial plaque biofilms and with patients who have a history of periodontitis. Smoking is a risk factor for periodontitis, but the... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Peri-implantitis is associated with bacterial plaque biofilms and with patients who have a history of periodontitis. Smoking is a risk factor for periodontitis, but the relationship between smoking and peri‑implantitis is unclear. The aim of this systematic review was to assess evidence ascertaining the relationship between smoking and peri‑implant microbiota.
DATA SOURCES
An electronic search was conducted in the MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase and Scopus® databases in duplicate up to January 2023 without language restrictions. Studies were considered eligible for inclusion if they involved evaluation of the peri‑implant microbiota of smokers and nonsmokers. Methodological quality was assessed with the adapted Newcastle-Ottawa scale.
STUDY SELECTION
Fourteen studies were identified for inclusion in the present study, and 85.7% of the studies were defined as medium to high methodological quality. Overall, the evidence presented in this review was limited to medium to high methodological quality. The data indicates that significantly higher frequencies of anaerobic pathogens are detectable in healthy peri‑implant tissues of smokers. A lower diversity of microbiota was observed in healthy peri‑implant sites of smokers. In the transition from clinically healthy to a diseased status, smoking shaped a reduced peri‑implant microbiota by depleting commensal and enriching pathogenic species.
CONCLUSIONS
The composition of peri‑implant microbiota may be influenced by smoking. More studies are needed to determine the impact of smoking on peri‑implant microbiota.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
In the transition from clinically healthy to a diseased status, smoking shaped a reduced peri‑implant microbiota by depleting commensal and enriching pathogenic species. The composition of peri‑implant microbiota may be influenced by smoking.
Topics: Humans; Peri-Implantitis; Smoking; Periodontitis; Risk Factors; Microbiota; Dental Implants
PubMed: 37088258
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2023.104525 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Apr 2020Mycetoma is one of the badly neglected tropical diseases, characterised by subcutaneous painless swelling, multiple sinuses, and discharge containing aggregates of the...
Mycetoma is one of the badly neglected tropical diseases, characterised by subcutaneous painless swelling, multiple sinuses, and discharge containing aggregates of the infecting organism known as grains. Risk factors conferring susceptibility to mycetoma include environmental factors and pathogen factors such as virulence and the infecting dose, in addition to host factors such as immunological and genetic predisposition. Epidemiological evidence suggests that host genetic factors may regulate susceptibility to mycetoma and other fungal infections, but they are likely to be complex genetic traits in which multiple genes interact with each other and environmental factors, as well as the pathogen, to cause disease. This paper reviews what is known about genetic predisposition to fungal infections that might be relevant to mycetoma, as well as all studies carried out to explore host genetic susceptibility to mycetoma. Most studies were investigating polymorphisms in candidate genes related to the host immune response. A total of 13 genes had allelic variants found to be associated with mycetoma, and these genes lie in different pathways and systems such as innate and adaptive immune systems, sex hormone biosynthesis, and some genes coding for host enzymes. None of these studies have been replicated. Advances in genomic science and the supporting technology have paved the way for large-scale genome-wide association and next generation sequencing (NGS) studies, underpinning a new strategy to systematically interrogate the genome for variants associated with mycetoma. Dissecting the contribution of host genetic variation to susceptibility to mycetoma will enable the identification of pathways that are potential targets for new treatments for mycetoma and will also enhance the ability to stratify 'at-risk' individuals, allowing the possibility of developing preventive and personalised clinical care strategies in the future.
Topics: Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genome-Wide Association Study; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Male; Mycetoma; Polymorphism, Genetic; Risk Factors
PubMed: 32352976
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008053 -
Veterinary Research Oct 2023The global spread of avian influenza A viruses in domestic birds is causing increasing socioeconomic devastation. Various mechanistic models have been developed to... (Review)
Review
The global spread of avian influenza A viruses in domestic birds is causing increasing socioeconomic devastation. Various mechanistic models have been developed to better understand avian influenza transmission and evaluate the effectiveness of control measures in mitigating the socioeconomic losses caused by these viruses. However, the results of models of avian influenza transmission and control have not yet been subject to a comprehensive review. Such a review could help inform policy makers and guide future modeling work. To help fill this gap, we conducted a systematic review of the mechanistic models that have been applied to field outbreaks. Our three objectives were to: (1) describe the type of models and their epidemiological context, (2) list estimates of commonly used parameters of low pathogenicity and highly pathogenic avian influenza transmission, and (3) review the characteristics of avian influenza transmission and the efficacy of control strategies according to the mechanistic models. We reviewed a total of 46 articles. Of these, 26 articles estimated parameters by fitting the model to data, one evaluated the effectiveness of control strategies, and 19 did both. Values of the between-individual reproduction number ranged widely: from 2.18 to 86 for highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, and from 4.7 to 45.9 for low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses, depending on epidemiological settings, virus subtypes and host species. Other parameters, such as the durations of the latent and infectious periods, were often taken from the literature, limiting the models' potential insights. Concerning control strategies, many models evaluated culling (n = 15), while vaccination received less attention (n = 6). According to the articles reviewed, optimal control strategies varied between virus subtypes and local conditions, and depended on the overall objective of the intervention. For instance, vaccination was optimal when the objective was to limit the overall number of culled flocks. In contrast, pre-emptive culling was preferred for reducing the size and duration of an epidemic. Early implementation consistently improved the overall efficacy of interventions, highlighting the need for effective surveillance and epidemic preparedness.
Topics: Animals; Influenza in Birds; Poultry; Disease Outbreaks; Influenza A virus; Animals, Domestic
PubMed: 37853425
DOI: 10.1186/s13567-023-01219-0