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Intensive Care Medicine Feb 2020An increasing number of critically ill patients are immunocompromised. Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (ARF), chiefly due to pulmonary infection, is the leading... (Review)
Review
An increasing number of critically ill patients are immunocompromised. Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (ARF), chiefly due to pulmonary infection, is the leading reason for ICU admission. Identifying the cause of ARF increases the chances of survival, but may be extremely challenging, as the underlying disease, treatments, and infection combine to create complex clinical pictures. In addition, there may be more than one infectious agent, and the pulmonary manifestations may be related to both infectious and non-infectious insults. Clinically or microbiologically documented bacterial pneumonia accounts for one-third of cases of ARF in immunocompromised patients. Early antibiotic therapy is recommended but decreases the chances of identifying the causative organism(s) to about 50%. Viruses are the second most common cause of severe respiratory infections. Positive tests for a virus in respiratory samples do not necessarily indicate a role for the virus in the current acute illness. Invasive fungal infections (Aspergillus, Mucorales, and Pneumocystis jirovecii) account for about 15% of severe respiratory infections, whereas parasites rarely cause severe acute infections in immunocompromised patients. This review focuses on the diagnosis of severe respiratory infections in immunocompromised patients. Special attention is given to newly validated diagnostic tests designed to be used on non-invasive samples or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and capable of increasing the likelihood of an early etiological diagnosis.
Topics: Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Intensive Care Units; Invasive Fungal Infections; Parasitic Diseases; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Respiratory Insufficiency; Respiratory Tract Infections
PubMed: 32034433
DOI: 10.1007/s00134-019-05906-5 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2021
Topics: Animals; Disease Vectors; Evolution, Molecular; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Immune System; Parasitic Diseases
PubMed: 34367192
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.729415 -
Current Opinion in Microbiology Dec 2020
Topics: Animals; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Immunity; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases
PubMed: 33328088
DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2020.11.008 -
Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical... Aug 2020To review recent evidence on the association of urticaria and the gut diseases, focusing on the roles of chronic inflammation with or without Helicobacter pylori (H.... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
To review recent evidence on the association of urticaria and the gut diseases, focusing on the roles of chronic inflammation with or without Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) infection.
RECENT FINDINGS
The connection between the gut and urticaria has been discussed for a long time. Some publications have shown that H. pylori can induce chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Recently, it was reported that upper gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders can cause CSU and trigger exacerbations independently of H. pylori.
SUMMARY
Gastritis and especially H. pylori-induced gastritis has been implicated as potential trigger of CSU. Chronic parasite infection and inflammation of the gut are relevant comorbidities and also potential inducing factors for the development of urticaria.
Topics: Antigens, Bacterial; Antigens, Helminth; Antigens, Protozoan; Chronic Urticaria; Gastric Mucosa; Gastritis; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Helicobacter Infections; Helicobacter pylori; Humans; Intestinal Mucosa; Parasitic Diseases; Symptom Flare Up
PubMed: 32590507
DOI: 10.1097/ACI.0000000000000653 -
Turkiye Parazitolojii Dergisi Jun 2020MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as epigenetic regulators, are small non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression in eukaryotes at the post-transcriptional level to control biological... (Review)
Review
MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as epigenetic regulators, are small non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression in eukaryotes at the post-transcriptional level to control biological functions. MicroRNAs play a role in development, physiology, infection, immunity and the complex life cycles of parasites. Also, parasite infection can alter host miRNA expression that might result in either parasite clearance or infection. Over the past 20 years, thousands of miRNAs have been identified in the nematode and other parasites. Thus, miRNA pathways are potential targets for the diagnostic and therapeutic control of parasitic diseases. Here, we review the current status and potential functions of miRNAs related to protozoans, helminths, and arthropods.
Topics: Animals; Arthropods; Caenorhabditis elegans; Helminths; Humans; MicroRNAs; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases; RNA, Protozoan
PubMed: 32482043
DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2020.6776 -
Research in Veterinary Science May 2021Parasites, including helminths and protists, are pathogens responsible for waterborne and foodborne illnesses in both developed and developing countries. Their global...
Parasites, including helminths and protists, are pathogens responsible for waterborne and foodborne illnesses in both developed and developing countries. Their global incidence is difficult to estimate, but the World Health Organization (WHO) has indicated the global disease burden of 11 waterborne and foodborne parasitic diseases, is responsible for causing over 407 million illnesses resulting in an estimated of 94 K deaths and 11 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Nevertheless, compared with bacteria and viruses, parasites are often overlooked as etiological agents of foodborne or waterborne disease; this is due to a variety of reasons, including the difficulty of their identification in environmental matrices and because many have a prolonged period between infection and symptoms, making it difficult to implicate infection vehicles. This Special Issue comprises 17 articles that include the more significant waterborne and foodborne parasites of zoonotic importance due to their relevance, with all groups of parasites (protist, cestodes, trematodes, and nematodes) being represented. Each chapter covers relevant aspects regarding -the importance of the parasite in food and water, including an overview of outbreaks where relevant, information on fundamental epidemiological aspects such as transmission, lifecycle and host range, clinical aspects such as pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment, a summary of prospects for control in water or the food chain, and, finally, providing the authors' opinions regarding future research or studies required to improve control of transmission to people via food or water.
Topics: Animals; Disease Outbreaks; Food Parasitology; Foodborne Diseases; Humans; Incidence; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases, Animal; Veterinarians; Water; Zoonoses
PubMed: 33684793
DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.02.020 -
La Revue de Medecine Interne Apr 2020Infectious myositis is a rare condition that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi. Muscle pain or weakness are symptoms shared by all type of myositis.... (Review)
Review
Infectious myositis is a rare condition that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi. Muscle pain or weakness are symptoms shared by all type of myositis. Diagnosis is made on clinical presentation: fever and poor general state is found in bacterial myositis, diffuse muscle pain with flu-like symptoms in viral causes, eosinophilia and a tropical travel history can be related to parasitic etiology, and immunocompromising condition suggests fungal infection. Rhabdomyolysis, leukocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein are common. Imaging (computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging) can be useful to detect which muscle is affected. The causative organism can be identified on blood cultures, skeletal muscle biopsy, serology or any other pathogen specific test. Treatment depends on the causative organism. Open surgical or imaging-guided drainage is usually necessary in bacterial myositis.
Topics: Biopsy; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Muscle, Skeletal; Myalgia; Mycoses; Myositis; Parasitic Diseases; Rhabdomyolysis; Virus Diseases
PubMed: 32113637
DOI: 10.1016/j.revmed.2020.02.006 -
Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases Oct 2022Malaria in pregnancy continues to exert a toll on pregnant women and their offspring. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Malaria in pregnancy continues to exert a toll on pregnant women and their offspring.
RECENT FINDINGS
The burden of Plasmodium falciparum infection is especially large in Africa, and new data show lasting effects of maternal infection on the infant's neurocognitive development. Elsewhere, P. vivax infection causes relapsing infections that are challenging to prevent. Infection in first trimester of pregnancy is an area of increasing focus, and its adverse effects on pregnancy outcome are increasingly recognised. First-trimester infection is common and frequently acquired prior to conception. Although newer rapid diagnostic tests still have limited sensitivity, they may be useful in detection of early pregnancy malaria for treatment. Artemisinin-based combination therapies are efficacious in later pregnancy but have yet to be recommended in first trimester because of limited safety data. In Africa, intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) with monthly sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine improves pregnancy outcomes, but sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine resistance is worsening. The alternative, IPTp with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine, has greater antimalarial efficacy, but does not appear to improve pregnancy outcomes, because sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine has poorly understood nonmalarial benefits on birthweight.
SUMMARY
Novel IPTp regimens must be combined with interventions to strengthen protection from malaria infection acquired before and in early pregnancy.
Topics: Antimalarials; Drug Combinations; Female; Humans; Malaria; Malaria, Falciparum; Malaria, Vivax; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic; Pregnancy Outcome
PubMed: 35916532
DOI: 10.1097/QCO.0000000000000859 -
Nature Reviews. Nephrology Jun 2022Parasitic agents have been known to cause human disease since ancient times and are endemic in tropical and subtropical regions. Complications of parasitic diseases,... (Review)
Review
Parasitic agents have been known to cause human disease since ancient times and are endemic in tropical and subtropical regions. Complications of parasitic diseases, including kidney involvement, are associated with worse outcomes. Chagas disease, filariasis, leishmaniasis, malaria and schistosomiasis are important parasitic diseases that can damage the kidney. These diseases affect millions of people worldwide, primarily in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and kidney involvement is associated with increased mortality. The most common kidney complications of parasitic diseases are acute kidney injury, glomerulonephritis and tubular dysfunction. The mechanisms that underlie parasitic disease-associated kidney injury include direct parasite damage; immunological phenomena, including immune complex deposition and inflammation; and systemic manifestations such as haemolysis, haemorrhage and rhabdomyolysis. In addition, use of nephrotoxic drugs to treat parasitic infections is associated with acute kidney injury. Early diagnosis of kidney involvement and adequate management is crucial to prevent progression of kidney disease and optimize patient recovery.
Topics: Acute Kidney Injury; Humans; Kidney; Malaria; Parasitic Diseases; Schistosomiasis
PubMed: 35347315
DOI: 10.1038/s41581-022-00558-z -
The American Journal of Tropical... Jan 2024
Topics: Humans; Animals; Parasitic Diseases; Ectoparasitic Infestations; Arthropods
PubMed: 37983909
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0275