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The Lancet. Global Health Apr 2023Humanitarian emergencies can lead to population displacement, food insecurity, severe health system disruptions, and malaria epidemics among individuals who are... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Humanitarian emergencies can lead to population displacement, food insecurity, severe health system disruptions, and malaria epidemics among individuals who are immunologically naive. We aimed to assess the impact of different vector control interventions on malaria disease burden during humanitarian emergencies.
METHODS
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched ten electronic databases and two clinical trial registries from database inception to Oct 19, 2020, with no restrictions on language or study design. We also searched grey literature from 59 stakeholders. Studies were eligible if the population was affected by a humanitarian emergency in a malaria endemic region. We included studies assessing any vector control intervention and in which the primary outcome of interest was malaria infection risk. Reviewers (LAM, JF-A, KC, BP, and LP) independently extracted information from eligible studies, without masking of author or publication, into a database. We did random-effects meta-analyses to calculate pooled risk ratios (RRs) for randomised controlled trials, odds ratios (ORs) for dichotomous outcomes, and incidence rate ratios (IRR) for clinical malaria in non-randomised studies. Certainty of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42020214961.
FINDINGS
Of 12 475 studies screened, 22 studies were eligible for inclusion in our meta-analysis. All studies were conducted between Sept 1, 1989, and Dec 31, 2018, in chronic emergencies, with 616 611 participants from nine countries, evaluating seven different vector control interventions. Insecticide-treated nets significantly decreased Plasmodium falciparum incidence (RR 0·55 [95% CI 0·37-0·79]; high certainty) and Plasmodium vivax incidence (RR 0·69 [0·51-0·94]; high certainty). Evidence for an effect of indoor residual spraying on P falciparum (IRR 0·57 [95% CI 0·53-0·61]) and P vivax (IRR 0·51 [0·49-0·52]) incidence was of very low certainty. Topical repellents were associated with reductions in malaria infection (RR 0·58 [0·35-0·97]; moderate certainty). Moderate-to-high certainty evidence for an effect of insecticide-treated chaddars (equivalent to shawls or blankets) and insecticide-treated cattle on malaria outcomes was evident in some emergency settings. There was very low certainty evidence for the effect of insecticide-treated clothing.
INTERPRETATION
Study findings strengthen and support WHO policy recommendations to deploy insecticide-treated nets during chronic humanitarian emergencies. There is an urgent need to evaluate and adopt novel interventions for malaria control in the acute phase of humanitarian emergencies.
FUNDING
WHO Global Malaria Programme.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Cattle; Insecticides; Emergencies; Malaria; Malaria, Falciparum; Plasmodium falciparum
PubMed: 36925174
DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00044-X -
Journal of Vector Borne Diseases 2022Dengue virus (DENV) is an RNA virus that infects approximately 2.5 billion people around the world. The incidence of dengue fever has rapidly increased at an alarming... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES
Dengue virus (DENV) is an RNA virus that infects approximately 2.5 billion people around the world. The incidence of dengue fever has rapidly increased at an alarming rate in the last few years and has affected thousands of people in Pakistan. This review explores the prevalence, serotypes and pathogenesis of dengue virus circulating in Pakistan.
METHODS
A systematic review of observational studies published between 1994 and December 2019 was performed. All records of the confirmed outbreak of dengue fever in Pakistan were reviewed and articles containing no primary data were excluded.
RESULTS
Four identified serotypes of dengue virus (DENV 1-4) circulate in different regions of the world causing epidemics. The most prevalent serotype, which is still epidemic and dominant in Pakistan, is DENV-2. Many factors like over-population, rapid urbanization, travelling, lack of vector control in dengue endemic areas and inadequate health-care are responsible of dynamic and huge raise of dengue in Pakistan.
INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION
Currently there is no specific treatment for prevention of dengue virus. Recently some antiviral compounds were being tested to eradicate this disease. There is a need to develop an efficient and safe vaccine for all four serotypes to combat dengue viral infection globally and particularly in Pakistan.
Topics: Antiviral Agents; Dengue; Dengue Virus; Humans; Pakistan; Serogroup
PubMed: 36124476
DOI: 10.4103/0972-9062.331412 -
PloS One 2021Florida's waters are a reservoir for a host of pathogens and toxins. Many of these microorganisms cause water-related diseases in people that are reportable to the...
BACKGROUND
Florida's waters are a reservoir for a host of pathogens and toxins. Many of these microorganisms cause water-related diseases in people that are reportable to the Florida Department of Health. Our objective in this review was to ascertain which water-related pathogens and toxins of public health importance have been found in animal populations in Florida over the last twenty years.
METHODS
Nineteen databases were searched, including PubMed and Web of Science Core Collection, using keywords and search terms for the waterborne diseases, water-related vector-borne diseases, and water-based toxins reportable to the Florida Department of Health. For inclusion, peer-reviewed journal articles were to be written in English, published between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2019, and contain primary research findings documenting at least one of the water-related pathogens or toxins of interest in an animal population within Florida during this same time frame.
RESULTS
Of over eight thousand initial search results, 65 studies were included for final analysis. The most common animal types implicated in the diseases of interest included marine mammals, fish and shellfish, wild birds, and livestock. Toxins or pathogens most often associated with these animals included toxin-producer Karenia brevis, vibriosis, Escherichia coli, and Salmonellosis.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION
Findings from this review elucidate the water-related disease-causing pathogens and toxins which have been reported within animal populations in recent Florida history. As most of these diseases are zoonotic, our results suggest a One Health approach is necessary to support and maintain healthy water systems throughout the state of Florida for the protection of both human and animal populations.
Topics: Animal Population Groups; Animals; Data Management; Dinoflagellida; Florida; Public Health; Waterborne Diseases
PubMed: 34324547
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255025 -
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 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2020Machine learning techniques are widely used nowadays in the healthcare domain for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of diseases. These techniques have applications... (Review)
Review
Machine learning techniques are widely used nowadays in the healthcare domain for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of diseases. These techniques have applications in the field of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), which is a potentially curative therapy for hematological malignancies. Herein, a systematic review of the application of machine learning (ML) techniques in the HCT setting was conducted. We examined the type of data streams included, specific ML techniques used, and type of clinical outcomes measured. A systematic review of English articles using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore databases was performed. Search terms included "hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT)," "autologous HCT," "allogeneic HCT," "machine learning," and "artificial intelligence." Only full-text studies reported between January 2015 and July 2020 were included. Data were extracted by two authors using predefined data fields. Following PRISMA guidelines, a total of 242 studies were identified, of which 27 studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies were sub-categorized into three broad topics and the type of ML techniques used included ensemble learning (63%), regression (44%), Bayesian learning (30%), and support vector machine (30%). The majority of studies examined models to predict HCT outcomes (e.g., survival, relapse, graft-versus-host disease). Clinical and genetic data were the most commonly used predictors in the modeling process. Overall, this review provided a systematic review of ML techniques applied in the context of HCT. The evidence is not sufficiently robust to determine the optimal ML technique to use in the HCT setting and/or what minimal data variables are required.
Topics: Bayes Theorem; Graft vs Host Disease; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Machine Learning
PubMed: 33120974
DOI: 10.3390/s20216100 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Dec 2022Dengue is the fastest-spreading vector-borne viral disease worldwide. In Thailand, dengue is endemic and is associated with a high socioeconomic burden. A systematic...
BACKGROUND
Dengue is the fastest-spreading vector-borne viral disease worldwide. In Thailand, dengue is endemic and is associated with a high socioeconomic burden. A systematic literature review was conducted to assess and describe the epidemiological and economic burden of dengue in Thailand.
METHODS
Epidemiological and economic studies published in English and Thai between 2011-2019 and 2009-2019, respectively, were searched in MEDLINE, Embase, and Evidence-Based Medicines reviews databases. Reports published by the National Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and other grey literature sources were also reviewed. Identified studies were screened according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Extracted data were descriptively summarised and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
RESULTS
A total of 155 publications were included in the review (39 journal articles and 116 grey literature). Overall, dengue incidence varied yearly, with the highest rates per 100,000 population in 2013 (dengue fever (DF) 136.6, dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) 100.9, dengue shock syndrome (DSS) 3.58) and 2015 (DF 133.1, DHF 87.4, DSS 2.14). Peak incidence coincided with the monsoon season, and annual mortality was highest for DSS, particularly in the age group 15-24-year-olds. The highest dengue incidence rates were reported in children (10-14-year-olds) and young adults (15-24-year-olds), irrespective of dengue case definition. Economic and societal burdens are extensive, with the average cost per case ranging from USD 41 to USD 261, total cost per year estimated at USD 440.3 million, and an average of 7.6 workdays lost for DHF and 6.6 days for DF.
CONCLUSIONS
The epidemiological, economic, and societal burden of dengue in Thailand is high and underreported due to gaps in national surveillance data. The use of expansion factors (EFs) is recommended to understand the true incidence of dengue and cost-benefit of control measures. Furthermore, as dengue is often self-managed and underreported, lost school and workdays result in substantial underestimation of the true economic and societal burden of dengue. The implementation of integrated strategies, including vaccination, is critical to reduce the disease burden and may help alleviate health disparities and equity challenges posed by dengue.
Topics: Child; Young Adult; Humans; Dengue; Thailand; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Cost of Illness; Public Health
PubMed: 36534668
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010966 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2021Clinical trials evaluating the safety and antibody response of strategies to manipulate prophylactic and therapeutic immunity have been launched. We aim to evaluate... (Review)
Review
Clinical trials evaluating the safety and antibody response of strategies to manipulate prophylactic and therapeutic immunity have been launched. We aim to evaluate strategies for augmentation of host immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We searched clinical trials registered at the National Institutes of Health by 25 May 2021 and conducted analyses on inoculated populations, involved immunological processes, source of injected components, and trial phases. We then searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for their corresponding reports published by 25 May 2021. A bivariate, random-effects meta-analysis was used to derive the pooled estimate of seroconversion and adverse events (AEs). A total of 929,359 participants were enrolled in 389 identified trials. The working mechanisms included heterologous immunity, active immunity, passive immunity, and immunotherapy, with 62.4% of the trials on vaccines. A total of 9072 healthy adults from 27 publications for 22 clinical trials on active immunity implementing vaccination were included for meta-analyses. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) of seroconversion were 13.94, 84.86, 106.03, and 451.04 (all < 0.01) for vaccines based on protein, RNA, viral vector, and inactivated virus, compared with that of respective placebo/control treatment or pre-vaccination sera. The pooled ORs for safety, as defined by the inverse of systemic adverse events (AEs) were 0.53 (95% CI = 0.27-1.05; = 0.07), 0.35 (95% CI = 0.16-0.75; = 0.007), 0.32 (95% CI = 0.19-0.55; < 0.0001), and 1.00 (95% CI = 0.73-1.36; = 0.98) for vaccines based on protein, RNA, viral vector, and inactivated virus, compared with that of placebo/control treatment. A paradigm shift from all four immune-augmentative interventions to active immunity implementing vaccination was observed through clinical trials. The efficacy of immune responses to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 for these vaccines was promising, although systemic AEs were still evident for RNA-based and viral vector-based vaccines.
PubMed: 34959492
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10121537 -
Risk Management and Healthcare Policy 2022Early warning system (EWS) for vector-borne diseases is incredibly complex due to numerous factors originating from human, environmental, vector and the disease itself.... (Review)
Review
Early warning system (EWS) for vector-borne diseases is incredibly complex due to numerous factors originating from human, environmental, vector and the disease itself. Dengue EWS aims to collect data that leads to prompt decision-making processes that trigger disease intervention strategies to minimize the impact on a specific population. Dengue EWS may have a similar structural design, functions, and analytical approaches but different performance and ability to predict outbreaks. Hence, this review aims to summarise and discuss the evidence of different EWSs, their performance, and their ability to predict dengue outbreaks. A systematic literature search was performed of four primary databases: Scopus, Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE, and EBSCOhost. Eligible articles were evaluated using a checklist for assessing the quality of the studies. A total of 17 studies were included in this systematic review. All EWS models demonstrated reasonably good predictive abilities to predict dengue outbreaks. However, the accuracy of their predictions varied greatly depending on the model used and the data quality. The reported sensitivity ranged from 50 to 100%, while specificity was 74 to 94.7%. A range between 70 to 96.3% was reported for prediction model accuracy and 43 to 86% for PPV. Overall, meteorological alarm indicators (temperatures and rainfall) were the most frequently used and displayed the best performing indicator. Other potential alarm indicators are entomology (female mosquito infection rate), epidemiology, population and socioeconomic factors. EWS is an essential tool to support district health managers and national health planners to mitigate or prevent disease outbreaks. This systematic review highlights the benefits of integrating several epidemiological tools focusing on incorporating climatic, environmental, epidemiological and socioeconomic factors to create an early warning system. The early warning system relies heavily on the country surveillance system. The lack of timely and high-quality data is critical for developing an effective EWS.
PubMed: 35535237
DOI: 10.2147/RMHP.S361106 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023A number of mosquito-borne viruses (MBVs), such as dengue virus (DENV), zika virus (ZIKV), chikungunya (CHIKV), West Nile virus (WNV), and yellow fever virus (YFV) exert... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
A number of mosquito-borne viruses (MBVs), such as dengue virus (DENV), zika virus (ZIKV), chikungunya (CHIKV), West Nile virus (WNV), and yellow fever virus (YFV) exert adverse health impacts on the global population. and are the prime vectors responsible for the transmission of these viruses. The viruses have acquired a number of routes for successful transmission, including horizontal and vertical transmission. Transovarial transmission is a subset/type of vertical transmission adopted by mosquitoes for the transmission of viruses from females to their offspring through eggs/ovaries. It provides a mechanism for these MBVs to persist and maintain their lineage during adverse climatic conditions of extremely hot and cold temperatures, during the dry season, or in the absence of susceptible vertebrate host when horizontal transmission is not possible.
METHODS
The publications discussed in this systematic review were searched for using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, and websites such as those of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, using the search terms "transovarial transmission" and "mosquito-borne viruses" from 16 May 2023 to 20 September 2023.
RESULTS
A total of 2,391 articles were searched, of which 123 were chosen for full text evaluation, and 60 were then included in the study after screening and removing duplicates.
CONCLUSION
The present systematic review focuses on understanding the above diseases, their pathogenesis, epidemiology and host-parasite interactions. The factors affecting transovarial transmission, potential implications, mosquito antiviral defense mechanism, and the control strategies for these mosquito-borne viral diseases (MBVDs) are also be included in this review.
Topics: Animals; Female; Humans; Aedes; Mosquito Vectors; Mosquito-Borne Diseases
PubMed: 38235494
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1304938 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Oct 2022International travel, a major risk factor for imported malaria, has emerged as an important challenge in sustaining malaria elimination and prevention of its...
International travel, a major risk factor for imported malaria, has emerged as an important challenge in sustaining malaria elimination and prevention of its reestablishment. To make travel and trade safe, the WHO adopted the International Health Regulations (IHR) which provides a legal framework for the prevention, detection, and containment of public health risks at source. We conducted a systematic review to assess the relevance and the extent of implementation of IHR practices that can play a role in reducing malaria transmission. Selected studies addressed control, elimination, and prevention of reestablishment of malaria. Study themes focused on appraisal of surveillance and response, updating national policies to facilitate malaria control and elimination, travel as a risk factor for malaria and risk mitigation methods, vector control, transfusion malaria, competing interests, malaria in border areas, and other challenges posed by emerging communicable diseases on malaria control and elimination efforts. Review results indicate that malaria has not been prioritized as part of the IHR nor has the IHR focused on vector-borne diseases such as malaria. The IHR framework in its current format can be applied to malaria and other vector-borne diseases to strengthen surveillance and response, overcome challenges at borders, and improve data sharing-especially among countries moving toward elimination-but additional guidelines are required. Application of the IHR in countries in the malaria control phase may not be effective until the disease burden is brought down to elimination levels. Considering existing global elimination goals, the application of IHR for malaria should be urgently reviewed and included as part of the IHR.
Topics: Disease Outbreaks; Global Health; Humans; International Health Regulations; Malaria; Public Health; Travel
PubMed: 36067989
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0038