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Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2023Mucormycosis is a rare, opportunistic, and emerging fungal infection that can rapidly develop into a severe, highly fatal clinical picture. In most cases, it is caused... (Review)
Review
Mucormycosis is a rare, opportunistic, and emerging fungal infection that can rapidly develop into a severe, highly fatal clinical picture. In most cases, it is caused by fungi of the order Mucorales, which are usually avirulent but become pathogenic when the host's immune system is compromised. This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. The databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. We chose articles that analyzed the oral manifestations of patients with mucormycosis, were published between 2018 and 2023, and met our search terms. The risk of bias in the articles was assessed using the CARE guideline for case reports and STROBE for a cross-sectional study. After the selection process, 20 articles were included in this review, all containing information about the different oral manifestations presented by people with mucormycosis. The most common oral manifestations are mainly bone exposures and oral ulcers, halitosis, pus discharge, gingival thickening, and periodontitis. However, despite the importance of recognizing these oral manifestations in the early stages of mucormycotic infection, providing early treatment, and reducing the high mortality rate of the infection, more studies are needed.
PubMed: 37755045
DOI: 10.3390/jof9090935 -
Inflammatory Intestinal Diseases Jun 2020To report a case of a female patient with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and to systematically review the available cases of the association between HLH and... (Review)
Review
AIM
To report a case of a female patient with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and to systematically review the available cases of the association between HLH and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
METHODS
In accordance to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines, retrieval of studies was based on Medical Subject Headings and Health Sciences Descriptors, which were combined using Boolean operators. Searches were run on the electronic databases Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE (PubMed), Biblioteca Regional de Medicina, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, Cochrane Library for Systematic Reviews and Opengrey.eu. Languages were restricted to English, Spanish and Portuguese. There was no date of publication restrictions. The reference lists of the studies retrieved were searched manually.
RESULTS
The search strategy retrieved 223 references. In the final analysis, 28 references were included, with the report of 35 cases. The most common clinical finding was fever, 57% of patients had a cytomegalovirus infection and 30 patients were on thiopurines previously to HLH diagnosis. Most patients were treated with steroids and antiviral therapy. All-cause mortality was 22%.
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest that there might be a connection of HLH to IBD, opportunistic viral infections and the use of thiopurines. Due to the severity of such disease, the clinical suspicion is paramount to early diagnosis and therapy.
PubMed: 32596254
DOI: 10.1159/000506514 -
Health Science Reports Feb 2023Alteration in humans' gut microbiota was reported in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The gut and upper respiratory...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Alteration in humans' gut microbiota was reported in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The gut and upper respiratory tract (URT) microbiota harbor a dynamic and complex population of microorganisms and have strong interaction with host immune system homeostasis. However, our knowledge about microbiota and its association with SARS-CoV-2 is still limited. We aimed to systematically review the effects of gut microbiota on the SARS-CoV-2 infection and its severity and the impact that SARS-CoV-2 could have on the gut microbiota.
METHODS
We searched the keywords in the online databases of Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane on December 31, 2021. After duplicate removal, we performed the screening process in two stages; title/abstract and then full-text screening. The data of the eligible studies were extracted into a pre-designed word table. This study adhered to the PRISMA checklist and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale Bias Assessment tool.
RESULTS
Sixty-three publications were included in this review. Our study shows that among COVID-19 patients, particularly moderate to severe cases, the gut and lung microbiota was different compared to healthy individuals. In addition, the severity, and viral load of COVID-19 disease would probably also be influenced by the gut, and lung microbiota's composition.
CONCLUSION
Our study concludes that there was a significant difference in the composition of the URT, and gut microbiota in COVID-19 patients compared to the general healthy individuals, with an increase in opportunistic pathogens. Further, research is needed to investigate the probable bidirectional association of COVID-19 and human microbiome.
PubMed: 36721396
DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1080 -
Journal of Infection in Developing... Jun 2023Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) causes various diseases in different age groups. Neurological manifestations of HIV are common and add to morbidity and... (Review)
Review
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) causes various diseases in different age groups. Neurological manifestations of HIV are common and add to morbidity and mortality. It was previously thought that the central nervous system (CNS) was involved only in the advanced stages of the disease. However, recent evidence supports pathological involvement of the CNS from initial viral entry. Some of the CNS manifestations in children share similarities to neurologic disorders of HIV-infected adult patients, while others are unique to the pediatric population. Many HIV-related neurologic complications seen in adults are rarely encountered in children with AIDS and vice versa. However, with recent advances in the treatment, more HIV-infected children are surviving into adulthood. A systematic review of the available literature was performed to study the manifestations, causes, outcomes, and treatment of primary neurologic disorders in children with HIV. Online databases (Ovid Medline, Embase and PubMed), websites from the World Health Organization, commercial search engines, including Google, and chapters on HIV in standard textbooks of pediatrics and medicine were reviewed. HIV-associated neurological syndromes can be classified into four types: primary HIV neurological diseases, treatment-related neurological diseases, adverse neurological effects of antiretroviral therapy and secondary/opportunistic neurological illness. These conditions are not mutually exclusive and may co-exist in a given patient. This narrative review will focus mainly on the primary neurological manifestations of HIV in children.
Topics: Child; Humans; HIV Infections; HIV-1; Nervous System Diseases
PubMed: 37406063
DOI: 10.3855/jidc.17645 -
Porto Biomedical Journal 2021Enterococci are opportunistic pathogens and are one of the most important bacteria in hospital-acquired infections. Their resistance to antibiotics such as vancomycin... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Enterococci are opportunistic pathogens and are one of the most important bacteria in hospital-acquired infections. Their resistance to antibiotics such as vancomycin has led to life-threatening and difficult-to-treat nosocomial infections. The true prevalence in clinical settings in Nigeria is not well known due to the lack of a comprehensive antibiotic surveillance system. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in clinical infections in Nigeria.
METHODS
Databases (PubMed, , and Google scholar) were searched following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 statements for articles reporting VRE prevalence, and were published before August 5, 2020. Data from the studies were extracted and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA 3.0), respectively. The pooled prevalence of VRE was estimated with the random-effects model and the 95% confidence interval (CI). The heterogeneity level was assessed using Cochran Q and tests.
RESULTS
A total of 35 articles were scanned for eligibility, among which 7 were included in the study after fulfilling the eligibility criteria. The studies analyzed a total of 832 enterococci isolates and 90 VRE strains. The prevalence of and in this study are 361 (59.3%) and 248 (40.7%), respectively, among which 41 (63.1%) of the and 24 (36.9%) of the were vancomycin resistant. The pooled prevalence of VRE was estimated at (95% CI; 10.0-53.9%; = 93.50%; < .001). The highest prevalence of VRE was reported from western Nigeria, 14.6% (95% CI; = 97.27; < .001).
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of VRE in Nigeria according to the reports from this study is relatively high. The report of this study should help policymakers to put in place measures that will help curb the spread of VRE and associated resistant genes to other important clinical pathogens like .
PubMed: 33884321
DOI: 10.1097/j.pbj.0000000000000125 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022Anti-interferon-γ autoantibody (AIGA) positivity is an emerging immunodeficiency syndrome closely associated with intracellular infection in individuals without human...
BACKGROUND
Anti-interferon-γ autoantibody (AIGA) positivity is an emerging immunodeficiency syndrome closely associated with intracellular infection in individuals without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, the information on epidemiology, pathogen spectrum, and immunotherapy among these patients lack a systematic description of large data.
METHODS
This systematic literature review and multicenter retrospective study aimed to describe the pathogen spectrum and review treatment strategies among patients with AIGA positivity.
RESULTS
We included 810 HIV-negative patients with AIGA positivity infected with one or more intracellular pathogens. Excluding four teenagers, all the patients were adults. The most common pathogen was nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) (676/810, 83.5%). A total of 765 NTM isolates were identified in 676 patients with NTM, including 342 (44.7%) rapid-grower mycobacteria, 273 (35.7%) slow-grower mycobacteria, and 150 (19.6%) unidentified NTM subtype. Even with long-term and intensive antimicrobial treatments, 42.6% of patients with AIGA positivity had recurrence and/or persistent infection. Sixty-seven patients underwent immunoregulatory or immunosuppressive therapy, and most (60) achieved remission. The most common treatment strategy was rituximab (27/67, 40.3%) and cyclophosphamide (22/67, 32.8%), followed by cyclophosphamide combined with glucocorticoids (8/67, 11.9%).
CONCLUSIONS
Intracellular pathogen was the most common infection in patients with AIGA positivity. The predominant infection phenotypes were NTM, varicella-zoster virus, , and spp., with or without other opportunistic infections. AIGA immunotherapy, including rituximab or cyclophosphamide, has yielded good preliminary results in some cases.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Adolescent; Retrospective Studies; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous; Autoantibodies; Rituximab; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria; Immunotherapy; Cyclophosphamide; HIV Infections; Multicenter Studies as Topic
PubMed: 36569827
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1051673 -
Journal of Clinical Immunology Oct 2023Anti-interferon gamma antibody (AIGA) is a rare cause of adult onset immunodeficiency, leading to severe disseminated opportunistic infections with varying outcomes. We...
PURPOSE
Anti-interferon gamma antibody (AIGA) is a rare cause of adult onset immunodeficiency, leading to severe disseminated opportunistic infections with varying outcomes. We aimed to summarize the disease characteristics and to explore factors associated with disease outcome.
METHODS
A systematic literature review of AIGA associated disease was conducted. Serum-positive cases with detailed clinical presentations, treatment protocols, and outcomes were included. The patients were categorized into controlled and uncontrolled groups based on their documented clinical outcome. Factors associated with disease outcome were analyzed with logistic regression models.
RESULTS
A total of 195 AIGA patients were retrospectively analyzed, with 119(61.0%) having controlled disease and 76 (39.0%) having uncontrolled disease. The median time to diagnosis and disease course were 12 months and 28 months, respectively. A total of 358 pathogens have been reported with nontubercular mycobacterium (NTM) and Talaromyces marneffei as the most common pathogens. The recurrence rate was as high as 56.0%. The effective rates of antibiotics alone, antibiotics with rituximab, and antibiotics with cyclophosphamide were 40.5%, 73.5%, and 75%, respectively. In the multivariate logistic analysis, skin involvement, NTM infection, and recurrent infections remained significantly associated with disease control, with ORs of 3.25 (95% CI 1.187 ~ 8.909, P value = 0.022), 4.74 (95% CI 1.300 ~ 17.30, P value = 0.018), and 0.22 (95% CI 0.086 ~ 0.551, P value = 0.001), respectively. The patients with disease control had significant AIGA titer reduction.
CONCLUSIONS
AIGA could cause severe opportunistic infections with unsatisfactory control, particularly in patients with recurrent infections. Efforts should be made to closely monitor the disease and regulate the immune system.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous; Retrospective Studies; Reinfection; Autoantibodies; Interferon-gamma; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; Opportunistic Infections; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 37365453
DOI: 10.1007/s10875-023-01537-0 -
New Microbes and New Infections Jan 2021Members of the genus are filamentous, Gram-positive, aerobic bacteria and exist ubiquitously in most environments. In 2001, the species was first isolated, and it... (Review)
Review
Members of the genus are filamentous, Gram-positive, aerobic bacteria and exist ubiquitously in most environments. In 2001, the species was first isolated, and it predominantly causes pulmonary infections in immunocompromised hosts. We present the first report of a soft-tissue abscess caused by in a 59-year-old woman being treated for chronic cutaneous graft-versus-host disease. After failing to improve with empirical treatment, two incision and drainage procedures were required. She subsequently completed a 1-year course of oral antibiotic therapy consisting of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole then azithromycin. No relapse occurred over the next 5 years of follow up. To better characterize infections, we performed a systematic literature review and summarized all previously reported cases. Overall, the rising prevalence of immunocompromising conditions warrants increased vigilance for infections caused by atypical or opportunistic pathogens.
PubMed: 33456780
DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2020.100833 -
Cureus Mar 2022Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is one of the most commonly occurring types of leukemia among the elderly population, contributing to an increased vulnerability to... (Review)
Review
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is one of the most commonly occurring types of leukemia among the elderly population, contributing to an increased vulnerability to infections that are especially prolific in the immunosuppressed and the risk of rapid progression of the disease into a more aggressive manifestation of large cell lymphoma, a process called Richter's Transformation (RT). CLL alone predisposes patients to develop infections; however, the additional complication of RT decreases survival and makes the prevention and control of infection for the CLL patient even more challenging. However, research that exists on preventing and controlling infection in CLL patients with RT is relatively limited. In most cases, studies have focused on the prevention of infection in CLL patients in general and with no reference to the progression of RT. Considering the dearth of research on infection prevention and control for patients with CLL complicated by RT specifically, the following review examines existing research in addressing the prevention and control of infection in CLL patients with RT and patients in general. The authors explored multiple databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. The ultimate focus of this study was to lay a fundamental understanding in preventing and controlling infection in CLL patients. After analyzing several studies, it can be concluded that identifying infections, even if rare, is a crucial aspect of managing CLL patients. A broad range of differential diagnoses should be sought in cases presenting with refractory CLL as well and management of infections before, during, or after CLL treatment should be considered.
PubMed: 35281586
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.22927 -
Indian Journal of Dermatology 2023is an important causative organism of opportunistic fungal infection, and it is a growing medical concern due to the increasing usage of broad-spectrum antibiotics,... (Review)
Review
is an important causative organism of opportunistic fungal infection, and it is a growing medical concern due to the increasing usage of broad-spectrum antibiotics, immunosuppressant agents, and other immunocompromising conditions. Currently, bLf and antifungal drugs have been known to have synergistic effects, increasing the drug's efficacy. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of the synergistic effect of bLf and antifungal drugs. This review addressed the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. We conducted literature searches to assess the association of lactoferrin and current antifungal therapy against in ProQuest, PubMed, MEDLINE, EBSCOhost, SAGE, JSTOR, GARUDA, and Open Gray with no date restriction (until March 5, 2021). We used Jeffry's Amazing Statistical Program (JASP) to measure the overall size effect of MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) between studies. A total of 7 studies retained were experimental in vitro studies. Based on the available data, 4 out of 7 studies were included in the quantitative analysis. This systematic review showed that bovine lactoferrin could help inhibit the development of azole-susceptible and azole-resistant . Furthermore, there was synergistic activity between lactoferrin and various antifungals. Our meta-analysis showed that lactoferrin could significantly inhibit the growth than the control group. Bovine lactoferrin and its peptide derivatives isolated from bovine milk can significantly inhibit the growth of , both susceptible to azoles and those with azole resistance.
PubMed: 38371540
DOI: 10.4103/ijd.ijd_275_22