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Parasites & Vectors Jul 2023Eucoleus aerophilus (syn. Capillaria aerophila) is a nematode with a worldwide geographical distribution. It causes a disease called lung capillariosis by affecting the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Eucoleus aerophilus (syn. Capillaria aerophila) is a nematode with a worldwide geographical distribution. It causes a disease called lung capillariosis by affecting the respiratory tract of wild and domestic animals, and has also occasionally been described in humans. Despite steady increases in knowledge of the morphology of this neglected parasite, many aspects are still poorly understood. Epidemiological data regarding, for example, geographic distribution, range of hosts, clinical relevance and the actual zoonotic potential of this nematode are scarce and incomplete.
METHODS
This article is a systematic review based on the screening of three databases (PubMed, Web of Science and Science Direct) to identify eligible studies published from 1973 to the end of 2022.
RESULTS
From a total of 606 studies describing the occurrence of E. aerophilus, 141 articles from 38 countries worldwide were included in this meta-analysis, all of which presented results obtained mainly with flotation and necropsy. Due to the occurrence of E. aerophilus in many different species and different matrices (lungs and faeces), we decided to conduct the meta-analysis separately for each species with a given matrix. This systematic review confirmed the status of the Red fox as the main reservoir and main transmitter of E. aerophilus (average prevalence of 43% in faeces and 49% in lungs) and provided evidence of a higher prevalence of E. aerophilus in wild animals in comparison to domestic animals, such as dogs (3% in faeces) and cats (2% in faeces and 8% in lungs). Previous studies have investigated many host-related factors (age, sex, environmental/living conditions) in relation to the prevalence of E. aerophilus, but they show wide variations and no simple relationship has been demonstrates. Furthermore, mixed infections with other pulmonary nematodes, such as Crenosoma vulpis and/or Angiostrongylus vasorum, are reported very frequently, which greatly complicates the diagnosis.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review focused on identifying data gaps and promoting future research directions in this area. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review that evaluates and summarizes existing knowledge on the occurrence and prevalence of E. aerophilus in wild and domestic animals originating from different geographical locations worldwide.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Cats; Humans; Nematode Infections; Animals, Domestic; Animals, Wild; Lung; Metastrongyloidea; Foxes
PubMed: 37475031
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05830-0 -
BioMed Research International 2020is an intestinal parasitic infection mainly caused by . Although it is a predominant parasite in tropics and subtropics where sanitation and hygiene are poorly... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
is an intestinal parasitic infection mainly caused by . Although it is a predominant parasite in tropics and subtropics where sanitation and hygiene are poorly practiced, the true prevalence of s is not known due to low-sensitivity diagnostic methods.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review and meta-analysis is aimed at determining the pooled prevalence of s in African countries, stratified by diagnostic methods, study settings, and patients.
METHODS
Cross-sectional studies on strongyloidiasis published in African countries from the year 2008 up to 2018 in PubMed and Google Scholar databases and which reported at least one spp. infection were included. Identification and screening of eligible articles were also done. Articles whose focus was on in animals, soil, and foreigners infected by spp. in Africa were excluded. The random effects model was used to calculate the pooled prevalence of s across African countries as well as by diagnostic methods and study settings. The heterogeneity between studies was also computed.
RESULT
A total of 82 studies were included. The overall pooled prevalence of s was 2.7%. By individual techniques, the pooled prevalence of strongyloidiasis was 0.4%, 1.0%, 3.4%, 9.3%, 9.6%, and 19.4% by the respective direct saline microscopy, Kato-Katz, formol ether concentration, polymerase chain reaction, Baermann concentration, and culture diagnostic techniques. The prevalence rates of strongyloidiasis among rural community, school, and health institution studies were 6.8%, 6.4%, and 0.9%, respectively. The variation on the effect size comparing African countries, diagnostic methods, study settings, and patients was significant ( ≤ 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
This review shows that strongyloidiasis is overlooked and its prevalence is estimated to be low in Africa due to the use of diagnostic methods with low sensitivity. Therefore, there is a need for using a combination of appropriate diagnostic methods to approach the actual rates in Africa.
Topics: Africa; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Humans; Prevalence; Publications; Strongyloidiasis
PubMed: 33274200
DOI: 10.1155/2020/2868564 -
Molecular Microbiology May 2021Trypanosoma and Leishmania parasites cause devastating tropical diseases resulting in serious global health consequences. These organisms have complex life cycles with...
Trypanosoma and Leishmania parasites cause devastating tropical diseases resulting in serious global health consequences. These organisms have complex life cycles with mammalian hosts and insect vectors. The parasites must, therefore, survive in different environments, demanding rapid physiological and metabolic changes. These responses depend upon regulation of gene expression, which primarily occurs posttranscriptionally. Altering the composition or conformation of RNA through nucleotide modifications is one posttranscriptional mechanism of regulating RNA fate and function, and modifications including N6-methyladenosine (m6A), N1-methyladenosine (m1A), N5-methylcytidine (m5C), N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C), and pseudouridine (Ψ), dynamically regulate RNA stability and translation in diverse organisms. Little is known about RNA modifications and their machinery in Trypanosomatids, but we hypothesize that they regulate parasite gene expression and are vital for survival. Here, we identified Trypanosomatid homologs for writers of m1A, m5C, ac4C, and Ψ and analyze their evolutionary relationships. We systematically review the evidence for their functions and assess their potential use as therapeutic targets. This work provides new insights into the roles of these proteins in Trypanosomatid parasite biology and treatment of the diseases they cause and illustrates that Trypanosomatids provide an excellent model system to study RNA modifications, their molecular, cellular, and biological consequences, and their regulation and interplay.
Topics: Animals; Epigenomics; Humans; Protozoan Proteins; RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; RNA, Protozoan; Transcriptome; Trypanosoma; Trypanosomiasis
PubMed: 33513291
DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14688 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2022Toxocariasis, a neglected parasitic zoonosis with worldwide distribution, has been reportedly associated to different risk factors in several epidemiological and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Toxocariasis, a neglected parasitic zoonosis with worldwide distribution, has been reportedly associated to different risk factors in several epidemiological and meta-analysis studies. However, dog and cat contact (environmental and animal exposure) as isolated associated risk factor for children and adults remains to be fully established. Accordingly, the present meta-analysis has aimed to directly assess dog and cat contact for toxocariasis seropositivity in under-18 and adult persons, using a survey strategy of PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus and Scielo Databases, from January 2009 to December 2021. A meta-analysis model of random effects was applied to estimate (OR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI). The statistical heterogeneity was evaluated by the Cochran Q-Test and values. A total of 41 transversal studies ( = 20.515 individuals) from different geographic regions (classified by the World Health Organization) were included herein. In overall, 1,882/13,496 (13.95%; 95% IC = 13.4-14.5) youngers and 513/7.019 (7.3%; 95% CI = 6.7-7.9) adults in contact with dogs or cats were serologically reagent for anti- antibodies. Association of dog and cat contact was observed only in youngers, with both dogs (OR = 1.53; < 0.0001) and cats (OR = 1.64; = 0.0001). In addition, association of dog and contact and serology was statistically significant in populations of Americas (OR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.1-1.7), Middle East (OR = 2.9; 95% CI = 1.6-5.1) and West Pacific (OR = 1.6; 95% IC = 1.3-1.9). In conclusion, contact with dogs and cats, particularly by younger individuals and in regions such as Americas, Middle East, and West Pacific, should be always a public health concern for toxocariasis. Moreover, dogs and cats should be periodically dewormed, washed and hair cleaned prior to contact with youngers. Finally, robust statistical results herein may serve as basis for future strategies and preventive measures for safer dog and cat contact.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Child; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Humans; Risk Factors; Toxocara; Toxocariasis; United States
PubMed: 35836995
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.854468 -
Journal of Medical Entomology Nov 2021Tick-borne diseases are a growing problem in many parts of the world, and their surveillance and control touch on challenging issues in medical entomology, agricultural...
Tick-borne diseases are a growing problem in many parts of the world, and their surveillance and control touch on challenging issues in medical entomology, agricultural health, veterinary medicine, and biosecurity. Spatial approaches can be used to synthesize the data generated by integrative One Health surveillance systems, and help stakeholders, managers, and medical geographers understand the current and future distribution of risk. Here, we performed a systematic review of over 8,000 studies and identified a total of 303 scientific publications that map tick-borne diseases using data on vectors, pathogens, and hosts (including wildlife, livestock, and human cases). We find that the field is growing rapidly, with the major Ixodes-borne diseases (Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis in particular) giving way to monitoring efforts that encompass a broader range of threats. We find a tremendous diversity of methods used to map tick-borne disease, but also find major gaps: data on the enzootic cycle of tick-borne pathogens is severely underutilized, and mapping efforts are mostly limited to Europe and North America. We suggest that future work can readily apply available methods to track the distributions of tick-borne diseases in Africa and Asia, following a One Health approach that combines medical and veterinary surveillance for maximum impact.
Topics: Animals; Arachnid Vectors; Geography; Prevalence; Tick-Borne Diseases
PubMed: 34027972
DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab086 -
Viruses Jul 2022There are at least five common mosquito-borne viruses (MBVs) recorded in Egypt, including dengue virus (DENV), Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), West Nile virus (WNV),... (Review)
Review
There are at least five common mosquito-borne viruses (MBVs) recorded in Egypt, including dengue virus (DENV), Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), West Nile virus (WNV), Chikungunya virus, and Sindbis virus. Unexpected outbreaks caused by MBVs reflect the deficiencies of the MBV surveillance system in Egypt. This systematic review characterized the epidemiology of MBV prevalence in Egypt. Human, animal, and vector prevalence studies on MBVs in Egypt were retrieved from Web of Science, PubMed, and Bing Scholar, and 33 eligible studies were included for further analyses. The monophyletic characterization of the RVFV and WNV strains found in Egypt, which spans about half a century, suggests that both RVFV and WNV are widely transmitted in this nation. Moreover, the seropositive rates of DENV and WNV in hosts were on the rise in recent years, and spillover events of DENV and WNV to other countries from Egypt have been recorded. The common drawback for surveillance of MBVs in Egypt is the lack of seroprevalence studies on MBVs, especially in this century. It is necessary to evaluate endemic transmission risk, establish an early warning system for MBVs, and develop a sound joint system for medical care and public health for managing MBVs in Egypt.
Topics: Animals; Culicidae; Egypt; Humans; Rift Valley fever virus; Seroepidemiologic Studies; West Nile Fever; West Nile virus
PubMed: 35891557
DOI: 10.3390/v14071577 -
Malaria Journal Jun 2023Predicting the risk of malaria in countries certified malaria-free is crucial for the prevention of re-introduction. This review aimed to identify and describe existing... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Predicting the risk of malaria in countries certified malaria-free is crucial for the prevention of re-introduction. This review aimed to identify and describe existing prediction models for malaria re-introduction risk in eliminated settings.
METHODS
A systematic literature search following the PRISMA guidelines was carried out. Studies that developed or validated a malaria risk prediction model in eliminated settings were included. At least two authors independently extracted data using a pre-defined checklist developed by experts in the field. The risk of bias was assessed using both the prediction model risk of bias assessment tool (PROBAST) and the adapted Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (aNOS).
RESULTS
A total 10,075 references were screened and 10 articles describing 11 malaria re-introduction risk prediction models in 6 countries certified malaria free. Three-fifths of the included prediction models were developed for the European region. Identified parameters predicting malaria re-introduction risk included environmental and meteorological, vectorial, population migration, and surveillance and response related factors. Substantial heterogeneity in predictors was observed among the models. All studies were rated at a high risk of bias by PROBAST, mostly because of a lack of internal and external validation of the models. Some studies were rated at a low risk of bias by the aNOS scale.
CONCLUSIONS
Malaria re-introduction risk remains substantial in many countries that have eliminated malaria. Multiple factors were identified which could predict malaria risk in eliminated settings. Although the population movement is well acknowledged as a risk factor associated with the malaria re-introduction risk in eliminated settings, it is not frequently incorporated in the risk prediction models. This review indicated that the proposed models were generally poorly validated. Therefore, future emphasis should be first placed on the validation of existing models.
Topics: Humans; Malaria; Risk Factors; Risk Assessment; Prognosis
PubMed: 37280626
DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04604-4 -
Archives of Public Health = Archives... Aug 2022In Ethiopia, there are primary studies on adolescent anemia with imprecise and inconclusive findings. Besides, there was no meta-analysis pooled the magnitude and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
In Ethiopia, there are primary studies on adolescent anemia with imprecise and inconclusive findings. Besides, there was no meta-analysis pooled the magnitude and associated factors of anemia among adolescent girls in Ethiopia. Estimating the pooled magnitude and associated factors of anemia among adolescent girls is helpful for evidence-based interventions in Ethiopia.
METHODS
The authors used a preferred reporting item for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA). We included articles and survey reports published until May 2021 using searching engines of Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. To assess the quality of studies, we used Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale for non-randomized. Two authors independently assessed the quality of the studies. We computed the pool magnitude and odds ratio of the associated factors with their 95%CI using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. Publication bias assessed using funnel plots and Egger's test.
RESULT
In this review, we included a total of 15 studies with 9,669 adolescent girls. Using the random-effects model, the pooled magnitude of anemia among the Ethiopian adolescent girls was 19.1% (95%CI: 16.1%, 24.6%). The associated factors were attained menarche (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.96), ≥ 5 days of blood flow during menses (AOR = 6.21), food insecurity (AOR = 1.48), inadequate diet diversity score (AOR = 2.81), presence of intestinal parasite (AOR = 3.51), low body mass index (AOR = 2.49), and rural residence (AOR = 1.79).
CONCLUSION
The pooled magnitude of anemia among adolescent girls in Ethiopia was 19.1% depicting a mild public health problem; while attained menarche, ≥ 5 days' blood flow during menses, food insecurity, inadequate diet diversity score, intestinal parasites, low body mass index, and rural residence were the associated factors. Hence, addressing health and nutrition wellness of adolescent girls should be center of concern in health, nutrition, agriculture, research, strategies and policies in Ethiopia.
PubMed: 35953868
DOI: 10.1186/s13690-022-00942-y -
Epidemiology of Toxoplasmosis among the Pakistani Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2022Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular obligate parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic infection that affects warm-blooded animals and humans worldwide. To... (Review)
Review
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular obligate parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic infection that affects warm-blooded animals and humans worldwide. To comprehensively characterize the disease condition in Pakistan for future reference, we ascertained the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection and predisposing factors in the Pakistani population over a 20-year period. We systematically reviewed research articles published in English (2000−2020) from PubMed and Google Scholar. The search results 26 publications involving 10,924 people and 2611 seropositive cases. The toxoplasmosis seropositivity rate was higher in women (25.44%) as compared to men (21.48%) and were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Furthermore, seropositivity was high among people with direct contact with cats, who consumed uncooked meat and raw vegetables, had poor education, and lived in rural areas. The 35−65-year age group had the highest prevalence rate of T. gondii infection. Toxoplasma infection was significantly more prevalent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (25.87%) than in Punjab (20.42%) (p < 0.001). This is the first comprehensive analysis of T. gondii infection epidemiology in Pakistan. It reveals a high frequency of infection among women. We strongly encourage further research to aid patient care and the development of more efficient diagnostic tests and preventative techniques.
PubMed: 35745528
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11060675 -
European Journal of Pharmaceutical... Apr 2023Malaria poses a severe public health risk and a significant economic burden in disease-endemic countries. One of the most severe issues in malaria control is the... (Review)
Review
Malaria poses a severe public health risk and a significant economic burden in disease-endemic countries. One of the most severe issues in malaria control is the development of drug resistance in malaria parasites. The standard treatment for malaria is artemisinin-combination therapy (ACT). Nevertheless, the Plasmodium parasite's extensive resistance to prior drugs and reduced ACT efficiency necessitates novel drug discovery. The progress in discovering novel, affordable, and effective antimalarial agents is significant in combating drug resistance, and the hybrid drug concept can be used to covalently link two or more active pharmacophores that may act on multiple targets. Pyrazole and pyrazoline derivatives are considered pharmacologically necessary active heterocyclic scaffolds that possess almost all types of pharmacological activities. This review summarized recent progress in antimalarial activities of synthesized pyrazole and pyrazoline derivatives. The studies published since 2000 are included in this systematic review. This review is anticipated to be beneficial for future study and new ideas in searching for rational development strategies for more effective pyrazole and pyrazoline derivatives as antimalarial drugs.
Topics: Humans; Antimalarials; Malaria; Pyrazoles; Drug Resistance; Folic Acid Antagonists; Plasmodium falciparum
PubMed: 36563914
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2022.106365