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Parasite Immunology Sep 2022Vaccination has potential to eliminate infectious diseases. However, parasitic infections such as helminths may hinder vaccines from providing optimal protection. We... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Vaccination has potential to eliminate infectious diseases. However, parasitic infections such as helminths may hinder vaccines from providing optimal protection. We reviewed existing literature on the effects of helminth infections and their treatment on vaccine responses in humans and animals. We searched literature until 31 January 2022 in Medline, EMBASE, Global health, Scopus, and Web of science; search terms included WHO licensed vaccines and human helminth types. Standardized mean differences (SMD) in vaccine responses between helminth infected and uninfected or anthelminthic treated and untreated individuals were obtained from each study with suitable data for meta-analysis, and combined using a random effects model. Analysis was stratified by whether helminth exposure was direct or prenatal and by vaccine type. This study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019123074). Of the 4402 articles identified, 37 were included in the review of human studies and 24 for animal experiments. For human studies, regardless of vaccine type, overall SMD for helminth uninfected/treated, compared to infected/untreated, was 0.56 (95% CI 0.04-1.07 and I = 93.5%) for direct helminth exposure and 0.01 (95% CI -0.04 to 0.07 and I = 85.9%) for prenatal helminth exposure. Effects of anthelminthic treatment were inconsistent, with no overall benefit shown. Results differed by vaccine type, with responses to live vaccines most affected by helminth exposure. For animal studies, the most affected vaccine was BCG. This result indicates that helminth-associated impairment of vaccine responses is more severe for direct, than for prenatal, helminth exposure. Further research is needed to ascertain whether deworming of individuals before vaccination may help improve responses.
Topics: Animals; Anthelmintics; Female; Helminthiasis; Helminths; Humans; Pregnancy; Vaccination; Vaccines
PubMed: 35712983
DOI: 10.1111/pim.12939 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Dec 2023Cutaneous (CL) and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) are parasitic diseases caused by parasites of the genus leishmania leading to stigma caused by disfigurations. This...
BACKGROUND
Cutaneous (CL) and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) are parasitic diseases caused by parasites of the genus leishmania leading to stigma caused by disfigurations. This study aimed to systematically review the dimensions, measurement methods, implications, and potential interventions done to reduce the CL- and MCL- associated stigma, synthesising the current evidence according to an accepted stigma framework.
METHODS
This systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (ID- CRD42021274925). The eligibility criteria included primary articles discussing stigma associated with CL and MCL published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese up to January 2023. An electronic search was conducted in Medline, Embase, Scopus, PubMed, EBSCO, Web of Science, Global Index Medicus, Trip, and Cochrane Library. The mixed methods appraisal tool (MMAT) was used for quality checking. A narrative synthesis was conducted to summarise the findings.
RESULTS
A total of 16 studies were included. The studies report the cognitive, affective, and behavioural reactions associated with public stigma. Cognitive reactions included misbeliefs about the disease transmission and treatment, and death. Affective reactions encompass emotions like disgust and shame, often triggered by the presence of scars. Behavioural reactions included avoidance, discrimination, rejection, mockery, and disruptions of interpersonal relationships. The review also highlights self-stigma manifestations, including enacted, internalised, and felt stigma. Enacted stigma manifested as barriers to forming proper interpersonal relationships, avoidance, isolation, and perceiving CL lesions/scars as marks of shame. Felt stigma led to experiences of marginalisation, rejection, mockery, disruptions of interpersonal relationships, the anticipation of discrimination, fear of social stigmatisation, and facing disgust. Internalised stigma affected self-identity and caused psychological distress.
CONCLUSIONS
There are various manifestations of stigma associated with CL and MCL. This review highlights the lack of knowledge on the structural stigma associated with CL, the lack of stigma interventions and the need for a unique stigma tool to measure stigma associated with CL and MCL.
Topics: Humans; Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous; Cicatrix; Social Stigma; Stereotyping; Fear; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous
PubMed: 38153950
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011818 -
Global distribution of genotypes in domestic and wild canids: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Parasitology Aug 2022The current systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate the genotypic distribution of canine echinococcosis worldwide. Studies published from the inception until 21... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The current systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate the genotypic distribution of canine echinococcosis worldwide. Studies published from the inception until 21 May 2021 were screened, relevant articles were selected and the random-effect model was used to draw forest plots with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Totally, 44 articles were included, mostly examined dogs (37 records), followed by wolf (8 records), jackal (7 records), fox (3 records), pump fox (3 records) and coyote (1 record). sensu stricto (G1–G3) and G6/7 cluster of were the most common genotypes among canids. Most studies were conducted in Asia and Europe with 17 and 15 datasets, respectively. Exclusively, Iran possessed the highest number of studies (10 records). Meta-analysis showed that the pooled molecular prevalence of echinococcosis was 33.82% (95% CI 24.50–43.83%). Also, the highest and lowest prevalence of canine echinococcosis was calculated for South America (66.03%; 95% CI 25.67–95.85%) and Europe (19.01%; 95% CI 9.95–30.16%). Additionally, there were statistically significant differences between the global prevalence of echinococcosis in canines and publication year, continent, country, sample type, host and molecular test. These findings will elevate our knowledge on the poorly known canine echinococcosis worldwide.
Topics: Animals; Asia; Canidae; Dogs; Echinococcosis; Echinococcus; Echinococcus granulosus; Genotype
PubMed: 35591776
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182022000658 -
European Respiratory Review : An... Mar 2020Schistosomiasis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (Sch-PAH) is a life-threatening complication of chronic hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. It is suggested to be... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Schistosomiasis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (Sch-PAH) is a life-threatening complication of chronic hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. It is suggested to be the leading cause of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) worldwide. However, pathophysiological data on Sch-PAH are scarce. We examined the hypothesis that there are pronounced similarities in pathophysiology, haemodynamics, and survival of Sch-PAH and idiopathic PAH (iPAH).This systematic review and meta-analysis was registered in the PROSPERO database (identifier CRD42018104066). A systematic search and review of the literature was performed according to PRISMA guidelines for studies published between 01 January 1990 and 29 June 2018.For Sch-PAH, 18 studies evaluating pathophysiological mechanisms, eight studies on haemodynamics (n=277), and three studies on survival (n=191) were identified. 16 clinical registries reporting data on haemodynamics and survival including a total of 5792 patients with iPAH were included for comparison. Proinflammatory molecular pathways are involved in both Sch-PAH and iPAH. The transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signalling pathway is upregulated in Sch-PAH and iPAH. While there was no difference in mean pulmonary artery pressure (54±17 mmHg 55±15 mmHg, p=0.29), cardiac output (4.4±1.3 L·min 4.1±1.4 L·min, p=0.046), and cardiac index (2.6±0.7 L·min·m 2.3±0.8 L·min·m, p<0.001) were significantly higher in Sch-PAH compared to iPAH, resulting in a lower pulmonary vascular resistance in Sch-PAH (10±6 Woods units 13±7 Woods units, p<0.001). 1- and 3-year survival were significantly better in the Sch-PAH group (p<0.001).Sch-PAH and iPAH share common pathophysiological mechanisms related to inflammation and the TGF-β signalling pathway. Patients with Sch-PAH show a significantly better haemodynamic profile and survival than patients with iPAH.
Topics: Animals; Arterial Pressure; Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension; Humans; Prognosis; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension; Pulmonary Artery; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Schistosomiasis
PubMed: 32024722
DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0089-2019 -
Le Infezioni in Medicina Jun 2020In December 2019, a new Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in China, causing the pandemic disease COVID-19. The clinical presentation is variable, but the predominant...
UNLABELLED
In December 2019, a new Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in China, causing the pandemic disease COVID-19. The clinical presentation is variable, but the predominant symptoms are those of the upper respiratory tract.
AIM
The aim of the current study is to describe the incidence and type of the gastrointestinal injury (GI) in COVID-19, as well as their prognostic value.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We conducted a coincidental search on this topic in PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE. We also followed a group of 31 Bulgarian COVID-19 patients throughout the course of their disease and analyzed their symptoms (catarrhal and other) and outcome.
RESULTS
The publications concerning our survey followed a total of 1509 COVID-19 patients. In the Bulgarian cohort, only 14 from the 31 patients were laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases. Approximately 1/3 of the infected individuals presented with GI. In some patients this was the first, or only, symptom of the disease. It was also indicative of a more severe disease course.
CONCLUSION
GI may be an important symptom and prognostic factor in COVID-19. Therefore, patients with acute gastrointestinal symptoms must be actively tested for SARS-CoV-2.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bulgaria; COVID-19; COVID-19 Testing; Child; Child, Preschool; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Common Cold; Coronavirus Infections; Diarrhea; Female; Fever; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Hepatitis, Viral, Human; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Middle Aged; Nausea; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Symptom Assessment; Vomiting; Young Adult
PubMed: 32532936
DOI: No ID Found -
Parasite Epidemiology and Control May 2020Human cercarial dermatitis (HCD) is a water-borne zoonotic parasitic disease. Cercariae of the avian schistosomes of several genera are frequently recognized as the... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Human cercarial dermatitis (HCD) is a water-borne zoonotic parasitic disease. Cercariae of the avian schistosomes of several genera are frequently recognized as the causative agent of HCD. Various studies have been performed regarding prevalence of bird schistosomes in different regions of the world. So far, no study has gathered and analyzed this data systematically. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis study was to determine the prevalence of avian schistosomes worldwide.
METHODS
Data were extracted from six available databases for studies published from 1937 to 2017. Generally, 41 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were used for data extraction in this systematic review. Most of studies have been conducted on the family Anatidae.
RESULTS
The overall prevalence of avian schistosomes was estimated to be 34.0% (95%CI, 28%-41%) around the world. Furthermore, results displayed that, and spp. had the highest frequency and their prevalence in the birds was 50.0% (95% CI, 3.0%-97.0%) and 32.0% (95% CI, 21.0%-0.36%), respectively. The results showed that the prevalence of avian schistosomes was 43.0% (95% CI, 29% - 56%) in the US and 38.0% (27.0% -50.0%) in Europe, which were higher than other continents, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of 34% shows that the bird schistosomes are very common zoonotic worms among aquatic birds in the world. Also, this study shows the importance of avian schistosome research when facing animal and human health of the future.
PubMed: 32181379
DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2020.e00142 -
Nutrients Nov 2023Micronutrient insufficiency has been implicated in malaria pathogenesis. However, the role of copper in malaria remains inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Micronutrient insufficiency has been implicated in malaria pathogenesis. However, the role of copper in malaria remains inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate the association between copper levels and malaria pathogenesis, providing a deeper understanding of copper's role in the disease. A systematic review was conducted following the registered protocol in PROSPERO (CRD42023439732). Multiple databases, including Embase, MEDLINE, Ovid, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were searched for relevant studies reporting blood copper levels in patients with malaria. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist was used for assessing methodological quality. Qualitative and quantitative syntheses were employed, organizing, and summarizing the findings of the included studies. To calculate the standardized mean difference (Hedge's g) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), a random-effects model was used. After screening the databases, 16 studies were included. Most studies (52.9%) reported that individuals with malaria had significantly higher copper levels than uninfected controls. The meta-analysis, based on 16 studies, showed no significant difference in copper levels between patients with malaria and uninfected controls overall ( = 0.39; Hedges' g, 0.38; 95% CI, -0.48 to 1.25; , 98.73%). Subgroup analysis showed a significant difference in copper levels between patients with malaria and uninfected controls among studies conducted in Asia ( < 0.01; Hedges' g, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.04 to 2.44; , 90.88%; five studies) and studies employing plasma blood samples ( < 0.01; Hedges' g, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.60 to 2.07; , 93.11%; four studies). The qualitative synthesis of the reviewed studies suggests a complex relationship between copper levels and malaria. The meta-analysis results showed no significant difference in copper levels between patients with malaria and uninfected controls overall. However, subgroup analyses based on various factors, including continent and blood sample type, showed copper level variations. These findings highlight the need for further research to better understand the role of copper in malaria pathogenesis by considering geographical factors and the blood sample type used for copper level measurement.
Topics: Humans; Copper; Malaria; Asia
PubMed: 38004142
DOI: 10.3390/nu15224749 -
Parasitology Jun 2023The study of genotypes is beneficial for detecting strains linked to increased disease severity and uncovering the processes involved in the transmission and... (Review)
Review
The study of genotypes is beneficial for detecting strains linked to increased disease severity and uncovering the processes involved in the transmission and distribution of this zoonotic parasite. A systematic review of literature was conducted to investigate the present status of genetic diversity in African countries and among host species on the continent. Data from the results in the included studies were sorted, reviewed and descriptively analysed using tables, graphs and maps. Results indicate that there is a relative amount of genetic diversity with a clear difference in the population structure between geographical regions and the propensity for unique and regional genotypes to be predominant in tropical rainforest biomes, near the equator. From a clinical perspective, connections between specific genotypes and disease manifestations were found. Theories are outlined on the dissemination of African genotypes to other continents. The overrepresentation of samples from one geographical area and dissimilar genotyping methodologies creates challenges when concluding on the genetic diversity of in Africa. The need for uniform genotyping methods with a continent-wide sampling of an extensive host range involving humans, domestic animals and wildlife is emphasized.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis, Animal; Genetic Variation; Animals, Wild; Animals, Domestic; Genotype
PubMed: 36938833
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182023000252 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Oct 2022Zoonoses can cause a substantial burden on both human and animal health. Globally, estimates of the dual (human and animal) burden of zoonoses are scarce. Therefore,...
BACKGROUND
Zoonoses can cause a substantial burden on both human and animal health. Globally, estimates of the dual (human and animal) burden of zoonoses are scarce. Therefore, this study aims to quantify the dual burden of zoonoses using a comparable metric, "zoonosis Disability Adjusted Life Years" (zDALY).
METHODOLOGY
We systematically reviewed studies that quantify in the same article zoonoses in animals, through monetary losses, and in humans in terms of Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). We searched EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. We excluded articles that did not provide the data to estimate the zDALY or those for which full text was not available. This study was registered at PROSPERO, CRD42022313081.
PRINCIPAL FINDINGS/SIGNIFICANCE
We identified 512 potentially eligible records. After deduplication and screening of the title and abstract, 23 records were assessed for full-text review. Fourteen studies were included in this systematic review. The data contains estimates from 10 countries, a study at continental level (Asia and Africa), and 2 studies on a global scale. Rabies was the most frequently reported zoonosis where zDALYs were calculated, based on the following included studies: for Kazakhstan 457 (95% CI 342-597), Viet Nam 5316 (95% CI 4382-6244), Asia 1,145,287 (90% CI 388,592-1,902,310), Africa 837,158 (90% CI 283,087-1,388,963), and worldwide rabies 5,920,014 (95% CI 1,547,860-10,290,815). This was followed by echinococcosis, the zDALYs in Peru were 2238 (95% CI 1931-2546), in China 1490 (95% CI 1442-1537), and worldwide cystic echinococcosis 5,935,463 (95% CI 4,497,316-7,377,636). Then, the zDALYs on cysticercosis for Mozambique were 2075 (95% CI 1476-2809), Cameroon 59,540 (95% CR 16,896-101,803), and Tanzania 34,455 (95% CI 12,993-76,193). Brucellosis in Kazakhstan were 2443 zDALYs (95% CI 2391-2496), and brucellosis and anthrax in Turkey 3538 zDALYs (95% CI 2567-6706). Finally, zDALYs on leptospirosis in New Zealand were 196, and Q fever in Netherlands 2843 (95% CI 1071-4603). The animal burden was superior to the human burden in the following studies: worldwide cystic echinococcosis (83%), brucellosis in Kazakhstan (71%), leptospirosis in New Zealand (91%), and brucellosis, and anthrax in Turkey (52%). Countries priorities on zoonoses can change if animal populations are taken into consideration.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Rabies; Anthrax; Zoonoses; Brucellosis; Echinococcosis; Leptospirosis; Tanzania
PubMed: 36240240
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010540 -
Revista Do Instituto de Medicina... 2022Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy (CCC) is the most prevalent type of myocarditis and the main clinical form of the Chagas disease, which has peculiarities such as focal...
Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy (CCC) is the most prevalent type of myocarditis and the main clinical form of the Chagas disease, which has peculiarities such as focal inflammation, structural derangement, hypertrophy, dilation, and intense reparative fibrosis. Many cellular compounds contribute to CCC development. Galectin-3 is a partaker in inflammation and contributes to myocardial fibrosis formation. Some studies showed the connection between Galectin-3 and fibrosis in Chagas disease but are still inconclusive on the guidance for the early implementation of pharmacological therapy. This systematic review evaluated Galectin-3 as a biomarker for fibrosis intensity in CCC. Two independent reviewers have searched five databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Lilacs), using the following search terms: galectin-3, biomarkers, fibrosis, Chagas cardiomyopathy, and Chagas disease. Overall, seven studies met the inclusion criteria and made up this review. There were four trials conducted through animal model experiments and three trials with humans. Experimental data in mice indicate an association between Galectin-3 expression and fibrosis in CCC (75% of studies). Data from human studies showed no direct connection between myocardial fibrosis and Galectin-3 expression (80% of studies). Thus, human findings do not provide significant evidence indicating that Galectin-3 is related to fibrosis formation in Chagas disease. Based on the analyzed studies, it is suggested that Galectin-3 might not be a good fibrosis marker in CCC.
Topics: Animals; Biomarkers; Cardiomyopathies; Chagas Cardiomyopathy; Chagas Disease; Fibrosis; Galectin 3; Inflammation; Mice; Persistent Infection
PubMed: 35749417
DOI: 10.1590/S1678-9946202264045