-
Poultry Science May 2021Gastrointestinal helminth parasites are a concern for the poultry industry worldwide as they can affect the health, welfare, and production performance. A systematic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Gastrointestinal helminth parasites are a concern for the poultry industry worldwide as they can affect the health, welfare, and production performance. A systematic review of the prevalence over time in different countries may improve our understanding of gastrointestinal helminthiasis in chickens and subsequently lead to improved poultry health. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to provide an overview of the published information regarding the epidemiology and the diagnostic approaches of chicken helminth infection. Six databases were searched for studies, and a total of 2,985 articles published between 1942 and 2019 were identified and subsequently screened for eligibility using title or abstract and full text assessment, resulting in 191 publications to be used in the study. Postmortem diagnostics (73.8%) and the flotation technique (28.8%) were commonly used to detect helminth infections with a pooled prevalence of 79.4% ranging from 4 to 100%. More than 30 helminth species in chicken populations were identified including Ascaridia galli (35.9%), Heterakis gallinarum (28.5%), Capillaria spp. (5.90%), and Raillietina spp. (19.0%) being the most prevalent. The reported prevalence of helminth infection decreased over time in developing countries while it increased in the developed world. Chicken kept in backyard and free-range systems had a markedly higher pooled prevalence of helminth infection (82.6 and 84.8%, respectively) than those housed in cage production systems (63.6%). This may indicate the need for more rigorous control and prevention measures in free-range and backyard production systems using regular deworming coupled with access to early and accurate diagnosis allowing for early intervention.
Topics: Animal Husbandry; Animals; Chickens; Helminthiasis, Animal; Helminths; Poultry Diseases; Prevalence
PubMed: 33813325
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2021.101082 -
Parasites & Vectors Sep 2021Tapeworm infections are among the tropical neglected parasitic diseases endemically occurring in Ethiopia. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims at estimating... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Tapeworm infections are among the tropical neglected parasitic diseases endemically occurring in Ethiopia. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims at estimating the pooled prevalence and distribution of Taenia and Echinococcus infections in humans and animals from reports from Ethiopia.
METHODS
The systematic search was conducted in four bibliographic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Africa Journal Online and Science Direct). Additional data were retrieved from grey literature. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were considered for the systematic review and meta-analysis. The meta-analysis was conducted using MetaXL add-in for Microsoft Excel. Heterogeneity and inconsistency were evaluated using Cochran's Q and I statistics, respectively.
RESULTS
The study provides a country-based database of Taenia and Echinococcus infections consisting of 311 datasets from 201 publications which were mostly abattoir surveys; of these, 251 datasets were subjected to meta-analysis. Most of the studies were from Oromia (32.8%) followed by Amhara (22.9%) regional states. The pooled prevalence of cystic echinococcosis in intermediate and accidental hosts was calculated as 22% (95% CI 18-26%) and high study variability (Q = 24,420.65, I = 100%, P = 0.000). Moreover, a pooled prevalence of Echinococcus infections in final hosts was calculated as 33% (95% CI 20-48%) and low study variability (Q = 17.24, I = 65%, P = 0.001). Similarly, study subjects (human, cattle, sheep, goat and wolf) were infected by Taenia spp. with pooled prevalence of 3% (95% CI 2-4%) and moderate study variability (Q = 279.07, I = 89, P = 0.000). Meanwhile, the pooled prevalence of Taenia hydatigena, T. ovis and T. multiceps infections in intermediate hosts were calculated as 38%, 14% and 5%, respectively. The random effect meta-analysis of bovine cysticercosis showed a pooled prevalence of 7% (95% CI 5-9%) and high study variability was of (Q = 4458.76; I = 99%, P = 0.000). Significant differences in prevalence of Taenia and Echinococcus infections between study sites or different livestock origins have been reported.
CONCLUSION
The study evidenced a comprehensive dataset on the prevalence and distribution of Taenia and Echinococcus infections at different interfaces by regions and hosts and hence can aid in the design of more effective control strategies.
Topics: Abattoirs; Animals; Cattle; Echinococcosis; Ethiopia; Goats; Humans; Livestock; Prevalence; Taenia; Taeniasis
PubMed: 34488862
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04925-w -
Parasites & Vectors Jun 2023Dirofilariasis, the disease caused by Dirofilaria spp., and in particular by Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens in canines, occurs frequently in canids and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Dirofilariasis, the disease caused by Dirofilaria spp., and in particular by Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens in canines, occurs frequently in canids and felids, and occasionally in humans, in temperate, sub-tropical and tropical regions globally. Although highly effective, safe and convenient preventive medicines have been available for the treatment of dirofilariasis for the past three decades, the disease remains a major veterinary and public health concern in endemic areas. The insect vectors, host-parasite relationships and interactions of Dirofilaria spp. have received little attention in China, and there is very little information in English regarding the prevalence of dirofilariasis in animals and humans in the country. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the status of canine dirofilariasis in China based on the available literature in English and in Chinese.
METHODS
We systematically searched five databases for epidemiologic studies on the prevalence of canine dirofilariasis in China and finally selected 42 studies eligible for inclusion in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The meta-analysis was performed using the random effects model in the meta package in R v4.2.1.
RESULTS
The random effects model gave a pooled and weighted prevalence of Dirofilaria infection among dogs in China in the past 100 years of 13.8% (2896/51,313, 95% confidence interval 8.2-20.4%) with a high level of heterogeneity (I = 99.5%).
CONCLUSIONS
Our analyses indicated that the prevalence of canine dirofilariasis in China has gradually declined, but that the range of Dirofilaria spp. has expanded. Older and outdoor dogs presented a higher rate of positive infection. The findings indicated that more attention should be paid to host factors for the effective control and management of this disease.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; China; Dirofilaria immitis; Dirofilaria repens; Dirofilariasis; Dog Diseases; Prevalence
PubMed: 37340314
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05770-9 -
PloS One 2022Neospora caninum (N. caninum) is known to be a major cause of reproductive failure in cattle herds around the world. Therefore, the current comprehensive study was... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Neospora caninum (N. caninum) is known to be a major cause of reproductive failure in cattle herds around the world. Therefore, the current comprehensive study was performed to estimate the global prevalence of N. caninum infection in bovines that had an abortion and aborted fetuses.
METHODS
In this study, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest databases were systematically searched for relevant studies up until November 4, 2021. Pooled prevalence and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using a random effect model. Other analyzes performed on the data of this study include sensitivity analysis, publication bias test, and quality assessment.
RESULTS
The final analyses included 71 studies conducted on 2965 abortive cattle and 4805 aborted fetuses. The overall prevalence rates of N. caninum infection in bovines that had an abortion were 47% and 1% using serological and molecular methods. Furthermore, overall prevalence rates of N. caninum infection in bovine aborted fetuses globally were 35% (95% CI: 8%-62%) and 43% (95% CI: 35%-52%) using serological and molecular methods.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study showed the high prevalence of N. caninum infection in bovines that had an abortion and aborted fetuses. It is hoped that the results of this study will help prevent abortion in bovines around the world and encourage further studies to determine the impact of this parasite on the occurrence of abortion that may help reduce the economic damage caused by abortion worldwide.
Topics: Abortion, Veterinary; Animals; Antibodies, Protozoan; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Coccidiosis; Female; Fetus; Humans; Neospora; Pregnancy
PubMed: 35604902
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268903 -
Global prevalence of Ascaris infection in humans (2010-2021): a systematic review and meta-analysis.Infectious Diseases of Poverty Nov 2022Ascariasis is one of the most important neglected tropical diseases of humans worldwide. The epidemiology of Ascaris infection appears to have changed with improvements... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Ascariasis is one of the most important neglected tropical diseases of humans worldwide. The epidemiology of Ascaris infection appears to have changed with improvements in sanitation and mass drug administration, but there is no recent information on prevalence worldwide. Here, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the global prevalence of human Ascaris infection from 2010 to 2021.
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE/PubMed, and Scopus databases for studies measuring prevalence of Ascaris infection, published between 1 January 2010 and 1 January 2022. We included studies of the general human population in endemic regions, which used accepted coprodiagnostic methods, and excluded studies of people with occupations with an increased risk or probability of ascariasis and/or specific diseases other than ascariasis. We applied random-effects models to obtain pooled prevalence estimates for six sustainable development goal regions of the world. We extrapolated the prevalence estimates to the global population in 2020, to estimate the number of individuals with Ascaris infection. We conducted multiple subgroup and meta-regression analyses to explore possible sources of heterogeneity, and to assess relationships between prevalence estimates and demographic, socio-economic, geo-climatic factors.
RESULTS
Of 11,245 studies screened, we analysed 758 prevalence estimates for a total number of 4,923,876 participants in 616 studies from 81 countries. The global prevalence estimated was 11.01% (95% confidence interval: 10.27-11.78%), with regional prevalences ranging from 28.77% (7.07-57.66%) in Melanesia (Oceania) to 1.39% (1.07-1.74%) in Eastern Asia. We estimated that ~ 732 (682-782) million people harboured Ascaris worldwide in 2021. The infected people in Latin America and the Caribbean region had a higher prevalence of high intensity infection (8.4%, 3.9-14.1%). Prevalence estimates were higher in children, and people in rural communities or in countries or regions with lower income and human development indices. There was a trend for a higher prevalence in regions with increasing mean annual relative humidity, precipitation and environmental temperature.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that, despite a renewed commitment by some communities or authorities to control ascariasis, a substantial portion of the world's human population (> 0.7 billion) is infected with Ascaris. Despite the clinical and socioeconomic importance of ascariasis, many past routine surveys did not assess the intensity of Ascaris infection in people. We propose that the present findings might stimulate the development of customised strategies for the improved control and prevention of Ascaris infection worldwide.
Topics: Humans; Child; Ascariasis; Prevalence; Rural Population; Latin America
PubMed: 36401308
DOI: 10.1186/s40249-022-01038-z -
BMC Infectious Diseases Sep 2023Human cystic echinococcosis (CE), is a common health problem in low- and middle-income countries. Cardiac involvement is a relatively rare manifestation of Echinococcus...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Human cystic echinococcosis (CE), is a common health problem in low- and middle-income countries. Cardiac involvement is a relatively rare manifestation of Echinococcus infection. This study aims to summarize the evidence regarding the features of cardiac CE.
METHODS
Case series of the patients with cardiac CE, were included in this study. Non-English papers, case reports, reviews, letters, , commentaries, and conference abstracts were not included. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and EMBASE databases and the risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist.
RESULTS
Out of 3985 results of the searches, finally 37 studies were included in this systematic review. Based on available evidence, cardiac involvement is an uncommon but serious presentation of CE which presents with some non-specific signs and symptoms. Dyspnea, chest pain, and palpitation are the most common symptoms of the disease and normal sinus rhythm is the most common Electrocardiogram (ECG) feature. The disease is not associated with high mortality in case of timely diagnosis and appropriate management.
DISCUSSION
Consecutive and complete inclusion of participants, statistical analysis, and appropriate reporting of the demographics were the sources of bias in the included studies. The exclusion of non-English papers was a limitation during the review process.
FUNDING
The research protocol was approved and supported by the Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (grant number: 69380).
REGISTRATION
This study was registered in the International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO ID: CRD42022381204).
Topics: Humans; Echinococcosis; Electrocardiography; Heart; Heart Diseases
PubMed: 37705012
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08576-3 -
Journal of Epidemiology and Global... Mar 2023World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region (WHO EMR) has 40% people in the world in need of humanitarian assistance. This systematic review explores selected... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region (WHO EMR) has 40% people in the world in need of humanitarian assistance. This systematic review explores selected vector-borne and zoonotic diseases (VBZDs) of importance to EMR in terms of disease burden across countries and periods, disaggregated across sex, age groups, education levels, income status, and rural/urban areas, related vector or animal source reduction measures, and public health, social and economic impacts and related interventions.
METHODS
We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and reviewed articles in PubMed, Embase, and WHO Global Index Medicus published between 1st of January 2011 and 27th of June 2022. Thirteen VBZDs with at least one reported outbreak in the last five years in the region or prioritized as per previous analysis at the WHO global and regional level and based on expert consultations, were included as part of the analysis.
RESULTS
The review included 295 studies-55% on leishmaniasis and dengue combined, and 75% studies from Pakistan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Iran combined. Hospital-based and nationally representative studies constituted 60% and 10% respectively. Males were predominantly affected in most diseases; children reported high burden of Leishmaniasis, whereas elderly had a higher burden of Dengue Fever and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. Although very few studies reported on socioeconomic differences in burden, the ones that reported showed higher burden of diseases among the disadvantaged socioeconomic groups such as the poor and the less educated. More than 80% studies reported an increase in burden over the years.
CONCLUSION
The literature is scanty for most of the diseases reviewed and the number of studies from countries with humanitarian challenges is very low. The need for more nationally representative, population-based studies calls for prioritizing research investments.
Topics: Male; Animals; Humans; Zoonoses; Iran; Leishmaniasis; World Health Organization; Saudi Arabia
PubMed: 36757670
DOI: 10.1007/s44197-023-00091-7 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2022Malaria is one of the most significant causes of mortality and morbidity globally, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries. It harmfully disturbs the public’s... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Malaria is one of the most significant causes of mortality and morbidity globally, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries. It harmfully disturbs the public’s health and the economic growth of many developing countries. Despite the massive effect of malaria transmission, the overall pooled proportion of malaria positivity rate in Southern Africa is still elusive. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to pool estimates of the incidence of the malaria positivity rate, which is the first of its kind in South African countries. A literature search is performed to identify all published articles reporting the incidence of malaria positivity in Southern Africa. Out of the 3359 articles identified, 17 studies meet the inclusion for systematic review and meta-analysis. In addition, because substantial heterogeneity is expected due to the studies being extracted from the universal population, random-effects meta-analyses are carried out to pool the incidence of the malaria positivity rate from diverse diagnostic methods. The result reveals that between-study variability is high (τ2 = 0.003; heterogeneity I2 = 99.91% with heterogeneity chi-square χ2 = 18,143.95, degree of freedom = 16 and a p-value < 0.0001) with the overall random pooled incidence of 10% (95%CI: 8−13%, I2 = 99.91%) in the malaria positivity rate. According to the diagnostic method called pooled incidence estimate, the rapid diagnostic test (RDT) is the leading diagnostic method (17%, 95%CI: 11−24%, I2 = 99.95%), followed by RDT and qPCR and RDT and loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), respectively, found to be (3%, 95%CI: 2−3%, I2 = 0%) and (2%, 95%CI: 1−3%, I2 = 97.94%).Findings of the present study suggest high malaria positive incidence in the region. This implies that malaria control and elimination programmes towards malaria elimination could be negatively impacted and cause delays in actualising malaria elimination set dates. Further studies consisting of larger samples and continuous evaluation of malaria control programmes are recommended.
Topics: Africa South of the Sahara; Africa, Southern; Behavior Therapy; Humans; Malaria; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 35682356
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116776 -
International Journal of Environmental... Feb 2023Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare but lethal infection of the brain caused by a eukaryote called (). The aim of this review is to consolidate the... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare but lethal infection of the brain caused by a eukaryote called (). The aim of this review is to consolidate the recently published case reports of infection by describing its epidemiology and clinical features with the goal of ultimately disseminating this information to healthcare personnel.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was carried out using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and OVID databases until 31 December 2022 by two independent reviewers. All studies from the year 2013 were extracted, and quality assessments were carried out meticulously prior to their inclusion in the final analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 21 studies were selected for qualitative analyses out of the 461 studies extracted. The cases were distributed globally, and 72.7% of the cases succumbed to mortality. The youngest case was an 11-day-old boy, while the eldest was a 75-year-old. Significant exposure to freshwater either from recreational activities or from a habit of irrigating the nostrils preceded onset. The symptoms at early presentation included fever, headache, and vomiting, while late sequalae showed neurological manifestation. An accurate diagnosis remains a challenge, as the symptoms mimic bacterial meningitis. Confirmatory tests include the direct visualisation of the amoeba or the use of the polymerase chain reaction method.
CONCLUSIONS
infection is rare but leads to PAM. Its occurrence is worldwide with a significant risk of fatality. The suggested probable case definition based on the findings is the acute onset of fever, headache, and vomiting with meningeal symptoms following exposure to freshwater within the previous 14 days. Continuous health promotion and health education activities for the public can help to improve knowledge and awareness prior to engagement in freshwater activities.
Topics: Aged; Humans; Male; Amoeba; Brain; Central Nervous System Protozoal Infections; Fever; Headache; Naegleria fowleri
PubMed: 36833715
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043021 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jun 2021Neurocysticercosis is a parasitic infection of the central nervous system by the larval stage of the pork tapeworm and is a common cause of seizures and epilepsy in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Neurocysticercosis is a parasitic infection of the central nervous system by the larval stage of the pork tapeworm and is a common cause of seizures and epilepsy in endemic areas. Anthelmintics (albendazole or praziquantel) may be given alongside supportive treatment (antiepileptics/analgesia) with the aim of killing these larvae (cysticerci), with or without corticosteroid treatment. However, there are potential adverse effects of these drugs, and the cysticerci may eventually die without directed anthelminthic treatment.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of anthelmintics on people with neurocysticercosis.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, the WHO ICTRP, and ClinicalTrials.gov, up to 21 October 2020.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomized controlled trials comparing anthelmintics and supportive treatment (+/- corticosteroids) with supportive treatment alone (+/- corticosteroids) for people with neurocysticercosis.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently screened the title and abstract of all articles identified by the search. We obtained full-text articles to confirm the eligibility of all studies that passed screening. One review author extracted data, which a second review author checked. Two review authors assessed the risk of bias of each trial and performed GRADE assessments. In cases of disagreement at consensus discussion stage between review authors, we consulted a third review author. We calculated risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous variables, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for pooled data from studies with similar interventions and outcomes.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 16 studies in the review. Only two studies investigated praziquantel and did not report data in a format that could contribute to meta-analysis. Most results in this review are therefore applicable to albendazole versus placebo or no anthelmintic. The aggregate analysis across all participants with neurocysticercosis did not demonstrate a difference between groups in seizure recurrence, but heterogeneity was marked (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.14; 10 trials, 1054 participants; I = 67%; low-certainty evidence). When stratified by participants with a single cyst or multiple cysts, pooled analysis suggests that albendazole probably improves seizure recurrence for participants with a single cyst (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.4 to 0.91; 5 trials, 396 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). All studies contributing to this analysis recruited participants with non-viable, intraparenchymal cysts only, and most participants were children. We are uncertain whether or not albendazole reduces seizure recurrence in participants with multiple cysts, as the certainty of the evidence is very low, although the direction of effect is towards albendazole causing harm (RR 2.05, 95% CI 1.28 to 3.31; 2 trials, 321 participants; very low-certainty evidence). This analysis included a large study containing a highly heterogeneous population that received an assessment of unclear risk for multiple 'Risk of bias' domains. Regarding radiological outcomes, albendazole probably slightly improves the complete radiological clearance of lesions (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.39; 13 trials, 1324 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) and the evolution of cysts (RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.47; 6 trials, 434 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). More adverse events appeared to be observed in participants treated with either albendazole or praziquantel compared to those receiving placebo or no anthelmintic. The most commonly reported side effects were headache, abdominal pain, and nausea/vomiting.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
For participants with a single cyst, there was less seizure recurrence in the albendazole group compared to the placebo/no anthelmintic group. The studies contributing to this evidence only recruited participants with a non-viable intraparenchymal cyst. We are uncertain whether albendazole reduces seizure recurrence for participants with multiple cysts. We also found that albendazole probably increases radiological clearance and evolution of lesions. There were very few studies reporting praziquantel outcomes, and these findings apply to albendazole only.
Topics: Adult; Albendazole; Anticestodal Agents; Bias; Brain Diseases; Child; Humans; Neurocysticercosis; Placebos; Praziquantel; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Seizures
PubMed: 34060667
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000215.pub5