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Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Mar 2023Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis worldwide. Conventional microbiological assays take several days and require the use of various drugs... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis worldwide. Conventional microbiological assays take several days and require the use of various drugs for empirical treatment. Rapid antigen tests in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may be useful to triage pneumococcal meningitis immediately.
OBJECTIVES
To elucidate whether rapid antigen tests in CSF are useful in the triage of pneumococcal meningitis.
METHODS
Data sourcesCochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched. Study eligibility criteriaAll types of cohort studies except multiple-group studies, where the sensitivity and specificity of rapid antigen tests in CSF compared with CSF culture can be extracted. ParticipantsPatients with suspected meningitis. TestsRapid antigen tests in CSF. Reference standardsOne or more of the following: blood culture, CSF culture, and polymerase chain reaction in CSF. Assessment of risk of biasThe methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using QUADAS-2. Methods of data synthesisWe used a random-effects bivariate model for the meta-analysis. We conducted a subgroup analysis by dividing studies into types of antigen tests, adults and children, low-income and high-income countries, and with or without exposure to antibiotics before lumbar puncture.
RESULTS
Forty-four studies involving 14 791 participants were included. Most studies had a moderate-to-low methodological quality. Summary sensitivity and specificity were 99.5% (95% confidence interval (CI), 92.4-100%) and 98.2% (95% CI, 96.9-98.9%), respectively. Positive predictive values and negative predictive values at the median prevalence (4.2%) in the included studies were 70.8% (95% CI, 56.6-79.9%) and 100% (95% CI, 99.7-100%), respectively. The diagnostic accuracy was consistent across the various subgroups, except for slightly reduced sensitivity in high-income countries.
CONCLUSIONS
Rapid antigen tests in CSF would be useful in triaging pneumococcal meningitis. Further studies are warranted to investigate the clinical benefit of ruling out pneumococcal meningitis based on the results of rapid antigen tests.
Topics: Child; Adult; Humans; Meningitis, Pneumococcal; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Immunologic Tests; Cohort Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 36503113
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2022.12.002 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2020Adult vaccination is high on the agenda in many countries. Two different vaccines are available for the prevention of pneumococcal disease in adults: a 23-valent... (Review)
Review
A Systematic Review of Studies Published between 2016 and 2019 on the Effectiveness and Efficacy of Pneumococcal Vaccination on Pneumonia and Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in an Elderly Population.
Adult vaccination is high on the agenda in many countries. Two different vaccines are available for the prevention of pneumococcal disease in adults: a 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23), and a 13-valent conjugated vaccine (PCV13). The objective of this review is to update the evidence base for vaccine efficacy and effectiveness of PPV23 and PCV13 against invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumonia among an unselected elderly population. We systematically searched for clinical trials and observational studies published between January 1 2016 and April 17 2019 in Pubmed, Embase, Cinahl, Web of Science, Epistemonikos and Cochrane databases. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results were stratified by vaccine type and outcome. We identified nine studies on PCV13 and six on PPV23. No new randomized clinical trials were identified. Due to different outcomes, it was not possible to do a meta-analysis. New high-quality observational studies indicate protective vaccine effectiveness for both vaccines against vaccine type pneumonia. Our estimates for the protective vaccine efficacy and effectiveness (VE) of PPV23 on pneumonia and pneumococcal pneumonia overlap with results from previously published reviews. Some of the results indicate that the effectiveness of the PPV23 is best in younger age groups, and that it decreases over time.
PubMed: 32260132
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9040259 -
Global Health Research and Policy Nov 2022COVID-19 vaccination has been advocated as the most effective way to curb the pandemic. But with its inequitable distribution and slow rollout, especially in low- to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
COVID-19 vaccination has been advocated as the most effective way to curb the pandemic. But with its inequitable distribution and slow rollout, especially in low- to middle- income countries, it will still take a long time before herd immunity is achieved. Alternative measures must therefore be explored to bolster current COVID-19 vaccination efforts. In particular, the Bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccine has been studied extensively as to its proposed conferment of non-specific immunity against different infections, including COVID-19. The aim of this study, therefore, is to evaluate the current evidence on the effectiveness of national BCG vaccination policies in reducing infection and mortality of COVID-19.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted between April to August 2021 following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA-P) guidelines. Literature was retrieved from PubMed, Cochrane, HERDIN, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Western Pacific Region Index Medicus (WPRIM). Studies conducted from January 2020 to August 2021 that fell within Level 1A to 2C of the Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine were included in the review. Quality assessment was performed using the appropriate Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool and a quality assessment checklist for ecological studies adapted from Betran et al. RESULTS: A total of 13 studies were included in this review. Nine studies reported significant association between BCG vaccination policies and COVID-19 outcomes, even when controlling for confounding variables. In addition, among other mandated vaccines, such as pneumococcal, influenza, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, and measles, only BCG vaccination showed significant association with decreased COVID-19 adverse outcomes. However, other factors also showed positive association with COVID-19 outcomes, particularly markers of high economic status of countries, higher median age, and greater population densities.
CONCLUSION
The lower incidence and mortality of COVID-19 in countries with mandated BCG vaccination may not solely be attributable to BCG vaccination policies, but there is still some evidence that demonstrates a possible protective effect. Clinical trials must be continued before recommendations of BCG vaccinations are to be used as an alternative or booster vaccine against COVID-19.
Topics: Humans; BCG Vaccine; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Policy; Vaccination
PubMed: 36336688
DOI: 10.1186/s41256-022-00275-x -
Expert Review of Vaccines 2023Studies on economic evaluations of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) have been increasing over the last decade. No systematic reviews have synthesized...
INTRODUCTION
Studies on economic evaluations of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) have been increasing over the last decade. No systematic reviews have synthesized the evidence of economic evaluations of the PCV13.
AREAS COVERED
We systematically searched the literature which published on peer-reviewed journals from January 2010 to June 2022. The literature search was conducted in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang database, VIP database. We identified 1827 records from the database search. After excluding 511 duplicates, 1314 records were screened, of which 156 records were retained for the full-text reviews. A total of 44 studies were included in the review. Among the included studies, 33 studies were economic evaluations of PCV13 among children, and 11 studies were conducted among adults. The literature search initiated in April, 2022, and updated in June 2022.
EXPERT OPINION
Vaccination with PCV13 was found to significantly reduce the mortality and morbidity of pneumococcal diseases and was cost-effective compared to no vaccine or several other pneumococcal vaccines (e.g. PCV10, PPV23). Future research is advised to expand economic evaluations of PCV13 combined with dynamic model to enhance methodologic rigor and prediction accuracy.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Vaccines, Conjugate; Pneumococcal Vaccines; Pneumococcal Infections; Vaccination
PubMed: 36719062
DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2023.2173176 -
EClinicalMedicine Dec 2020The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarise the literature regarding the immunogenicity of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) and...
BACKGROUND
The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarise the literature regarding the immunogenicity of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines (PPSV) in adult people living with HIV (PLWH) in the era of advanced combination antiretroviral therapy (cART).
METHODS
The systematic review protocol was published online (PROSPERO ID: CRD 42020153137). We searched Medline (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), and the Global Health Library for publications from 2000 to June 11, 2020. We included all studies in adult PLWH that reported vaccine immunogenicity outcomes. The primary outcome was seroconversion rate (SCR) after PCV, PPSV and PCV/PPSV combined. For random-effects meta-analysis, we included studies defining SCR as ≥ 2-fold increase in IgG from baseline, and reporting SCR for serotypes 6B, 14, or overall SCR, 1-3 months after vaccination.
FINDINGS
Our search identified 1597 unique studies, of which 115 were eligible for full-text assessment. Of these, 39 met the inclusion criteria (11 RCTs; 28 cohort studies). A high degree of heterogeneity was observed. Nineteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled overall SCRs were 42% (95% CI 30-56%), 44% (95% CI 33-55%) and 57% (95% CI 50-63%) for PLWH who received PPSV, PCV or a combination of PCV/PPSV, respectively. Compared to PPSV alone, a combination of PCV/PPSV yielded higher SCRs (OR 2.24 95% CI 1.41- 3.58), whereas we did not observe a significant difference in SCR between PCV and PPSV23 alone. There were no statistically significant differences in geometric mean post-vaccination antibody concentrations between vaccination schedules. Vaccination at higher CD4 cell counts improved immunogenicity in 8/21 studies, especially when PCV was administered. No studies assessed the long-term immunogenicity of PCV followed by PPSV23. Quality of evidence ranged from poor ( = 19) to good quality ( = 7). A limited number of pneumococcal serotypes was assessed in the majority of studies.
INTERPRETATION
We show that the recommended immunisation schedule consisting of a combination of PCV13/PPSV23, is immunogenic in PLWH in the era of advanced cART. However, the durability of this vaccination schedule remains unknown and must be addressed in future research. Vaccination with PCV should be delayed until immunological recovery (CD4>200) in recently diagnosed PLWH for optimal immunogenicity. The evidence gathered here supports wide implementation of the combination of PCV/PPSV23 for all PLWH. We recommend reassessment of this strategy once higher-valent PCVs become available.
FUNDING
HMGG is funded by a public research grant of ZonMw (project number 522004005).
PubMed: 33294820
DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100576 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024Invasive pneumococcal disease has declined since pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduction in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). However, serotype distribution and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Invasive pneumococcal disease has declined since pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduction in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). However, serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance patterns have changed.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the frequency of antimicrobial resistance of from invasive disease in LAC. Articles published between 1 January 2000, and 27 December 2022, with no language restriction, were searched in major databases and gray literature. Pairs of reviewers independently selected extracted data and assessed the risk of bias in the studies. The quality of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) studies was evaluated according to WHO recommendations (PROSPERO CRD42023392097).
RESULTS
From 8,600 records identified, 103 studies were included, with 49,660 positive samples of for AMR analysis processed. Most studies were from Brazil (29.1%) and Argentina (18.4%), were cross-sectional (57.3%), reported data on AMR from IPD cases (52.4%), and were classified as moderate risk of bias (50.5%). Resistance to penicillin was 21.7% (95%IC 18.7-25.0, I: 95.9), and for ceftriaxone/cefotaxime it was 4.7% (95%IC 3.2-6.9, I: 96.1). The highest resistance for both penicillin and ceftriaxone/cefotaxime was in the age group of 0 to 5 years (32.1% [95%IC 28.2-36.4, I: 87.7], and 9.7% [95%IC 5.9-15.6, I: 96.9] respectively). The most frequent serotypes associated with resistance were 14 for penicillin and 19A for ceftriaxone/cefotaxime.
CONCLUSION
Approximately one-quarter of invasive pneumococcal disease isolates in Latin America and the Caribbean displayed penicillin resistance, with higher rates in young children. Ongoing surveillance is essential to monitor serotype evolution and antimicrobial resistance patterns following pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduction.
Topics: Child; Humans; Child, Preschool; Infant, Newborn; Infant; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Latin America; Ceftriaxone; Vaccines, Conjugate; Pneumococcal Vaccines; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Pneumococcal Infections; Penicillins; Cefotaxime
PubMed: 38317800
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1337276 -
Journal of Microbiology, Immunology,... Feb 2022A number of pneumococcal carriage studies in children have been conducted in recent years. However, summary data of carriage prevalence and serotype distribution from... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae in children under five years of age prior to pneumococcal vaccine introduction in Southeast Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2001-2019).
A number of pneumococcal carriage studies in children have been conducted in recent years. However, summary data of carriage prevalence and serotype distribution from South East Asia Region (SEAR) are limited. This may lead to the misconception that Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine-types are uncommon in the region. Systematic reviews of pneumococcal carriage and the distribution of serotypes are critically important for evidence-based decision-making. We aimed to summarize published data on the serotype prevalence of S. pneumoniae carried in the nasopharynx of children under 5 years of age in SEAR. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis for relevant studies on S. pneumoniae carriage conducted prior to PCV program implementation from online journal databases published between January 2001 to December 2019. The pooled prevalence of S. pneumoniae in healthy children under 5 years of age in SEAR was 36.0% (95% CI 34.2%-37.8%), and ranged from 68.0% (95% CI: 61.9%-74.0%) in Cambodia to 7.6% (95% CI: 5.7%-9.6%) in Malaysia. Serotypes 6A/B, 23F and 19F were the most common serotypes in children <5 years, accounting for 12.9% (95% CI: 9.4%-16.3%), 9.3% (95% CI: 5.9%-12.8%) and 10.1% (95% CI: 6.6%-13.5%) of isolates, respectively. Vaccine policy makers should take these results into account when making decisions on pneumococcal conjugate vaccine programs implementation. Given the paucity of data, collection of more extensive and updated information of S. pneumoniae serotype epidemiology in children under five years in SEAR is also very important for future studies.
Topics: Cambodia; Carrier State; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Nasopharynx; Pneumococcal Infections; Pneumococcal Vaccines; Prevalence; Serogroup; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Vaccines, Conjugate
PubMed: 34511388
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2021.08.002 -
BMJ Open Jul 2019To summarise the extent and quality of evidence on the association between prison cell spatial density (a measure of crowding) and infectious and communicable diseases...
OBJECTIVE
To summarise the extent and quality of evidence on the association between prison cell spatial density (a measure of crowding) and infectious and communicable diseases transmission among prisoners.
DESIGN
Systematic review.
DATA SOURCES
Embase, PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, PsycExtra, ProQuest Databases, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, Index to Legal Periodicals, InformitOnline, Cochrane Library, Criminal Justice Abstracts and ICONDA were searched to 31 December 2018.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Studies that reported on the association between prison cell spatial density (measured in square feet or square metres of cell floor area per person) and infectious and communicable diseases in juvenile and adult populations incarcerated in a correctional facility.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
A review protocol was developed in consultation with an advisory panel. Two reviewers independently extracted data and used the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council's (NHMRC) checklist to critically appraise individual studies. An assessment of the overall body of the evidence was conducted using the NHMRC's Evidence Scale and Statement Form.
RESULTS
A total of 5126 articles were initially identified with seven included in the review from Pakistan (2003), Chile (2016), Nigeria (2012, 2013) and the USA (1980s). Infectious and communicable disease outcomes included pneumococcal disease/acute pneumonia, , latent tuberculosis infection, infectious skin conditions and contagious disease reporting to the prison clinic. Five articles reported statistically significant positive associations but were countered by associations possibly being explained by chance, bias or confounding factors. Heterogeneity prevented meta-analysis.
CONCLUSION
Overall, the body of evidence provides some support for an association between prison cell special density and infectious and communicable diseases, but care should be taken in the interpretation and transferability of the findings. Future research and policy responses should adequately consider prospective mediating factors implicated in associations between cell spatial density and health effects.
Topics: Communicable Diseases; Disease Transmission, Infectious; Global Health; Humans; Incidence; Infections; Prisoners; Prisons
PubMed: 31340959
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026806 -
Value in Health : the Journal of the... Nov 2019Pneumococcal diseases cause substantial mortality, morbidity, and economic burden. Evidence on data inputs for economic evaluations of interventions targeting...
BACKGROUND
Pneumococcal diseases cause substantial mortality, morbidity, and economic burden. Evidence on data inputs for economic evaluations of interventions targeting pneumococcal disease is critical.
OBJECTIVES
To summarize evidence on resource use, costs, health utilities, and cost-effectiveness for pneumococcal disease and associated interventions to inform future economic analyses.
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EconLit, and Cochrane databases for peer-reviewed studies in English on pneumococcal disease that reported health utilities using direct or indirect valuation methods, resource use, costs, or cost-effectiveness of intervention programs, and summarized the evidence descriptively.
RESULTS
We included 383 studies: 9 reporting health utilities, 131 resource use, 160 economic costs of pneumococcal disease, 95 both resource use and costs, and 178 economic evaluations of pneumococcal intervention programs. Health state utility values ranged from 0 to 1 for both meningitis and otitis media and from 0.3 to 0.7 for both pneumonia and sepsis. Hospitalization was shortest for otitis media (range: 0.1-5 days) and longest for sepsis/septicemia (6-48). The main categories of costs reported were drugs, hospitalization, and household or employer costs. Resource use was reported in hospital length of stay and number of contacts with general practitioners. Costs and resource use significantly varied among population ages, disease conditions, and settings. Current vaccination programs for both adults and children, antibiotic use and outreach programs to promote vaccination, early disease detection, and educational programs are cost-effective in most countries.
CONCLUSION
This study has generated a comprehensive repository of health economic evidence on pneumococcal disease that can be used to inform future economic evaluations of pneumococcal disease intervention programs.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Costs and Cost Analysis; Health Expenditures; Health Resources; Humans; Pneumococcal Infections; Pneumococcal Vaccines; Quality of Life; Vaccination
PubMed: 31708071
DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2019.06.011 -
BMJ Open Dec 2023To determine the evidence for non-specific effects of the Pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenza vaccine in children aged 5 years and under.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the evidence for non-specific effects of the Pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenza vaccine in children aged 5 years and under.
DATA SOURCES
A key word literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the European Union Clinical Trials Register and ClinicalTrials.gov up to June 2023.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-RCT or cohort studies.
PARTICIPANTS
Children aged 5 or under.
STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS
Studies were independently screened by two reviewers, with a third where disagreement arose. Risk of bias assessment was performed by one reviewer and confirmed by a second. Results were tabulated and a narrative description performed.
RESULTS
Four articles were identified and included in this review. We found a reduction in hospitalisations from influenza A (44%), pulmonary tuberculosis (42%), metapneumovirus (45%), parainfluenza virus type 1-3 (44%), along with reductions in mortality associated with pneumococcal vaccine. No data on the Haemophilus vaccine was found.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
In this systematic review, we demonstrate that there is a reduction in particular viral infections in children aged 5 years and under who received the 9-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine which differ from those for which the vaccine was designed to protect against. While limited studies have demonstrated a reduction in infections other than those which the vaccine was designed to protect against, substantial clinical trials are required to solidify these findings.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42020146640.
Topics: Child; Humans; Haemophilus Vaccines; Pneumococcal Vaccines; Influenza, Human; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Cohort Studies
PubMed: 38101831
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077717