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Journal of Medical Virology Dec 2022SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant seemed to cause milder disease compared to previous predominated variants. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to assess the pooled... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant seemed to cause milder disease compared to previous predominated variants. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to assess the pooled proportion of nonsevere disease and asymptomatic infection among COVID-19 patients infected with Omicron and Delta. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. We included studies of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection from November 1, 2021, to April 18, 2022, and studies of Delta infection from October 1, 2020, to June 30, 2022. Studies without corresponding data, with less than 50 patients, or obviously biased concerning main outcome were excluded. Meta-analysis was performed in R 4.2.0 with the "meta" package. Subgroup analyses were conducted by study group and vaccination status. The pooled proportion of asymptomatic infection and nonsevere disease with Omicron were 25.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 17.0%-38.2%) and 97.9% (95% CI 97.1%-98.7%), significantly higher than those of Delta with 8.4% (95% CI 4.4%-16.2%) and 91.4% (95% CI 87.0%-96.0%). During Omicron wave, children and adolescents had higher proportion of asymptomatic infection, SOTR and the elderly had lower proportion of nonsevere disease, vaccination of a booster dose contributed to higher proportion of both asymptomatic infection and nonsevere disease. This study estimates the pooled proportion of asymptomatic infection and nonsevere disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 Omicron compared to other predominant variants. The result has important implications for future policy making.
Topics: Adolescent; Aged; Asymptomatic Infections; COVID-19; Child; China; Humans; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 35961786
DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28066 -
Acta Parasitologica Sep 2021The present systematic review and meta-analysis was aimed to assess the weighted molecular prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in humans along with the comparative molecular... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Comparative molecular prevalence and subtypes distribution of Blastocystis sp. a potentially zoonotic infection isolated from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
PURPOSE
The present systematic review and meta-analysis was aimed to assess the weighted molecular prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in humans along with the comparative molecular prevalence and subtypes distribution of Blastocystis isolated from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients in Iran.
METHODS
International electronic databases including Medline/PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar were explored until 4th October 2020. Heterogeneity index was evaluated among studies using Cochran's Q test and I index. Finally, 23 eligible studies were qualified to be included in this review.
RESULTS
The pooled molecular prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in Iran was reported 15.2% (95% CI 11.5-19.7). In addition, the molecular prevalence based on PCR-sequencing and STS primers was reported 12.5% (95% CI 8.6-17.7) and 19.8% (95% CI 13.1-28.8), respectively. Interestingly, there was a considerably higher prevalence among asymptomatic patients [25.1% (95% CI 20.8-30.0)] in comparison to symptomatic ones [21.0% (95% CI 15.9-27.2)]. In addition, the frequency of Blastocystis ST1, ST2, and ST3 from positive samples in symptomatic patients was 19.7%, 35.1%, and 47.4%, respectively. In addition, the prevalence of Blastocystis ST1, ST2, and ST3 from positive samples in asymptomatic patients was 27.1%, 26.8%, and 37.8%, respectively. The results obtained in Iran showed that Blastocystis is more common in asymptomatic patients compared to patients having clinical symptoms. Of note, ST3, as the most common subtype causing clinical symptoms, was the most prevalent reported subtype among both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients in the country.
CONCLUSIONS
Hence, the pathogenicity of the Blastocystis parasite is not subtype-specific and appears to be related to a variety of risk factors. Still the Blastocystis epidemiology is open to question and more large-scale studies should be performed on this aspect.
Topics: Animals; Blastocystis; Blastocystis Infections; DNA, Protozoan; Feces; Genetic Variation; Humans; Iran; Phylogeny; Prevalence; Zoonoses
PubMed: 33686524
DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00360-0 -
The Surgeon : Journal of the Royal... Jun 2018There is significant debate as to whether routine antibiotic treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) in arthroplasty patients reduces the risk of subsequent PJI. No... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
There is significant debate as to whether routine antibiotic treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) in arthroplasty patients reduces the risk of subsequent PJI. No previous systematic reviews have been undertaken on this subject. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate whether antibiotic treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in arthroplasty patients reduces the risk of prosthetic joint infection and to investigate whether the organisms cultured in peri-operative urine samples are the same as those responsible for subsequent prosthetic joint infections.
METHODS
Medline and SCOPUS databases were searched using a systematic search strategy. Inclusion Criteria were that the paper must present data detailing infection rates in patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria versus those without and must provide information on infection rates for ASB patients treated with antibiotics versus those not treated. Non-English Language papers and Conference Abstracts in which a full manuscript was not published were excluded. Two hundred and five papers were returned - three papers were included in the review, comprising 3267 patients.
RESULTS
Only 3 studies met the inclusion criteria. The published literature does not support the routine antibiotic treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in arthroplasty patients. The organisms responsible for peri-prosthetic joint infection in patients with pre-operative asymptomatic bacteriuria are different from that cultured in their urine during the pre-operative period. This means that, although biologically possible, a direct causal relationship appears extremely unlikely.
CONCLUSIONS
The evidence base supporting antibiotic treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria prior to arthroplasty surgery is weak. Given the lack of evidence to support a direct causal relationship, routine antibiotic treatment of ASB in arthroplasty patients is not justified.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; Asymptomatic Infections; Bacteriuria; Humans; Prosthesis-Related Infections
PubMed: 29174023
DOI: 10.1016/j.surge.2017.08.007 -
PLOS Global Public Health 2024Syndromic management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is common in settings with limited access to diagnostic testing. However, this approach does not capture...
Asymptomatic infections with Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis among women in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Syndromic management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is common in settings with limited access to diagnostic testing. However, this approach does not capture asymptomatic STIs. Untreated asymptomatic infections may result in serious complications and sequelae in women. We aimed to estimate the proportion and the prevalence of asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infections among women in low- and middle-income countries. We searched Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science for articles published between 2000 and 2022. We used random effect models to compute the proportion and prevalence estimates and performed sub-group analysis. We evaluated the quality of each article using the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies and performed sensitivity analyses. This study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42022286673. Forty-eight eligible studies were included. The proportion of asymptomatic CT, NG, and TV infections were: 60.7% [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 50.4; 70.5], 53.3% [37.1; 69.1], and 56.9% [44.6; 68.9], respectively. The proportion of women with asymptomatic infections was the highest in Africa for the three pathogens. The pooled prevalence of asymptomatic CT, NG, and TV infection was 4.70 per 100 women [95%CI: 3.39; 6.20], 3.11 [1.34; 5.54], and 5.98 [3.46; 9.12], respectively. More than half of the women infected by CT, NG, or TV were asymptomatic. To avoid undiagnosed and untreated asymptomatic infections leading to complications, alternative approaches to syndromic management urgently need to be considered.
PubMed: 38781286
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003226 -
Medicine Feb 2018A high prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria exists in patients prior to arthroplasty, and urinary tract infection is considered to be a source of postoperative... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
A high prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria exists in patients prior to arthroplasty, and urinary tract infection is considered to be a source of postoperative superficial wound and prosthetic joint infections. There is no consensus whether to screen for and treat asymptomatic bacteriuria before arthroplasty.
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the association between asymptomatic bacteriuria and complications after arthroplasty and to evaluate the clinical benefits of treating asymptomatic bacteriuria prior to arthroplasty.
METHOD
We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to retrieve potentially eligible articles. By screening the titles and abstracts of retrieved records and then reading the full texts of the remaining papers, we finally included 8 English-language articles in this systematic review.
RESULTS
Asymptomatic bacteriuria prior to arthroplasty is significantly associated with an increased occurrence of postoperative prosthetic joint and superficial wound infections. However, there is little evidence for direct or hematogenous seeding of urinary infections, and treating asymptomatic bacteriuria before arthroplasty did not decrease the incidence of postoperative infectious complications.
CONCLUSION
Asymptomatic bacteriuria is not a contraindication for arthroplasty, and the practice of routine preoperative screening for and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria should not be continued.
Topics: Aged; Arthroplasty; Asymptomatic Infections; Bacteriuria; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Preoperative Period
PubMed: 29443741
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000009810 -
Journal of Travel Medicine Jun 2024Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood-borne viruses (BBVs) impose a global health and economic burden. International travellers facilitate the spread of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood-borne viruses (BBVs) impose a global health and economic burden. International travellers facilitate the spread of infectious diseases, including STIs. Hence, this review assessed the prevalence/proportionate morbidity of travellers with STIs and sexually transmitted BBVs and factors associated with the infection in this population.
METHODS
PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Embase and Cochrane Library were searched from inception of the databases until November 2022. Published analytical observational studies reporting the prevalence/proportionate morbidity of travellers with STIs and factors associated with STIs by type of traveller [i.e. tourists, business travellers, students, visiting friends or relatives (VFRs), international truck drivers, backpackers, expatriates and men who have sex with men (MSM)] were included. The selection of articles, data extraction and risk of bias assessment were conducted by two independent reviewers. Meta-analyses were conducted for each STI by clinical presentation and type of traveller.
RESULTS
Thirty-two studies (n = 387 731 travellers) were included; 19 evaluated the proportionate morbidity of STIs among symptomatic travellers, while 13 examined the prevalence of STIs in asymptomatic travellers. The highest proportionate morbidity was found among VFRs (syphilis, 1.67%; 95% CI: 1.03-2.81%), backpackers (Chlamydia trachomatis, 6.58%; 95% CI: 5.96-7.25%) and MSM (HIV [2.50%;95% CI: 0.44-12.88%], gonorrhoea [4.17%; 95% CI: 1.1.5-13.98%], lymphogranuloma venereum [4.17%;95% CI: 1.1.5-13.98%] and HAV [20.0%; 95% CI: 14.99-26.17%]). The highest prevalence of STIs among asymptomatic were found in MSM (HIV [25.94%; 95% CI: 22.21-30.05%] and HBV [24.90%; 95% CI: 21.23-28.96%]) and backpackers (C. trachomatis, 3.92%; 95% CI: 2.72-5.32%). Short duration of the trip (<1 month), not having pre-travel consultation, travelling to Southeast Asia and being unvaccinated for HBV were identified as risk factors for STIs.
CONCLUSION
Strategies to prevent STIs and sexually transmitted BBVs should be discussed at pre-travel consultations, and recommendations should be prioritized in high-risk groups of travellers, such as backpackers, VFRs and MSMs. Additionally, healthcare providers should tailor recommendations for safe sex practices to individual travellers' unique needs.
Topics: Humans; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Travel; Blood-Borne Infections; Male; Prevalence; Female; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38438164
DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taae038 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Apr 2021Reports suggest that asymptomatic individuals (those with no symptoms at all throughout infection) with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are...
BACKGROUND
Reports suggest that asymptomatic individuals (those with no symptoms at all throughout infection) with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are infectious, but the extent of transmission based on symptom status requires further study.
PURPOSE
This living review aims to critically appraise available data about secondary attack rates from people with asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic and symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.
DATA SOURCES
Medline, EMBASE, China Academic Journals full-text database (CNKI), and pre-print servers were searched from 30 December 2019 to 3 July 2020 using relevant MESH terms.
STUDY SELECTION
Studies that report on contact tracing of index cases with SARS-CoV-2 infection in either English or Chinese were included.
DATA EXTRACTION
Two authors independently extracted data and assessed study quality and risk of bias. We calculated the secondary attack rate as the number of contacts with SARS-CoV-2, divided by the number of contacts tested.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Of 927 studies identified, 80 were included. Summary secondary attack rate estimates were 1% (95% CI 0%-2%) with a prediction interval of 0%-10% for asymptomatic index cases in ten studies, 7% (95% CI 3%-11%) with a prediction interval of 1%-40% for pre-symptomatic cases in 11 studies and 6% (95% CI 5%-8%) with a prediction interval of 5%-38% for symptomatic index cases in 40 studies. The highest secondary attack rates were found in contacts who lived in the same household as the index case. Other activities associated with transmission were group activities such as sharing meals or playing board games with the index case, regardless of the disease status of the index case.
LIMITATIONS
We excluded some studies because the index case or number of contacts were unclear.
CONCLUSION
Asymptomatic patients can transmit SARS-CoV-2 to others, but our findings indicate that such individuals are responsible for fewer secondary infections than people with symptoms.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO CRD42020188168.
Topics: Asymptomatic Infections; COVID-19; Contact Tracing; Family Characteristics; Humans; Incidence
PubMed: 33484843
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2021.01.011 -
Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy Aug 2020Different microorganisms contribute in the pregnancy bacteriuria, which resistance microorganisms limited the therapeutic options for the treatment and increasing the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
Different microorganisms contribute in the pregnancy bacteriuria, which resistance microorganisms limited the therapeutic options for the treatment and increasing the related risks to pregnant women and their pregnancy. Based on this, asymptomatic bacteriuria and the use of inappropriate empirical antibiotics are dangerous in the emergence of pregnancy complications and the incidence of drug resistant.
METHODS
A comprehensive systematic search was performed on all international databases including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Cochrane library during 2000 - June 2019. This meta-analysis, which was registered by a pre-defined protocol in PROSPRO, carried out in accordance with PRISMA guideline. Relevant articles were included in the analysis if reported the susceptibility pattern of antimicrobial resistance related to asymptomatic bacteria in pregnant women with no acute diseases. Overall prevalence and related 95% confidence interval for resistance in different asymptomatic infections were estimated by inverse variance method. The random effect model was used in case of considerable heterogeneity.
RESULTS
Results of this analysis demonstrated different resistance rate against studied classes of antibiotics. Nitrofurantoin resistance in . coli, Klebsiella sp, P. aeruginosa, and isolates were estimated 0.22 (95%CI: 0.15-0.30), 0.40 (95%CI: 0.26-0.54), 0.81 (95%CI: 0.59-0.97), 0.34 (0.11-0.63), respectively. Subgroups analysis showed highest resistance in isolates, in Asia and Africa against Cefotaxime and Ampicillin, respectively.
CONCLUSION
In summary, increasing resistance rate in urinary tract infection (UTI)-related agents is a risk factor that endangers both mother and fetus. Health care providers should consider screening as the radical part of infection control strategies. Due to low resistance rate to Nitrofurantoin, this drug can be a good choice for UTI treatment in pregnancies, but it should use with caution.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Asymptomatic Infections; Bacteria; Bacteriuria; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Risk Factors; Urinary Tract Infections
PubMed: 32321329
DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2020.1759420 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2021The viral shedding time (VST) of SARS-CoV-2 mainly determines its transmission and duration of infectiousness. However, it was heterogeneous in the existing studies.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The viral shedding time (VST) of SARS-CoV-2 mainly determines its transmission and duration of infectiousness. However, it was heterogeneous in the existing studies. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to comprehensively summarize the VST of SARS-CoV-2. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, MedRxiv, BioRxiv, CNKI, CSTJ, and Wanfang up to October 25, 2020, for studies that reported VSTs of SARS-CoV-2. Pooled estimates and 95% CIs for the VSTs were calculated using log-transformed data. The VSTs in SARS-CoV-2 infections based on different demographic and clinical characteristics, treatments and specimens were stratified by subgroup analysis. A total of 35 studies involving 3,385 participants met the inclusion criteria. The pooled mean VST was 16.8 days (95% CI: 14.8-19.4, = 99.56%) in SARS-CoV-2 infections. The VST was significantly longer in symptomatic infections (19.7 days, 95% CI: 17.2-22.7, = 99.34%) than in asymptomatic infections (10.9 days, 95% CI: 8.3-14.3, = 98.89%) ( < 0.05). The VST was 23.2 days (95% CI: 19.0-28.4, = 99.24%) in adults, which was significantly longer than that in children (9.9 days, 95% CI: 8.1-12.2, = 85.74%) ( < 0.05). The VST was significantly longer in persons with chronic diseases (24.2 days, 95% CI: 19.2-30.2, = 84.07%) than in those without chronic diseases (11.5 days, 95% CI: 5.3-25.0, = 82.11%) ( < 0.05). Persons receiving corticosteroid treatment (28.3 days, 95% CI: 25.6-31.2, = 0.00%) had a longer VST than those without corticosteroid treatment (16.2 days, 95% CI: 11.5-22.5, = 92.27%) ( = 0.06). The VST was significantly longer in stool specimens (30.3 days, 95% CI: 23.1-39.2, = 92.09%) than in respiratory tract specimens (17.5 days, 95% CI: 14.9-20.6, = 99.67%) ( < 0.05). A longer VST was found in symptomatic infections, infected adults, persons with chronic diseases, and stool specimens.
Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adult; Asymptomatic Infections; COVID-19; Child; Comorbidity; Feces; Humans; SARS-CoV-2; Virus Shedding
PubMed: 33816427
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.652842 -
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease May 2019is a genus of obligate parasites belonging to the Pentastomida subclass that was first described as a cause of human disease in 1847. Human infection by is rare and... (Review)
Review
is a genus of obligate parasites belonging to the Pentastomida subclass that was first described as a cause of human disease in 1847. Human infection by is rare and not widely known. These parasites are transmitted to humans by handling or eating undercooked meat from infected snakes, which are the definitive hosts, or oral uptake of environmental ova. The aim of this systematic review was to record all available evidence regarding infections by in humans. A systematic review of PubMed (through 21 December 2018) for studies providing epidemiological, clinical, microbiological, as well as treatment data and outcomes of infections was conducted. A total of 26 studies, containing data of 40 patients, were eventually included in the analysis. The most common sites of infection were the peritoneal cavity, the liver, the lower respiratory and the abdominal tract. The commonest infecting species was and most patients were asymptomatic; however, when symptoms occurred, the commonest was abdominal pain, even though unusual presentations occurred, such as hepatic encephalopathy or neurologic symptoms. Most cases were diagnosed at surgery or by imaging, and most patients were not treated. Mortality was low, but the majority of the cases with ocular infection lead to permanent loss of vision.
PubMed: 31100831
DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed4020080