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Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Jul 2024Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is a common opportunistic infection among people living with HIV (PWH), particularly among new and untreated cases. Several... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Comparative Study Review
Comparative efficacy and safety of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia prophylaxis regimens for people living with HIV: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
BACKGROUND
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is a common opportunistic infection among people living with HIV (PWH), particularly among new and untreated cases. Several regimens are available for the prophylaxis of PCP, including trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), dapsone-based regimens (DBRs), aerosolized pentamidine (AP), and atovaquone.
OBJECTIVES
To compare the efficacy and safety of PCP prophylaxis regimens in PWH by network meta-analysis.
METHODS
DATA SOURCES: Embase, MEDLINE, and CENTRAL from inception to June 21, 2023.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Comparative randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
PARTICIPANTS
PWH.
INTERVENTIONS
Regimens for PCP prophylaxis either compared head-to-head or versus no treatment/placebo.
ASSESSMENT OF RISK OF BIAS
Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for RCTs 2.
METHODS OF DATA SYNTHESIS
Title or abstract and full-text screening and data extraction were performed in duplicate by two independent reviewers. Data on PCP incidence, all-cause mortality, and discontinuation due to toxicity were pooled and ranked by network meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses of primary versus secondary prophylaxis, by year, and by dosage were performed.
RESULTS
A total of 26 RCTs, comprising 55 treatment arms involving 7516 PWH were included. For the prevention of PCP, TMP-SMX was ranked the most favourable agent and was superior to DBRs (risk ratio [RR] = 0.54; 95% CI, 0.36-0.83) and AP (RR = 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36-0.77). TMP-SMX was also the only agent with a mortality benefit compared with no treatment/placebo (RR = 0.79; 95% CI, 0.64-0.98). However, TMP-SMX was also ranked as the most toxic agent with a greater risk of discontinuation than DBRs (RR = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.01-1.54) and AP (7.20; 95% CI, 5.37-9.66). No significant differences in PCP prevention or mortality were detected among the other regimens. The findings remained consistent within subgroups.
CONCLUSIONS
TMP-SMX is the most effective agent for PCP prophylaxis in PWH and the only agent to confer a mortality benefit; consequently, it should continue to be recommended as the first-line agent. Further studies are necessary to determine the optimal dosing of TMP-SMX to maximize efficacy and minimize toxicity.
Topics: Humans; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Network Meta-Analysis; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; Pneumocystis carinii; HIV Infections; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Dapsone; Pentamidine; Atovaquone; Antifungal Agents; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38583518
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2024.03.037 -
Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious... May 2021Although multidrug therapy is considered an effective treatment for leprosy, antimicrobial resistance is a serious concern. We performed a systematic review of studies... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Although multidrug therapy is considered an effective treatment for leprosy, antimicrobial resistance is a serious concern. We performed a systematic review of studies on the diagnostic accuracy and screening of tests for antimicrobial resistance in leprosy. This review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020177958). In April 2020, we searched for studies in the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, Scielo, and LILACS databases. A random effects regression model was used for the meta-analysis. We included 129 studies. Molecular tests for dapsone resistance had a sensitivity of 78.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 65.6-87.9) and a specificity of 97.0% (95% CI = 94.0-98.6). Molecular tests for rifampicin resistance had a sensitivity and specificity of 88.7% (95% CI = 80.0-93.9) and 97.3% (95% CI = 94.3-98.8), respectively. Molecular tests for ofloxacin resistance had a sensitivity and specificity of 80.9% (95% CI = 60.1-92.3) and 96.1% (95% CI = 90.2-98.5), respectively. In recent decades, no increase in the resistance proportion was detected. However, the growing number of resistant cases is still a clinical concern.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; DNA, Bacterial; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Humans; Leprosy; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mycobacterium leprae; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sequence Analysis, DNA
PubMed: 33556650
DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2021.115325 -
BMJ Clinical Evidence Jul 2010Malaria transmission occurs most frequently in environments with humidity greater than 60% and ambient temperature of 25 °C to 30 °C. Risks increase with longer... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Malaria transmission occurs most frequently in environments with humidity greater than 60% and ambient temperature of 25 °C to 30 °C. Risks increase with longer visits and depend on activity. Infection can follow a single mosquito bite. Incubation is usually 10 to 14 days but can be up to 18 months depending on the strain of parasite.
METHODS AND OUTCOMES
We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of non-drug preventive interventions in non-pregnant adult travellers? What are the effects of drug prophylaxis in non-pregnant adult travellers? What are the effects of antimalaria vaccines in adult and child travellers? What are the effects of antimalaria interventions in child travellers, pregnant travellers, and in airline pilots? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to November 2009 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically, please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
RESULTS
We found 79 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions.
CONCLUSIONS
In this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: aerosol insecticides, amodiaquine, air conditioning and electric fans, atovaquone-proguanil, biological control measures, chloroquine (alone or with proguanil), diethyltoluamide (DEET), dietary supplementation, doxycycline, electronic mosquito repellents, full-length and light-coloured clothing, insecticide-treated clothing/nets, mefloquine, mosquito coils and vapourising mats, primaquine, pyrimethamine-dapsone, pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine, smoke, topical (skin-applied) insect repellents, and vaccines.
Topics: Antimalarials; Bedding and Linens; Chloroquine; Humans; Malaria; Mefloquine; Primaquine; Travel
PubMed: 21418669
DOI: No ID Found -
Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics May 2020IgA vasculitis, formerly known as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, is a systemic IgA-mediated vasculitis of the small vessels commonly seen in children. The natural history of...
IgA vasculitis, formerly known as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, is a systemic IgA-mediated vasculitis of the small vessels commonly seen in children. The natural history of IgA vasculitis is generally self-limiting; however, one-third of patients experience symptom recurrence and a refractory course. This systematic review examined the use of dapsone in refractory IgA vasculitis cases. A literature search of PubMed databases retrieved 13 articles published until June 14, 2018. The most common clinical feature was a palpable rash (100% of patients), followed by joint pain (69.2%). Treatment response within 1-2 days was observed in 6 of 26 patients (23.1%) versus within 3-7 days in 17 patients (65.4%). Relapse after treatment discontinuation was reported in 17 patients (65.4%) but not in 3 patients (11.5 %). Four of the 26 patients (15.4%) reported adverse effects of dapsone including arthralgia (7.7%), rash (7.7%), and dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome (3.8%). Our findings suggest that dapsone may affect refractory IgA vasculitis. Multicenter randomized placebo-controlled trials are necessary to determine the standard dosage of dapsone at initial or tapering of treatment in IgA vasculitis patients and evaluate whether dapsone has a significant benefit versus steroids or other medications.
PubMed: 32024340
DOI: 10.3345/kjp.2019.00514 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Aug 2021Linear IgA disease (LAD) is a rare autoimmune blistering disease with linear IgA deposits along the basement membrane zone. Direct immunofluorescence remains the gold... (Review)
Review
Linear IgA disease (LAD) is a rare autoimmune blistering disease with linear IgA deposits along the basement membrane zone. Direct immunofluorescence remains the gold standard for diagnosis, but other diagnostic measures reported in recent literature have proven useful in the setting of inconclusive preliminary results. Dapsone is a commonly used treatment, but many therapeutic agents have emerged in recent years. The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of updates on the diagnosis and management of LAD. A literature search was conducted from May to June of 2021 for articles published in the last 5 years that were related to the diagnosis and management of LAD. False-negative results in cases of drug-induced LAD and the presence of IgG and IgM antibodies on immunofluorescence studies were reported. Serration pattern analysis has been reported to be useful in distinguishing LAD from sublamina densa-type LAD. Rituximab, omalizumab, etanercept, IVIg, sulfonamides, topical corticosteroids, and others have been used successfully in adult and pediatric patients with varying disease severity. Topical corticosteroids were preferred for pediatric patients while rituximab and IVIg were used in adults with recalcitrant LAD. Sulfonamides were utilized in places without access to dapsone. In cases where preliminary biopsy results are negative and clinical suspicion is high, repeat biopsy and additional diagnostic studies should be used. Patient factors such as age, medical comorbidities, and disease severity play a role in therapeutic selection.
Topics: Adult; Autoimmune Diseases; Biopsy; Child; Dapsone; Humans; Immunoglobulin A
PubMed: 34441024
DOI: 10.3390/medicina57080818 -
BMJ Clinical Evidence Nov 2007Malaria transmission occurs most frequently in environments with humidity over 60% and ambient temperature of 25-30 degrees C. Risks increase with longer visits and... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Malaria transmission occurs most frequently in environments with humidity over 60% and ambient temperature of 25-30 degrees C. Risks increase with longer visits and depend on activity. Infection can follow a single mosquito bite. Incubation is usually 10-14 days but can be up to 18 months depending on the strain of parasite.
METHODS AND OUTCOMES
We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of non-drug preventive interventions in adult travellers? What are the effects of drug prophylaxis in adult travellers? What are the effects of antimalaria vaccines in travellers? What are the effects of antimalaria interventions in child travellers, pregnant travellers, and in airline pilots? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library and other important databases up to February 2006 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically, please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
RESULTS
We found 69 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria.
CONCLUSIONS
In this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: acoustic buzzers, aerosol insecticides, amodiaquine, air conditioning and electric fans, atovaquone-proguanil, biological control measures, chloroquine (alone or with proguanil), diethyltoluamide (DEET), doxycycline, full-length and light-coloured clothing, insecticide-treated clothing/nets, mefloquine, mosquito coils and vaporising mats, primaquine, pyrimethamine-dapsone, pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine, smoke, topical (skin-applied) insect repellents, and vaccines.
Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Antimalarials; Bedding and Linens; Chloroquine; Humans; Insect Repellents; Insecticides; Malaria; Travel
PubMed: 19450348
DOI: No ID Found -
Drugs Feb 2015While a variety of intervention options have been described for pemphigus vulgaris, the optimal treatment strategy has not been established. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
While a variety of intervention options have been described for pemphigus vulgaris, the optimal treatment strategy has not been established.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this systematic review is to assess the literature on the efficacy and safety of interventions for the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris.
DATA SOURCES
Five electronic databases were searched, including The Cochrane Skin Group's Specialized Register, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), EMBASE, MEDLINE and Latin American and Caribbean Health science Information database (LILACS). Five trial registers as well as reference lists of included RCTs were also searched.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Any published randomised controlled trial (RCT) on intervention for pemphigus vulgaris was included, provided the diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris was confirmed with appropriate clinical features, histopathology and immunofluorescence studies. Studies which included forms of pemphigus other than pemphigus vulgaris were excluded.
INTERVENTIONS
Altogether 18 RCTs were identified including 16 distinct interventions.
STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS
Included studies were assessed for patient selection, methods of randomisation, blinding, follow-up and selective reporting.
RESULTS
Current evidence is incomplete and inconclusive. The interventions which appear promising, but will require further evaluation include adjuvant mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), azathioprine, intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG), sulfasalazine and pentoxifylline, infliximab, epidermal growth factor and pimecrolimus. Interventions with inconclusive evidence include high (120-180 mg) versus low (45-60 mg) prednisone dosage, pulsed dexamethasone, cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone-cyclophosphamide pulse therapy (DCP), cyclosporine, dapsone, etanercept, acyclovir and tacrolimus.
LIMITATIONS
Our review is limited by the small number of high-quality RCTs and variety of outcome measures, precluding the performing of a meta-analysis.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS
The optimal treatment strategy for pemphigus vulgaris remains unclear. Higher quality RCTs are required in the future to re-evaluate many interventions and to explore other unstudied interventions.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Pemphigus; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 25655250
DOI: 10.1007/s40265-015-0353-6 -
Journal of the American Academy of... Jun 2020The clinical, histologic, and immunopathologic features of IgA pemphigus have not been studied on a large scale.
BACKGROUND
The clinical, histologic, and immunopathologic features of IgA pemphigus have not been studied on a large scale.
OBJECTIVE
To synthesize existing data on the epidemiologic, clinical, histologic, and immunologic features of IgA pemphigus.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review using MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Case reports and series of patients with IgA pemphigus were included.
RESULTS
A total of 119 eligible studies, comprising 137 patients with IgA pemphigus with a mean age of 51.5 ± 21.0 years, were included. Most patients presented with vesicles (80.8%), pustules (75.0%), and circinate plaques (63.6%). Pruritus was present in 65.6% of reported patients. Intercellular deposition of IgA was noted in almost all patients (97.0%), and the remaining 3.0% of patients had IgA positivity on indirect immunofluorescence or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay confirming the diagnosis. IgA circulating intercellular antibodies were detected in only 66.7% patients. IgA gammopathy and ulcerative colitis were associated with IgA pemphigus in 9.5% and 6.6% patients, respectively. Oral dapsone and corticosteroids were the mostly commonly used treatments.
LIMITATIONS
Results are mainly based on case reports and small case series.
CONCLUSIONS
The diagnosis of IgA pemphigus may be considered in patients presenting with vesiculopustular eruption and circinate plaques with truncal and extremity involvement.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Middle Aged; Pemphigus
PubMed: 31812619
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2019.11.059 -
Journal of the European Academy of... Mar 2020Current treatment paradigms in anti-p200 pemphigoid rely on low levels of evidence, primarily originating from case reports and case series.
BACKGROUND
Current treatment paradigms in anti-p200 pemphigoid rely on low levels of evidence, primarily originating from case reports and case series.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review the utilized treatment modalities for anti-p200 pemphigoid and to synthesize the available clinical outcomes of treated patients.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review of the literature using Ovid-Medline (1946-2018), Embase (1947-2018) and Web of Science (1900-2018) databases with a broad and inclusive search strategy along with a subsequent search of retrieved articles. All case reports and case series of patients with anti-p200 pemphigoid were included.
RESULTS
Sixty-eight eligible studies comprising 113 anti-p200 pemphigoid patients with a mean age of 65.5 years were included in the qualitative synthesis. The clinical outcome of patients following treatment was reported for 91 (80.5%) patients, of whom 83 (91.2%) had achieved complete remission at least once. Complete remission on-therapy was observed in 51 (56.0%) and complete remission off-therapy in 12 (13.2%) patients. Thirty-six (39.6%) patients had experienced at least one flare during the duration of follow-up. A combination of systemic corticosteroids and adjuvant immunomodulatory agents was the leading therapeutic approach (63.0%) required for disease control. Systemic and topical corticosteroids as monotherapy were sufficient to control the disease in 19.6% and 13.0% of cases, respectively. Dapsone was the most commonly used (41.3%) adjuvant agent. The highest rates of complete remission were achieved in patients managed by systemic corticosteroids as monotherapy (100%) and in those managed by systemic corticosteroids with adjuvant agents (90.7%). Conversely, 45.5% of patients treated only by topical corticosteroids experienced at least one relapse during follow-up.
CONCLUSION
The vast majority of patients had reached a complete remission during the course of the disease, whereas a considerable proportion of patients experienced at least one relapse. A combination of systemic corticosteroids and adjuvant immunomodulatory agents was the most frequently utilized therapeutic approach.
Topics: Antigens, Neoplasm; Autoantibodies; Humans; Pemphigoid, Bullous; Remission Induction; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31536652
DOI: 10.1111/jdv.15961 -
Annales de Dermatologie Et de... Mar 2011Pemphigus is a rare autoimmune bullous disorder. Numerous treatment regimens have been proposed in the literature. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Pemphigus is a rare autoimmune bullous disorder. Numerous treatment regimens have been proposed in the literature.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy and tolerance of treatment regimens proposed in pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF), from a systematic review of the literature.
METHODS
Randomized control trials have been identified using the PubMed and Embase databases up to April 2009. Uncontrolled prospective and retrospective studies have also been analyzed.
RESULTS
Eleven randomized control trials having included a total number of 421 patients (377 PV, 44 PF) have been analyzed. Most studies had a limited statistical power due to the rather low number of cases included. Results from ten different treatment regimens have been analyzed: different dosages of prednisone and prednisolone, pulse intravenous dexamethasone, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, dapsone, mycophenolate mofetil, plasmapheresis, topical applications of epidermal growth factor (EGF), and intravenous immune globulins (IVIG). Inclusion criteria were: (i) consecutive patients in nine studies, (ii) patients who did not respond to low doses of corticosteroids in one study, and (iii) patients with relapsing type of pemphigus in one study. None of these studies allowed identifying the best effective and well tolerated regimen. Mycophenolate mofetil was more effective than azathioprine for disease control (from one study; n=40; OR=0.72; 95% CI=0.52-0.99). However, no difference in the rate of clinical remission was evidenced between these drugs. Azathioprine and cyclophosphamide seem to have a corticosteroid sparing effect.
CONCLUSION
Data from the literature did not allow identifying the best therapeutic regimen, mainly because of the lack of statistical power of most studies. The usefulness of immunosuppressant added to systemic corticosteroids as the first line of treatment is not clearly established.
Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Combined Modality Therapy; Drug Therapy, Combination; Epidermal Growth Factor; Gold Compounds; Humans; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Immunosuppressive Agents; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Niacinamide; Paraneoplastic Syndromes; Pemphigus; Plasma Exchange; Prospective Studies; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Recurrence; Retrospective Studies; Tetracycline
PubMed: 21397148
DOI: 10.1016/j.annder.2011.01.016