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Journal of Medical Virology Jul 2024The distinct composition and immune response characteristics of bats' innate and adaptive immune systems, which enable them to serve as host of numerous serious zoonotic... (Review)
Review
The distinct composition and immune response characteristics of bats' innate and adaptive immune systems, which enable them to serve as host of numerous serious zoonotic viruses without falling ill, differ substantially from those of other mammals, it have garnered significant attention. In this article, we offer a systematic review of the names, attributes, and functions of innate and adaptive immune cells & molecules across different bat species. This includes descriptions of the differences shown by research between 71 bat species in 10 families, as well as comparisons between bats and other mammals. Studies of the immune cells & molecules of different bat species are necessary to understand the unique antiviral immunity of bats. By providing comprehensive information on these unique immune responses, it is hoped that new insights will be provided for the study of co-evolutionary dynamics between viruses and the bat immune system, as well as human antiviral immunity.
Topics: Chiroptera; Animals; Immunity, Innate; Adaptive Immunity; Humans; Viruses; Virus Diseases
PubMed: 38949201
DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29772 -
Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Jul 2024Understanding the clinical spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 infection, including the asymptomatic fraction, is important as asymptomatic individuals are still able to infect other... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Understanding the clinical spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 infection, including the asymptomatic fraction, is important as asymptomatic individuals are still able to infect other individuals and contribute to ongoing transmission. The WHO Unity Household transmission investigation (HHTI) protocol provides a platform for the prospective and systematic collection of high-quality clinical, epidemiological, serological and virological data from SARS-CoV-2 confirmed cases and their household contacts. These data can be used to understand key severity and transmissibility parameters-including the asymptomatic proportion-in relation to local epidemic context and help inform public health response. We aimed to estimate the asymptomatic proportion of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infections in Unity-aligned HHTIs. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis in alignment with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered our systematic review on PROSPERO (CRD42022378648). We searched EMBASE, Web of Science, MEDLINE and bioRxiv and medRxiv from 1 November 2021 to 22 August 2023. We identified 8368 records, of which 98 underwent full text review. We identified only three studies for data extraction, with substantial variation in study design and corresponding estimates of the asymptomatic proportion. As a result, we did not generate a pooled estimate or I metric. The limited number of quality studies that we identified highlights the need for improved preparedness and response capabilities to facilitate robust HHTI implementation, analysis and reporting, to better inform national, regional and global risk assessments and policymaking.
Topics: Humans; Asymptomatic Infections; COVID-19; Family Characteristics; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 38949103
DOI: 10.1111/irv.13348 -
European Review For Medical and... Jun 2024The World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most widespread infection that affects women's reproductive system. HPV is a...
OBJECTIVE
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most widespread infection that affects women's reproductive system. HPV is a serious concern to women's health, as it has a negative impact on women's quality of life. Approximately 70% of all occurrences of cervical cancer globally are caused by HPV strains 16 and 18. A few studies have found that HPV vaccinations play a significant role in protecting women against HPV infections. This study aims to identify the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine and to examine the influence of this vaccine on women's health.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
EBSCO, PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and ProQuest were selected as electronic databases for systematic research. The inclusion criteria encompassed studies published in English from January 2019 to August 2023, evaluating the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine in women aged 18-76 years globally. This review included different types of studies, including cross-sectional, retrospective cohort, original randomized controlled trials, and prospective studies. Moreover, the included studies were evaluated using the Jonna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodological quality checklist tool. Two reviewers assessed the methodological quality of all studies using JBI guidelines.
RESULTS
The search identified 11,095 articles, 19 of which were included in this review. Significant findings were found regarding the relationship between HPV vaccines and women's health.
CONCLUSIONS
This review highlights the importance of the HPV vaccine and its administration among women to promote their health and prevent future infections.
Topics: Humans; Female; Papillomavirus Vaccines; Papillomavirus Infections; Women's Health; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Adolescent; Adult; Middle Aged; Quality of Life; Young Adult; Aged
PubMed: 38946386
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202406_36464 -
Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Jun 2024The COVID-19 pandemic has taken many forms and continues to evolve, now around the Omicron wave, raising concerns over the globe. With COVID-19 being declared no longer... (Review)
Review
New variants of COVID-19 (XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16, the "Arcturus"): A review of highly questioned concerns, a brief comparison between different peaks in the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focused systematic review on expert recommendations for prevention, vaccination, and treatment measures in the general...
INTRODUCTION
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken many forms and continues to evolve, now around the Omicron wave, raising concerns over the globe. With COVID-19 being declared no longer a "public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)," the COVID pandemic is still far from over, as new Omicron subvariants of interest and concern have risen since January of 2023. Mainly with the XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16 subvariants, the pandemic is still very much "alive" and "breathing."
METHODS
This review consists of five highly concerning questions about the current state of the COVID Omicron peak. We searched four main online databases to answer the first four questions. For the last one, we performed a systematic review of the literature, with keywords "Omicron," "Guidelines," and "Recommendations."
RESULTS
A total of 31 articles were included. The main symptoms of the current Omicron wave include a characteristically high fever, coughing, conjunctivitis (with itching eyes), sore throat, runny nose, congestion, fatigue, body ache, and headache. The median incubation period of the symptoms is shorter than the previous peaks. Vaccination against COVID can still be considered effective for the new subvariants.
CONCLUSION
Guidelines recommend continuation of personal protective measures, third and fourth dose boosters, along with administration of bivalent messenger RNA vaccine boosters. The consensus antiviral treatment is combination therapy using Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir, and the consensus for pre-exposure prophylaxis is Tixagevimab and Cilgavimab combination. We hope the present paper raises awareness for the continuing presence of COVID and ways to lower the risks, especially for at-risk groups.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 Vaccines; Vaccination; Pandemics; Antiviral Agents; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 38938013
DOI: 10.1002/iid3.1323 -
The Lancet. Oncology Jul 2024Systematic evaluations of cancer risk in people living with HIV or AIDS (PLHIV) and solid organ transplant recipients provide unique insights into the role of the immune... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Systematic evaluations of cancer risk in people living with HIV or AIDS (PLHIV) and solid organ transplant recipients provide unique insights into the role of the immune system in cancer development. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we expand previous analyses of cancer risk for these two immunocompromised populations.
METHODS
We considered studies published in English and listed on PubMed or Embase up to July 1, 2022. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they used population-based registries and compared cancer incidence in PLHIV or solid organ transplant recipients with the general population in the same geographical area. We extracted the number of observed site-specific cancers and expected cases and calculated meta-standardised incidence ratios for cancer within PLHIV and solid organ transplant recipients. In solid organ transplant recipients meta-standardised incidence ratios were compared by organ type. This project is registered on PROSPERO, CRD42022366679.
FINDINGS
46 studies in PLHIV and 67 in solid organ transplant recipients were included in the analysis. Meta-standardised incidence ratios for cancers associated with human papillomavirus were increased in both populations; the highest meta-standardised incidence ratio in PLHIV was anal cancer (37·28 [95% CI 23·65-58·75], I=97·4%), and in solid organ transplant recipients was cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (45·87 [31·70-66·38], I=99·0%). Meta-standardised incidence ratios were significantly increased for most non-HPV viral-infection-related cancers in both populations; the highest standard incidence ratios were for Kaposi sarcoma (PLHIV: 801·52 [95% CI 200·25-3208·13], I=100·0%; solid organ transplant recipients: 47·31 [23·09-96·95], I=87·7%) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (32·53 [19·64-53·87], I=99·8%; 10·24 [8·48-12·35], I=94·9%). Eight types of cancer with no known viral cause showed an increased risk in solid organ transplant recipients only; no cancer type showed increased risk in PLHIV only.
INTERPRETATION
Cancer risk was increased for a range of infection-related cancers in both PLHIV and solid organ transplant recipients, but divergent results in these and other cancers have emerged. The cancer risk patterns probably reflect variances in the degree of impaired immunity, exposure to carcinogenic viruses, and perhaps exposure to carcinogenic immunosuppressive agents.
FUNDING
US National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health.
Topics: Humans; Organ Transplantation; HIV Infections; Neoplasms; Incidence; Transplant Recipients; Immunocompromised Host; Risk Factors; Risk Assessment; Female; Male
PubMed: 38936380
DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(24)00189-X -
Medical Mycology Jun 2024Candida parapsilosis is globally distributed and recognised for causing an increasing proportion of invasive Candida infections. It is associated with high crude...
Candida parapsilosis is globally distributed and recognised for causing an increasing proportion of invasive Candida infections. It is associated with high crude mortality in all age groups. It has been particularly associated with nosocomial outbreaks, particularly in association with the use of invasive medical devices such as central venous catheters. Candida parapsilosis is one of the pathogens considered in the WHO priority pathogens list, and this review was conducted to inform the ranking of the pathogen in the list. In this systematic review, we searched PubMed and Web of Science to find studies between 2011 and 2021 reporting on the following criteria for C. parapsilosis infections: mortality, morbidity (hospitalisation and disability), drug resistance, preventability, yearly incidence, and distribution/emergence. We identified 336 potentially relevant papers, of which 51 were included in the analyses. The included studies confirmed high mortality rates, ranging from 17.5% to 46.8%. Data on disability and sequelae were sparse. Many reports highlighted concerns with azole resistance, with resistance rates of >10% described in some regions. Annual incidence rates were relatively poorly described, although there was clear evidence that the proportion of candidaemia cases caused by C. parapsilosis increased over time. While this review summarises current data on C.parapsilosis, there remains an urgent need for ongoing research and surveillance to fully understand and manage this increasingly important pathogen.
Topics: Humans; Candida parapsilosis; Drug Resistance, Fungal; World Health Organization; Antifungal Agents; Incidence; Candidiasis; Cross Infection
PubMed: 38935912
DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad131 -
Medical Mycology Jun 2024This systematic review evaluates the current global impact of invasive infections caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii (principally pneumonia: PJP), and was carried out to...
Features and global impact of invasive fungal infections caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii: A systematic review to inform the World Health Organization fungal priority pathogens list.
This systematic review evaluates the current global impact of invasive infections caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii (principally pneumonia: PJP), and was carried out to inform the World Health Organization Fungal Priority Pathogens List. PubMed and Web of Science were used to find studies reporting mortality, inpatient care, complications/sequelae, antifungal susceptibility/resistance, preventability, annual incidence, global distribution, and emergence in the past 10 years, published from January 2011 to February 2021. Reported mortality is highly variable, depending on the patient population: In studies of persons with HIV, mortality was reported at 5%-30%, while in studies of persons without HIV, mortality ranged from 4% to 76%. Risk factors for disease principally include immunosuppression from HIV, but other types of immunosuppression are increasingly recognised, including solid organ and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, autoimmune and inflammatory disease, and chemotherapy for cancer. Although prophylaxis is available and generally effective, burdensome side effects may lead to discontinuation. After a period of decline associated with improvement in access to HIV treatment, new risk groups of immunosuppressed patients with PJP are increasingly identified, including solid organ transplant patients.
Topics: Humans; Pneumocystis carinii; Invasive Fungal Infections; World Health Organization; Immunocompromised Host; Risk Factors; Global Health; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis; Antifungal Agents; Incidence
PubMed: 38935910
DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myae038 -
Medical Mycology Jun 2024Histoplasmosis, a significant mycosis primarily prevalent in Africa, North and South America, with emerging reports globally, poses notable health challenges,...
Histoplasmosis, a significant mycosis primarily prevalent in Africa, North and South America, with emerging reports globally, poses notable health challenges, particularly in immunocompromised individuals such as people living with HIV/AIDS and organ transplant recipients. This systematic review, aimed at informing the World Health Organization's Fungal Priority Pathogens List, critically examines literature from 2011 to 2021 using PubMed and Web of Science, focusing on the incidence, mortality, morbidity, antifungal resistance, preventability, and distribution of Histoplasma. We also found a high prevalence (22%-44%) in people living with HIV, with mortality rates ranging from 21% to 53%. Despite limited data, the prevalence of histoplasmosis seems stable, with lower estimates in Europe. Complications such as central nervous system disease, pulmonary issues, and lymphoedema due to granuloma or sclerosis are noted, though their burden remains uncertain. Antifungal susceptibility varies, particularly against fluconazole (MIC: ≥32 mg/l) and caspofungin (MICs: 4-32 mg/l), while resistance to amphotericin B (MIC: 0.125-0.16 mg/l), itraconazole (MICs: 0.004-0.125 mg/l), and voriconazole (MICs: 0.004-0.125 mg/l) remains low. This review identifies critical knowledge gaps, underlining the need for robust, globally representative surveillance systems to better understand and combat this fungal threat.
Topics: Humans; Histoplasmosis; Antifungal Agents; World Health Organization; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Histoplasma; Prevalence; Immunocompromised Host
PubMed: 38935903
DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myae039 -
Medical Research Archives Oct 2023Diabetics have an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 infection and tend to have more severe symptoms. This systematic review explores the potential mechanisms...
Diabetics have an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 infection and tend to have more severe symptoms. This systematic review explores the potential mechanisms influencing the high prevalence of COVID-19 infections in individuals with diabetes. It reviews the emerging evidence about the interactions between viral and diabetic pathways, particularly how diabetes physiology could contribute to higher viral reception, viral entry and pathogenicity, and the severity of disease symptoms. Finally, it examines the challenges we face in studying these mechanisms and offers new strategies that might assist our fight against current and future pandemics.
PubMed: 38933091
DOI: 10.18103/mra.v11i10.4540 -
Vaccines Jun 2024A systematic review with a meta-analysis was performed to gather available evidence on the effectiveness of monoclonal antibody nirsevimab in the prevention of lower... (Review)
Review
A systematic review with a meta-analysis was performed to gather available evidence on the effectiveness of monoclonal antibody nirsevimab in the prevention of lower respiratory tract diseases (LRTDs) due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children and newborns (CRD42024540669). Studies reporting on real-world experience and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched for in three databases (PubMed, Embase, and Scopus) until 1 May 2024. Our analysis included five RCTs, seven real-world reports, and one official report from the health authorities. Due to the cross-reporting of RCTs and the inclusion of multiple series in a single study, the meta-analysis was performed on 45,238 infants from 19 series. The meta-analysis documented a pooled immunization efficacy of 88.40% (95% confidence interval (95% CI) from 84.70 to 91.21) on the occurrence of hospital admission due to RSV, with moderate heterogeneity (I 24.3%, 95% CI 0.0 to 56.6). Immunization efficacy decreased with the overall length of the observation time (Spearman's r = -0.546, = 0.016), and the risk of breakthrough infections was substantially greater in studies with observation times ≥150 days compared to studies lasting <150 days (risk ratio 2.170, 95% CI 1.860 to 2.532). However, the effect of observation time in meta-regression analysis was conflicting ( = 0.001, 95% CI -0.001 to 0.002; = 0.092). In conclusion, the delivery of nirsevimab was quite effective in preventing hospital admissions due to LRTDs. However, further analyses of the whole RSV season are required before tailoring specific public health interventions.
PubMed: 38932369
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060640