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Malaria Journal Mar 2024Anopheles vagus (subgenus Cellia) has been identified as a vector for malaria, filariasis, and Japanese encephalitis in Asia. Sporozoites of Plasmodium falciparum and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Anopheles vagus (subgenus Cellia) has been identified as a vector for malaria, filariasis, and Japanese encephalitis in Asia. Sporozoites of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax have been found in this zoophilic mosquito in Asia and Indonesia. This study systematically reviews publications regarding An. vagus species, variation, bio-ecology, and malaria transmission in various localities in Asia, especially Indonesia, to determine whether the current data support An. vagus as a species complex.
METHODS
The databases Pubmed, Scopus, Europe PMC, and Proquest were searched to identify information regarding the morphology, karyotypes, polytene chromosome, cross-mating, ecology, and molecular identification of An. vagus was then evaluated to determine whether there were possible species complexes.
RESULTS
Of the 1326 articles identified, 15 studies were considered for synthesis. The Anopheles spp. samples for this study came from Asia. Eleven studies used morphology to identify An. vagus, with singular studies using each of karyotype identification, chromosomal polytene identification, and cross-breeding experiments. Ten studies used molecular techniques to identify Anopheles spp., including An. vagus. Most studies discovered morphological variations of An. vagus either in the same or different areas and ecological settings. In this review, the members of An. vagus sensu lato grouped based on morphology (An. vagus, An. vagus vagus, An. vagus limosus, and An. limosus), karyotyping (form A and B), and molecular (An. vagus genotype A and B, An. vagus AN4 and AN5). Genetic analysis revealed a high conservation of the ITS2 fragment among members except for the An. vagus genotype B, which was, in fact, Anopheles sundaicus. This review also identified that An. vagus limosus and An. vagus vagus were nearly identical to the ITS2 sequence.
CONCLUSION
Literature review studies revealed that An. vagus is conspecific despite the distinct morphological characteristic of An. vagus and An. limosus. Further information using another barcoding tool, such as mitochondrial COI and ND6 and experimental cross-mating between the An. vagus and An. limosus may provide additional evidence for the status of An. vagus as a species complex.
Topics: Animals; Phylogeny; Anopheles; Genotype; Mosquito Vectors; Malaria
PubMed: 38539155
DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04888-0 -
Journal of Infection and Public Health May 2024This systematic review and meta-analysis study aimed to evaluate global Trichuris infection prevalence, assessing progress towards the WHO's 2030 target. We searched... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
This systematic review and meta-analysis study aimed to evaluate global Trichuris infection prevalence, assessing progress towards the WHO's 2030 target. We searched international databases from 2010-2023, categorizing data by regions and socio-economic variables using a random-effects model. Analyzing 757 articles covering 7154,842 individuals from 78 countries, the study found a pooled global prevalence of (6.64-7.57%), with the highest rates in the Caribbean (21.72%; 8.90-38.18%) and South-East Asia (20.95; 15.71-26.71%) regions. Southern Africa (9.58; 2.11-21.46%), Latin America (9.58; 2.11-21.46%), and Middle Africa Middle Africa (8.94; 6.31-11.98%) also exhibited high prevalence. Eastern Europe had the lowest prevalence at 0.16% (0.09-0.24). Approximately 513 (480-547) million people worldwide were estimated to harbor Trichuris. Moreover ∼1.5% of people tested worldwide (2010-2023) had a moderate to heavy intensity of infection. The study emphasizes the persistent global health threat of Trichuris infection, urging tailored strategies for effective control and prevention on a global scale.
Topics: Humans; Trichuriasis; Prevalence; Latin America; Asia, Southeastern; Europe, Eastern; Global Health
PubMed: 38537575
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.03.005 -
PloS One 2024The epidemiology of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-associated pneumocystosis (HAP) is poorly described on a worldwide scale. We searched related databases between... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The epidemiology of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-associated pneumocystosis (HAP) is poorly described on a worldwide scale. We searched related databases between January 2000 and December 2022 for studies reporting HAP. Meta-analysis was performed using StatsDirect (version 2.7.9) and STATA (version 17) according to the random-effects model for DerSimonian and Laird method and metan and metaprop commands, respectively. Twenty-nine studies with 38554 HIV-positive, 79893 HIV-negative, and 4044 HAP populations were included. The pooled prevalence of HAP was 35.4% (95% CI 23.8 to 47.9). In contrast, the pooled prevalence of PCP among HIV-negative patients was 10.16% (95% CI 2 to 25.3). HIV-positive patients are almost 12 times more susceptible to PCP than the HIV-negative population (OR: 11.710; 95% CI: 5.420 to 25.297). The mortality among HAP patients was 52% higher than non-PCP patients (OR 1.522; 95% CI 0.959 to 2.416). HIV-positive men had a 7% higher chance rate for PCP than women (OR 1.073; 95% CI 0.674 to 1.706). Prophylactic (OR: 6.191; 95% CI: 0.945 to 40.545) and antiretroviral therapy (OR 3.356; 95% CI 0.785 to 14.349) were used in HAP patients six and three times more than HIV-positive PCP-negatives, respectively. The control and management strategies should revise and updated by health policy-makers on a worldwide scale. Finally, for better management and understanding of the epidemiology and characteristics of this coinfection, designing further studies is recommended.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; HIV; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis; Prevalence; HIV Infections; HIV Seropositivity
PubMed: 38526997
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297619 -
Veterinary and Animal Science Jun 2024The larval stages of () are what cause the zoonotic disease known as alveolar echinococcosis (AE). Identifying the antigens that trigger immune responses during... (Review)
Review
The larval stages of () are what cause the zoonotic disease known as alveolar echinococcosis (AE). Identifying the antigens that trigger immune responses during infection is extremely important for the development of vaccines against infections. Several studies conducted in recent decades have described the specific traits of the protective antigens found in and their role in immunizing different animal hosts. The objective of the current systematic review was to summarize the findings of relevant literature on this topic and unravel the most effective vaccine candidate antigens for future research. A comprehensive search was conducted across five databases, including ProQuest, PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science, until March 1, 2023. Two reviewers autonomously conducted the screening and evaluation of data extraction and quality assessment. In the present study, a total of 41 papers matched the criteria for inclusion. The study findings indicate that the combination of Em14-3-3 and BCG is widely considered the most often employed antigens for immunization. In addition, the study describes antigen delivery, measurement of immune responses, adjuvants, animal models, as well as routes and doses of vaccination. The research indicated that recombinant vaccines containing EMY162, EM95, and EmII/3-Em14-3-3 antigens and crude or purified antigens containing ribotan-formulated excretory/secretory antigens exhibited the most favorable outcomes and elicited protective immune responses.
PubMed: 38516388
DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2024.100345 -
BMJ Global Health Mar 2024Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of debilitating diseases and conditions afflicting more than one billion people in impoverished communities....
BACKGROUND
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of debilitating diseases and conditions afflicting more than one billion people in impoverished communities. Control of these diseases is crucial to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3 and the pledge to 'leave no one behind'. Relying on large-scale delivery of wide-spectrum drugs to individuals in at-risk communities irrespective of their health status, mass drug administration is a core strategy for tackling half of the NTDs targeted by the latest WHO roadmap (2021-2030). However, ethical challenges surround its implementation and long-term impact. This systematic review aims to give a comprehensive picture of the variety of ethical reasons for and against mass drug administration for NTD control and elimination, facilitating further debate in ethics and policy.
METHODS
PubMed and Web of Science Core Collection were searched for all relevant publications. Of the 486 retrieved records, 60 met the inclusion criteria for qualitative analysis. Ethical reasons discussing the topic at hand were extracted from full texts and synthesised through the Kuckartz method of qualitative content analysis.
RESULTS
Data extraction revealed 61 ethical reasons, of which 20 (32.7%) had positive, 13 (21.3%) had ambivalent and 28 (45.9%) had negative implications regarding mass drug administration for NTDs. The health benefits and cost-effectiveness of the measure were extensively highlighted. However, equity, autonomy and sustainability emerged as the domains with the most pressing ethical concerns. Many issues related to implementation are yet to be adequately addressed in policy documents.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first systematic review of ethical reasons pertaining to mass drug administration for NTD control and elimination. Due to the diversity of included studies, no general recommendations can be made. Instead, context-specific strategies seem necessary. Alternative approaches tackling socioecological determinants of ill health are needed for long-term sustainability. Future research could benefit from contributions of non-Western philosophies and perspectives by local researchers.
Topics: Humans; Mass Drug Administration; Neglected Diseases; Policy
PubMed: 38485140
DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013439 -
The Lancet. Microbe Apr 2024Accurate diagnosis is pivotal for implementing strategies for surveillance, control, and elimination of schistosomiasis. Despite their low sensitivity in low-endemicity... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Accurate diagnosis is pivotal for implementing strategies for surveillance, control, and elimination of schistosomiasis. Despite their low sensitivity in low-endemicity areas, microscopy-based urine filtration and the Kato-Katz technique are considered as reference diagnostic tests for Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni infections, respectively. We aimed to collate all available evidence on the accuracy of other proposed diagnostic techniques.
METHODS
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and LILACS for studies published from database inception to Dec 31, 2022, investigating the sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic tests for S haematobium and S mansoni infections against Kato-Katz thick smears or urine microscopy (reference tests) involving adults (aged ≥18 years), school-aged children (aged 7 to 18 years), or preschool-aged children (aged 1 month to 7 years). We extracted raw data on true positives, true negatives, false positives, and false negatives for the diagnostic tests and data on the number of participants, study authors, publication year, journal, study design, participants' age and sex, prevalence of Schistosoma infection, and treatment status. To account for imperfect reference tests, we used a hierarchical Bayesian latent class meta-analysis to model test accuracy.
FINDINGS
Overall, we included 121 studies, assessing 28 different diagnostic techniques. Most studies (103 [85%] of 121) were done in Africa, 14 (12%) in South America, one (1%) in Asia, and one (1%) in an unknown country. Compared with the reference test, Kato-Katz thick smears, circulating cathodic antigen urine cassette assay version 1 (CCA1, 36 test comparisons) had excellent sensitivity (95% [95% credible interval 88-99]) and reasonable specificity (74% [63-83]) for S mansoni. ELISA-based tests had a performance comparable to circulating cathodic antigen, but there were few available test comparisons. For S haematobium, proteinuria (42 test comparisons, sensitivity 73% [62-82]; specificity 94% [89-98]) and haematuria (75 test comparisons, sensitivity 85% [80-90]; specificity 96% [92-99]) reagent strips showed high specificity, with haematuria reagent strips having better sensitivity. Despite limited data, nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs; eg, PCR or loop-mediated isothermal amplification [LAMP]) showed promising results with sensitivity estimates above 90%. We found an unclear risk of bias of about 70% in the use of the reference or index tests and of 50% in patient selection. All analyses showed substantial heterogeneity (I>80%).
INTERPRETATION
Although NAATs and immunological diagnostics show promise, the limited information available precludes drawing definitive conclusions. Additional research on diagnostic accuracy and cost-effectiveness is needed before the replacement of conventional tests can be considered.
FUNDING
WHO and Luxembourg Institute of Health.
Topics: Child; Child, Preschool; Adult; Animals; Humans; Adolescent; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosoma haematobium; Hematuria; Reagent Strips; Microscopy; Bayes Theorem; Feces; Antigens, Helminth; Urinalysis; Schistosomiasis haematobia; Diagnostic Tests, Routine
PubMed: 38467130
DOI: 10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00377-4 -
Archivio Italiano Di Urologia,... Mar 2024In the medical field, it is increasingly common to observe the use of nanotubes, for example, in the administration of drugs. However, nanotubes raise concerns for male...
BACKGROUND
In the medical field, it is increasingly common to observe the use of nanotubes, for example, in the administration of drugs. However, nanotubes raise concerns for male fertility due to potential effects on hormone levels and sperm quality observed in animal studies. In addition, animal exposure to multi-walled carbon nanotube models found alterations in hormone levels, sperm motility, and sperm count. Limited evidence in humans suggests no adverse effects, but further research is needed. This study aimed to perform a systematic review to assess the in vitro effects of nanotubes on semen and fertility in humans.
METHODS
We included all published in vitro studies about semen or sperm or male fertility and nanotubes in humans. A search was conducted in LILACS, PubMed, and SCOPUS as of May 2023. The risk of bias was assessed using the QUIN tool.
RESULTS
Four studies using nanotubes on human sperm were included, nanotubes exposure appears not to affect sperm viability; however, some alterations to motility, velocity and production of reactive oxygen species were reported. Limited evidence is provided because of the small quantity of publications.
CONCLUSIONS
Nanotubes appear to have no adverse effects on human sperm.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Male; Semen Analysis; Semen; Sperm Count; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa; Fertility; Hormones
PubMed: 38451248
DOI: 10.4081/aiua.2024.12192 -
Narra J Dec 2023Treatment recommendations for cancer patients are carried out according to clinical assessment, type and stage of cancer and treatment guidelines. However, many patients...
Treatment recommendations for cancer patients are carried out according to clinical assessment, type and stage of cancer and treatment guidelines. However, many patients do not accept the recommendations. This raises obstacles in managing of cancers, which not only affects the patients, but also the family and people around the patients. This problem could increase morbidity, mortality and recurrence rate, which might result in lower quality of life. Since this condition is a complex problem, there is necessity to explore and determine various determinants from different levels. The aim of this systematic review was to explore the acceptances of cancer treatments among cancer patients and its associated determinants. Articles published from 2010 to 2023 were searched in four databases: ScienceDirect, Medline, Google Scholar and PubMed. Articles written in English and focussing on three main cancer treatments (surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy) were eligible. A narrative approach was used and the data were analysed into selected themes. Data suggest that several factors influence patient acceptance for cancer therapy including sociodemographic, economic and spiritual cultural backgrounds; patient knowledge and perceptions; community support, as well as policy and availability of health facilities. The determinants consist of individual, interpersonal, institutional, community and public policy level and interaction between levels are contributing to cancer treatment acceptance. In conclusion, cancer treatment acceptance remains a problem in particular in low middle income countries. In addition, the data on radiotherapy referral acceptance were limited and needed further study.
PubMed: 38450342
DOI: 10.52225/narra.v3i3.197 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Mar 2024Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), or kala-azar, is a vector-borne tropical disease caused by a group of intracellular hemoflagellate protozoa belonging to the family of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), or kala-azar, is a vector-borne tropical disease caused by a group of intracellular hemoflagellate protozoa belonging to the family of Trypanosomatide and the genus Leishmania. The disease is distributed around the world and transmitted via the bite of infected female Phlebotomine sandflies, and there is variation in the diagnostic accuracy. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled global sensitivity and specificity of the rk-39 test and to evaluate if there is a difference between the different parts of the world.
METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis have been conducted on the diagnostic accuracy of dermoscopy. After setting eligibility criteria, literature was searched in four databases and one searching engine. Articles were screened, critically appraised, and extracted independently by two reviewers, and any disagreements were resolved with the involvement of a third person. The quality of the included studies had been assessed by the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS 2) tool. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were determined by bivariate random effect analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed by Higgins's I2, and when it was present, mitigation was conducted by using sensitivity analysis.
RESULT
A total of 409 studies were identified, and finally 18 articles were eligible for the review with a total sample size of 5, 253. The bivariate random effect meta-analysis of the 7 diagnostic accuracy studies showed a pooled sensitivity of 0.89 (0.76-0.95) and specificity of 0.86 (0.72-0.94). The +LR was 6.32 (95% CI: 2.85-14.02), the-LR was 0.13 (95% CI: 0.06-0.30), and the diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) was 47.8 (95% CI: 11.3-203.2). Abdel-Latif (2018) was both an outlier and influential for sensitivity, and Walter (2011) was both an outlier and influential for specificity, and removing them from sensitivity and specificity, respectively, was beneficial for reducing the heterogeneity.
CONCLUSION
Rk-39 is found to have highly accurate measures in the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis. Both sensitivity and specificity were found to be highly accurate in the diagnosis of leishmaniasis, with a pooled sensitivity of 0.91 (0.88-0.93) and a pooled specificity of 0.89 (0.85-0.91).
ETHICAL CONSIDERATION
As we will use secondary data for the systematic review and meta-analysis, ethical concerns are not necessary.
Topics: Humans; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Odds Ratio; Serologic Tests
PubMed: 38446789
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011938 -
BMC Oral Health Mar 2024The present systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the available evidence about the adherence of Candida Albicans to the digitally-fabricated acrylic resins... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The present systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the available evidence about the adherence of Candida Albicans to the digitally-fabricated acrylic resins (both milled and 3D-printed) compared to the conventional heat-polymerized acrylic resins.
METHODS
This study followed the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). A comprehensive search of online databases/search tools (Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Ovid, and Google Scholar) was conducted for all relevant studies published up until May 29, 2023. Only in-vitro studies comparing the adherence of Candida albicans to the digital and conventional acrylic resins were included. The quantitative analyses were performed using RevMan v5.3 software.
RESULTS
Fourteen studies were included, 11 of which were meta-analyzed based on Colony Forming Unit (CFU) and Optical Density (OD) outcome measures. The pooled data revealed significantly lower candida colonization on the milled digitally-fabricated compared to the heat-polymerized conventionally-fabricated acrylic resin materials (MD = - 0.36; 95%CI = - 0.69, - 0.03; P = 0.03 and MD = - 0.04; 95%CI = - 0.06, - 0.01; P = 0.0008; as measured by CFU and OD respectively). However, no differences were found in the adhesion of Candida albicans between the 3D-printed digitally-fabricated compared to the heat-polymerized conventionally-fabricated acrylic resin materials (CFU: P = 0.11, and OD: P = 0.20).
CONCLUSION
The available evidence suggests that candida is less likely to adhere to the milled digitally-fabricated acrylic resins compared to the conventional ones.
Topics: Acrylic Resins; Candida albicans; Databases, Factual
PubMed: 38439020
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04083-2