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Microbial Pathogenesis Aug 2023The genetic variability of apicomplexan parasite Babesia species is a principal strategy used by piroplasma to evade their hosts' immune responses. The purpose of this... (Review)
Review
The genetic variability of apicomplexan parasite Babesia species is a principal strategy used by piroplasma to evade their hosts' immune responses. The purpose of this review was to evaluate our current knowledge on global haplotype distribution and phylogeography of Babesia ovis derived from sheep, goat, horse and ixodid (hard) ticks. Bibliographic English databases were searched from 2017 to 2023, identifying a total of 11 publications. The 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) sequences of B. ovis from Asia, Europe, and Africa were retrieved and subjected to estimate the genetic diversity and phylogenetic assessment. A haplotype network indicated a total of 29 haplotypes being classified into two distinct geographical haplogroups I and II including Nigeria and Uganda-derived B. ovis isolates. A moderately high level of genetic diversity was characterized in sheep/tick-derived B. ovis isolates originating from Iraq (Haplotype diversity: 0.781) and Turkey (Hd: 0.841). Based on the cladistic phylogenetic tree, two geographically different lineages of A and B were genetically differentiated except for Turkish isolates, indicating haplotype migration occurred between various geographical clades. In addition, the topology of UPGMA tree indicated that B. ovis population has a distinct clade compared to the rest clades of ovine babesiosis (B. crassa and B. motasi). The present results strengthen our knowledge to evaluate the evolutionary paradigms and transmission dynamics of B. ovis in different regions of the world; also it will provide groundwork for public health policy to control ovine babesiosis.
Topics: Animals; Babesia; Babesiosis; Goats; Haplotypes; Horses; Ixodidae; Nigeria; Phylogeny; Phylogeography; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; Sheep; Sheep Diseases
PubMed: 37245631
DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106179 -
The Science of the Total Environment Sep 2023Soil contamination with Cryptosporidium is a serious environmental and public health concern. In this systematic review and meta-analysis we estimated the global... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Soil contamination with Cryptosporidium is a serious environmental and public health concern. In this systematic review and meta-analysis we estimated the global prevalence of Cryptosporidium contamination in soil and evaluated its association with climatic and hydrometeorological factors. PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang were searched from database inception up to 24 August 2022. The initial search identified 3220 studies, of which 14 met the inclusion criteria. The results were pooled using a random-effects model, and the statistical heterogeneity among the included studies was examined using Cochrane's Q test and I statistic. The estimated pooled global prevalence of Cryptosporidium in soil across all studies was 8.13 % (95 % confidence interval, 1.54-18.44). Meta-regression and subgroup analyses showed that Cryptosporidium prevalence in soil was significantly influenced by continent (p = 0.0002; R = 49.99 %), air pressure (p = 0.0154; R = 24.01 %), temperature (p = 0.0437; R = 14.53 %), and detection method (p = 0.0131; R = 26.94 %). These results highlight the need for increased surveillance of Cryptosporidium in soil and its risk factors to inform future development of environmental control interventions and public health policies.
Topics: Humans; Cryptosporidiosis; Cryptosporidium; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Soil
PubMed: 37230353
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164286 -
Malaria Journal May 2023Understanding malaria epidemiology is a critical step toward efficient malaria control and elimination. The objective of this meta-analysis was to derive robust... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Understanding malaria epidemiology is a critical step toward efficient malaria control and elimination. The objective of this meta-analysis was to derive robust estimates of malaria prevalence and Plasmodium species from studies conducted in Mauritania and published since 2000.
METHODS
The present review followed the PRISMA guidelines. Searches were conducted in various electronic databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. To obtain pooled prevalence of malaria, meta-analysis was performed using the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model. Methodological quality of eligible prevalence studies was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute tool. Inconsistency and heterogeneity between studies were quantified by the I index and Cochran's Q test. Publication bias was assessed with funnel plots and Egger's regression tests.
RESULTS
A total of 16 studies with a good individual methodological quality were included and analysed in this study. The overall random effects pooled prevalence of malaria infection (symptomatic and asymptomatic) across all included studies was 14.9% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 6.64, 25.80, I = 99.8%, P < 0.0001) by microscopy, 25.6% (95% CI: 8.74, 47.62, I = 99.6%, P < 0.0001) by PCR and 24.3% (95% CI: 12.05 to 39.14, I = 99.7%, P < 0.0001) by rapid diagnostic test. Using microscopy, the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria was 1.0% (95% CI: 0.00, 3.48) against 21.46% (95% CI: 11.03, 34.21) in symptomatic malaria. The overall prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax was 51.14% and 37.55%, respectively. Subgroup analysis showed significant variation (P = 0.039) in the prevalence of malaria between asymptomatic and symptomatic cases.
CONCLUSION
Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax are widespread in Mauritania. Results of this meta-analysis implies that distinct intervention measures including accurate parasite-based diagnosis and appropriate treatment of confirmed malaria cases are critical for a successful malaria control and elimination programme in Mauritania.
Topics: Humans; Prevalence; Mauritania; Malaria; Malaria, Vivax; Plasmodium; Plasmodium vivax; Plasmodium falciparum; Malaria, Falciparum
PubMed: 37131226
DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04569-4 -
International Health Jan 2024Patients with diabetes are at an increased risk of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs). We evaluated the pooled prevalence and OR of IPIs in patients with diabetes... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Patients with diabetes are at an increased risk of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs). We evaluated the pooled prevalence and OR of IPIs in patients with diabetes through a systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic search was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol for studies reporting IPIs in patients with diabetes through 1 August 2022. The collected data were analyzed using comprehensive meta-analysis software version 2. Thirteen case-control studies and nine cross-sectional studies were included in this study. The overall prevalence of IPIs in patients with diabetes was calculated to be 24.4% (95% CI 18.8 to 31%). Considering the case-control design, the prevalence of IPIs in case (25.7%; 95% CI 18.4 to 34.5%) was higher than controls (15.5%; 95% CI 8.4 to 26.9%) and a significant correlation was observed (OR, 1.80; 95% CI 1.08 to 2.97%). Moreover, a significant correlation was seen in the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. (OR, 3.30%; 95% CI 1.86 to 5.86%), Blastocystis sp. (OR, 1.57%; 95% CI 1.11 to 2.22%) and hookworm (OR, 6.09%; 95% CI 1.11 to 33.41%) in the cases group. The present results revealed a higher prevalence of IPIs in patients with diabetes than in controls. Therefore, the results of this study suggest a proper health education program to preventing measures for the acquisition of IPIs in patients with diabetes.
Topics: Humans; Prevalence; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cryptosporidiosis; Cryptosporidium; Feces; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 37052134
DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihad027 -
Parasitology May 2023spp. are significant opportunistic pathogens causing diarrhoea in humans and animals. Pigs are one of the most important potential hosts for . We evaluated the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
spp. are significant opportunistic pathogens causing diarrhoea in humans and animals. Pigs are one of the most important potential hosts for . We evaluated the prevalence of in pigs globally using published information and a random-effects model. In total, 131 datasets from 36 countries were included in the final quantitative analysis. The global prevalence of in pigs was 16.3% (8560/64 809; 95% confidence interval [CI] 15.0–17.6%). The highest prevalence of in pigs was 40.8% (478/1271) in Africa. Post-weaned pigs had a significantly higher prevalence (25.8%; 2739/11 824) than pre-weaned, fattening and adult pigs. The prevalence of was higher in pigs with no diarrhoea (12.2%; 371/3501) than in pigs that had diarrhoea (8.0%; 348/4874). Seven species (, , , , , and ) were detected in pigs globally. The proportion of was 34.3% (1491/4351); the proportion of was 31.8% (1385/4351) and the proportion of was 2.3% (98/4351). The influence of different geographic factors (latitude, longitude, mean yearly temperature, mean yearly relative humidity and mean yearly precipitation) on the infection rate of in pigs was also analysed. The results indicate that is the dominant species in pre-weaned pigs, while is the dominant species in fattening and adult pigs. The findings highlight the role of pigs as possible potential hosts of zoonotic cryptosporidiosis and the need for additional studies on the prevalence, transmission and control of in pigs.
Topics: Swine; Animals; Humans; Cryptosporidiosis; Cryptosporidium; Prevalence; Swine Diseases; Cryptosporidium parvum; Feces; Genotype
PubMed: 37051887
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182023000276 -
Parasites & Vectors Mar 2023Buffaloes are important contributors to the livestock economy in many countries, particularly in Asia, and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) commonly infect buffaloes, giving... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Buffaloes are important contributors to the livestock economy in many countries, particularly in Asia, and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) commonly infect buffaloes, giving rise to serious pathologies other than their zoonotic potential.
METHODS
The present investigation focuses on the prevalence of TBPs infecting buffaloes worldwide. All published global data on TBPs in buffaloes were collected from different databases (e.g., PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar) and subjected to various meta-analyses using OpenMeta[Analyst] software, and all analyses were conducted based on a 95% confidence interval.
RESULTS
Over 100 articles discussing the prevalence and species diversity of TBPs in buffaloes were retrieved. Most of these reports focused on water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), whereas a few reports on TBPs in African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) had been published. The pooled global prevalence of the apicomplexan parasites Babesia and Theileria, as well as the bacterial pathogens Anaplasma, Coxiella burnetii, Borrelia, Bartonella, and Ehrlichia in addition to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, were all evaluated based on the detection methods and 95% confidence intervals. Interestingly, no Rickettsia spp. were detected in buffaloes with scarce data. TBPs of buffaloes displayed a fairly high species diversity, which underlines the high infection risk to other animals, especially cattle. Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, B. orientalis, B. occultans and B. naoakii, Theileria annulata, T. orientalis complex (orientalis/sergenti/buffeli), T. parva, T. mutans, T. sinensis, T. velifera, T. lestoquardi-like, T. taurotragi, T. sp. (buffalo) and T. ovis, and Anaplasma marginale, A. centrale, A. platys, A. platys-like and "Candidatus Anaplasma boleense" were all were identified from naturally infected buffaloes.
CONCLUSIONS
Several important aspects were highlighted for the status of TBPs, which have serious economic implications for the buffalo as well as cattle industries, particularly in Asian and African countries, which should aid in the development and implementation of prevention and control methods for veterinary care practitioners, and animal owners.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Anaplasma; Babesiosis; Buffaloes; Cattle Diseases; Prevalence; Rickettsia; Theileria; Tick-Borne Diseases; Ticks
PubMed: 36998029
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05727-y -
Parasitology Jun 2023The study of genotypes is beneficial for detecting strains linked to increased disease severity and uncovering the processes involved in the transmission and... (Review)
Review
The study of genotypes is beneficial for detecting strains linked to increased disease severity and uncovering the processes involved in the transmission and distribution of this zoonotic parasite. A systematic review of literature was conducted to investigate the present status of genetic diversity in African countries and among host species on the continent. Data from the results in the included studies were sorted, reviewed and descriptively analysed using tables, graphs and maps. Results indicate that there is a relative amount of genetic diversity with a clear difference in the population structure between geographical regions and the propensity for unique and regional genotypes to be predominant in tropical rainforest biomes, near the equator. From a clinical perspective, connections between specific genotypes and disease manifestations were found. Theories are outlined on the dissemination of African genotypes to other continents. The overrepresentation of samples from one geographical area and dissimilar genotyping methodologies creates challenges when concluding on the genetic diversity of in Africa. The need for uniform genotyping methods with a continent-wide sampling of an extensive host range involving humans, domestic animals and wildlife is emphasized.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis, Animal; Genetic Variation; Animals, Wild; Animals, Domestic; Genotype
PubMed: 36938833
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182023000252 -
The Lancet. Global Health Apr 2023Humanitarian emergencies can lead to population displacement, food insecurity, severe health system disruptions, and malaria epidemics among individuals who are... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Humanitarian emergencies can lead to population displacement, food insecurity, severe health system disruptions, and malaria epidemics among individuals who are immunologically naive. We aimed to assess the impact of different vector control interventions on malaria disease burden during humanitarian emergencies.
METHODS
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched ten electronic databases and two clinical trial registries from database inception to Oct 19, 2020, with no restrictions on language or study design. We also searched grey literature from 59 stakeholders. Studies were eligible if the population was affected by a humanitarian emergency in a malaria endemic region. We included studies assessing any vector control intervention and in which the primary outcome of interest was malaria infection risk. Reviewers (LAM, JF-A, KC, BP, and LP) independently extracted information from eligible studies, without masking of author or publication, into a database. We did random-effects meta-analyses to calculate pooled risk ratios (RRs) for randomised controlled trials, odds ratios (ORs) for dichotomous outcomes, and incidence rate ratios (IRR) for clinical malaria in non-randomised studies. Certainty of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42020214961.
FINDINGS
Of 12 475 studies screened, 22 studies were eligible for inclusion in our meta-analysis. All studies were conducted between Sept 1, 1989, and Dec 31, 2018, in chronic emergencies, with 616 611 participants from nine countries, evaluating seven different vector control interventions. Insecticide-treated nets significantly decreased Plasmodium falciparum incidence (RR 0·55 [95% CI 0·37-0·79]; high certainty) and Plasmodium vivax incidence (RR 0·69 [0·51-0·94]; high certainty). Evidence for an effect of indoor residual spraying on P falciparum (IRR 0·57 [95% CI 0·53-0·61]) and P vivax (IRR 0·51 [0·49-0·52]) incidence was of very low certainty. Topical repellents were associated with reductions in malaria infection (RR 0·58 [0·35-0·97]; moderate certainty). Moderate-to-high certainty evidence for an effect of insecticide-treated chaddars (equivalent to shawls or blankets) and insecticide-treated cattle on malaria outcomes was evident in some emergency settings. There was very low certainty evidence for the effect of insecticide-treated clothing.
INTERPRETATION
Study findings strengthen and support WHO policy recommendations to deploy insecticide-treated nets during chronic humanitarian emergencies. There is an urgent need to evaluate and adopt novel interventions for malaria control in the acute phase of humanitarian emergencies.
FUNDING
WHO Global Malaria Programme.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Cattle; Insecticides; Emergencies; Malaria; Malaria, Falciparum; Plasmodium falciparum
PubMed: 36925174
DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00044-X -
Revista Do Instituto de Medicina... 2023Toxoplasmosis is an infection of vast worldwide distribution whose etiologic agent is Toxoplasma gondii. This disease can cause problems ranging from mild symptoms to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Toxoplasmosis is an infection of vast worldwide distribution whose etiologic agent is Toxoplasma gondii. This disease can cause problems ranging from mild symptoms to serious conditions, such as encephalitis, miscarriage and blindness. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to perform a diagnosis with reproducible techniques in order to obtain a good prognosis. The aim of this review was to analyze the efficiency of toxoplasmosis diagnostic techniques based on sensitivity and specificity results. Five research platforms in English language were used (Eric, Elsevier, Google Scholar, PubMed and SciELO), which contained data on the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. The search and selection were performed for studies published prior to June 2021. The search resulted in the inclusion of 13 articles published from 2005 to 2020. The data revealed the use of different samples in the standardization of techniques such as serum, total blood, colostrum and amniotic fluid. The flow cytometry, lateral flow immunoassay and qPCR techniques showed 100% sensitivity, whereas the ELISA, western blotting, qPCR and RE-LAMP techniques achieved 100% specificity. Significantly, the qPCR and LAMP techniques were more accurate when the likelihood ratio was assessed. The meta-analysis identified that ISAGA and western blotting have low sensitivity values and LIASON, ELFA and ELISA, using a silica bioconjugate, also have low specificity values. It was noted that a wide range of methods have high values of sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, the choice of the method will be based on the conditions and its financial viability.
Topics: Humans; Toxoplasmosis; Toxoplasma; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Immunoassay; Sensitivity and Specificity; Antibodies, Protozoan
PubMed: 36921207
DOI: 10.1590/S1678-9946202365019 -
International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2023Type-1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease characterized by damage to pancreatic insulin-producing beta cells, is associated with adverse renal, retinal, cardiovascular, and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Type-1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease characterized by damage to pancreatic insulin-producing beta cells, is associated with adverse renal, retinal, cardiovascular, and cognitive outcomes, possibly including dementia. Moreover, the protozoal parasite has been associated with type-1 diabetes. To better characterize the association between type-1 diabetes and infection, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies that evaluated the relationship between type-1 diabetes and infection. A random-effects model based on nine primary studies (total number of participants = 2655) that met our inclusion criteria demonstrated a pooled odds ratio of 2.45 (95% confidence interval, 0.91-6.61). Removing one outlying study increased the pooled odds ratio to 3.38 (95% confidence interval, 2.09-5.48). These findings suggest that infection might be positively associated with type-1 diabetes, although more research is needed to better characterize this association. Additional research is required to determine whether changes in immune function due to type-1 diabetes increase the risk of infection with infection with increases the risk of type-1 diabetes, or both processes occur.
Topics: Humans; Risk Factors; Toxoplasmosis; Toxoplasma; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Odds Ratio; Seroepidemiologic Studies
PubMed: 36901457
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054436