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PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Jun 2023Schistosomiasis is a water-borne parasitic disease which affects over 230 million people globally. The relationship between contact with open freshwater bodies and the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Schistosomiasis is a water-borne parasitic disease which affects over 230 million people globally. The relationship between contact with open freshwater bodies and the likelihood of schistosome infection remains poorly quantified despite its importance for understanding transmission and parametrising transmission models.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review to estimate the average effect of water contact duration, frequency, and activities on schistosome infection likelihood. We searched Embase, MEDLINE (including PubMed), Global Health, Global Index Medicus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception until May 13, 2022. Observational and interventional studies reporting odds ratios (OR), hazard ratios (HR), or sufficient information to reconstruct effect sizes on individual-level associations between water contact and infection with any Schistosoma species were eligible for inclusion. Random-effects meta-analysis with inverse variance weighting was used to calculate pooled ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
RESULTS
We screened 1,411 studies and included 101 studies which represented 192,691 participants across Africa, Asia, and South America. Included studies mostly reported on water contact activities (69%; 70/101) and having any water contact (33%; 33/101). Ninety-six percent of studies (97/101) used surveys to measure exposure. A meta-analysis of 33 studies showed that individuals with water contact were 3.14 times more likely to be infected (OR 3.14; 95% CI: 2.08-4.75) when compared to individuals with no water contact. Subgroup analyses showed that the positive association of water contact with infection was significantly weaker in children compared to studies which included adults and children (OR 1.67; 95% CI: 1.04-2.69 vs. OR 4.24; 95% CI: 2.59-6.97). An association of water contact with infection was only found in communities with ≥10% schistosome prevalence. Overall heterogeneity was substantial (I2 = 93%) and remained high across all subgroups, except in direct observation studies (I2 range = 44%-98%). We did not find that occupational water contact such as fishing and agriculture (OR 2.57; 95% CI: 1.89-3.51) conferred a significantly higher risk of schistosome infection compared to recreational water contact (OR 2.13; 95% CI: 1.75-2.60) or domestic water contact (OR 1.91; 95% CI: 1.47-2.48). Higher duration or frequency of water contact did not significantly modify infection likelihood. Study quality across analyses was largely moderate or poor.
CONCLUSIONS
Any current water contact was robustly associated with schistosome infection status, and this relationship held across adults and children, and schistosomiasis-endemic areas with prevalence greater than 10%. Substantial gaps remain in published studies for understanding interactions of water contact with age and gender, and the influence of these interactions for infection likelihood. As such, more empirical studies are needed to accurately parametrise exposure in transmission models. Our results imply the need for population-wide treatment and prevention strategies in endemic settings as exposure within these communities was not confined to currently prioritised high-risk groups such as fishing populations.
Topics: Adult; Child; Animals; Humans; Schistosoma; Schistosomatidae; Odds Ratio; Probability; Waterborne Diseases
PubMed: 37315020
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011377 -
Infectious Diseases of Poverty Apr 2023Urogenital schistosomiasis is endemic in Mali and is a major cause of serious morbidity in large parts of the world. This disease is responsible for many socio-economic...
BACKGROUND
Urogenital schistosomiasis is endemic in Mali and is a major cause of serious morbidity in large parts of the world. This disease is responsible for many socio-economic and public health issues. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the disease on morbidity and to describe demographic and socioeconomic factors in relation to the status of children with urogenital schistosomiasis in Mali.
METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional study in November 2021 of 971 children aged 6 to 14 years selected at random from six schools in three districts in the Kayes Region of Mali. Demographic and socioeconomic data were collected on survey forms. Clinical data were collected following a medical consultation. Hematuria was systematically searched for through the use of strips. The search for Schistosoma haematobium eggs in urine was done via the filtration method. The urinary tract was examined by ultrasound. Associations between each of these variables and disease infection were tested using multivariate logistic regression.
RESULTS
The overall prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis detected was 50.2%. The average intensity of infection was 36 eggs/10 ml of urine. The associated risk factors for urogenital schistosomiasis showed that children who bathed, used the river/pond as a domestic water source, and who habitually urinated in the river/pond were more affected (P < 0.05). Children with farming parents were most affected (P = 0.032). The collection of clinical signs revealed that boys had more pollakiuria (58.6%) and dysuria (46.4%) than girls. Ultrasound data showed that focal lesion rates were recorded in all villages with the lowest rate in Diakalel (56.1%). Ultrasound and parasitological findings showed that irregularity and thickening were strongly associated with urinary schistosomiasis (P < 0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS
Schistosoma haematobium infection was still endemic in the study site despite more than a decade of mass treatment with praziquantel. However, the high percentage of symptoms associated with high intensity reinforces the idea that further studies in terms of schistosomiasis-related morbidity are still needed.
Topics: Male; Female; Animals; Humans; Child; Schistosomiasis haematobia; Mali; Cross-Sectional Studies; Schistosoma haematobium; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Schools
PubMed: 37081494
DOI: 10.1186/s40249-023-01071-6 -
Acta Tropica Jul 2023The larval forms of taeniid cestodes belonging to the genus Echinococcus are the source of the zoonotic infection known as echinococcosis. Alveolar and cystic... (Review)
Review
The larval forms of taeniid cestodes belonging to the genus Echinococcus are the source of the zoonotic infection known as echinococcosis. Alveolar and cystic echinococcosis are caused by Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus (s. s), respectively. It is endemic in several regions of the world. In this systematic review, we describe diagnosis, and the species (human, canids, livestock, and small rodents) affected by cystic (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE). From 1999 to 2021, we searched the online directory through PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and google scholar. Among the 37,700 records found in the online databases, 187 publications met our eligibility requirements. The majority of investigations employed a range of diagnostic methods, such as ELISA, imaging, copro-PCR, necropsy or arecoline hydrobromide purgation, morphological cestode confirmation, and fecal sieving/flotation to detect and confirm Echinococcus infection. ELISA was the most commonly used method followed by PCR, and imaging. The research team retrieved data describing the incidence or assessment of the diagnostic test for E. multilocularis in humans (N = 99), canids (N = 63), small ruminants (N = 13), large ruminants (N = 3), camel (N = 2), pigs (N = 2) and small mammals (N = 5). This study was conducted to explore the diagnostic tools applied to detect echinococcosis in humans as well as animals in prevalent countries, and to report the characteristic of new diagnostic tests for disease surveillance. This systematic review revealed that ELISA (alone or in combination) was the most common method used for disease diagnosis and diagnostic efficacy and prevalence rate increased when recombinant antigens were used. It is highly recommended to use combination protcols such as serological with molecular and imaging technique to diagnose disease. Our study identified scarcity of data of reporting echinococcosis in humans/ animals in low-income or developing countries particularly central Asian countries. Study reports in small rodents indicate their role in disease dissemination but real situation in these host is not reflected due to limited number of studies. Even though echinococcosis affects both public health and the domestic animal sector, therefore, it is important to devise new and strengthen implementation of the existing monitoring, judging, and control measures in this estimate.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Swine; Echinococcosis; Echinococcus granulosus; Animals, Domestic; Zoonoses; Echinococcus multilocularis; Canidae; Rodentia
PubMed: 37080264
DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106925 -
Transactions of the Royal Society of... Aug 2023Tapeworm infections in humans are considered to be a significant public health menace. Despite its public health importance, the data on tapeworm infection remains... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Tapeworm infections in humans are considered to be a significant public health menace. Despite its public health importance, the data on tapeworm infection remains fragmented and underutilised. The present study reviews the overall burden and distribution of taeniasis and cysticercosis caused by Taenia solium and Taenia saginata in India by conducting a systematic review of the scientific literature based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Data from 19 eligible articles were analysed and the prevalence of T. solium-associated taeniasis/cysticercosis was found to be 11.06% (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.856 to 16.119) and the prevalence of T. saginata-associated taeniasis was found to be 4.7% (95% CI 3.301 to 6.301). This systematic review and meta-analysis provides a comprehensive analysis of the available literature on tapeworm infections and assesses the burden of Taenia infection from India, identifying areas of high prevalence requiring active surveillance and public health interventions.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Taenia solium; Taenia saginata; Prevalence; Taeniasis; Cysticercosis; India
PubMed: 37076247
DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trad022 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Mar 2023Taenia solium is a tapeworm that causes taeniosis in humans and cysticercosis in humans and pigs. Within Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), information on the presence...
BACKGROUND
Taenia solium is a tapeworm that causes taeniosis in humans and cysticercosis in humans and pigs. Within Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), information on the presence of human taeniosis and cysticercosis seems scarce. This systematic review aimed to describe the current information available and gaps in the epidemiology of human T. solium infections in ESA.
METHODS/PRINCIPLE FINDINGS
Scientific literature published between 1st January 2000 and 20th June 2022 in international databases [MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Global Health (Ovid), Scopus (Elsevier), African Index Medicus (via WHO Global Index Medicus), and Open Grey] was systematically reviewed for ESA. The study area included 27 countries that make up the ESA region. Information on either taeniosis, cysticercosis or NCC was available for 16 of 27 countries within the region and a total of 113 reports were retained for the review. Most case reports for cysticercosis and NCC were from South Africa, while Tanzania had the most aggregated cysticercosis reports. Eleven countries reported on NCC with seven countries reporting data on NCC and epilepsy. Unconfirmed human T. solium taeniosis cases were reported in nine countries while two countries (Madagascar and Zambia) reported confirmed T. solium cases. The cysticercosis seroprevalence ranged between 0.7-40.8% on antigen (Ag) ELISA and between 13.1-45.3% on antibody (Ab) ELISA. Based on immunoblot tests the Ab seroprevalence was between 1.7-39.3%, while the proportion of NCC-suggestive lesions on brain CT scans was between 1.0-76% depending on the study population. The human taeniosis prevalence based on microscopy ranged between 0.1-14.7%. Based on Copro Ag-ELISA studies conducted in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia, the highest prevalence of 19.7% was reported in Kenya.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite the public health and economic impact of T. solium in ESA, there are still large gaps in knowledge about the occurrence of the parasite, and the resulting One Health disease complex, and monitoring of T. solium taeniosis and cysticercosis is mostly not in place.
Topics: Humans; Swine; Animals; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Taeniasis; Cysticercosis; Taenia solium; Africa, Southern; Tanzania; Prevalence; Swine Diseases
PubMed: 37000841
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011042 -
Acta Tropica May 2023Schistosoma japonicum remains endemic in China and the Philippines. Substantial progress has been made in the control of Japonicum in both China and the Philippines.... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Schistosoma japonicum remains endemic in China and the Philippines. Substantial progress has been made in the control of Japonicum in both China and the Philippines. China is reaching elimination thanks to a concerted effort of control strategies. Mathematical modelling has been a key tool in the design of control strategies, in place of expensive randomised-controlled trials. We conducted a systematic review to investigate mathematical models of Japonicum control strategies in China and the Philippines.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review on July 5, 2020, in four electronic bibliographic databases - PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS and Embase. Articles were screened for relevance and for meeting the inclusion criteria. Data extracted included authors, year of publication, year of data collection, setting and ecological context, objectives, control strategies, main findings, the form and content of the model including its background, type, representation of population dynamics, heterogeneity of hosts, simulation period, source of parameters, model validation and sensitivity analysis. Results After screening, 19 eligible papers were included in the systematic review. Seventeen considered control strategies in China and two in the Philippines. Two frameworks were identified; the mean-worm burden framework and the prevalence-based framework, the latter of which increasingly common. Most models considered human and bovine definitive hosts. There were mixed additional elements included in the models, such as alternative definitive hosts and the role of seasonality and weather. Models generally agreed upon the need for an integrated control strategy rather than reliance on mass drug administration alone to sustain reductions in prevalence.
CONCLUSIONS
Mathematical modelling of Japonicum has converged from multiple approaches to modelling using the prevalence-based framework with human and bovine definitive hosts and find integrated control strategies to be most effective. Further research could investigate the role of other definitive hosts and model the effect of seasonal fluctuations in transmission.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Humans; Schistosoma japonicum; Schistosomiasis japonica; Models, Theoretical; Computer Simulation; China
PubMed: 36907291
DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106873 -
PloS One 2023Traditional diagnostic tests for schistosome infections are suboptimal, particularly when the parasite burden is low. In the present review we sought to identify...
Diagnostic performances of Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni recombinant proteins, peptides and chimeric proteins antibody based tests. Systematic scoping review.
BACKGROUND
Traditional diagnostic tests for schistosome infections are suboptimal, particularly when the parasite burden is low. In the present review we sought to identify recombinant proteins, peptides, and chimeric proteins with potential to be used as sensitive and specific diagnostic tools for schistosomiasis.
METHODS
The review was guided by PRISMA-ScR guidelines, Arksey and O'Malley's framework, and guidelines from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Five databases were searched: Cochrane library, PubMed, EMBASE, PsycInfo and CINAHL, alongside preprints. Identified literature were assessed by two reviewers for inclusion. A narrative summary was used to interpret the tabulated results.
RESULTS
Diagnostic performances were reported as specificities, sensitivities, and AUC. The AUC for S. haematobium recombinant antigens ranged from 0.65 to 0.98, and 0.69 to 0.96 for urine IgG ELISA. S. mansoni recombinant antigens had sensitivities ranging from 65.3% to 100% and specificities ranging from 57.4% to 100%. Except for 4 peptides which had poor diagnostic performances, most peptides had sensitivities ranging from 67.71% to 96.15% and specificities ranging from 69.23% to 100%. S. mansoni chimeric protein was reported to have a sensitivity of 86.8% and a specificity of 94.2%.
CONCLUSION
The tetraspanin CD63 antigen had the best diagnostic performance for S. haematobium. The tetraspanin CD63 antigen Serum IgG POC-ICTs had a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 100%. Peptide Smp_150390.1 (216-230) serum based IgG ELISA had the best diagnostic performance for S. mansoni with a sensitivity of 96.15% and a specificity of 100%. Peptides were reported to demonstrate good to excellent diagnostic performances. S. mansoni multi-peptide chimeric protein further improved the diagnostic accuracy of synthetic peptides. Together with the advantages associated with urine sampling technique, we recommend development of multi-peptide chimeric proteins urine based point of care tools.
Topics: Animals; Schistosoma haematobium; Schistosoma mansoni; Tetraspanin 30; Peptides; Blood Group Antigens; Recombinant Proteins; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; Immunoglobulin G
PubMed: 36862712
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282233 -
International Journal of Infectious... Apr 2023The lack of subnational mapping of the zoonotic cestode Taenia solium in endemic countries presents a major challenge to achieving intensified T. solium control...
OBJECTIVES
The lack of subnational mapping of the zoonotic cestode Taenia solium in endemic countries presents a major challenge to achieving intensified T. solium control milestones, as outlined in the "World Health Organization neglected tropical disease roadmap by 2030". We conducted a mapping study in Uganda, considered to be endemic, to identify subnational high-risk areas.
METHODS
T. solium prevalence data, adjusted for diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in a Bayesian framework, were identified through a systematic review. Spatial autocorrelation and interpolation techniques were used to transform demographic and health survey cluster-level sanitation and poverty indicators, overlaid onto a pig density map for Uganda into modelled porcine cysticercosis (PCC) risk maps.
RESULTS
A total of 16 articles (n = 11 PCC and n = 5 human cysticercosis (HCC) and/or human taeniasis) were included in the final analysis. The observed HCC prevalence ranged from 0.01% to 6.0% (confidence interval range: 0.004-11.4%), whereas the adjusted PCC ranged from 0.3 to 93.9% (uncertainty interval range: 0-99.8%). There was substantial variation in the modelled PCC risk factors and prevalence across Uganda and over time.
CONCLUSION
The high PCC prevalence and moderate HCC exposure estimates indicate the need for urgent implementation of T. solium control efforts in Uganda.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Swine; Taenia solium; Uganda; Bayes Theorem; Swine Diseases; Cysticercosis; Taeniasis; Risk Factors
PubMed: 36805327
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.02.001 -
Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics Mar 2023MicroRNAs are involved in gene regulation in several common liver diseases and may play an essential role in activating hepatic stellate cells. The role of these...
BACKGROUND
MicroRNAs are involved in gene regulation in several common liver diseases and may play an essential role in activating hepatic stellate cells. The role of these post-transcriptional regulators in schistosomiasis needs to be further studied in populations from endemic areas for a better understanding of the disease, the development of new therapeutic approaches, and the use of biomarkers for the prognosis of schistosomiasis.
AREAS COVERED
We performed a systematic review to describe the main human microRNAs identified in non-experimental studies associated with aggravation of the disease in people infected with () and (). Structured searches were carried out in PubMed, Medline, Science Direct, Directory of Open Access Journals, Scielo, Medcarib, and Global Index Medicus databases without time and language restrictions. This is a systematic review following the guidelines of the PRISMA platform.
EXPERT OPINION
The miR-146a-5p, miR-150-5p, let-7a-5p, let-7d-5p, miR-92a- 3p, and miR-532-5p are associated with liver fibrosis in schistosomiasis caused by , revealing that these miRNAs that have been shown to be associated with liver fibrosis are good targets for new studies that evaluate their potential as a biomarker or even treating liver fibrosis in schistosomiasis.
Topics: Animals; Humans; MicroRNAs; Schistosomiasis japonica; Schistosomiasis; Liver Cirrhosis; Schistosoma japonicum; Biomarkers
PubMed: 36803616
DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2023.2182190 -
Journal of Cancer Education : the... Aug 2023Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), caused mainly by Opisthorchis viverrini (OV) infection, is a public health issue. Health literacy can play a significant role in preventing OV... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), caused mainly by Opisthorchis viverrini (OV) infection, is a public health issue. Health literacy can play a significant role in preventing OV and CCA and adopting preventive behaviors. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate, summarize, and synthesize the current evidence on health literacy programs for preventing OV and CCA.A systematic literature search, with Thai and English languages, was performed using electronic databases through PubMed, Google Scholar, ThaiJo, ThaiLis, and Embase to identify studies examining health literacy programs to prevent OV and CCA. We followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. In addition, we used the RevMan software to perform a meta-analysis to analyze effect sizes using a fixed-effects model and measures of heterogeneity using Cochran's Q and I. This meta-analysis included seven studies that met the criteria. The results showed that the people who received a program had an increased health literacy overall and in each aspect with a statistically significant (p < 0.001). So, health literacy programs can assist people in understanding their health and gaining access to health information and services. Additionally, the effect of programs (communication abilities, self-management, media and information literacy, and decision-making in practice) can help prevent OV and CCA. As a result, multi-disciplinary healthcare teams are crucial to developing preventive programs to prevent OV and CCA. Further studies need to be done and applied to these programs to modify behavior to avoid other diseases.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Opisthorchiasis; Opisthorchis; Health Literacy; Cholangiocarcinoma; Bile Duct Neoplasms; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic
PubMed: 36637714
DOI: 10.1007/s13187-023-02265-0