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Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy Nov 2021: encompasses several species of free-living ameba encountered commonly throughout the environment. Unfortunately, these species of ameba can cause opportunistic...
: encompasses several species of free-living ameba encountered commonly throughout the environment. Unfortunately, these species of ameba can cause opportunistic infections that result in keratitis, granulomatous amebic encephalitis, and occasionally systemic infection.: This review discusses relevant literature found through PubMed and Google scholar published as of January 2021. The review summarizes current common keratitis treatments, drug discovery methodologies available for screening potential anti- compounds, and the anti- activity of various azole antifungal agents.: While several biguanide and diamidine antimicrobial agents are available to clinicians to effectively treat keratitis, no singular treatment can effectively treat every keratitis case.Efforts to identify new anti-Acanthamoeba agents include trophozoite cell viability assays, which are amenable to high-throughput screening. Cysticidal assays remain largely manual and would benefit from further automation development. Additionally, the existing literature on the effectiveness of various azole antifungal agents for treating keratitis is incomplete or contradictory, suggesting the need for a systematic review of all azoles against different pathogenic strains.
Topics: Acanthamoeba; Acanthamoeba Keratitis; Amebicides; Azoles; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Humans
PubMed: 33929276
DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2021.1924673 -
Parasite (Paris, France) 2021The genus Entamoeba includes a variety of widely distributed species adapted to live in the digestive tracts of humans and a large variety of animals of different... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The genus Entamoeba includes a variety of widely distributed species adapted to live in the digestive tracts of humans and a large variety of animals of different classes. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence, distribution, and molecular epidemiology of Entamoeba spp. in different classes of hosts in Brazil. Studies that analyzed hosts from several classes, including humans and domestic, wild, or captive animals, were considered. The pooled prevalence of Entamoeba spp. was calculated using the random-effects model. A total of 166 studies on humans and 16 on animals were included. The prevalence of Entamoeba spp. in the Brazilian population was 22% (95% CI: 21-24). The state with the highest prevalence was Paraiba with 72%, followed by Federal District with 53%, and Rondonia with 50%. In immunocompromized patients, the prevalence was 18%, and cancer (36%) was the most prevalent cause of immunosuppression. The prevalence of Entamoeba spp. in animal hosts was 12% (95% CI: 7-17). Captive wild animals and domestic farm animals showed the highest prevalence, with 16% and 15%, respectively. The species found more often were E. coli (86.5%), E. dispar (7.9%), and E. histolytica (3.1%). In conclusion, a high prevalence (22%) of Entamoeba spp. was found in the Brazilian population, with a prevalence of up to 50% mainly in the northern, northeastern, and central-western regions. The pathogenic species E. histolytica is distributed in most Brazilian regions, with significant prevalence percentages. Among animals, unidentified Entamoeba species were most prevalent in mammals.
Topics: Animals; Brazil; Entamoeba; Entamoeba histolytica; Entamoebiasis; Escherichia coli; Feces; Humans; Prevalence
PubMed: 33812449
DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2021028 -
The Journal of International Medical... Mar 2021keratitis (AK) is a rare but severe ocular infection with a significant risk of vision loss. Contact lens use is the main risk factor for AK. The orthokeratology (OK)...
keratitis (AK) is a rare but severe ocular infection with a significant risk of vision loss. Contact lens use is the main risk factor for AK. The orthokeratology (OK) lens, a specially designed contact lens, has been used worldwide as an effective method of myopia control. However, the OK lens is associated with an increased risk of infection. Many primary practitioners are concerned about this infection because of its relative rarity, the lack of promising therapeutic medications, and the need for referral. We herein report two cases of AK associated with OK lenses, present a systematic review of such cases, and discuss the possible reasons for the higher incidence rate of this infection in patients who wear OK lenses. We combined the clinical knowledge and skills of corneal specialists and lens experts with the sole objective of addressing these OK lens-related AK cases. We found that the most common risk factors were rinsing the lenses or lens cases with tap water. Prompt and accurate diagnosis along with adequate amoebicidal treatment are essential to ensure desirable outcomes for OK lens wearers who develop AK. Appropriate OK lens parameters and regular checkups are also important.
Topics: Acanthamoeba Keratitis; Contact Lenses; Cornea; Humans; Myopia; Risk Factors
PubMed: 33752507
DOI: 10.1177/03000605211000985 -
Parasitology May 2021Amoebiasis has emerged as a major health problem worldwide. It is endemic in the present scenario is different and sub-tropical regions especially in Asia, Latin America... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Amoebiasis has emerged as a major health problem worldwide. It is endemic in the present scenario is different and sub-tropical regions especially in Asia, Latin America and also in Africa. Causative of amoebiasis is a protozoan known as Entamoeba histolytica. We screened all the databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, Medline and Google Scholar by using the keywords ‘anti-Entamoeba histolytica activity of medicinal plants, anti-Entamoeba histolytica activity of herbal drugs, the anti-amoebic activity of natural drugs’. In the present study, we found 7861 articles, where all articles were screened for bias analysis and included 32 full-matching articles in total reporting the use of medicinal plants as a remedy for amoebiasis. Through these articles, we found 42 herbs having anti-amoebic activity. In bias analysis, we also found four articles under high bias risk. In our study, seven medicinal plants were concluded to possess the most potent anti-amoebic activity based on their IC50 value, which was less than 1 μg mL−1. On bias analysis, we found four articles with high bias risk, hence these studies can be repeated for better results.
Topics: Antiprotozoal Agents; Entamoeba histolytica; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Plant Preparations; Plants, Medicinal
PubMed: 33536098
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182021000172 -
PloS One 2020Intestinal protozoa infections are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality, especially where the exposed population suffers from a lack of drinking water... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Intestinal protozoa infections are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality, especially where the exposed population suffers from a lack of drinking water and sanitation facilities. In this study, the association between the lack of safe drinking water and sanitation (toilet) facilities with intestinal Entamoeba spp infection in the children (5-11 years), adult (18-55 years), and all age (5-55 years) were assessed. For this purpose, some of the international databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were screened to up to 7 June 2019 in order to retrieve the related citations. Also, the pooled odds ratios (ORs) following 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Twenty-nine articles with 36 studies were included while the OR extracted or calculated by using 2 × 2 contingency tables. However, the ingestion of contaminated water insignificantly can increase the odds ratio (OR) of Entamoeba spp infection (OR 1.01, (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58 to 1.43), no access to sanitation (toilet) facilities significantly can increase odds of Entamoeba spp infection (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.32). The meta-regression analysis showed that over time, odds of intestinal Entamoeba spp infection increased in both lack of safe drinking water (Coefficient: 3.24, P-value < 0.01) and sanitation (toilet) facilities (Coefficient: 2.36, P-value < 0.05) subgroups. Considering the findings, lack of safe drinking water resulted in a further increase in intestinal Entamoeba spp infection among adult (OR: 2.76), children (OR = 0.57) and all age groups (OR: 1.50), and also lack of sanitation (toilet) facilities resulted in further increase intestinal Entamoeba spp infection in children (OR: 1.06), adult (OR: 1.26) and all age (OR: 1.16). In this context, the lack of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities (toilet) was associated with a high risk of intestinal Entamoeba spp infection. Further attempts to providing public health facilities can control the prevalence of intestinal Entamoeba spp.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Drinking Water; Entamoebiasis; Female; Humans; Intestinal Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Sanitation; Toilet Facilities; Young Adult
PubMed: 33147225
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237102 -
Food and Waterborne Parasitology Sep 2020Waterborne parasitic diseases form one of common and important public health and economic problems in low- and middle-income countries, though little is known on the...
Waterborne parasitic diseases form one of common and important public health and economic problems in low- and middle-income countries, though little is known on the burden and patterns of these diseases in most regions. This systematic scoping review informs on the prevalence and pattern of waterborne parasitic infections in eastern Africa from 1st of January 1941 to 31st of December 2019. The review found limited number of published studies on waterborne parasitic diseases, though 13 of the 15 studied countries in eastern Africa provided one or more published report(s) totalling 47 reports. Focus of studies was mainly on schistosomiasis where 44.8% of the 47 retrieved studies reported it. Other frequently reported diseases were giardiasis (23.4% of reports), soil-transmitted helminths (23.4%) and amoebiasis (21.3%). Rarely reported diseases were malaria, cryptosporidiosis, isosporiasis, dracunculiasis and trichomoniasis. Based on parasitological examinations, schistosomiasis prevalence ranged from 17 to 33% in Burundi, 1.9 to 73.9% in Ethiopia, 2.1 to 18% in Kenya, 7.2 to 88.6% in Uganda, 22.9 to 86.3% in Tanzania, 27.2 to 65.8% in Somalia, 15 to >50% in Mauritius, 2.4% in Eritrea and 5.0 to 93.7% in Madagascar. Amoebiasis prevalence was 4.6-15,3% (Ethiopia), 5.9-58.3% (Kenya), 54.5% (Rwanda), 0.7-2.7% (Sudan), 19.93% (Uganda) and 4.5-5.0% (Seychelles). Giardiasis prevalence was 0.6-55.0% (Ethiopia), 16.6% (Kenya), 3.6% (Rwanda), 21.1% (Sudan), 40.7% (Uganda), 45.0% (Eritrea) and 3.3-6.0% (Seychelles). Soil-transmitted helminths prevalence was 41.7-52.4% (Ethiopia), 32.4-40.7% (Kenya), 9997 cases (Rwanda), 85.0% (Somalia), 4.7% (Madagascar) and 1.1-84% (Seychelles), , and hookworms were the most common helminths detected. Malaria prevalence was 2.9-4.31% (Ethiopia), an annual episode of 9 million people (Sudan), 13.0% (Tanzania), 146 hospital cases (Madagascar), 1.4-2.0% (Seychelles) and <5.0% in Djibouti. It is also observed that >50% of the populations in eastern Africa region lack improved drinking water sources or sanitation facilities. This may account for the observed high prevalence of the diseases. The author also suggests likely underestimation of the prevalence as most waterborne parasitic diseases are neglected and cases likely only recorded and left unpublished in health facilities. Thus for a thorough mapping of burdens of these diseases, grey literature, including hospital records must be reviewed while interventions focusing on improved water and sanitation are likely to reduce the burden considerably.
PubMed: 32995583
DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2020.e00089 -
Parasites & Vectors Jan 2020Blastocystis sp. affects a wide variety of animals and is the most common protozoan in human fecal samples with potential pandemic distribution. In the present study, a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Blastocystis sp. affects a wide variety of animals and is the most common protozoan in human fecal samples with potential pandemic distribution. In the present study, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to determine the prevalence and distribution of Blastocystis sp. in different classes of hosts in Brazil.
METHODS
Studies that analyzed hosts of various classes, including humans, domestic animals, wild animals or captive animals, were considered. The pooled prevalence of Blastocystis sp. infection was estimated by random effects models.
RESULTS
For humans, similar prevalence rates were found for males (31.0%, 95% CI: 17.0-45.0%; weight 10%) and females (28.0%, 95% CI: 16.0-41.0%; weight 10%); the state of Mato Grosso do Sul showed the highest prevalence, with 41.0% positivity (95% CI: 36.0-46.0%; weight 2.9%). The prevalence among immunocompromised patients was 5.0% (95% CI: 3.0-7.0%; weight 10%), and the most common cause of immunosuppression was hemodialysis, with 23.0% (95% CI: 17.0-29.0%; weight 12.4%). Among classifications according to interaction with humans, wild and domestic animals presented values of 19.0% (95% CI: 7.0-31.0%; weight 42.6%) and 17.0% (95% CI: 13.0-21.0%; weight 29.6%), respectively. Among these animals, mammals (39.0%, 95% CI: 21.0-56.0%; weight 47.3%) and birds (18.0%, 95% CI: 10.0-27.0%; weight 39.3%) exhibited the highest prevalence. Phylogenetic analysis of Blastocystis sp. revealed greater genetic diversity for clades of subtypes (STs) ST1, ST2 and ST3.
CONCLUSIONS
The overall prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in the Brazilian human population was 24%, which reflects the reality in the South, Southeast and Midwest regions, where prevalence rates of up to 40% were found. Among animals, mammals and birds exhibited the highest prevalence.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Domestic; Animals, Wild; Animals, Zoo; Birds; Blastocystis; Blastocystis Infections; Brazil; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Mammals; Phylogeny; Prevalence
PubMed: 31937366
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3900-2 -
Parasite (Paris, France) 2019Blastocystis sp., a unicellular intestinal parasite in humans and animals worldwide, is frequently found in immunocompromized patients and people in close contact with...
Blastocystis sp., a unicellular intestinal parasite in humans and animals worldwide, is frequently found in immunocompromized patients and people in close contact with animals. Here, we reviewed recent studies on the prevalence, subtypes, and distribution of Blastocystis infection in humans and animals in China. To date, more than 12 provinces have reported Blastocystis infection in humans, with identification of six different subtypes (ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, and ST6). The overall infection rate reported was 3.37% (3625/107,695), with the lowest prevalence (0.80%) in Fujian province and the highest prevalence (100%) in Guangdong province. ST3 (62%, 186/300) was the most dominant subtype, identified in all tested provinces in China. A total of eight provinces have reported Blastocystis infection in various animals, with the overall prevalence being 24.66% (1202/4874). Molecular analysis revealed 14 subtypes that infected animals, including 10 known (ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, ST6, ST7, ST10, ST13, ST14), and 4 novel (Novel1, Novel2, Novel3, Novel4) subtypes. ST5 was the dominant subtype infecting artiodactyls (44.1%, 460/1044), while ST1 commonly infected carnivores (45.5%, 5/11). These findings provide insights into the epidemiological behavior of Blastocystis sp. in China, and could help in developing effective control strategies against the parasite.
Topics: Animals; Blastocystis; Blastocystis Infections; China; DNA, Protozoan; DNA, Ribosomal; Feces; Genetic Variation; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Phylogeny; Prevalence
PubMed: 31309925
DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2019042 -
Annals of Parasitology 2018Acanthamoeba, an opportunistic protozoan parasite, is distributed in the environment globally, causes serious human infections, including a fatal encephalitis and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Acanthamoeba, an opportunistic protozoan parasite, is distributed in the environment globally, causes serious human infections, including a fatal encephalitis and keratitis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and genotyping of Acanthamoeba spp. from different water and soil sources in Iran. Six English language and four Persian language databases were searched to identify studies published from March 2005 to October 2016. Random effect model and Stats Direct statistical software was used for the meta-analysis. This review resulted in a total 34 articles meeting the including criteria. The overall prevalence rate of Acanthamoeba spp. among the 1850 water and soil samples in Iran with using random-effect model was estimated 42.7%. The genotyping results of the Acanthamoeba isolates showed that T4 (81.2%) was a predominant strain in Iran. In addition, other genotypes, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T11, T13, T15, mixed T3/T4 and mixed T2/T6, were obtained in the environmental samples of Iran. This study may be the first systematic review and meta-analysis of Acanthamoeba prevalence and genotyping in different environmental sources of Iran. Knowledge about wide distribution of Acanthamoeba T4 in the environmental sources may help physicians to manage the patients and susceptible persons in Iran.
Topics: Acanthamoeba; Acanthamoeba Keratitis; Genotype; Humans; Iran; Soil; Water
PubMed: 30710471
DOI: 10.17420/ap6404.163 -
The Indian Journal of Medical Research Oct 2018Although febrile illnesses are a frequent cause of consultation and hospitalization in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), research has mainly focused on acute...
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES
Although febrile illnesses are a frequent cause of consultation and hospitalization in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), research has mainly focused on acute febrile illnesses (AFIs). In contrast, there are limited data on the causes of persistent febrile illnesses (PFIs) in LMIC. Lack of clarity on the differential diagnosis of PFIs in the rural tropics leads to the absence of diagnostic guidance tools.
METHODS
In this study, a review of the potential causes of persistent fever defined as fever of more than seven days was done in Nepal, with a focus on nine pathogen-specific conditions. The current knowledge on their burden, distribution and diagnosis was summarized.
RESULTS
Limited data were found on the incidence and public health burden of leptospirosis, murine typhus and brucellosis due to the absence of diagnostic tools outside reference laboratories and the overlap of signs and symptoms with other febrile conditions. The incidence of malaria and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was found to be decreasing in Nepal, with some changes of the geographical areas at risk.
INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS
This review indicates a need for more research on the causes of PFIs in Nepal and in the region and for the development of clinical guidance tailored to current local epidemiology. Guidance tools should include specific clinical features (e.g. eschar), results of rapid diagnostic tests (e.g. malaria, VL), appropriate indications for more sophisticated tests (e.g. abdominal ultrasound, polymerase chain reaction) and recommendations for adequate use of empirical treatment.
Topics: Brucellosis; Fever; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Humans; Incidence; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Leptospirosis; Liver Abscess, Amebic; Malaria; Melioidosis; Nepal; Tuberculosis; Typhoid Fever; Typhus, Endemic Flea-Borne
PubMed: 30666001
DOI: 10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_505_18