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Diouf FS, Tidjani Alou M, Bassene H, Cortaredona S, Diatta G, Raoult D, Sokhna C, Lagier JC. Seasonal variation of asymptomatic viral and bacterial nasopharyngeal carriage in rural Senegal. J Infect Public Health 2024; 17:922-928. [PMID: 38579539 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The surveillance of respiratory pathogens in rural areas of West Africa has, to date, largely been focussed on symptoms. In this prospective study conducted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we aimed to assess the asymptomatic prevalence of respiratory pathogen carriage in a group of individuals living in a rural area of Senegalese. METHODS Longitudinal follow up was performed through monthly nasopharyngeal swabbing during the dry season and weekly swabbing during the rainy season. We enrolled 15 individuals from the village of Ndiop. A total of 368 nasopharyngeal swabs were collected over a one-year period. We investigated the prevalence of 18 respiratory viruses and eight respiratory bacteria in different age groups using singleplex and multiplex PCR. RESULTS In total, 19.56% of the samples (72/368) were positive for respiratory viruses and 13.60% of the samples (50/368) were positive for respiratory bacteria. Coronaviruses (19/72, 26.39%), adenoviruses (17/72, 23.61%), rhinoviruses (14/72, 19.44%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (17/50, 34%), and Moraxella catarrhalis (15/50, 30%) were the most frequently detected viruses. Interestingly, the carriage of respiratory pathogens was shown to be more frequent during the rainy season, as pluviometry was shown to be positively associated with the occurrence of respiratory viruses such as influenza (P = .0078, r2 =.523) and RSV (P = .0055, r2 =.554). CONCLUSIONS Our results show a non-negligible circulation of respiratory pathogens in a rural area in Senegal (West Africa) with an underestimated proportion of asymptomatic individuals. This study highlights the fact that the circulation of viruses and bacteria in the community has been overlooked.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatou Samba Diouf
- VITROME IRD, Campus International de Recherche IRD-UCAD Hann, Dakar, Senegal; IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, APHM, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Maryam Tidjani Alou
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, APHM, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Hubert Bassene
- VITROME IRD, Campus International de Recherche IRD-UCAD Hann, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Sebastien Cortaredona
- VITROME IRD, Campus International de Recherche IRD-UCAD Hann, Dakar, Senegal; IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, APHM, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Georges Diatta
- VITROME IRD, Campus International de Recherche IRD-UCAD Hann, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Didier Raoult
- VITROME IRD, Campus International de Recherche IRD-UCAD Hann, Dakar, Senegal; IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, APHM, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Cheikh Sokhna
- VITROME IRD, Campus International de Recherche IRD-UCAD Hann, Dakar, Senegal; IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, APHM, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Lagier
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, APHM, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.
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Kočková R, Vojáček J, Bedáňová H, Fila P, Skalský I, Žáková D, Klán M, Míková B, Mědílek K, Tuna M, Fialová M, Dvořáková R, Hlubocká Z, Panovský R, Slabý K, Kelen de Oliveira E, Casselman F, Pěnička M. Rationale and design of the ELEANOR trial early aortic valve surgery versus watchful waiting strategy in severe asymptomatic aortic regurgitation, ACRONYM: ELEANOR. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29470. [PMID: 38638969 PMCID: PMC11024602 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The optimal treatment of patients with severe symptomatic aortic regurgitation (AR) is state-of-the-art surgery. Asymptomatic patients with advanced left ventricular (LV) dilatation and/or impaired ejection fraction should undergo surgical treatment, but there is no guidelines consensus on cut-off values for this recommendation. Multimodality imaging has brought new tools for the accurate selection of asymptomatic patients at risk of early clinical deterioration, however, prospective and randomized data are pending. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived AR quantification along with LV remodeling assessment appears to be the most accurate tool for a selection of such patients at risk. Trial design The objective of our prospective and multicenter study is to determine whether patients at risk of early clinical deterioration as per CMR assessment will benefit from early surgical treatment. The study is designed as a superiority trial to demonstrate that early surgical treatment is safe and more effective than the standard treatment. A total of 217 asymptomatic patients with severe AR, but without current guidelines-based surgical indication, will be enrolled across all centers. We expect 24 % of patients identified as high clinical risk and therefore eligible for 1:1 randomization to early surgical treatment within 3 months or a watchful waiting strategy. Follow-up will be annual. We expect a complete restoration of LV size and function along with improved quality of life and physical performance in a short-term follow-up of 12 months. The primary endpoint will be a composite safety and efficacy with all criteria mandatory: 15 % or larger reduction of baseline CMR-derived LV end-diastolic volume index, LV ejection fraction >50 %, and no major adverse cardiovascular events. The annual follow-up will continue for a minimum of 4 years until the required number of endpoints is achieved to show a statistically significant difference in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in early surgically treated patients. Conclusion The ELEANOR trial is the first multicenter randomized controlled study to compare early surgical treatment with a watchful waiting strategy in asymptomatic patients with chronic severe AR at high risk of early clinical deterioration as per CMR assessment but without guidelines-based indications for surgical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radka Kočková
- Na Homolce Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
- Charles University, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Vojáček
- Charles University, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
- University Hospital Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Helena Bedáňová
- Centre of Cardiovascular Surgery and Transplantation, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Fila
- Centre of Cardiovascular Surgery and Transplantation, Brno, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Daniela Žáková
- Centre of Cardiovascular Surgery and Transplantation, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | | | - Karel Mědílek
- Charles University, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
- University Hospital Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Tuna
- Charles University, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
- University Hospital Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Monika Fialová
- University Hospital Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Radka Dvořáková
- University Hospital Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Hlubocká
- 2nd Department of Internal Cardiovascular Medicine, General University Hospital in Prague, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Panovský
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- 1st Department of Internal, Brno, Czech Republic Medicine/Cardioangiology at St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kryštof Slabý
- Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Elayne Kelen de Oliveira
- CardioPaTh PhD Program, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
- Cardiovascular Center OLV Clinic Aalst, Belgium
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Miyake R, Takasaki M, Nakajima H, Iwaki K, Hongo T, Fujimoto Y, Hyo T. Natural history of asymptomatic cervical internal carotid artery stenosis in diabetes mellitus patients. J Clin Neurosci 2024; 124:27-29. [PMID: 38640805 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2024.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known to be a cause of cervical internal carotid artery stenosis (ICS). In this study, we investigated the natural history of asymptomatic ICS in DM patients without surgical intervention. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of 148 DM patients with asymptomatic ICS treated medically at the Kansai Electric Power Hospital from April 2013 to March 2023, inclusive. We examined the incidence of ischemic stroke with ICS and evaluated the patients' clinical characteristics and imaging findings. RESULTS Ischemic stroke with ICS occurred in 7 patients (4.7 %), and only smoking history was significantly correlated with the incidence of ischemic stroke (p = 0.04). DISCUSSION The incidence rate of ischemic stroke with ICS in this study (4.7%) was comparable to the previous report. The result that, the correlated factors of the incidence of ischemic stroke in DM patients with ICS was only smoking history, seemed acceptable. However, prospective studies with a larger number of cases may be needed in the future to determine the correlated factors more eligibly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Miyake
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kansai Electric Power Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Morio Takasaki
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kansai Electric Power Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Hideki Nakajima
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kansai Electric Power Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Katsuma Iwaki
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kansai Electric Power Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Taku Hongo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kansai Electric Power Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Yasuhiro Fujimoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kansai Electric Power Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Takanori Hyo
- Department of Diabetology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kansai Electric Power Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
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Aljohani A, Shokri A, Mukalazi H. Analyzing the dynamic patterns of COVID-19 through nonstandard finite difference scheme. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8466. [PMID: 38605097 PMCID: PMC11009417 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57356-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
This paper presents a novel approach to analyzing the dynamics of COVID-19 using nonstandard finite difference (NSFD) schemes. Our model incorporates both asymptomatic and symptomatic infected individuals, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of the epidemic's spread. We introduce an unconditionally stable NSFD system that eliminates the need for traditional Runge-Kutta methods, ensuring dynamical consistency and numerical accuracy. Through rigorous numerical analysis, we evaluate the performance of different NSFD strategies and validate our analytical findings. Our work demonstrates the benefits of using NSFD schemes for modeling infectious diseases, offering advantages in terms of stability and efficiency. We further illustrate the dynamic behavior of COVID-19 under various conditions using numerical simulations. The results from these simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in capturing the epidemic's complex dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abeer Aljohani
- Department of Computer Science, Applied College, Taibah University, Medina, 42353, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Shokri
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, University of Maragheh, Maragheh, 83111-55181, Iran
| | - Herbert Mukalazi
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Kyambogo University, Kampala, Uganda.
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Zhang J, Ratner M, Harish KB, Speranza G, Hartwell CA, Rao A, Garg K, Maldonado T, Sadek M, Jacobowitz G, Rockman C. The natural history and long-term follow-up of splenic artery aneurysms. J Vasc Surg 2024; 79:801-807.e3. [PMID: 38081394 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2023.11.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although splenic artery aneurysms (SAAs) are the most common visceral aneurysm, there is a paucity of literature on the behavior of these entities. The objective of this study was to review the natural history of patients with SAA. METHODS This single-institution, retrospective analysis studied patients with SAA diagnosed by computed tomography imaging between 2015 and 2019, identified by our institutional radiology database. Imaging, demographic, and clinical data were obtained via the electronic medical record. The growth rate was calculated for patients with radiologic follow-up. RESULTS The cohort consisted of 853 patients with 890 SAAs, of whom 692 were female (81.2%). There were 37 women (5.3%) of childbearing age (15-50 years). The mean age at diagnosis was 70.9 years (range: 28-100 years). Frequently observed medical comorbidities included hypertension (70.2%), hypercholesterolemia (54.7%), and prior smoking (32.2%). Imaging indications included abdominal pain (37.3%), unrelated follow-up (28.0%), and follow-up of a previously noted visceral artery aneurysm (8.6%). The mean diameter at diagnosis was 13.3 ± 6.3 mm. Anatomic locations included the splenic hilum (36.0%), distal splenic artery (30.3%), midsplenic artery (23.9%), and proximal splenic artery (9.7%). Radiographically, the majority were saccular aneurysms (72.4%) with calcifications (88.5%). One patient (38-year-old woman) was initially diagnosed at the time of rupture of a 25 mm aneurysm; this patient underwent immediate endovascular intervention with no complications. The mean clinical follow-up among 812 patients was 4.1 ± 4.0 years, and the mean radiological follow-up among 514 patients was 3.8 ± 6.8 years. Of the latter, 122 patients (23.7%) experienced growth. Aneurysm growth rates for initial sizes <10 mm (n = 123), 10 to 19 mm (n = 353), 20 to 29 mm (n = 34), and >30 mm (n = 4) were 0.166 mm/y, 0.172 mm/y, 0.383 mm/y, and 0.246 mm/y, respectively. Of the entire cohort, 27 patients (3.2%) eventually underwent intervention (81.5% endovascular), with the most common indications including size/growth criteria (70.4%) and symptom development (18.5%). On multivariate analysis, only prior tobacco use was significantly associated with aneurysm growth (P = .028). CONCLUSIONS The majority of SAAs in this cohort remained stable in size, with few patients requiring intervention over a mean follow-up of 4 years. Current guidelines recommending treatment of asymptomatic aneurysms >30 mm appear appropriate given their slow progression. Despite societal recommendations for intervention for all SAAs among women of childbearing age, only a minority underwent vascular surgical consultation and intervention in this series, indicating that these recommendations are likely not well known in the general medical community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Zhang
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Molly Ratner
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Keerthi B Harish
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Giancarlo Speranza
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - C Austen Hartwell
- Department of Radiology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Abhishek Rao
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Karan Garg
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Thomas Maldonado
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Mikel Sadek
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Glenn Jacobowitz
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Caron Rockman
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY.
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Larsson J, Auscher S, Pararajasingam G, Heinsen LJ, Andersen TR, Lambrechtsen J, Egstrup K. Reply to: "Insulin resistance is an important index to assess glucose and insulin metabolism, but not a biological risk factor for high-risk coronary artery plaque composition". Atherosclerosis 2024:117524. [PMID: 38523001 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2024.117524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Larsson
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Odense University Hospital Svendborg, Baagøes Allé 15, 5700, Svendborg, Denmark.
| | - Søren Auscher
- Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital Svendborg, Baagøes Allé 15, 5700, Svendborg, Denmark
| | - Gokulan Pararajasingam
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Odense University Hospital Svendborg, Baagøes Allé 15, 5700, Svendborg, Denmark
| | - Laurits Juhl Heinsen
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Odense University Hospital Svendborg, Baagøes Allé 15, 5700, Svendborg, Denmark
| | - Thomas Rueskov Andersen
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Odense University Hospital Svendborg, Baagøes Allé 15, 5700, Svendborg, Denmark
| | - Jess Lambrechtsen
- Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital Svendborg, Baagøes Allé 15, 5700, Svendborg, Denmark
| | - Kenneth Egstrup
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Odense University Hospital Svendborg, Baagøes Allé 15, 5700, Svendborg, Denmark
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Portnoff B, Casey JC, Thirumavalavan J, Abbott E, North R, Gil JA. Prevalence of asymptomatic TFCC tears on MRI: A systematic review. Hand Surg Rehabil 2024:101684. [PMID: 38493923 DOI: 10.1016/j.hansur.2024.101684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies show a high prevalence of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tears in asymptomatic wrists. While a TFCC tear may be identified when evaluating ulnar sided wrist pain, this could be incidental and not the true cause of pain. The purpose of this review was to (1) examine the frequency of which TFCC tears are diagnosed on MRI in asymptomatic versus symptomatic wrists and (2) determine whether rates of asymptomatic TFCC tears are higher in two important subgroups commonly at risk for this pathology: elderly patients and high-impact athletes. METHODS Articles of level IV or higher evidence were selected from PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials Database to compare patient demographics, study parameters, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS Seven studies met inclusion criteria with a total of 501 wrists (205 symptomatic and 296 asymptomatic). All studies included asymptomatic patients with wrist MR imaging and included information on the structural integrity of the TFCC. Variability in outcome measures reported across studies prevented the conduction of a meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS TFCC abnormalities are present in patients of all ages, symptomatology, and levels of involvement in high-impact sports. Although, there are differences in tear and abnormality prevalence when comparing these three factors, the difference was not significant. Given these findings, using MRI to assess ulnar-sided wrist pain should be fortified with clinical suspicion, physical exam, and physician judgment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Portnoff
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Jack C Casey
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Jeyvikram Thirumavalavan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Erin Abbott
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Rachel North
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Joseph A Gil
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
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Hailemeskel E, Tebeje SK, Ramjith J, Ashine T, Lanke K, Behaksra SW, Emiru T, Tsegaye T, Gashaw A, Kedir S, Chali W, Esayas E, Tafesse T, Abera H, Bulto MG, Shumie G, Petros B, Mamo H, Drakeley C, Gadisa E, Bousema T, Tadesse FG. Dynamics of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections and their infectiousness to mosquitoes in a low transmission setting of Ethiopia: a longitudinal observational study. Int J Infect Dis 2024; 143:107010. [PMID: 38490637 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A 15-month longitudinal study was conducted to determine the duration and infectivity of asymptomatic qPCR-detected Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections in Ethiopia. METHOD Total parasite and gametocyte kinetics were determined by molecular methods; infectivity to Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes by repeated membrane feeding assays. Infectivity results were contrasted with passively recruited symptomatic malaria cases. RESULTS For P. falciparum and P. vivax infections detected at enrolment, median durations of infection were 37 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 15-93) and 60 days (95% CI, 18-213), respectively. P. falciparum and P. vivax parasite densities declined over the course of infections. From 47 feeding assays on 22 asymptomatic P. falciparum infections, 6.4% (3/47) were infectious and these infected 1.8% (29/1579) of mosquitoes. No transmission was observed in feeding assays on asymptomatic P. vivax mono-infections (0/56); one mixed-species infection was highly infectious. Among the symptomatic cases, 4.3% (2/47) of P. falciparum and 73.3% (53/86) of P. vivax patients were infectious to mosquitoes. CONCLUSION The majority of asymptomatic infections were of short duration and low parasite density. Only a minority of asymptomatic individuals were infectious to mosquitoes. This contrasts with earlier findings and is plausibly due to the low parasite densities in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elifaged Hailemeskel
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Department of Medical Microbiology and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands; Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Wollo university, Dessie, Ethiopia; Department of Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Surafel K Tebeje
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Department of Medical Microbiology and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Jordache Ramjith
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Kjerstin Lanke
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Tadele Emiru
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Tizita Tsegaye
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abrham Gashaw
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Soria Kedir
- Adama Regional Laboratory, Oromia Region Health Bureau, Adama, Ethiopia
| | - Wakweya Chali
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | | | - Haile Abera
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Girma Shumie
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Beyene Petros
- Department of Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Hassen Mamo
- Department of Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Chris Drakeley
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Teun Bousema
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Fitsum G Tadesse
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
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Amwoma JG, Kituyi S, Wakoli DM, Ochora DO, Chemwor G, Maisiba R, Okore W, Opot B, Juma D, Muok EM, Garges EC, Egbo TE, Nyabuga FN, Andagalu B, Akala HM. Comparative analysis of peripheral whole blood transcriptome from asymptomatic carriers reveals upregulation of subsets of surface proteins implicated in Plasmodium falciparum phenotypic plasticity. Biochem Biophys Rep 2024; 37:101596. [PMID: 38146350 PMCID: PMC10749222 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2023.101596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanism underlying Plasmodium falciparum's persistence in the asymptomatic phase of infection remains largely unknown. However, large-scale shifts in the parasites' gene expression during asymptomatic infections may enhance phenotypic plasticity, maximizing their fitness and leading to the persistence of the asymptomatic infections. To uncover these mechanisms, we aimed to identify parasite genetic factors implicated in asymptomatic infections through whole transcriptome analysis. We analyzed publicly available transcriptome datasets containing asymptomatic malaria (ASM), uncomplicated malaria (SM), and malaria-naïve (NSM) samples from 35 subjects for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and long noncoding RNAs. Our analysis identified 755 and 1773 DEGs in ASM vs SM and NSM, respectively. These DEGs revealed sets of genes coding for proteins of unknown functions (PUFs) upregulated in ASM vs SM and ASM, suggesting their role in underlying fundamental molecular mechanisms during asymptomatic infections. Upregulated genes in ASM vs SM revealed a subset of 24 clonal variant genes (CVGs) involved in host-parasite and symbiotic interactions and modulation of the symbiont of host erythrocyte aggregation pathways. Moreover, we identified 237 differentially expressed noncoding RNAs in ASM vs SM, of which 11 were found to interact with CVGs, suggesting their possible role in regulating the expression of CVGs. Our results suggest that P. falciparum utilizes phenotypic plasticity as an adaptive mechanism during asymptomatic infections by upregulating clonal variant genes, with long noncoding RNAs possibly playing a crucial role in their regulation. Thus, our study provides insights into the parasites' genetic factors that confer a fitness advantage during asymptomatic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G. Amwoma
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Embu, Kenya
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Sarah Kituyi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Embu, Kenya
- Forgarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dancan M. Wakoli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University, Kenya
| | - Douglas O. Ochora
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kisii University, Kenya
- DSI/NWU, Preclinical Drug Development Platform, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Gladys Chemwor
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Risper Maisiba
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Winnie Okore
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Maseno University, Kenya
| | - Benjamin Opot
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Dennis Juma
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Eric M.O. Muok
- Center for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Eric C. Garges
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya
| | - Timothy E. Egbo
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya
| | | | - Ben Andagalu
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Hoseah M. Akala
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
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Yin M, Xu C, Zhu J, Xue Y, Zhou Y, He Y, Lin J, Liu L, Gao J, Liu X, Shen D, Fu C. Automated machine learning for the identification of asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers based on chest CT images. BMC Med Imaging 2024; 24:50. [PMID: 38413923 PMCID: PMC10900643 DOI: 10.1186/s12880-024-01211-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers with normal chest computed tomography (CT) scans have perpetuated the ongoing pandemic of this disease. This retrospective study aimed to use automated machine learning (AutoML) to develop a prediction model based on CT characteristics for the identification of asymptomatic carriers. METHODS Asymptomatic carriers were from Yangzhou Third People's Hospital from August 1st, 2020, to March 31st, 2021, and the control group included a healthy population from a nonepizootic area with two negative RT‒PCR results within 48 h. All CT images were preprocessed using MATLAB. Model development and validation were conducted in R with the H2O package. The models were built based on six algorithms, e.g., random forest and deep neural network (DNN), and a training set (n = 691). The models were improved by automatically adjusting hyperparameters for an internal validation set (n = 306). The performance of the obtained models was evaluated based on a dataset from Suzhou (n = 178) using the area under the curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and F1 score. RESULTS A total of 1,175 images were preprocessed with high stability. Six models were developed, and the performance of the DNN model ranked first, with an AUC value of 0.898 for the test set. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, F1 score and accuracy of the DNN model were 0.820, 0.854, 0.849, 0.826, 0.834 and 0.837, respectively. A plot of a local interpretable model-agnostic explanation demonstrated how different variables worked in identifying asymptomatic carriers. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates that AutoML models based on CT images can be used to identify asymptomatic carriers. The most promising model for clinical implementation is the DNN-algorithm-based model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minyue Yin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 215006, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Suzhou Clinical Center of Digestive Diseases, 215006, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chao Xu
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 215006, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jinzhou Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 215006, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- The 23th ward, Yangzhou Third People's Hospital, 225000, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Suzhou Clinical Center of Digestive Diseases, 215006, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuhan Xue
- Medical School, Soochow University, 215006, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yijia Zhou
- Medical School, Soochow University, 215006, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu He
- Medical School, Soochow University, 215006, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiaxi Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 215006, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Suzhou Clinical Center of Digestive Diseases, 215006, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 215006, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Suzhou Clinical Center of Digestive Diseases, 215006, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jingwen Gao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 215006, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Suzhou Clinical Center of Digestive Diseases, 215006, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaolin Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 215006, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Suzhou Clinical Center of Digestive Diseases, 215006, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dan Shen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 215006, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Cuiping Fu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 215006, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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11
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Sevik Kacmaz K, Unver B. Immediate effects of elbow orthoses on elbow proprioception in asymptomatic individuals: A randomized sham-controlled single-blinded study. J Hand Ther 2024:S0894-1130(23)00198-9. [PMID: 38360486 DOI: 10.1016/j.jht.2023.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improving proprioception can reduce the risk of injuries, while its disruption may lead to injuries and recurrent or persistent symptoms. PURPOSE This study aimed to evaluate the immediate effects of elbow orthoses on elbow proprioception in asymptomatic individuals. STUDY DESIGN This was a randomized, controlled, single-blinded study with a sham application. METHODS Sixty participants were equally distributed into three orthosis groups (counterforce, sleeve, and sham). Proprioception was assessed using active joint position sense error (JPSE) at 70° and 110° of elbow flexion at three time points: baseline (BS), immediately after (IA) wearing the orthosis, and 30 minutes after (30MA) wearing the orthosis. RESULTS Between groups: No significant difference in JPSE was observed at 70° (p = 0.095); however, there was a significant difference at 110° (p = 0.005). Between time points: At 70°, JPSE did not exhibit a significant difference (p = 0.055), whereas a significant difference was observed at 110° (p = 0.020). Interaction of time points×groups: No significant interaction was observed either at 70° (p = 0.476) or at 110° (p = 0.346). At 70°, within the sleeve group, significant differences were identified between BS-30MA (p = 0.001) and IA-30MA (p = 0.009). At 110°, in the sleeve group, significant differences were observed between BS-30MA (p = 0.007) and IA-30MA (p = 0.007). In the counterforce group, significant differences were identified between BS-30MA time points (p = 0.001). At 70°, no difference was observed within the overall evaluation in the counterforce group (p > 0.05), whereas at 110°, a significant difference was noted (p = 0.026). At both 70° and 110°, no differences were identified within the overall evaluation in the sleeve and sham groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In asymptomatic individuals, sleeve orthosis improved elbow proprioception at 70°, whereas both counterforce and sleeve orthoses were effective at 110°.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevser Sevik Kacmaz
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Cigli, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Bayram Unver
- Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Dokuz Eylul University, Balçova, Izmir, Turkey.
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12
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Pini R, Faggioli G, Rocchi C, Fronterrè S, Lodato M, Vacirca A, Gallitto E, Gargiulo M. The mid-term results of the Carotid Asymptomatic Stenosis (CARAS) observational study. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2024; 33:107508. [PMID: 38176228 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2023.107508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACAS) remains a subject of debate. Current recommendations are based on randomized trials conducted over 20 years ago and improvements in medical therapies may have reduced the risk of cerebral ischemic events (CIE). This study presents a mid-term analysis of results from an ongoing prospective observational study of ACAS patients to assess their CIE risk in a real-world setting. METHODS This is a prospective observational cohort study of patients with ACAS >60 % (NASCET criteria) identified in a single duplex ultrasonography (DUS) vascular laboratory (trial registered: NCT04825080). Patients were not considered for CEA due to their short life expectancy (<3 year) or absence of signs of plaque vulnerability (ulceration, ipoechogenic core). Patient enrollment started in January 2019 and ended in March 2020 with a targeted sample size of 300 patients.A 5-year follow-up was scheduled. Clinical characteristics, risk factors, and medical therapies were documented, and, when necessary, the best medical therapy (BMT), involving antiplatelet agents, blood pressure control, and statins, was recommended during clinical visits. The primary endpoint was to asses CIEs (including strokes, transient ischemic attacks, amaurosis-fugax) ipsilateral to ACAS along with plaque progression rate and patients survival. Follow-up involved annual clinical visit and carotid DUS examination, complemented by telephone interviews at six-month intervals. RESULTS The study included 307 patients, with an average age of 80 ± 7 years, of whom 55 % were male. Contralateral stenosis exceeding 60 % was present in 61 (20 %) patients. Seventy-seven percent of patients were on BMT. At a mean follow-up of 41±9 months, 7 ispilateral strokes and 9 TIAs occurred, resulting in 14 CIEs (2 patients experienced both TIA and stroke). According to Kaplan-Meier analysis, the 4-year CIE rate was 6±2 %, with an annual CIE rate of 1.5 %. Fifty-eight (19 %) patients had a stenosis progression which was associated with a higher 4-year estimated CIE rate compared to patients with stable plaque (10.3 % vs 3.2 %, P=.01). Similarly, a contralateral carotid stenosis >60 % was associated with a higher 4-year estimated CIE rate: 11.7 % vs 2.9 %, P=.002. These factors were independently associated with high risk for CIE at the multivariate COX analysis: Hazard Ratio (HR): 3.2; 95 % Confidence Interval: 1.1-9.2 and HR: 3.6; 95 % CI: 1.2-10.5. CONCLUSION The mid-term results of this prospective study suggest that the incidence of CIE in ACAS patients should not be underestimated, with plaque progression and contralateral stenosis serving as primary predictors of CIEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo Pini
- Vascular Surgery, University of Bologna "Alma Mater Studiorum", Policlinico S. Orsola Malpighi, IRCCS, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Bologna 40138, Italy.
| | - Gianluca Faggioli
- Vascular Surgery, University of Bologna "Alma Mater Studiorum", Policlinico S. Orsola Malpighi, IRCCS, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Cristina Rocchi
- Vascular Surgery, University of Bologna "Alma Mater Studiorum", Policlinico S. Orsola Malpighi, IRCCS, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Sara Fronterrè
- Vascular Surgery, University of Bologna "Alma Mater Studiorum", Policlinico S. Orsola Malpighi, IRCCS, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Marcello Lodato
- Vascular Surgery, University of Bologna "Alma Mater Studiorum", Policlinico S. Orsola Malpighi, IRCCS, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Andrea Vacirca
- Vascular Surgery, University of Bologna "Alma Mater Studiorum", Policlinico S. Orsola Malpighi, IRCCS, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Enrico Gallitto
- Vascular Surgery, University of Bologna "Alma Mater Studiorum", Policlinico S. Orsola Malpighi, IRCCS, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Mauro Gargiulo
- Vascular Surgery, University of Bologna "Alma Mater Studiorum", Policlinico S. Orsola Malpighi, IRCCS, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Bologna 40138, Italy
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Fogang B, Lellouche L, Ceesay S, Drammeh S, Jaiteh FK, Guery MA, Landier J, Haanappel CP, Froberg J, Conway D, D'Alessandro U, Bousema T, Claessens A. Asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum carriage at the end of the dry season is associated with subsequent infection and clinical malaria in Eastern Gambia. Malar J 2024; 23:22. [PMID: 38229097 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04836-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic carriage of asymptomatic low-density Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia in the dry season may support maintenance of acquired immunity that protects against clinical malaria. However, the relationship between chronic low-density infections and subsequent risk of clinical malaria episodes remains unclear. METHODS In a 2-years study (December 2014 to December 2016) in eastern Gambia, nine cross-sectional surveys using molecular parasite detection were performed in the dry and wet season. During the 2016 malaria transmission season, passive case detection identified episodes of clinical malaria. RESULTS Among the 5256 samples collected, 444 (8.4%) were positive for P. falciparum. A multivariate model identified village of residence, male sex, age ≥ 5 years old, anaemia, and fever as independent factors associated with P. falciparum parasite carriage. Infections did not cluster over time within the same households or recurred among neighbouring households. Asymptomatic parasite carriage at the end of dry season was associated with a higher risk of infection (Hazard Ratio, HR = 3.0, p < 0.0001) and clinical malaria (HR = 1.561, p = 0.057) during the following transmission season. Age and village of residence were additional predictors of infection and clinical malaria during the transmission season. CONCLUSION Chronic parasite carriage during the dry season is associated with an increased risk of malaria infection and clinical malaria. It is unclear whether this is due to environmental exposure or to other factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balotin Fogang
- LPHI, MIVEGEC, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Lionel Lellouche
- LPHI, MIVEGEC, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Sukai Ceesay
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Sainabou Drammeh
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Fatou K Jaiteh
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Marc-Antoine Guery
- LPHI, MIVEGEC, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jordi Landier
- IRD, INSERM, SESSTIM, ISSPAM, Aix Marseille University, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Cynthia P Haanappel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Janeri Froberg
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - David Conway
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Umberto D'Alessandro
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Teun Bousema
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Antoine Claessens
- LPHI, MIVEGEC, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia.
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14
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Kouna LC, Oyegue-Liabagui SL, Voumbo-Matoumona DF, Lekana-Douki JB. Malaria Prevalence in Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Children Living in Rural, Semi-Urban and Urban Areas in Eastern Gabon. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:10.1007/s11686-023-00783-x. [PMID: 38194048 PMCID: PMC11001662 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00783-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria remains a major public health issue in the world despite a decline in the disease burden. However, though symptomatic malaria is diagnosed and treated, asymptomatic infections remain poorly known and support transmission. This study assessed the prevalence of symptomatic and asymptomatic Plasmodium spp. infections in three areas in Gabon to monitor and evaluate the impact of malaria. METHODS AND RESULTS A cross-sectional study was conducted in three areas of Gabon. Febrile and afebrile children aged 6 months to 15 years were included in this study. Malaria prevalence was determined by microscopy of and using rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Plasmodium spp. species were identified by PCR according to the Snounou method. The data were recorded in Excel, and the statistical analyses were performed using the software R version R 64 × 3.5.0. A total of 2381(333 asymptomatic and 107 symptomatic) children were included. The overall prevalence of malaria was 40% (952/2381), with the majority (77% symptomatic and 98% asymptomatic) of infections caused by Plasmodium falciparum. A high prevalence of malaria was found in infected children in rural and semi-rural areas. In these two areas, a higher prevalence of Plasmodium malariae was observed in asymptomatic. Furthermore, mixed infections were more prevalent in asymptomatic children than in symptomatic. CONCLUSION This study showed that the prevalence of Plasmodium spp. infection varied according to the regions. The main species was Plasmodium falciparum, but in asymptomatic children the prevalence of Plasmodium malariae was high in rural areas. To help fight malaria more effectively asymptomatic infections should be taken into account and treated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lady Charlène Kouna
- Unité d'Evolution, Epidémiologie et Résistances Parasitaires(UNEEREP), Centre international de Recherche Médicales de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon
| | - Sandrine Lydie Oyegue-Liabagui
- Unité d'Evolution, Epidémiologie et Résistances Parasitaires(UNEEREP), Centre international de Recherche Médicales de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon
- Ecole Doctorale Régionale d'Afrique Centrale en Infectiologie Tropicale, Franceville, Gabon
- Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences, Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku, Franceville, Gabon
| | - Dominique Fatima Voumbo-Matoumona
- Département Masters/Licences, parcours types des sciences Biologiques, faculté des sciences et Techniques, Université Marien Ngouabi, Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Jean Bernard Lekana-Douki
- Unité d'Evolution, Epidémiologie et Résistances Parasitaires(UNEEREP), Centre international de Recherche Médicales de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon.
- Ecole Doctorale Régionale d'Afrique Centrale en Infectiologie Tropicale, Franceville, Gabon.
- Département de Parasitologie Mycologie et de Médecine Tropicale, Université des Science de la Santé, Libreville, Gabon.
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15
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Sama C, Abdelhaleem A, Velu D, Ditah Chobufo M, Fongwen NT, Budoff MJ, Roberts M, Balla S, Mills JD, Njim TN, Greathouse M, Zeb I, Hamirani YS. Non-calcified plaque in asymptomatic patients with zero coronary artery calcium score: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr 2024; 18:43-49. [PMID: 37821352 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcct.2023.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is growing interest in understanding the coronary atherosclerotic burden in asymptomatic patients with zero coronary artery calcium score (CACS). In this population, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and severity of non-calcified coronary plaques (NCP) as detected by coronary CT angiography (CCTA), and to analyze the associated clinical predictors. METHODS This was a systematic review with meta-analysis of studies indexed in PubMed/Medline and Web of Science from inception of the database to March 31st, 2023. Using the random-effects model, separate Forest and Galbraith plots were generated for each effect size assessed. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistics whilst Funnel plots and Egger's test were used to assess for publication bias. RESULTS From a total of 14 studies comprising 37808 patients, we approximated the pooled summary estimates for the overall prevalence of NCP to be 10% (95%CI: 6%-13%). Similarly, the pooled prevalence of obstructive NCP was estimated at 1.1% (95%CI: 0.7%-1.5%) from a total of 10 studies involving 21531 patients. Hypertension [OR: 1.46 (95%CI:1.31-1.62)] and diabetes mellitus [OR: 1.69 (95%CI: 1.41-1.97)] were significantly associated with developing any NCP, with male gender being the strongest predictor [OR: 3.22 (95%CI: 2.17-4.27)]. CONCLUSION There is a low burden of NCP among asymptomatic subjects with zero CACS. In a subset of this population who have clinical predictors of NCP, the addition of CCTA has a potential to provide a better insight about occult coronary atherosclerosis, however, a risk-benefit approach must be factored in prior to CCTA use given the low prevalence of NCP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlson Sama
- Department of Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine, WV, USA
| | - Ahmed Abdelhaleem
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, West Virginia University School of Medicine, WV, USA
| | - Dhivya Velu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, West Virginia University School of Medicine, WV, USA
| | - Muchi Ditah Chobufo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, West Virginia University School of Medicine, WV, USA
| | - Noah T Fongwen
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine & Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Matthew J Budoff
- Division of Cardiology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and the Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Torrance, CA, USA
| | - Melissa Roberts
- Department of Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine, WV, USA
| | - Sudarshan Balla
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, West Virginia University School of Medicine, WV, USA
| | - James D Mills
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, West Virginia University School of Medicine, WV, USA
| | - Tsi N Njim
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Mark Greathouse
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, West Virginia University School of Medicine, WV, USA
| | - Irfan Zeb
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, West Virginia University School of Medicine, WV, USA
| | - Yasmin S Hamirani
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, West Virginia University School of Medicine, WV, USA.
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Kirwan PD, Hall VJ, Foulkes S, Otter AD, Munro K, Sparkes D, Howells A, Platt N, Broad J, Crossman D, Norman C, Corrigan D, Jackson CH, Cole M, Brown CS, Atti A, Islam J, Presanis AM, Charlett A, De Angelis D, Hopkins S. Effect of second booster vaccinations and prior infection against SARS-CoV-2 in the UK SIREN healthcare worker cohort. Lancet Reg Health Eur 2024; 36:100809. [PMID: 38111727 PMCID: PMC10727938 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Background The protection of fourth dose mRNA vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is relevant to current global policy decisions regarding ongoing booster roll-out. We aimed to estimate the effect of fourth dose vaccination, prior infection, and duration of PCR positivity in a highly-vaccinated and largely prior-COVID-19 infected cohort of UK healthcare workers. Methods Participants underwent fortnightly PCR and regular antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2 and completed symptoms questionnaires. A multi-state model was used to estimate vaccine effectiveness (VE) against infection from a fourth dose compared to a waned third dose, with protection from prior infection and duration of PCR positivity jointly estimated. Findings 1298 infections were detected among 9560 individuals under active follow-up between September 2022 and March 2023. Compared to a waned third dose, fourth dose VE was 13.1% (95% CI 0.9 to 23.8) overall; 24.0% (95% CI 8.5 to 36.8) in the first 2 months post-vaccination, reducing to 10.3% (95% CI -11.4 to 27.8) and 1.7% (95% CI -17.0 to 17.4) at 2-4 and 4-6 months, respectively. Relative to an infection >2 years ago and controlling for vaccination, 63.6% (95% CI 46.9 to 75.0) and 29.1% (95% CI 3.8 to 43.1) greater protection against infection was estimated for an infection within the past 0-6, and 6-12 months, respectively. A fourth dose was associated with greater protection against asymptomatic infection than symptomatic infection, whilst prior infection independently provided more protection against symptomatic infection, particularly if the infection had occurred within the previous 6 months. Duration of PCR positivity was significantly lower for asymptomatic compared to symptomatic infection. Interpretation Despite rapid waning of protection, vaccine boosters remain an important tool in responding to the dynamic COVID-19 landscape; boosting population immunity in advance of periods of anticipated pressure, such as surging infection rates or emerging variants of concern. Funding UK Health Security Agency, Medical Research Council, NIHR HPRU Oxford, Bristol, and others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter D. Kirwan
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - David Crossman
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ana Atti
- UK Health Security Agency, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Daniela De Angelis
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
- UK Health Security Agency, United Kingdom
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Gaznabi S, Miranda J, Lorenzatti D, Piña P, Balasubramanian SS, Desai D, Desai A, Ho EC, Scotti A, Gongora CA, Schenone AL, Garcia MJ, Latib A, Parwani P, Slipczuk L. Multimodality Imaging in Aortic Stenosis: Beyond the Valve - Focusing on the Myocardium. Interv Cardiol Clin 2024; 13:101-114. [PMID: 37980060 DOI: 10.1016/j.iccl.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Current guidelines of aortic stenosis (AS) management focus on valve parameters, LV systolic dysfunction, and symptoms; however, emerging data suggest that there may be benefit of aortic valve replacement before it becomes severe by present criteria. Myocardial assessment using novel multimodality imaging techniques exhibits subclinical myocardial injury and remodeling at various stages before guideline-directed interventions, which predicts adverse outcomes. This raises the question of whether implementing serial myocardial assessment should become part of the standard appraisal, thereby identifying high-risk patients aiming to minimize adverse outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safwan Gaznabi
- Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA; Division of Cardiology, University of Chicago at Northshore University Health System, 1000 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201, USA
| | - Jeirym Miranda
- Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA; Division of Cardiology, Mount Sinai Morningside. 419 West 114th Street, NY 10025, USA
| | - Daniel Lorenzatti
- Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA
| | - Pamela Piña
- Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA; Division of Cardiology, CEDIMAT. Arturo Logroño, Plaza de la Salud, Dr. Juan Manuel Taveras Rodríguez, C. Pepillo Salcedo esq. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Senthil S Balasubramanian
- Division of Cardiology, University of Chicago at Northshore University Health System, 1000 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201, USA
| | - Darshi Desai
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Riverside School of Medicine. 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Aditya Desai
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Riverside School of Medicine. 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Edwin C Ho
- Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA
| | - Andrea Scotti
- Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA
| | - Carlos A Gongora
- Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA
| | - Aldo L Schenone
- Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA
| | - Mario J Garcia
- Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA
| | - Azeem Latib
- Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA
| | - Purvi Parwani
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, 11234 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Leandro Slipczuk
- Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA.
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Karunathilake C, Alles N, Dewasurendra R, Weerasinghe I, Chandrasiri N, Piyasiri SB, Samaranayake N, Silva H, Manamperi N, Karunaweera N. The use of recombinant K39, KMP11, and crude antigen-based indirect ELISA as a serological diagnostic tool and a measure of exposure for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:77. [PMID: 38157062 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08103-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Sri Lanka is caused by Leishmania donovani, a parasite widely known to cause visceral leishmaniasis. Despite the fact that CL is not generally believed to elicit serological immune responses, recent studies show the presence of antibody responses against this atypical form of CL. This study assesses the potential of using recombinant K39 (rK39), KMP11, and crude parasite antigen-based indirect ELISAs as serological diagnostic tools and measures of exposure for CL in Sri Lanka. The study used serum samples from confirmed CL patients (n = 266) and apparently healthy individuals from endemic settings (n = 411). Serum samples from individuals residing in non-endemic areas were used as negative controls. In-house indirect ELISAs were optimized and validated for recombinant antigens. Previously validated crude parasite extract-based indirect ELISA was performed for comparison. The statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v26.0. The rK39 (sensitivity = 71.2%, specificity = 64%) and KMP11 (sensitivity = 79.2%, specificity = 71.4%) based indirect ELISA were shown to be less suitable for the diagnosis of CL, while crude parasite extract-based indirect ELISA (sensitivity = 82.4%, specificity = 85.7%) might be a better method of diagnosis. All 03 ELISAs seemed to be good methods as measures of exposure since correlations were observed between the seropositivity of all 03 ELISAs (rK39: p = 0.037, KMP11: p = 0.007, CrudeAg: p = 0.000) with provincial case incidences. The findings will be important in identifying the disease hotspots in order to design the control measures for CL induced by L. donovani in Sri Lanka.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charani Karunathilake
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Narmadha Alles
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Rajika Dewasurendra
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Isurika Weerasinghe
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Nipuni Chandrasiri
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Sachee Bhanu Piyasiri
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Nilakshi Samaranayake
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Hermali Silva
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Nuwani Manamperi
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - Nadira Karunaweera
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
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Yamamoto C, Nukui Y, Furukawa K, Taniguchi M, Yamano T, Inaba T, Kikai R, Tanino Y, Yamada Y, Teramukai S, Takayama K. SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR as a universal screening on planned admission in asymptomatic patients. J Infect Chemother 2023:S1341-321X(23)00314-8. [PMID: 38135218 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2023.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Universal screening for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on admission is reportedly beneficial in preventing nosocomial infections. However, some issues remain, including low positivity rate, cost, and time required for testing. We describe SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for universal screening in asymptomatic patients on planned admissions. In total, 14,574 patients were included between October 12, 2020, and June 23, 2022. The PCR-positive rate for the period was 0.44 % (64/14,574). The PCR positivity for the epidemic period by strain was 0.28 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.12-0.56 %), 0.16 % (95 % CI 0.05-0.37 %), 0.21 % (95 % CI 0.09-0.41 %), and 0.9 % (95 % CI 0.65-1.2 %) for the wild-type strain, Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants, respectively. The proportion of Ct values < 30 was higher in the first half of the epidemic (first vs. second, 29.4 % [95 % CI 16.9-44.8 %] vs. 16.7 % [95 % CI 6.0-28.5 %]), whereas that of Ct values ≥ 35 increased significantly in the second half (first vs. second, 32.4 % [95 % CI 19.3-47.8 %] vs. 70.0 % [95 % CI 53.5-83.4 %]). Of all positives, 50 % (32/64) had a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) history before PCR screening, with a median of 28 days (10-105) from COVID-19 onset or positive to PCR screening. PCR screening may help detect positives with high viral loads early in the epidemic for each mutant strain, with an increasing proportion of positives with low viral loads later in the epidemic. PCR testing may be unnecessary for recently diagnosed cases and patients in whom reinfection is unlikely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chie Yamamoto
- Department of Infection Control and Laboratory Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Yoko Nukui
- Department of Infection Control and Laboratory Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Keitaro Furukawa
- Department of Infection Control and Laboratory Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Tetsuhiro Yamano
- Department of Infection Control and Laboratory Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tohru Inaba
- Department of Infection Control and Laboratory Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Rie Kikai
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoko Tanino
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan
| | - Yukiji Yamada
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Satoshi Teramukai
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan
| | - Koichi Takayama
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan
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Stocks D, Nixon E, Trickey A, Homer M, Brooks-Pollock E. Limited impact of contact tracing in a University setting for COVID-19 due to asymptomatic transmission and social distancing. Epidemics 2023; 45:100716. [PMID: 37690279 DOI: 10.1016/j.epidem.2023.100716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Contact tracing is an important tool for controlling the spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Here, we investigate the spread of COVID-19 and the effectiveness of contact tracing in a university population, using a data-driven ego-centric network model constructed with social contact data collected during 2020 and similar data collected in 2010. We find that during 2020, university staff and students consistently reported fewer social contacts than in 2010, however those contacts occurred more frequently and were of longer duration. We find that contact tracing in the presence of social distancing is less impactful than without social distancing. By combining multiple data sources, we show that University-aged populations are likely to develop asymptomatic COVID-19 infections. We find that asymptomatic index cases cannot be reliably discovered through contact tracing and consequently transmission in their social network is not significantly reduced through contact tracing. In summary, social distancing restrictions had a large impact on limiting COVID-19 outbreaks in universities; to reduce transmission further contact tracing should be used in conjunction with alternative interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Stocks
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TW, United Kingdom.
| | - Emily Nixon
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom; Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS40 5DU, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Trickey
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TW, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Homer
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TW, United Kingdom
| | - Ellen Brooks-Pollock
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS40 5DU, United Kingdom
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21
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Suthutvoravut U, Kunakorntham P, Semayai A, Tansawet A, Pattanaprateep O, Piebpien P, Numthavaj P, Thakkinstian A, Atiksawedparit P. Cost-effectiveness analysis of isolation strategies for asymptomatic and mild symptom COVID-19 patients. Cost Eff Resour Alloc 2023; 21:85. [PMID: 37946242 PMCID: PMC10636943 DOI: 10.1186/s12962-023-00497-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Management of COVID-19 patients with mild and moderate symptoms could be isolated at home isolation (HI), community isolation (CI) or hospitel. However, it was still unclear which strategy was more cost-effective. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate this. METHODS This study used data from patients who initially stayed at HI, CI, and hospitel under supervision of Ramathibodi Hospital between April and October 2021. Outcomes of interest were hospitalisation and mortality. An incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) was calculated based on hospital perspective using home isolation as the reference. RESULTS From 7,077 patients, 4,349 2,356, and 372 were admitted at hospitel, HI, and CI, respectively. Most patients were females (57.04%) and the mean age was 40.42 (SD = 16.15). Average durations of stay were 4.47, 3.35, and 3.91 days for HI, CI, and hospitel, respectively. The average cost per day for staying in these corresponding places were 24.22, 63.69, and 65.23 US$. For hospitalisation, the ICER for hospitel was at 41.93 US$ to avoid one hospitalisation in 1,000 patients when compared to HI, while CI had more cost, but less cases avoided. The ICER for hospitel and CI were at 46.21 and 866.17 US$ to avoid one death in 1,000 patients. CONCLUSIONS HI may be cost-effective isolated strategy for preventing hospitalisation and death in developing countries with limited resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Unyaporn Suthutvoravut
- Department of Family medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Patratorn Kunakorntham
- Department of Information Technology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, 270 Rama VI Rd, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
| | - Anchisatha Semayai
- Department of Finance, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Amarit Tansawet
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Oraluck Pattanaprateep
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pongsathorn Piebpien
- Department of Information Technology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, 270 Rama VI Rd, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Pawin Numthavaj
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ammarin Thakkinstian
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pongsakorn Atiksawedparit
- Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Mahidol University, Samut Prakan, Thailand
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Khapre M, Sharma D, Mehta A, Sinha S. Prevalence of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria (ASB) in Pregnant Women in India: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Indian J Community Med 2023; 48:879-887. [PMID: 38249695 PMCID: PMC10795867 DOI: 10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_795_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Asymptomatic bacteriuria is prevalent during pregnancy. If it goes undetected, it can lead to urinary tract infection with severe maternal and neonatal complications. Until date, India does not have any guidelines to test for ASB during pregnancy. Objective To estimate the pooled prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women at national level in India. Material and Methods We searched Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using search strategy with keyword. Two authors independently assessed the eligibility of study. The checklist of the JBI was used for evaluating the quality of reporting. The extracted data were analyzed, and the results were reported using a random-effects model with 95% confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analysis was conducted for zones of India, parity and trimester. Publication bias is reported as funnel plot. Result Pooled prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women in India is 13.5% [CI 11.1; 15.8]. Subgroup analysis based on the various geographic zones of the country the pooled prevalence ranged from 9.2% in central zone to 14.8% in south zone. Distribution of prevalence of ASB as per parity was approximately identical. The prevalence of ASB was found to be high in third (21.8%). Conclusion The prevalence of ASB is found to be high among Indian pregnant women, especially in third trimester. It is therefore recommended for guideline to screen and treat every pregnant woman for ASB to prevent further complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Khapre
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Divita Sharma
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Aprajita Mehta
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Smita Sinha
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
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23
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Näslund O, Strand PS, Solheim O, Al Masri M, Rapi O, Thurin E, Jakola AS. Incidence, management, and outcome of incidental meningioma: what has happened in 10 years? J Neurooncol 2023; 165:291-299. [PMID: 37938444 PMCID: PMC10689551 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-023-04482-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to study the use of brain scanning, and the subsequent findings of presumed incidental meningioma in two time periods, and to study differences in follow-up, treatment, and outcome. METHODS Records of all performed CT and MRI of the brain during two time periods were retrospectively reviewed in search of patients with presumed incidental meningioma. These patients were further analyzed using medical health records, with the purpose to study clinical handling and outcome during a 3 year follow up. RESULTS An identical number of unique patients underwent brain imaging during the two time periods (n = 22 259 vs. 22 013). In 2018-2019, 25% more incidental meningiomas were diagnosed compared to 2008-2009 (n = 161 vs. 129, p = 0.052). MRI was used more often in 2018-2019 (26.1 vs. 12.4%, p = 0.004), and the use of contrast enhancement, irrespective of modality, also increased (26.8 vs. 12.2%, p < 0.001). In the most recent cohort, patients were older (median 79 years vs. 73 years, p = 0.03). Indications showed a significant increase of cancer without known metastases among scanned patients. 29.5 and 35.4% of patients in the cohorts were deceased 3 years after diagnosis for causes unrelated to their meningioma. CONCLUSIONS Despite the same number of unique patients undergoing brain scans in the time periods, there was a trend towards more patients diagnosed with an incidental asymptomatic meningioma in the more recent years. This difference may be attributed to more contrast enhanced scans and more scans among the elderly but needs to be further studied. Patients in the cohort from 2018 to 2019 more often had non-metastatic cancer, with their cause of scan screening for metastases. There was no significant difference in management decision at diagnosis, but within 3 years of follow up significantly more patients in the latter cohort had been re-scanned. Almost a third of all patients were deceased within 3 years after diagnosis, due to causes other than their meningioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Näslund
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Östra, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Blå stråket 7, 41345, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Per Sveino Strand
- Department of Neurosurgery, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Ole Solheim
- Department of Neurosurgery, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Mohammad Al Masri
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Okizeva Rapi
- Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Erik Thurin
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Radiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Asgeir S Jakola
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Larsson J, Auscher S, Shamoun A, Pararajasingam G, Heinsen LJ, Andersen TR, Lindholt JS, Diederichsen ACP, Lambrechtsen J, Egstrup K. Insulin resistance is associated with high-risk coronary artery plaque composition in asymptomatic men between 65 and 75 years and no diabetes: A DANCAVAS cross-sectional sub-study. Atherosclerosis 2023; 385:117328. [PMID: 38390826 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2023.117328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Insulin resistance (IR) and pre-diabetes are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to investigate vulnerable plaque composition in relation to IR and pre-diabetes in asymptomatic non-diabetic men. METHODS All participants underwent a contrast-enhanced coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) to evaluate coronary artery plaque burden and plaque composition (necrotic core, dense calcium, fibrotic and fibrous-fatty volume). Homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) was used, and participants were stratified into tertiles. Participants underwent a standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and were categorized into 2 groups (normal glucose tolerance (NGT) or pre-diabetes). A multivariable linear regression model was used to evaluate the association between vulnerable plaque composition and IR or glycemic group. RESULTS Four-hundred-and-fifty non-diabetic men without known CAD were included. The mean age was 70 ± 3 years. Participants in the higher HOMA-IR tertile (H-IR) had higher median necrotic plaque volume compared to the lower HOMA-IR tertile (L-IR) (18.2 vs. 11.0 mm3, p = 0.02). H-IR tertile (β 0.37 [95% CI 0.10-0.65], p = 0.008), pack-years (β 0.07 [95% CI 0.007-0.14], p = 0.03) and total atheroma volume (TAV) (β 0.47 [95% CI 0.36-0.57], p < 0.001) remained associated with necrotic plaque volume in the multivariable linear regression model. CONCLUSIONS IR was associated with necrotic plaque volume in asymptomatic men without diabetes. Thus, even in asymptomatic men without diabetes, IR seems to have an incremental effect on necrotic plaque volume and vulnerable plaque composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Larsson
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Odense University Hospital Svendborg, Baagøes Allé 15, 5700, Svendborg, Denmark.
| | - Søren Auscher
- Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital Svendborg, Baagøes Allé 15, 5700, Svendborg, Denmark
| | - André Shamoun
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Odense University Hospital Svendborg, Baagøes Allé 15, 5700, Svendborg, Denmark
| | - Gokulan Pararajasingam
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Odense University Hospital Svendborg, Baagøes Allé 15, 5700, Svendborg, Denmark
| | - Laurits Juhl Heinsen
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Odense University Hospital Svendborg, Baagøes Allé 15, 5700, Svendborg, Denmark
| | - Thomas Rueskov Andersen
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Odense University Hospital Svendborg, Baagøes Allé 15, 5700, Svendborg, Denmark
| | - Jes Sanddal Lindholt
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Odense University Hospital Odense, J.B. Winsløws Vej 4, 5000, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Jess Lambrechtsen
- Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital Svendborg, Baagøes Allé 15, 5700, Svendborg, Denmark
| | - Kenneth Egstrup
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Odense University Hospital Svendborg, Baagøes Allé 15, 5700, Svendborg, Denmark
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Abbruzzese C, Guzzardella A, Consonni D, Turconi G, Bonetti C, Brioni M, Panigada M, Grasselli G. Incidence of asymptomatic catheter-related thrombosis in intensive care unit patients: a prospective cohort study. Ann Intensive Care 2023; 13:106. [PMID: 37858003 PMCID: PMC10587047 DOI: 10.1186/s13613-023-01206-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) incidence, rate, and risk factors vary in literature due to differences in populations, catheters, diagnostic methods, and statistical approaches. The aim of this single-center, prospective, observational study was to assess incidence, incidence rate (IR), cumulative incidence, and risk factors by means of IR ratio (IRR) of asymptomatic CRT in a non-oncologic Intensive Care Unit (ICU) population. CRT development was assessed daily by means of ultrasound screening. The proportions of patients and catheters developing CRT and CRT incidence rates, expressed as the number of events per catheter-days (cd), were calculated. Kalbfleisch and Prentice's method was used to estimate the cumulative incidence of CRTs. Univariate and multivariable Poisson regression models were fitted to calculate IRR in risk factors analysis. RESULTS Fifty (25%, 95% CI 19-31) out of 203 included patients, and 52 (14%, 95% CI 11-18) out of 375 catheters inserted developed CRT [IR 17.7 (13.5-23.2) CRTs/1000*cd], after 5 [3-10] days from insertion. Forty-six CRTs (88%) were partial thrombosis. All CRTs remained asymptomatic. Obesity and ECMO support were patient-related protective factors [IRR 0.24 (0.10-0.60), p = 0.002 and 0.05 (0.01-0.50), p = 0.011, respectively]. The internal jugular vein had higher CRT IR than other sites [20.1 vs. 5.9 CRTs/1000*cd, IRR 4.22 (1.22-14.63), p = 0.023]. Pulmonary artery catheter and left-side cannulation were catheter-related risk factors [IRR 4.24 (2.00-9.00), p < 0.001 vs. central venous catheters; IRR 2.69 (1.45-4.98), p = 0.002 vs. right cannulation, respectively]. No statistically significant effect of the number of simultaneously inserted catheters [IRR 1.11 (0.64-1.94), p = 0.708] and of the catheterization length [IRR 1.09 (0.97-1.22), p = 0.155] was detected. The ICU length of stay was longer in CRT patients (20 [15-31] vs. 6 [4-14] days, p < 0.001), while no difference in mortality was observed. CONCLUSIONS CRTs are frequent but rarely symptomatic. This study suggests that obesity and ECMO are protective factors, while pulmonary artery catheter, internal jugular vein and left-side positioning are risk factors for CRT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Abbruzzese
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Critical Care and Emergency, Intensive Care and Emergency, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Amedeo Guzzardella
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy.
| | - Dario Consonni
- Epidemiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Gloria Turconi
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Bonetti
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Brioni
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Critical Care and Emergency, Intensive Care and Emergency, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Mauro Panigada
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Critical Care and Emergency, Intensive Care and Emergency, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Grasselli
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Critical Care and Emergency, Intensive Care and Emergency, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
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Ando Y, Waddington-Cruz M, Sekijima Y, Koike H, Ueda M, Konishi H, Ishii T, Coelho T. Optimal practices for the management of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis: real-world experience from Japan, Brazil, and Portugal. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2023; 18:323. [PMID: 37828588 PMCID: PMC10571420 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-023-02910-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv) amyloidosis is a rare and autosomal dominant disorder associated with mutations in the transthyretin gene. Patients present with diverse symptoms related to sensory, motor, and autonomic neuropathy, as well as gastrointestinal, ocular, cardiac, renal and orthopedic symptoms, resulting from the deposition of transthyretin amyloid fibrils in multiple organs. The progressive nature of ATTRv amyloidosis necessitates pre- and post-onset monitoring of the disease. This review article is primarily based on a collation of discussions from a medical advisory board meeting in August 2021. In this article, we summarize the best practices in amyloidosis centers in three major endemic countries for ATTRv amyloidosis (Japan, Brazil, and Portugal), where most patients carry the Val30Met mutation in the transthyretin gene and the patients' genetic background was proven to be the same. The discussions highlighted the similarities and differences in the management of asymptomatic gene mutation carriers among the three countries in terms of the use of noninvasive tests and tissue biopsies and timing of starting the investigations. In addition, this article discusses a set of practical tests and examinations for monitoring disease progression applicable to neurologists working in diverse medical settings and generalizable in non-endemic countries and areas. This set of assessments consists of periodic (every 6 to 12 months) evaluations of patients' nutritional status and autonomic, renal, cardiac, ophthalmologic, and neurological functions. Physical examinations and patient-reported outcome assessments should be also scheduled every 6 to 12 months. Programs for monitoring gene mutation carriers and robust referral networks can aid in appropriate patient management in pre- to post-onset stages. For pre- and post-symptom onset testing for ATTRv amyloidosis, various noninvasive techniques are available; however, their applicability differs depending on the medical setting in each country and region, and the optimal option should be selected in view of the clinical settings, medical environment, and available healthcare resources in each region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukio Ando
- Department of Amyloidosis Research, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagasaki International University, 2825-7 Huis Ten Bosch Machi, Sasebo City, Nagasaki, 859-3298, Japan.
| | - Marcia Waddington-Cruz
- Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Centro de Estudos em Paramiloidose Antônio Rodrigues de Mello, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Yoshiki Sekijima
- Department of Medicine (Neurology and Rheumatology), Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Haruki Koike
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Mitsuharu Ueda
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | | | | | - Teresa Coelho
- Andrade's Center for Familial Amyloidosis, Hospital Santo António, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Rocha R, Gonçalves L, Conceição C, Andrade P, Cristóvão JM, Condeço J, Delgado B, Caeiro C, Kuzmenko T, Vasconcelos E, Escoval MA, Rey C, Guz M, Norte C, Aldeia C, Cruz D, Maia C. Prevalence of asymptomatic Leishmania infection and knowledge, perceptions, and practices in blood donors in mainland Portugal. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:357. [PMID: 37817278 PMCID: PMC10563231 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05980-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asymptomatic infection is the most common outcome of exposure to Leishmania parasites. In the Mediterranean region, where Leishmania infantum is endemic, studies on the prevalence of asymptomatic infection have often relied on serological testing in blood donors. In Spain, regional studies have shown seroprevalence in blood donors between 1 and 8%; in Portugal, values of 0 and 2% were suggested by two localized studies, in different populations. The purpose of this study was (i) to estimate the prevalence of asymptomatic Leishmania infection in blood donors in mainland Portugal, and (ii) to study the association between the detection of antibodies to Leishmania and sociodemographic factors, and also the knowledge, perceptions and practices (KPP) of the blood donors regarding leishmaniasis. METHODS A cross-sectional study targeted the population of people who donated blood in mainland Portugal. Participants, distributed proportionally by municipality and aged between 18 and 65 years, were selected randomly in 347 blood collection points between February and June 2022, and completed a sociodemographic and a KPP questionnaire. Detection of anti-Leishmania antibodies in serum was performed using an ELISA commercial kit. Individual KPP scores were calculated by adding grades defined for each question. RESULTS Globally, 201/3763 samples were positive. The estimated national true seroprevalence was 4.8% (95% CI 4.1-5.5%). The proportion of positive results was significantly different between NUTS (Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics) regions. Models suggested that seropositivity was significantly higher in male sex, people older than 25 years, or residing in the Centro NUTS2 region, but not in dog owners nor people with lower KPP scores. Overall, 72.3% of participants had previously heard of leishmaniasis and, in multivariate analysis, a higher Knowledge score was associated with age 25-40 years, female sex, ownership of dogs, and higher education. CONCLUSIONS Global estimated true seroprevalence (4.8%) was similar to previous regional studies in blood donors in neighboring Spain. Higher seroprevalence values in the NUTS2 Centro region were consistent with incidence data from humans and seroprevalence studies in dogs. On the other hand, the low values in the Alentejo and the high values in the northern subregions may be the result of geographical shifts in parasite circulation due to climate change and should prompt localized and integrated, vector, canine, and human research, following a One Health approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Rocha
- Instituto de Higiene E Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisbon, Portugal
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, LA-REAL, IHMT, UNL, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luzia Gonçalves
- Instituto de Higiene E Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisbon, Portugal
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, LA-REAL, IHMT, UNL, Lisbon, Portugal
- Centro de Estatística E Aplicações da Universidade de Lisboa (UL), Lisbon, Portugal
- , Z-Stat4life, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Conceição
- Instituto de Higiene E Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisbon, Portugal
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, LA-REAL, IHMT, UNL, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Andrade
- Instituto de Higiene E Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - José Manuel Cristóvão
- Instituto de Higiene E Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisbon, Portugal
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, LA-REAL, IHMT, UNL, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jorge Condeço
- Instituto Português Do Sangue E da Transplantação, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Delgado
- Instituto Português Do Sangue E da Transplantação, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cristina Caeiro
- Instituto Português Do Sangue E da Transplantação, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Tetyana Kuzmenko
- Instituto Português Do Sangue E da Transplantação, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | - Carmen Rey
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Do Algarve, Portimão, Portugal
| | - Madalina Guz
- Hospital do Espírito Santo de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Norte
- Unidade Local de Saúde Do Baixo Alentejo, Beja, Portugal
| | - Carlos Aldeia
- Unidade Local de Saúde Do Litoral Alentejano, Santiago Do Cacém, Portugal
| | - Diego Cruz
- Unidade Local de Saúde Do Norte Alentejano, Elvas, Portugal
| | - Carla Maia
- Instituto de Higiene E Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisbon, Portugal.
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, LA-REAL, IHMT, UNL, Lisbon, Portugal.
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Shin SH, Cho CK, Yu SY. Pancreatic arteriovenous malformation treated with transcatheter arterial embolization: Two case reports and review of literature. World J Clin Cases 2023; 11:6920-6930. [PMID: 37901023 PMCID: PMC10600833 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i28.6920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Various treatment methods are available for the treatment of pancreatic arteriovenous malformation (P-AVM); however, there are no established treatment options for asymptomatic P-AVM. CASE SUMMARY A 47-year-old and a 50-year-old male patients sought treatment for P-AVM in the pancreas, which was incidentally detected during routine abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging conducted as part of a health check-up. They underwent transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE), and over the course of a 9-year follow-up period, the AVM did not worsen and was asymptomatic. CONCLUSION TAE can be considered as an alternative treatment option for P-AVM in selective cases where patients are asymptomatic or have a high surgical risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Hoon Shin
- Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun 58128, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
| | - Chol Kyoon Cho
- Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun 58128, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
| | - Sung Yeol Yu
- Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju 61469, South Korea
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Speck KE, Kulaylat AN, Baerg JE, Acker SN, Baird R, Beres AL, Chang H, Derderian SC, Englum B, Gonzalez KW, Kawaguchi A, Kelley-Quon L, Levene TL, Rentea RM, Rialon KL, Ricca R, Somme S, Wakeman D, Yousef Y, St Peter SD, Lucas DJ. Evaluation and Management of Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review From the APSA Outcomes & Evidence-Based Practice Committee. J Pediatr Surg 2023; 58:1873-1885. [PMID: 37130765 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2023.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Controversy exists in the optimal management of adolescent and young adult primary spontaneous pneumothorax. The American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) Outcomes and Evidence-Based Practice Committee performed a systematic review of the literature to develop evidence-based recommendations. METHODS Ovid MEDLINE, Elsevier Embase, EBSCOhost CINAHL, Elsevier Scopus, and Wiley Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were queried for literature related to spontaneous pneumothorax between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2020, addressing (1) initial management, (2) advanced imaging, (3) timing of surgery, (4) operative technique, (5) management of contralateral side, and (6) management of recurrence. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. RESULTS Seventy-nine manuscripts were included. Initial management of adolescent and young adult primary spontaneous pneumothorax should be guided by symptoms and can include observation, aspiration, or tube thoracostomy. There is no evidence of benefit for cross-sectional imaging. Patients with ongoing air leak may benefit from early operative intervention within 24-48 h. A video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) approach with stapled blebectomy and pleural procedure should be considered. There is no evidence to support prophylactic management of the contralateral side. Recurrence after VATS can be treated with repeat VATS with intensification of pleural treatment. CONCLUSIONS The management of adolescent and young adult primary spontaneous pneumothorax is varied. Best practices exist to optimize some aspects of care. Further prospective studies are needed to better determine optimal timing of operative intervention, the most effective operation, and management of recurrence after observation, tube thoracostomy, or operative intervention. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 4. TYPE OF STUDY Systematic Review of Level 1-4 studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Elizabeth Speck
- Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Afif N Kulaylat
- Penn State Children's Hospital, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Joanne E Baerg
- Presbyterian Health Services, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | | | - Robert Baird
- British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Alana L Beres
- St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Henry Chang
- Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL, USA
| | | | - Brian Englum
- University of Maryland Children's Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Rebecca M Rentea
- Children's Mercy-Kansas City, Department of Surgery, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | | | - Robert Ricca
- University of South Carolina, Greenville, SC, USA
| | - Stig Somme
- Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | - Yasmine Yousef
- Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Shawn D St Peter
- Children's Mercy-Kansas City, Department of Surgery, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Donald J Lucas
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Naval Medical Center San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Zhang N, Xie B, Feng Y, Li Q, Li X. Effects of asymptomatic cerebral artery stenosis of anterior circulation and establishment of collateral circulation on cognition. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2023; 233:107889. [PMID: 37515853 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2023.107889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to investigate how cognition is affected by asymptomatic cerebral artery stenosis (CAS) of the anterior circulation and its related collateral circulation. METHODS 102 patients with CAS of the anterior circulation and 52 controls were enrolled from January 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022. Patients with CAS of anterior circulation were further divided into different subgroups according to the degree of stenosis, cerebral perfusion, and collateral circulation. A series of neuropsychological scales were used to evaluate the participant's cognitive function, activities of daily living, and neuropsychiatric symptoms (such as memory, execution, psychomotor speed, etc.). The data were analyzed using T-test, F-test, chi-square test, rank sum test, and other statistical methods, moreover, the quantitative data were further examined for trends. The relationship between the degree of CAS, cerebral perfusion, collateral circulation, and the outcome of the cognitive test was investigated using Spearman correlation analysis. RESULTS Compared to controls, there were severe impairments of global cognition, psychomotor speed/execution, memory, attention, activities of daily living, and more neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with anterior circulation CAS (p < 0.05), and these impairments got worsened with the aggravation of CAS (p < 0.05). The global cognition, psychomotor speed / executive function, memory function, and daily living ability were impaired both in the cerebral perfusion-compensated group and decompensated group(p < 0.05), while there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). With the aggravation of CAS, the proportion of poor collateral formation increased, and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The degree of stenosis, cerebral perfusion, and collateral circulation establishment of anterior circulation CAS was correlated with global cognition, memory, psychomotor speed, execution, attention, activities of daily living, and neuropsychiatric symptoms (all p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Cognitive impairment and the percentage of inadequate collateral circulation development rise as stenosis progresses in patients with anterior circulation CAS. The decline in global cognitive function was accompanied by impairments in psychomotor speed / executive function, memory function, attention, and daily living skills, as well as the aggravation of neuropsychiatric symptoms, especially in patients with impaired cerebral perfusion and poor collateral circulation formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The second affiliated hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Binbin Xie
- Department of Neurology, The second affiliated hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuxue Feng
- Department of Neurology, The second affiliated hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qin Li
- Department of Neurology, The second affiliated hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaofeng Li
- Department of Neurology, The second affiliated hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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Gaznabi S, Miranda J, Lorenzatti D, Piña P, Balasubramanian SS, Desai D, Desai A, Ho EC, Scotti A, Gongora CA, Schenone AL, Garcia MJ, Latib A, Parwani P, Slipczuk L. Multimodality Imaging in Aortic Stenosis: Beyond the Valve - Focusing on the Myocardium. Heart Fail Clin 2023; 19:491-504. [PMID: 37714589 DOI: 10.1016/j.hfc.2023.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Current guidelines of aortic stenosis (AS) management focus on valve parameters, LV systolic dysfunction, and symptoms; however, emerging data suggest that there may be benefit of aortic valve replacement before it becomes severe by present criteria. Myocardial assessment using novel multimodality imaging techniques exhibits subclinical myocardial injury and remodeling at various stages before guideline-directed interventions, which predicts adverse outcomes. This raises the question of whether implementing serial myocardial assessment should become part of the standard appraisal, thereby identifying high-risk patients aiming to minimize adverse outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safwan Gaznabi
- Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA; Division of Cardiology, University of Chicago at Northshore University Health System, 1000 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201, USA
| | - Jeirym Miranda
- Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA; Division of Cardiology, Mount Sinai Morningside. 419 West 114th Street, NY 10025, USA
| | - Daniel Lorenzatti
- Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA
| | - Pamela Piña
- Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA; Division of Cardiology, CEDIMAT. Arturo Logroño, Plaza de la Salud, Dr. Juan Manuel Taveras Rodríguez, C. Pepillo Salcedo esq. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Senthil S Balasubramanian
- Division of Cardiology, University of Chicago at Northshore University Health System, 1000 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201, USA
| | - Darshi Desai
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Riverside School of Medicine. 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Aditya Desai
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Riverside School of Medicine. 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Edwin C Ho
- Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA
| | - Andrea Scotti
- Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA
| | - Carlos A Gongora
- Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA
| | - Aldo L Schenone
- Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA
| | - Mario J Garcia
- Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA
| | - Azeem Latib
- Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA
| | - Purvi Parwani
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, 11234 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Leandro Slipczuk
- Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA.
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Wang J, Gao Z, Yang ZR, Liu K, Zhang H. Global prevalence of asymptomatic norovirus infection in outbreaks: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:595. [PMID: 37700223 PMCID: PMC10496210 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08519-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although many studies on asymptomatic norovirus infection in outbreaks have been conducted globally, structured data (important for emergency management of outbreaks) on the prevalence of this epidemic are still not available. This study assessed the global prevalence of asymptomatic norovirus infection in outbreaks. METHODS We identified publications on asymptomatic infections from norovirus outbreaks by searching the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Medline, and Web of Science databases and screening references from the articles reviewed. Prevalence of asymptomatic norovirus infection in outbreaks was employed as the primary summary data. The random-effects model of the meta-analysis was fitted to generate estimates of the prevalence in the overall and subgroup populations. RESULTS In total, 44 articles with a sample size of 8,115 asymptomatic individuals were included. The estimated pooled prevalence of asymptomatic norovirus infection in outbreaks was 21.8% (95%CI, 17.4-27.3). The asymptomatic prevalence of norovirus GII (20.1%) was similar to that of GI (19.8%); however, the proportion prevalence of asymptomatic individuals involved in the former (33.36%) was significantly higher than that of in the latter (0.92%) and the former (93.18%) was reported much more frequently than the latter (15.91%) in the included articles. These studies had significant heterogeneity (I2 = 92%, τ2 = 0.4021, P < 0.01). However, the source of heterogeneity could not be identified even after subgroup analysis of 10 possible influencing factors (geographical area, outbreak settings, outbreak seasons, sample types, norovirus genotypes, transmission routes, subjects' occupations, subjects' age, per capita national income, and clear case definition). Meta-regression analysis of these 10 factors demonstrated that the geographical area could be partly responsible for this heterogeneity (P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS The overall pooled asymptomatic prevalence of norovirus in outbreaks was high, with genome II dominating. Asymptomatic individuals may play an important role in norovirus outbreaks. This knowledge could help in developing control strategies and public health policies for norovirus outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jiaozhou Central Hospital, 29 Xuzhou Road, Qingdao, Shandong, 266300, P.R. China
| | - Zhao Gao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jinan Second Peoples' Hospital, 148 Jingyi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250000, P.R. China
| | - Zu-Rong Yang
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, 169 Changle west Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, P.R. China
| | - Kun Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, 169 Changle west Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, P.R. China.
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Prevention of Infectious Diseases, Xi'an Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 599 Xiying Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710054, P.R. China.
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Shaikh N, Swali P, Houben RMGJ. Asymptomatic but infectious - The silent driver of pathogen transmission. A pragmatic review. Epidemics 2023; 44:100704. [PMID: 37413887 PMCID: PMC10260263 DOI: 10.1016/j.epidem.2023.100704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Throughout 2020, COVID-19 interventions prioritised symptomatic individuals despite growing evidence of pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic transmission. From the pandemic we have learned that global health is slow to quantify asymptomatic disease transmission and slow to implement relevant interventions. While asymptomatic infectious periods exist for nearly all pathogens, it is frequently ignored during case finding, and there are limited research efforts to understand its potential to drive small scale outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics. We conducted a pragmatic review on 15 key pathogens including SARS-CoV-2 and Ebola to demonstrate substantial variation in terminology around asymptomatic infectious individuals, and varying proportions of asymptomatic amongst prevalent infectious cases (0-99 %) and their contribution to transmission (0-96 %). While no pattern was discernible by pathogen type (virus, bacteria, parasite) or mode of transmission (direct, indirect or mixed), there are multiple lessons to learn from previous and current control programmes. As found during the COVID-19 pandemic, overlooking asymptomatic infectious individuals can impede disease control. Improving our understanding of how asymptomatic individuals can drive epidemics can strengthen our efforts to control current pathogens, and improve our preparedness for when the next new pathogen emerges..
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabila Shaikh
- TB Modelling Group, TB Centre, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom; Sanofi Pasteur, 410 Thames Valley Park Drive, Reading RG6 1PT, United Kingdom.
| | - Pooja Swali
- Ancient Genomics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW11AT, United Kingdom
| | - Rein M G J Houben
- TB Modelling Group, TB Centre, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
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Asish PR, Dasgupta S, Rachel G, Bagepally BS, Girish Kumar CP. Global prevalence of asymptomatic dengue infections - a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Infect Dis 2023; 134:292-298. [PMID: 37463631 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The burden of asymptomatic dengue infections is understudied. Therefore, we systematically reviewed the literature to estimate the global prevalence of asymptomatic dengue infections. METHODS We searched cross-sectional studies reporting the prevalence of asymptomatic dengue infections from PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. Prevalence of asymptomatic dengue infections was pooled and reported as proportions with a 95% confidence interval (CI). This systematic review protocol was a priori registered in The International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (Reg: No. CRD42020218446). RESULTS We included 41 studies with 131,953 cases in our analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of asymptomatic dengue infections was 59.26% (95% CI: 43.76-74.75, I2 = 99.93%), with 65.52% (95% CI: 38.73-92.32, I2 = 99.95%) during outbreaks and 30.78% (95% CI: 21.39-40.16, I2 = 98.78%) during non-outbreak periods. The pooled prevalence among the acutely infected individuals was 54.52% (95% CI: 17.73-46.76, I2 = 99.91%), whereas, among primary and secondary asymptomatic dengue infections, it was 65.36% (95% CI: 45.76-84.96, I2 = 98.82) and 48.99% (95% CI: 27.85-70.13, I2 = 99.08%) respectively. CONCLUSION The majority of dengue cases are asymptomatic and may play a significant role in disease transmission. Public health strategies aimed at dengue outbreak response and mitigation of disease burden should include early detection of asymptomatic cases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gladys Rachel
- ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, India
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Bede P, Lulé D, Müller HP, Tan EL, Dorst J, Ludolph AC, Kassubek J. Presymptomatic grey matter alterations in ALS kindreds: a computational neuroimaging study of asymptomatic C9orf72 and SOD1 mutation carriers. J Neurol 2023; 270:4235-4247. [PMID: 37178170 PMCID: PMC10421803 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11764-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The characterisation of presymptomatic disease-burden patterns in asymptomatic mutation carriers has a dual academic and clinical relevance. The understanding of disease propagation mechanisms is of considerable conceptual interests, and defining the optimal time of pharmacological intervention is essential for improved clinical trial outcomes. METHODS In a prospective, multimodal neuroimaging study, 22 asymptomatic C9orf72 GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeat carriers, 13 asymptomatic subjects with SOD1, and 54 "gene-negative" ALS kindreds were enrolled. Cortical and subcortical grey matter alterations were systematically appraised using volumetric, morphometric, vertex, and cortical thickness analyses. Using a Bayesian approach, the thalamus and amygdala were further parcellated into specific nuclei and the hippocampus was segmented into anatomically defined subfields. RESULTS Asymptomatic GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeat carriers in C9orf72 exhibited early subcortical changes with the preferential involvement of the pulvinar and mediodorsal regions of the thalamus, as well as the lateral aspect of the hippocampus. Volumetric approaches, morphometric methods, and vertex analyses were anatomically consistent in capturing focal subcortical changes in asymptomatic C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion carriers. SOD1 mutation carriers did not exhibit significant subcortical grey matter alterations. In our study, none of the two asymptomatic cohorts exhibited cortical grey matter alterations on either cortical thickness or morphometric analyses. DISCUSSION The presymptomatic radiological signature of C9orf72 is associated with selective thalamic and focal hippocampal degeneration which may be readily detectable before cortical grey matter changes ensue. Our findings confirm selective subcortical grey matter involvement early in the course of C9orf72-associated neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Bede
- Computational Neuroimaging Group (CNG), School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, D02 RS90, Ireland.
- Department of Neurology, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Dorothée Lulé
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Ee Ling Tan
- Computational Neuroimaging Group (CNG), School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, D02 RS90, Ireland
| | - Johannes Dorst
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Albert C Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- German Centre of Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm, Germany
| | - Jan Kassubek
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- German Centre of Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm, Germany
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Stephano MA, Mayengo MM, Irunde JI, Kuznetsov D. Sensitivity analysis and parameters estimation for the transmission of lymphatic filariasis. Heliyon 2023; 9:e20066. [PMID: 37810166 PMCID: PMC10559806 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Lymphatic filariasis is a neglected tropical disease which poses public health concern and socio-economic challenges in developing and low-income countries. In this paper, we formulate a deterministic mathematical model for transmission dynamics of lymphatic filariasis to generate data by white noise and use least square method to estimate parameter values. The validity of estimated parameter values is tested by Gaussian distribution method. The residuals of model outputs are normally distributed and hence can be used to study the dynamics of Lymphatic filariasis. After deriving the basic reproduction number, R 0 by the next generation matrix approach, the Partial Rank Correlation Coefficient is employed to explore which parameters significantly affect and most influential to the model outputs. The analysis for equilibrium states shows that the Lymphatic free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable when the basic reproduction number is less a unity and endemic equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable when R 0 ≥ 1 . The findings reveal that rate of human infection, recruitment rate of mosquitoes increase the average new infections for Lymphatic filariasis. Moreover, asymptomatic individuals contribute significantly in the transmission of Lymphatic filariasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mussa A. Stephano
- School of Computation and Communication Science and Engineering, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), P.O.BOX 447 Arusha, Tanzania
- Mkwawa University College of Education, Department of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, P.O.Box 2513, Iringa, Tanzania
| | - Maranya M. Mayengo
- School of Computation and Communication Science and Engineering, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), P.O.BOX 447 Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Jacob I. Irunde
- Mkwawa University College of Education, Department of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, P.O.Box 2513, Iringa, Tanzania
| | - Dmitry Kuznetsov
- School of Computation and Communication Science and Engineering, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), P.O.BOX 447 Arusha, Tanzania
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Banovic M, Iung B, Wojakowski W, Van Mieghem N, Bartunek J. Asymptomatic Severe and Moderate Aortic Stenosis: Time for Appraisal of Treatment Indications. Struct Heart 2023; 7:100201. [PMID: 37745683 PMCID: PMC10512009 DOI: 10.1016/j.shj.2023.100201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Over the last decades, we have witnessed considerable improvements in diagnostics and risk stratification of patients with significant aortic stenosis (AS), paralleled by advances in operative and anesthetic techniques. In addition, accumulating evidence points to the potential benefit of early valve replacement in such patients prior to the onset of symptoms. In parallel, interventional randomized trials have proven the benefit of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in comparison to a surgical approach to valve replacement over a broad risk spectrum in symptomatic patients with AS. This article reviews contemporary management approaches and scrutinizes open questions regarding timing and mode of intervention in asymptomatic patients with severe AS. We also discuss the challenges surrounding the management of symptomatic patients with moderate AS as well as emerging dilemmas related to the concept of a life-long treatment strategy for patients with AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Banovic
- Belgrade Medical Faculty, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Cardiology Department, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Bernard Iung
- University of Paris, Paris, France
- Department of Cardiology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Bichat Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Wojtek Wojakowski
- Department of Cardiology and Structural Heart Diseases, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | | | - Jozef Bartunek
- Cardiovascular Center Aalst, OLV Hospital, Aalst, Belgium
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Park PJ, Hassan FM, Ferrer XE, Morrissette C, Lee NJ, Cerpa M, Sardar ZM, Kelly MP, Bourret S, Hasegawa K, Wong HK, Liu G, Hey HWD, Riahi H, Huec JCL, Lenke LG. The Posterior Cranial Vertical Line: A Novel Radiographic Marker for Classifying Global Sagittal Alignment. Neurospine 2023; 20:790-797. [PMID: 37798971 PMCID: PMC10562219 DOI: 10.14245/ns.2346408.204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To define a novel radiographic measurement, the posterior cranial vertical line (PCVL), in an asymptomatic adult population to better understand global sagittal alignment. METHODS We performed a multicenter retrospective review of prospectively collected radiographic data on asymptomatic volunteers aged 20-79. The PCVL is a vertical plumb line drawn from the posterior-most aspect of the occiput. The horizontal distances of the PCVL to the thoracic apex (TA), posterior sagittal vertical line (PSVL, posterosuperior endplate of S1), femoral head center, and tibial plafond were measured. Classification was either grade 1 (PCVL posterior to TA and PSVL), grade 2 (PCVL anterior to TA and posterior to PSVL), or grade 3 (PCVL anterior to TA and PSVL). RESULTS Three hundred thirty-four asymptomatic patients were evaluated with a mean age of 41 years. Eighty-three percent of subjects were PCVL grade 1, 15% were grade 2, and 3% were grade 3. Increasing PCVL grade was associated with increased age (p < 0.001), C7-S1 sagittal vertical axis (SVA) (p < 0.001), C2-7 SVA (p < 0.001). Additionally, it was associated with decreased SS (p = 0.045), increased PT (p < 0.001), and increased knee flexion (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The PCVL is a radiographic marker of global sagittal alignment that is simple to implement and interpret. Increasing PCVL grade was significantly associated with expected changes and compensatory mechanisms in the aging population. Most importantly, it incorporates cervical alignment parameters such as C2-7 SVA. The PCVL defines global sagittal alignment in adult volunteers and naturally distributes into 3 grades, with only 3% being grade 3 where the PCVL lies anterior to the TA and PSVL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J. Park
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, The Och Spine Hospital at New York-Presbyterian, New York, NY, USA
- Deparment of Neurological Surgery, Weil Cornell Brain and Spine Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fthimnir M. Hassan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, The Och Spine Hospital at New York-Presbyterian, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xavier E. Ferrer
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, The Och Spine Hospital at New York-Presbyterian, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cole Morrissette
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, The Och Spine Hospital at New York-Presbyterian, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nathan J. Lee
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, The Och Spine Hospital at New York-Presbyterian, New York, NY, USA
| | - Meghan Cerpa
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, The Och Spine Hospital at New York-Presbyterian, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zeeshan M. Sardar
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, The Och Spine Hospital at New York-Presbyterian, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael P. Kelly
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Stephane Bourret
- Spine Unit 2, Surgical Research Lab, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Hee-Kit Wong
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, National University Hospital (Singapore), Singapore
| | - Gabriel Liu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, National University Hospital (Singapore), Singapore
| | - Hwee Weng Dennis Hey
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, National University Hospital (Singapore), Singapore
| | - Hend Riahi
- Institut Kassab D'orthopédie, Ksar Said La Manouba, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Jean-Charles Le Huec
- Spine Unit 2, Surgical Research Lab, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
| | - Lawrence G. Lenke
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, The Och Spine Hospital at New York-Presbyterian, New York, NY, USA
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Li S, Ji L, Huang J, Wang Y, Liu P, Zhang W, Lou Z. The impact of primary tumor resection for asymptomatic colorectal cancer patients with unresectable metastases: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Colorectal Dis 2023; 38:214. [PMID: 37581775 DOI: 10.1007/s00384-023-04500-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whether patients with asymptomatic primary tumors and unresectable metastases of colorectal cancer (CRC) should undergo primary tumor resection (PTR) remains controversial. This study aims to determine the appropriateness of PTR for these individuals by evaluating a number of outcome measures. METHODS A systematic literature search was performed. Outcome measures included overall survival, emergency surgery rates, incidence of postoperative complications, time to initiate chemotherapy, conversion rates, and chemotherapy-related toxicities. RESULTS Patients who received PTR in addition to chemotherapy had a better overall survival rate than those who only received chemotherapy (HR = 0.62, 95%CI, 0.50-0.78, I2 = 84%, p < 0.00001). In the RCT subgroup, there were no significant differences with a HR of 0.72 (95%CI, 0.45-1.13, I2 = 17%, p = 0.15). More patients in the chemotherapy alone group could be converted to resectable status (OR = 0.47, 95%CI, 0.27-0.82, I2 = 0%, p = 0.008), but the incidence of emergency surgery was 23% (95%CI, 17-29%, I2 = 14%). The risk of chemotherapy-related toxicity was not significantly higher in the PTR group (OR = 1.5, 95%CI, 0.94-2.43, p = 0.09, I2 = 0%), with a 7% incidence of postoperative complications (95%CI, 0-14%, p = 0.05, I2 = 0%). The time to initiate chemotherapy after PTR was approximately 33.06 days (95%CI, 25.55-40.58, I2 = 0%). CONCLUSION PTR plus chemotherapy may be associated with improved survival in asymptomatic CRC patients with unresectable metastases. However, PTR did not provide a significant survival benefit in the subgroup of RCTs. Additionally, PTR did not result in a significantly increased risk of chemotherapy-related toxicity, with a postoperative complication rate of approximately 7%, and chemotherapy could be initiated at approximately 33.06 days after PTR. Compared with the PTR plus chemotherapy, chemotherapy alone could result in a significantly higher conversion rate. However, about 23% of patients receiving chemotherapy alone required emergency surgery for primary tumor-related symptoms. The above results needed to be validated in future larger prospective randomized trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyuan Li
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, the first affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, 168 Changhai Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, China
| | - Liqiang Ji
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, the first affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, 168 Changhai Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Huang
- The first affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ye Wang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, the first affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, 168 Changhai Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, the first affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, 168 Changhai Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, the first affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, 168 Changhai Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Lou
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, the first affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, 168 Changhai Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, China.
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Rockman CB, Garg K. Contemporary Treatment of the Asymptomatic Carotid Patient. Surg Clin North Am 2023; 103:629-644. [PMID: 37455029 DOI: 10.1016/j.suc.2023.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Stroke is a persistent leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and carotid artery atherosclerosis remains a treatable cause of future stroke. Although most patients with asymptomatic carotid artery disease may be at a relatively low risk for future stroke, most completed strokes are unheralded; thus, the identification and appropriate treatment of patients with asymptomatic carotid artery disease remains a critical part of overall stroke prevention. Select patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis with an increased risk of future stroke based on the degree of stenosis and other imaging or patient-related characteristics are appropriate to consider for carotid artery intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caron B Rockman
- Florence and Joseph Ritorto Professor of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, 530 1st Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Karan Garg
- Division of Vascular Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, 530 1st Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
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Okagawa Y, Sumiyoshi T, Imagawa T, Sakano H, Tamura F, Arihara Y, Kanari Y, Sakurada A, Oiwa S, Jin T, Tomita Y, Minami S, Hisai H, Muramatsu H, Katsuki S, Maeda M, Kondo H. Clinical factors associated with acute abdominal symptoms induced by gastric anisakiasis: a multicenter retrospective cohort study. BMC Gastroenterol 2023; 23:243. [PMID: 37464307 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-023-02880-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric anisakiasis typically causes severe abdominal symptoms; however, we incidentally detected asymptomatic gastric anisakiasis cases during esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The factors associated with developing acute abdominal symptoms induced by gastric anisakiasis remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the clinical factors associated with abdominal symptoms of gastric anisakiasis by comparing symptomatic and asymptomatic cases. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study involving 264 patients diagnosed with gastric anisakiasis at nine hospitals in Japan between October 2015 and October 2021. We analyzed patients' medical records and endoscopic images and compared the clinical factors between the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. RESULTS One hundred sixty-five patients (77.8%) were diagnosed with abdominal symptoms, whereas 47 (22.2%) were asymptomatic. Older age, male sex, diabetes mellitus, gastric mucosal atrophy, and gastric mucosal atrophy of the Anisakis penetrating area were significantly more common in the asymptomatic group than in the symptomatic group. Multivariate analysis revealed that age (p = 0.007), sex (p = 0.017), and presence or absence of mucosal atrophy (p = 0.033) were independent factors for the occurrence of acute abdominal symptoms. In addition, cases that were Helicobacter pylori naïve, with an elevation of white blood cells, or without an elevation of eosinophils were more common in the symptomatic group than in the asymptomatic group. CONCLUSIONS Age, sex, and presence or absence of gastric mucosal atrophy were the clinical factors associated with the occurrence of acute abdominal symptoms. Older and male patients and those with gastric mucosal atrophy were less likely to show abdominal symptoms. The mechanisms of the occurrence of symptoms induced by gastric anisakiasis remain unclear; however, our results will help clarify this issue in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaka Okagawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tonan Hospital, North 4, West 7, Chuo-ku, 060-0004, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
| | - Tetsuya Sumiyoshi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tonan Hospital, North 4, West 7, Chuo-ku, 060-0004, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Takayuki Imagawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Rumoi Municipal Hospital, Rumoi, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hiroya Sakano
- Department of Gastroenterology, Japanese Red Cross Date Hospital, Date, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Fumito Tamura
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sapporo Kiyota Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yohei Arihara
- Department of Gastroenterology, Steel Memorial Muroran Hospital, Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yusuke Kanari
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chitose City Hospital, Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Akira Sakurada
- Department of Gastroenterology, Otaru Ekisaikai Hospital, Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Shutaro Oiwa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Oji General Hospital, Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Takashi Jin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rishiri Island National Health Insurance Center Hospital, Rishiri, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yusuke Tomita
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tonan Hospital, North 4, West 7, Chuo-ku, 060-0004, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Shinya Minami
- Department of Gastroenterology, Oji General Hospital, Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Hisai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Japanese Red Cross Date Hospital, Date, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hirohito Muramatsu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Rumoi Municipal Hospital, Rumoi, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Shinichi Katsuki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Otaru Ekisaikai Hospital, Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Masahiro Maeda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Steel Memorial Muroran Hospital, Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Kondo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tonan Hospital, North 4, West 7, Chuo-ku, 060-0004, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
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Graydon EK, Malloy AM, Machmach K, Sun P, Paquin-Proulx D, Lizewski S, Lizewski R, Weir DL, Goforth CW, Anderson SK, Letizia AG, Mitre E. High baseline frequencies of natural killer cells are associated with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Curr Res Immunol 2023; 4:100064. [PMID: 37645658 PMCID: PMC10461189 DOI: 10.1016/j.crimmu.2023.100064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
This study tested the hypothesis that high frequencies of natural killer (NK) cells are protective against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Samples were utilized from the COVID-19 Health Action Response for Marines study, a prospective, observational study of SARS-CoV-2 infection in which participants were enrolled prior to infection and then serially monitored for development of symptomatic or asymptomatic infection. Frequencies and phenotypes of NK cells (CD3-CD14-CD19-CD56+) were assessed by flow cytometry. Individuals that developed asymptomatic infections were found to have higher pre-infection frequencies of total NK cells compared to symptomatic individuals (10.61% [SD 4.5] vs 8.33% [SD 4.6], p = 0.011). Circulating total NK cells decreased over the course of infection, reaching a nadir at 4 weeks, while immature NK cells increased, a finding confirmed by multidimensional reduction analysis. These results indicate that NK cells likely play a key role in controlling the severity of clinical illness in individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth K. Graydon
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Kawthar Machmach
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA
- Emerging Infectious Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring MD, USA
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Peifang Sun
- Infectious Disease Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Dominic Paquin-Proulx
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA
- Emerging Infectious Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring MD, USA
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Dawn L. Weir
- Infectious Disease Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Carl W. Goforth
- Infectious Disease Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Stephen K. Anderson
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Andrew G. Letizia
- Infectious Disease Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Edward Mitre
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Doum D, Mclver DJ, Hustedt J, Hii J, Sovannaroth S, Lek D, Richardson JH, Tatarsky A, Lobo NF. An active and targeted survey reveals asymptomatic malaria infections among high-risk populations in Mondulkiri, Cambodia. Malar J 2023; 22:193. [PMID: 37353790 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04630-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that is one of the most serious public health issues globally and a leading cause of mortality in many developing countries worldwide. Knowing the prevalence of both symptomatic and asymptomatic malaria on a subnational scale allows for the estimation of the burden of parasitaemia present in the transmission system, enabling targeting and tailoring of resources towards greater impact and better use of available capacity. This study aimed to determine the PCR-based point prevalence of malaria infection, by parasite species, among three high-risk populations in Mondulkiri province, Cambodia: forest rangers, forest dwellers, and forest goers. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was performed during the transmission season in November and December 2021. Blood samples collected on filter paper from participants (n = 1301) from all target groups were screened for Plasmodium spp using PCR. RESULTS Malaria prevalence among all study participants was 6.7% for any Plasmodium species. Malaria prevalence in the forest ranger group was 8.1%, was 6.8% in forest goers, and 6.4% in forest dwellers; all infections were asymptomatic. Plasmodium vivax was detected in all participant groups, while the few Plasmodium falciparum infections were found in goers and dwellers. 81% of all infections were due to P. vivax, 9% were due to P. falciparum, 3% due to Plasmodium cynomolgi, and the rest (7%) remained undefined. Gender was associated with malaria infection prevalence, with male participants having higher odds of malaria infection than female participants (OR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.08-2.64). Passively collected malaria incidence data from the Cambodian government were also investigated. Health facility-reported malaria cases, based on rapid diagnostic tests, for the period Jan-Dec 2021 were 521 Plasmodium vivax (0.89% prevalence), 34 P. falciparum (0.06%) and four P. falciparum + mixed (0.01%)-a total of 559 cases (0.95%) for all of Mondulkiri. CONCLUSION This reservoir of asymptomatic parasitaemia may be perpetuating low levels of transmission, and thus, new strategies are required to realize the goal of eliminating malaria in Cambodia by 2025.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dyna Doum
- Health Forefront Organization, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - David J Mclver
- Malaria Elimination Initiative, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - John Hustedt
- Health Forefront Organization, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Jeffrey Hii
- Malaria Elimination Initiative, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Siv Sovannaroth
- National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Dysoley Lek
- National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | | | - Allison Tatarsky
- Malaria Elimination Initiative, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Neil F Lobo
- Malaria Elimination Initiative, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, USA
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Abulseoud OA, Chan B, Rivera-Chiauzzi EY, Egol CJ, Nettey VN, Van Ligten MJ, Griffin TN, Aly M, Sinha S, Schneekloth TD. Psychiatric disorders during pregnancy in asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 positive women: Prevalence and effect on outcome. Psychiatry Res 2023; 326:115313. [PMID: 37336168 PMCID: PMC10273774 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
The effect of psychiatric comorbidity on pregnancy outcome among SARS-CoV-2 positive women with asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic infections remains largely unknown. We reviewed the electronic medical records of all pregnant women who received care at Mayo Health System and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (RT-PCR) from March 2020 through October 2021. Among 789 patients, 34.2% (n = 270) had psychiatric comorbidity. Of those with psychiatric comrobidity, 62.2% (n = 168) had depression prior to pregnancy, and 5.2% (n = 14) reported new-onset depression during pregnancy. Before pregnancy, 65.6% (n = 177) had anxiety, and 4.4% (n = 12) developed anxiety during pregnancy Thirteen percent of SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnant women (n = 108) received psychotropic medication during pregnancy. In addition, 6.7% (n = 18) and 10.7% (n = 29) of pregnant women with psychiatric comorbidity had documented nicotine, cannabis and/ or illicit substance use during and prior to pregnancy, respectively. We depicted a significantly higher risk for cesarean delivery [35.6% vs. 24.9%) in asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnant women with psychiatric comorbidity. In conclusion, the prevalence rates of depression, anxiety, and prescribed antidepressant medications during pregnancy among asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infected women were substantially higher than average, which negatively impacted pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osama A Abulseoud
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, AZ 58054; Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona 58054.
| | - Belinda Chan
- Department of Pediatrics, Neonatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108
| | | | - Claudine J Egol
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, AZ 58054
| | - Victor N Nettey
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, AZ 58054
| | | | | | - Mohamed Aly
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona 85054
| | - Shirshendu Sinha
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, AZ 58054
| | - Terry D Schneekloth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, AZ 58054
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Song H, Li X, Lu J, Song J, Wang T, Gao M, Zhang X, Ma M, Shi Y, Fang J, Fu H, Wang H, Duo L, Tang M, Pang L. The 'Ironclad friendship' of China-Cambodia, lays the first step in the foundation of early diagnosis and treatment of asymptomatic congenital heart Defects- A multi-national screening and intervention project, 2017-2020. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2023; 23:288. [PMID: 37286959 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-023-03314-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of mortality in childhood worldwide. However, a large number of children with CHD are not diagnosed promptly in low- and middle-income regions, due to limited healthcare resources and lack the ability of prenatal and postnatal ultrasound examinations. The research on asymptomatic CHD in the community is still blank, resulting in a large number of children with asymptomatic CHD can not be found and treated in time. Through the China-Cambodia collaborative health care initiative, the project team conducted research, screened children's CHD through a sampling survey in China and Cambodia, collected relevant data, and retrospectively analyzed the data of all eligible patients. OBJECTIVES The project aimed to evaluate the prevalence of asymptomatic CHD in a sample population of 3-18years old and effects on their growth status and treatment outcomes. METHODS We examined the prevalence of 'asymptomatic CHD' among 3-18years old children and adolescents at the township/county levels in the two participating. A total of eight provinces in China and five provinces in Cambodia were analyzed from 2017 to 2020. During 1 year follow-up after treatment, the differences in heights and weights of the treated and control groups were evaluated. RESULTS Among the 3,068,075 participants screened from 2017 to 2020, 3967 patients with asymptomatic CHD requiring treatment were identified [0.130%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.126 -0.134%]. The prevalence rate of CHD ranged from 0.02 to 0.88%, and was negatively related to local per capita GDP (p = 0.028). The average height of 3310 treated CHD patients were 2.23% (95% CI: -2.51%~-1.9%) lower than that of the standard group and the average weight was - 6.41% (95% CI: -7.17%~-5.65%) lower, the developmental gap widening with advancing age. One year after treatment, the relative height difference remained comparable while that, in weight was reduced by 5.68% (95% CI: 4.27% ~7.09%). CONCLUSIONS Asymptomatic CHD now is often overlooked and is an emerging public health challenge. Early detection and treatment are essential to lower the potential burden of heart diseases in children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honglin Song
- Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital, Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, Yu Hua Street Chun Rong Road, Cheng Gong New City, Kunming, China
| | - Xi Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Central China Subcenter of the National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jiang Lu
- Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital, Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Junjie Song
- Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital, Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Teng Wang
- Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital, Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Min Gao
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Jinyun Campus, Huxi Town, Shapingba District, Chongqing, China
| | - Xingyi Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Min Ma
- School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, Yu Hua Street Chun Rong Road, Cheng Gong New City, Kunming, China
| | - Yi Shi
- Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital, Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jiayu Fang
- School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, Yu Hua Street Chun Rong Road, Cheng Gong New City, Kunming, China
| | - Hongchen Fu
- School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, Yu Hua Street Chun Rong Road, Cheng Gong New City, Kunming, China
| | - Huadan Wang
- School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, Yu Hua Street Chun Rong Road, Cheng Gong New City, Kunming, China
| | - Lin Duo
- Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital, Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Mingjing Tang
- Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital, Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
| | - Linhong Pang
- Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital, Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
- School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, Yu Hua Street Chun Rong Road, Cheng Gong New City, Kunming, China.
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Elsayed A, Elmarasi M, Hamad A, Habib MB. Recurrent asymptomatic large pleural effusion due to endometriosis. A case report. Respir Med Case Rep 2023; 44:101877. [PMID: 37332848 PMCID: PMC10272489 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2023.101877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Pleural endometriosis is a rare manifestation of endometriosis that usually presents with catamenial symptoms, with or without complications. Here, we present a case of incidentally discovered pleural involvement of endometriosis in an asymptomatic young female. Pleurocentesis revealed bloody exudative pleural effusion with lymphocytic predominance. Thoracoscopy revealed inflamed parietal pleura, and the biopsy confirmed endometriotic involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Abdulrahman Hamad
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mhd Baraa Habib
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
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Soda T, Tashiro Y, Koike S, Ikeuchi R, Okada T. Evaluation of incidence, predictive factors and treatment considerations for asymptomatic genitourinary granulomas after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy. Actas Urol Esp 2023; 47:317-326. [PMID: 37272323 DOI: 10.1016/j.acuroe.2022.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Although the complications of intravesical BCG treatment are well described, asymptomatic genitourinary granulomas after BCG therapy have rarely been reported and management strategy for these conditions remains controversial. The objective of this study is to evaluate the incidence rate of asymptomatic genitourinary granuloma formation mimicking bladder cancer recurrence after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy and to identify the diagnostic and treatment strategies according to patient conditions. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective review was conducted on 162 patients who underwent intravesical BCG therapy. For patients who developed granulomas, we evaluated the time interval between BCG instillation and the development of granuloma, the presence of acid-fast bacteria on pathology specimens, culture/polymerase chain reaction results, management strategies for the lesions, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS Asymptomatic genitourinary masses developed in 14 patients, of whom 5 underwent histological examinations and all were confirmed to have granulomatous inflammation. The affected organs included the kidney, bladder, prostate, and penis. While four of the five patients did not receive treatment for their granulomas, one patient was administered antituberculous medication to prevent worsening of the lesion during the perioperative period of the scheduled cystoprostatectomy. None of the patients experienced worsening or recurrence of granulomatous lesions. Patients who developed asymptomatic masses (n = 14) were significantly younger than those who did not (p = 0.0076) and multivariate analysis also showed that younger age was independently associated with the development of clinically suspicious lesions (p = 0.032); however, none of the parameters were associated with histologically confirmed granuloma formation. CONCLUSIONS Genitourinary granulomas mimicking recurrence of carcinoma may develop in nearly 10% of patients after intravesical BCG therapy. Most patients can be managed without potentially toxic antituberculosis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Soda
- Department of Urology, Tazuke Kofukai Medical Research Institute Kitano Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Y Tashiro
- Department of Urology, Tazuke Kofukai Medical Research Institute Kitano Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - S Koike
- Department of Urology, Tazuke Kofukai Medical Research Institute Kitano Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - R Ikeuchi
- Department of Urology, Tazuke Kofukai Medical Research Institute Kitano Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - T Okada
- Department of Urology, Tazuke Kofukai Medical Research Institute Kitano Hospital, Osaka, Japan
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Hajilooi M, Keramat F, Moazenian A, Rastegari-Pouyani M, Solgi G. The quantity and quality of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies show contrariwise association with COVID-19 severity: lessons learned from IgG avidity. Med Microbiol Immunol 2023; 212:203-220. [PMID: 37103583 PMCID: PMC10133916 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-023-00763-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Gaining more appreciation on the protective/damaging aspects of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity associated with disease severity is of great importance. This study aimed to evaluate the avidity of serum IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) in hospitalized symptomatic COVID-19 patients and asymptomatic RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 carriers as well as to compare antibody avidities with respect to vaccination status, vaccination dose and reinfection status. Serum levels of anti-S and anti-N IgG were determined using specific ELISA kits. Antibody avidity was determined by urea dissociation assay and expressed as avidity index (AI) value. Despite higher IgG levels in the symptomatic group, AI values of both anti-S and anti-N IgG were significantly lower in this group compared to asymptomatic individuals. In both groups, anti-S AI values were elevated in one-dose and two-dose vaccinees versus unvaccinated subjects, although significant differences were only detected in the symptomatic group. However, anti-N avidity showed no significant difference between the vaccinated and unvaccinated subgroups. Almost all vaccinated patients of different subgroups (based on vaccine type) had higher anti-S IgG avidity, while the statistical significance was detected only between those receiving Sinopharm compared to the unvaccinated subgroup. Also, statistically significant differences in antibody AIs were only found between primarily infected individuals of the two groups. Our findings indicate a key role for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG avidity in protection from symptomatic COVID-19 and calls for the incorporation of antibody avidity measurement into the current diagnostic tests to predict effective immunity toward SARS-CoV-2 infection or even for prognostic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdad Hajilooi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Fahmideh Blvd, Opposite to Lona Park, P.O. Box 6517838736, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Fariba Keramat
- Brucellosis Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Akram Moazenian
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Fahmideh Blvd, Opposite to Lona Park, P.O. Box 6517838736, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mohsen Rastegari-Pouyani
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Fahmideh Blvd, Opposite to Lona Park, P.O. Box 6517838736, Hamadan, Iran.
- Cancer Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
| | - Ghasem Solgi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Fahmideh Blvd, Opposite to Lona Park, P.O. Box 6517838736, Hamadan, Iran.
- Cancer Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
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Taylor-Egbeyemi J, Carter H, Robin C. Thematic analysis of national online narratives on regular asymptomatic testing for Covid-19 in schools in England. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1028. [PMID: 37259158 PMCID: PMC10230123 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15991-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To understand the public perceptions of the schools Covid-19 testing programme in England. DESIGN Qualitative social media analysis. SETTING Online users of parenting forums (Mumsnet and Netmums), Facebook newspaper pages and Daily Mail online readers, who responded to posts or articles about the schools testing programme in England, between 1 and 31 March, 2021. RESULTS Overall, seven main themes were identified, these were divided into barriers and facilitators to engaging in testing for Covid-19. Barriers were: uncertainty around testing in the absence of symptoms; concerns about testing; implications about testing positive; mistrust in the Government. Facilitators were: desire to protect others; desire to return to normality; and hearing others' positive experiences. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis highlighted that alongside well-established barriers to engaging in asymptomatic testing, parents were having to negotiate additional complex decisions around balancing their child's anxiety over testing alongside acknowledgement of the implications of regular testing, such as return to normality and protecting others. Parents and children would benefit from additional practical and social support to facilitate engagement with the schools testing programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo Taylor-Egbeyemi
- Behavioural Science and Insights Unit, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Holly Carter
- Behavioural Science and Insights Unit, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Charlotte Robin
- Behavioural Science and Insights Unit, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK.
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Hakimi T, Seyar F, Halimi SA, Jawed MA. Childhood mesenteric cyst: A rare intra-abdominal entity with literature review. Int J Surg Case Rep 2023; 106:108216. [PMID: 37068457 PMCID: PMC10130205 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2023.108216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE Mesenteric cysts are uncommon intra-abdominal benign masses that appear in childhood with varying degrees of clinical manifestations, ranging from being asymptomatic to presenting as an acute abdomen. The diagnosis is made incidentally during the work-up for other abdominal pathologies such as acute appendicitis, bowel obstruction, etc. The treatment is mostly surgical and varies depending on the clinical type of the lesion. CASE PRESENTATION A 26-month-old child was referred to our teaching hospital's pediatric surgery department with an abdominal mass. The patient had previously complained of constipation and been treated symptomatically with laxatives. Ultrasonography reported ovarian cysts confirmed by computerized tomography scanning (as a misdiagnosis report of an ovarian cyst instead of a mesenteric cyst), done outside the hospital in a private diagnostic center. CLINICAL DISCUSSION The patient was prepared for operation and during the surgical procedure, she was found to have a duplex cyst, which was mostly incorporated in the mesentery of the distal 1/3 of the transverse mesocolon. The cyst was enucleated through a lower midline laparotomy incision without bowel resection and anastomosis. The histopathological analysis of the specimen confirmed a mesenteric cyst. CONCLUSION Mesenteric cysts are rare lesions in children and should be considered when approaching any intra-abdominal mass. Except for the rare cases where intestinal resection and/or partial cyst excision are required, all mesenteric cysts can be excised while preserving intestinal integrity and vascular supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Turyalai Hakimi
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Kabul University of medical science, Maiwand Teaching Hospital, Kabul, Afghanistan.
| | - Farukh Seyar
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, Kabul University of medical science, Ali Abad Teaching Hospital, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - Sultan Ahmad Halimi
- Department of Pathology, Kabul University of medical science, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - Mohammad Anwar Jawed
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Kabul University of medical science, Maiwand Teaching Hospital, Kabul, Afghanistan
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