Standardisation of lymphatic filariasis microfilaraemia prevalence estimates based on different diagnostic methods: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Lymphatic filariasis (LF) infection is generally diagnosed through parasitological identification of microfilariae (mf) in the blood. Although historically the most commonly used technique for counting mf is the thick blood smear based on 20 µl blood (TBS20), various other techniques and blood volumes have been applied. It is therefore a challenge to compare mf prevalence estimates from different LF-survey data. Our objective was to standardise microfilaraemia (mf) prevalence estimates to TBS20 as the reference diagnostic technique. Methods We first performed a systematic review to identify studies reporting on comparative mf prevalence data as measured by more than one diagnostic test, including TBS20, on the same study population. Associations between mf prevalences based on different diagnostic techniques were quantified in terms of odds ratios (OR, with TBS20 blood as reference), using a meta-regression model. Results We identified 606 articles matching our search strategy and included 14 in our analyses. The OR of the mf prevalences as measured by the more sensitive counting chamber technique (≥ 50 µl blood) was 2.90 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.60–5.28). For membrane filtration (1 ml blood) the OR was 2.39 (95% CI: 1.62–3.53), Knott’s technique it was 1.54 (95% CI: 0.72–3.29), and for TBS in ≥ 40 µl blood it was 1.37 (95% CI: 0.81–2.30). Conclusions We provided transformation factors to standardise mf prevalence estimates as detected by different diagnostic techniques to mf prevalence estimates as measured by TBS20. This will facilitate the use and comparison of more datasets in meta-analyses and geographic mapping initiatives across countries and over time.

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Diagnosis of Schistosoma Infection in Non-Human Animal Hosts: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

10.20944/preprints202105.0075.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Song Liang ◽

Keerati Ponpetch ◽

Yi-Biao Zhou ◽

Jia-Gang Guo ◽

Berhanu Erko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Diagnostic Techniques ◽

Molecular Technique ◽

Significant Heterogeneity ◽

Animal Hosts ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Human Animal ◽

Meta Analyses

Background Reliable and field-applicable diagnosis of schistosome infections in non-human animals is important for surveillance, control, and verification of interruption of human schistosomiasis transmission. This study aimed to summarize uses of available diagnostic techniques through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods and principal findings We systematically searched the literature and reports comparing two or more diagnostic tests in non-human animals for schistosome infection. Out of 4,909 articles and reports screened, 18 met our inclusion criteria, four of which were considered in the meta-analysis. A total of 14 techniques (parasitologic, immunologic, and molecular) and nine types of non-human animals were involved in the studies. Notably, four studies compared parasitologic tests (miracidium hatching test (MHT), Kato-Katz (KK), the Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory technique (DBL), and formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation-digestion (FED-SD)) with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and sensitivity estimates (using qPCR as the reference) were extracted and included in the meta-analyses, showing significant heterogeneity across studies and animals hosts. The pooled estimate of sensitivity was 0.21 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03 – 0.48) with FED-SD showing highest sensitivity (0.89, 95% CI: 0.65 – 1.00). Conclusions and significance Our findings suggest that the parasitologic technique FEA-SD and the molecular technique, qPCR, are the most promising field-applicable techniques for schistosome diagnosis in non-human animal hosts. Future studies are needed for validation and standardization of the techniques for real-world field applications.

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Epidemiology of Newcastle disease in chickens of Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1070477/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Asres Zegeye ◽

Wudu Temesgen ◽

Wassie Molla ◽

Mesfin Lakew

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Newcastle Disease ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Haemagglutination Inhibition ◽

Diagnostic Technique ◽

Diagnostic Techniques ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Published Data ◽

Single Group ◽

Pooled Prevalence

Abstract The objective of this systematic review was to estimate the overall pooled prevalence of Newcastle disease in chickens in Ethiopia and identify the sources of heterogeneity among and within studies. The seroprevalence of Newcastle disease was estimated using a single-group meta-analysis. Attempts were also made to identify study-level variables that could explain the heterogeneity in the apparent seroprevalence of the Newcastle disease. The findings were based on 16 published articles, 33 district-level reports and were limited to studies performed during 2005-2017. Due to the presence of heterogeneity, pooled analysis from different districts was conducted using random effects meta-analysis. The single-group summary of Newcastle disease seroprevalence in chickens was estimated to be 21.47% (19.54%-23.4%) with a 95% confidence interval. Our results indicated high inter-study variability (Cochran’s Q statistic = 196.2, true variance (τ2) = 0.36, inverse variance index (I2) = 90.0%, p<0.001). Of all variables analysed, diagnostic techniques and regions were the most significant predictors (p˂0.05) of heterogeneity. According to the diagnostic technique-based meta-analysis of random pooled prevalence, the haemagglutination inhibition test had the highest prevalence, followed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In conclusion, the high-pooled prevalence estimates of the disease, combined with the scarcity of published data for the entire country of Ethiopia, indicate a significant data gap on the distribution of Newcastle disease in the country. While the high pooled prevalence tells the need for intervention to control the disease, there is also a need to assess the disease prevalence in all other parts of the country.

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Risk of depression and common comorbid mental disorders in persons with malaria: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-25352/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yanxu Yang ◽

Matt Ciarletta ◽

Yunqi Pan ◽

Vernon M. Chinchilli ◽

Paddy Ssentongo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Common Mental Disorders ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Geographical Differences ◽

Significance Level ◽

Logit Transformation ◽

Study Population ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Comorbid Mental Disorders

Abstract Aim To estimate the pooled prevalence and incidence of depression and its common comorbid mental disorders in persons with a malarial infection and its neurological complications Method We will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published between January 1, 1960 and January 1, 2020, reporting the prevalence or incidence of common mental disorders and the risks in people with malaria. We will search the following databases: PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, OVID (HEALTH STAR), OVID (MEDLINE) and Joana Briggs Institute EBF Database. No age, geographical location, study-design or language limits will be applied. If multiple languages were used to describe and publish the same data, the English version was selected. This protocol was developed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols guidelines. Three reviewers (MC, YP, YY) will independently screen citations, abstracts and will identify full-text articles for inclusion, extract data and appraise the quality and bias of included studies. Discrepancies will be resolved by consensus or consultation with a fourth researcher (AS). Risk of bias of included studies will be assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. The primary outcomes will be the overall prevalence or incidence of depression and common comorbid mental disorders (CCMDs) in persons with malaria. We will use the random-effects model with a logit transformation of proportions for the pooling of studies. We will assess the between-study heterogeneity using I2 statistics, and Cochrane’s Q statistic (significance level < 0.05). We will perform subgroup meta-analyses to investigate geographical differences in mental disorders and risks of different mental disorders. We will conduct a meta-regression analysis, using study level median age, race and gender proportions, the proportion of study population with malaria, and percentage of the study population with a diagnosis of common mental disorders. We will report absolute differences in the overall probability of common mental disorders. The Egger’s test and funnel plots will be used to assess publication bias.

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Strongyloidiasis in Africa: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Prevalence, Diagnostic Methods, and Study Settings

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2020/2868564 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Tadesse Hailu ◽

Endalkachew Nibret ◽

Arancha Amor ◽

Abaineh Munshea

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Parasitic Infection ◽

Strongyloides Stercoralis ◽

Diagnostic Techniques ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

African Countries ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Pooled Prevalence ◽

Low Sensitivity

Background. Strongyloidiasis is an intestinal parasitic infection mainly caused by Strongyloides stercoralis. Although it is a predominant parasite in tropics and subtropics where sanitation and hygiene are poorly practiced, the true prevalence of strongyloidiasis is not known due to low-sensitivity diagnostic methods. Objective. This systematic review and meta-analysis is aimed at determining the pooled prevalence of strongyloidiasis in African countries, stratified by diagnostic methods, study settings, and patients. Methods. Cross-sectional studies on strongyloidiasis published in African countries from the year 2008 up to 2018 in PubMed and Google Scholar databases and which reported at least one Strongyloides spp. infection were included. Identification and screening of eligible articles were also done. Articles whose focus was on strongyloidiasis in animals, soil, and foreigners infected by Strongyloides spp. in Africa were excluded. The random effects model was used to calculate the pooled prevalence of strongyloidiasis across African countries as well as by diagnostic methods and study settings. The heterogeneity between studies was also computed. Result. A total of 82 studies were included. The overall pooled prevalence of strongyloidiasis was 2.7%. By individual techniques, the pooled prevalence of strongyloidiasis was 0.4%, 1.0%, 3.4%, 9.3%, 9.6%, and 19.4% by the respective direct saline microscopy, Kato-Katz, formol ether concentration, polymerase chain reaction, Baermann concentration, and culture diagnostic techniques. The prevalence rates of strongyloidiasis among rural community, school, and health institution studies were 6.8%, 6.4%, and 0.9%, respectively. The variation on the effect size comparing African countries, diagnostic methods, study settings, and patients was significant ( P ≤ 0.001 ). Conclusions. This review shows that strongyloidiasis is overlooked and its prevalence is estimated to be low in Africa due to the use of diagnostic methods with low sensitivity. Therefore, there is a need for using a combination of appropriate diagnostic methods to approach the actual strongyloidiasis rates in Africa.

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Auditory and visual hallucination prevalence in Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291718003161 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 49 (14) ◽

pp. 2342-2353 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Charlotte Louise Eversfield ◽

Llwyd David Orton

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Dementia With Lewy Bodies ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Lewy Bodies ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Pooled Prevalence ◽

Prevalence Estimates ◽

Meta Analyses

AbstractBackgroundNon-motor features of Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), such as auditory hallucinations (AH), contribute to disease burden but are not well understood.MethodsSystematic review and random-effects meta-analyses of studies reporting AH associated with PD or DLB. Prevalence of visual hallucinations (VH) in identified studies meeting eligibility criteria were included in meta-analyses, facilitating comparison with AH. Synthesis of qualitative descriptions of AH was performed. PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases were searched for primary journal articles, written in English, published from 1970 to 2017. Studies reporting AH prevalence in PD or DLB were screened using PRISMA methods.ResultsSearches identified 4542 unique studies for consideration, of which, 26 met inclusion criteria. AH pooled prevalence in PD was estimated to be 8.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 5.3–14.5], while in DLB was estimated to be 30.8% (±23.4 to 39.3). Verbal hallucinations, perceived as originating outside the head, were the most common form of AH. Non-verbal AH were also common while musical AH were rare. VH were more prevalent, with an estimated pooled prevalence in PD of 28.2% (±19.1 to 39.5), while in DLB they were estimated to be 61.8% (±49.1 to 73.0). Meta-regression determined that the use of validated methodologies to identify hallucinations produced higher prevalence estimates.ConclusionsAH and VH present in a substantial proportion of PD and DLB cases, with VH reported more frequently in both conditions. Both AH and VH are more prevalent in DLB than PD. There is a need for standardised use of validated methods to detect and monitor hallucinations.

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Prevalence of Burnout among General Practitioners: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

British Journal of General Practice ◽

10.3399/bjgp.2021.0441 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. BJGP.2021.0441

Author(s):

Christo Karuna ◽

Victoria J Palmer ◽

Anthony Scott ◽

Jane Gunn

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

General Practitioners ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Empirical Studies ◽

Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Work Related ◽

Prevalence Estimates ◽

Specific Factors ◽

Meta Analyses

Background Burnout is a work-related syndrome documented to have negative consequences for general practitioners (GPs) and their patients. Our objective was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to provide an estimate of how widespread this phenomenon is. Aim: To review the existing literature concerning studies published up to December, 2020, on the prevalence of burnout amongst GPs in general practice, to determine GP burnout estimates worldwide. Design and setting: Systematic literature search and meta-analysis. Method: Searches of CINAHL Plus, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Scopus were conducted to identify published peer-reviewed quantitative empirical studies in English up to December, 2020, that have used the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey to establish the prevalence of burnout in practising GPs (i.e., excluding GPs in training). A random-effects model was employed. Results: Wide-ranging prevalence estimates (6% to 32%) for 22,177 GPs across 29 countries were reported for 60 studies included in this review. Mean burnout estimates were as follows: 16.43 (EE); 6.74 (DEP); and 29.28 (PA). Subgroup and meta-analyses documented that country-specific factors may be important determinants of the variation in GP burnout estimates. Moderate overall burnout cut-offs were found to be determinants of the variation in moderate overall burnout estimates. Conclusion: Moderate to high GP burnout exist worldwide. However, substantial variations in how burnout is characterised and operationalised resulted in considerable heterogeneity in GP burnout prevalence estimates. This highlights the challenge of developing a uniform approach, and the importance of considering the GP’s work context, to better characterise burnout.

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Prevalence of strongyloidiasis in Peru: systematic review and meta-analysis

BMC Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1186/s12879-021-06441-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sonia Ortiz-Martínez ◽

José-Manuel Ramos-Rincón ◽

María-Esteyner Vásquez-Chasnamote ◽

Olga-Nohelia Gamboa-Paredes ◽

Katty-Madeleine Arista-Flores ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Strongyloides Stercoralis ◽

Geographic Area ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Parasitic Nematodes ◽

Stool Examination ◽

Baermann Technique ◽

Study Population ◽

Health Significance

Abstract Background Strongyloidiasis is a disease of great public health significance, caused by the parasitic nematodes Strongyloides stercoralis, Strongyloides fuelleborni, and Strongyloides fuelleborni subsp. kellyi. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in Peru. Methods The review was based on a literature search in PubMed, SciELO and Google Scholar using the key words or root words “strongyl*” AND “Peru” on 15 July 2020. Eligible studies were published from 1 January 1981 to 15 July 2020 and written in English, Spanish, Italian, or French. Results We included 21 papers in the analysis. Studies were heterogeneous in terms of study population and diagnostic methods (e.g. Baermann technique, agar, Dancescu or charcoal cultures, serology, string capsule). Prevalence of S. stercoralis ranged from 0.3 to 45%. The pooled proportion of Strongyloides in the general population was 7.34% (95% CI 4.97 to 10.13%). Half the studies were designed to detect parasites in general. In studies designed to detect S. stercoralis, the most widely used diagnostic method was the Baermann technique. Conclusion Prevalence of S. stercoralis in Peru was high but varied by geographic area, techniques for stool examination, and participant characteristics.

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Prevalence of schistosomiasis and its association with anemia among pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-021-04642-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ishag Adam ◽

Nadiah A. ALhabardi ◽

Osama Al-Wutayd ◽

Ammar H. Khamis

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Perinatal Outcomes ◽

Prevalence Estimate ◽

Pooled Prevalence ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Prevalence Estimates ◽

Newcastle Ottawa Scale ◽

Meta Analyses

Abstract Background Schistosomiasis is a highly prevalent parasitic disease that can lead to adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. To our knowledge, there has been no systematic review and meta-analysis of schistosomiasis during pregnancy. Methods We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Relevant published studies were searched in international databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar), from their inception until May 31, 2020. The retrieved studies were assessed for quality using the Modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. OpenMeta Analyst software was used for the statistical analysis. Results Thirty-two studies enrolling 21024 pregnant women were included in this meta-analysis. All 32 of these studies were conducted in Africa. Of these studies, 19, 11, and 2 investigated S. mansoni, S. haematobium, and combined S. mansoni and S. haematobium infections, respectively. The pooled prevalence estimate of schistosomiasis during pregnancy was 13.2% (95 CI 11.0–15.4). A random model was used because of high heterogeneity (Q = 99.14; P < 0.001). In subgroup analyses, the pooled prevalence estimate of S. haematobium was significantly higher than the pooled prevalence estimates of S. mansoni [22.5% (95% CI 1.6–43.5) vs 8.7% (95% CI 6.0–11.3, P = 0.016), respectively]. The results of meta-regression analyses showed a non-significant difference in the prevalence of schistosomiasis during pregnancy according to the study sample sizes and year of publication. Only six studies evaluated the association between schistosomiasis during pregnancy and anemia. Schistosomiasis was associated with anemia in these six studies (OR = 3.02, 95% = 1.25‒7.28, P = 0.014). Conclusion The present meta-analysis suggests that schistosomiasis during pregnancy is an existing health problem. This meta-analysis also highlights the lack of data on the determinants and outcomes of schistosomiasis during pregnancy. Preventive measures are needed and could be part of antenatal care in areas endemic with schistosomiasis.

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Reported prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among men who have sex with men in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis

10.21203/rs.2.18100/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Hanlin Fu ◽

Tubao Yang ◽

Xiaobing Wu ◽

Yumao Cai ◽

tiejian feng

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Exclusion Criterion ◽

Significant Heterogeneity ◽

Pooled Prevalence ◽

Prevalence Estimates ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Meta Analyses

Abstract Background: Men who have sex with men(MSM) in China are at high risk for suicidality but often overlooked. Several studies have reported the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. However, the estimates varies substantially between studies. This systematic review aimed to establish pooled prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among MSM in China, in order to arouse the attention of the public.Methods: The relevant studies up to April 2019 were systematically searched via several electronic databases. Studies were screened according to inclusion and exclusion criterion and the random-effects meta-analyses were adopted to calculate the pooled prevalence estimates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Heterogeneity between studies and publication bias was also assessed.Results: A total of 23 articles were eligible for the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence estimate of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts was 20.1% (95%CI: 16.7%-23.7%) and 6.8%(95%CI: 5.0%-8.9%), respectively. Significant heterogeneity was found for both combined effects. Heterogeneity in the estimates could be partially explained by survey points, HIV infection and average age.Conclusions: The prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among MSM in China was moderate high, suggesting that more attention should be paid to the subgroup and effective psychological interventions need to be established and implemented to reduce the suicide-related problems among Chinese MSM.

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Impact of Chemotherapy in the Adjuvant Setting of Early Stage Uterine Leiomyosarcoma: A Systematic Review and Updated Meta-Analysis

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers12071899 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 1899

Author(s):

Alessandro Rizzo ◽

Margherita Nannini ◽

Annalisa Astolfi ◽

Valentina Indio ◽

Pierandrea De Iaco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Recurrence Rate ◽

Locoregional Recurrence ◽

Early Stage ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Distant Recurrence ◽

Uterine Leiomyosarcoma ◽

Primary Surgery ◽

Locoregional Recurrence Rate ◽

Meta Analyses

Background: Although the use of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) appears to be increasing over the past few years, several clinical trials and previous meta-analyses failed to determine whether AC could improve clinical outcomes in uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare AC (with or without radiotherapy) versus observation (obs) after primary surgery in early stage uLMS. Materials and Methods: Randomized controlled (RCTs) and non-randomized studies (NRSs) were retrieved. Outcomes of interest were as follows: distant recurrence rate, locoregional recurrence rate and overall recurrence rate. Results about distant recurrence rate, locoregional recurrence rate and overall recurrence rate were compared by calculating odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs); ORs were combined with Mantel–Haenszel method. Results: Nine studies were included in the analysis, involving 545 patients (AC: 252, obs: 293). Compared with obs, AC did not reduce locoregional and distant recurrence rate, with a pooled OR of 1.36 and 0.63, respectively. Similarly, administration of AC did not decrease overall recurrence rate in comparison to obs. Conclusion: According to our results, AC (with or without radiotherapy) did not decrease recurrence rate in early stage uLMS; thus, the role of AC in this setting remains unclear.

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