Human fascioliasis in Africa: A systematic review

Fascioliasis is a globally distributed, parasitic zoonosis, caused by Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica. A comprehensive overview of the epidemiology of human fascioliasis in Africa is missing up to now. Therefore, our objective was to conduct a systematic review aiming to summarize recent knowledge on the distribution, prevalence, and risk factors of human fascioliasis in Africa. A key word search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science and Africa Wide, to gather relevant literature, published between the 1st of January 2000 and 31st of December 2020. A total of 472 records were initially retrieved, with 40 full text articles retained for the qualitative synthesis. Human fascioliasis was reported in 12 African countries, namely Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South-Africa, Tanzania and Tunisia. The majority of the studies was conducted in Egypt. A total of 28 records were population surveys. Coproscopy was the most commonly used tool for fascioliasis diagnosis in these surveys. Gender (being female), consumption of raw vegetables/seeds, age, owning livestock, and use of unsafe drinking water sources, were identified as risk factors in 7 studies. Furthermore, 43 case reports were retrieved, described in 12 studies. Eosinophilia was present in 39 of these cases, while 11 had positive coproscopy results. Eight cases described having eaten raw wild vegetables. Overall, the low number and quality of records retrieved indicates that human fascioliasis remains a truly neglected disease in Africa, and more epidemiological studies are urgently needed to both establish the actual distribution as well as risk factors on the continent.

Download Full-text

Risk Factors, and Clinical and Etiological Characteristics of Ischemic Strokes in COVID-19-Infected Patients: A Systematic Review of Literature

Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽

10.1159/000514267 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

Simone Vidale

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Clinical Features ◽

Case Reports ◽

Clinical Severity ◽

Large Artery ◽

Causal Association ◽

Review Of Literature ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Long Time

Background and Purpose: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is an ongoing pandemic and worldwide health emergency that has caused important changes in healthcare systems. Previous studies reported an increased risk of thromboembolic events, including stroke. This systematic review aims to describe the clinical features and etiological characteristics of ischemic stroke patients with COVID-19 infection. Method: A literature search was performed in principal databases for studies and case reports containing data concerning risk factors, clinical features, and etiological characteristics of patients infected with COVID-19 and suffering from stroke. Descriptive and analytical statistics were applied. Results: Overall, 14 articles were included for a total of 93 patients. Median age was 65 (IQR: 55–75) years with prevalence in males. Stroke occurred after a median of 6 days from COVID-19 infection diagnosis. Median National of Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 19. Cryptogenic (Cry) strokes were more frequent (51.8%), followed by cardioembolic etiology, and they occurred a long time after COVID-19 diagnosis compared with large-artery atherosclerosis strokes (ptrend: 0.03). The clinical severity of stroke was significantly associated with the severity grade of COVID-19 infection (ptrend: 0.03). Conclusions: Ischemic strokes in COVID-19-infected patients were clinically severe, affecting younger patients mainly with Cry and cardioembolic etiologies. Further multicenter prospective registries are needed to better describe the causal association and the effect of COVID-19 infection on stroke.

Download Full-text

Platelet function and cardiovascular risk in adult HIV-infected patients on HAART: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019468 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (12) ◽

pp. e019468 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Bongani Brian Nkambule ◽

Zibusiso Mkandla ◽

Tinashe Mutize ◽

Phiwayinkosi Vusi Dludla

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Platelet Activation ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Qualitative Synthesis ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Statistical Heterogeneity

IntroductionThe incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is now at least threefold higher in HIV-infected patients as compared with the general population. Although platelet activation and reactivity are implicated in the development of CVDs in HIV-infected patients, its precise role remains inconclusive. We aim to assess the association between platelet activation and selected cardiovascular risk factors in HIV-1-infected individuals on highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART).MethodsThis will be a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies evaluating the association between platelet activation and CVD risk factors in HAART-treated adults. The search strategy will include medical subject headings words for MEDLINE, and this will be adapted to Embase search headings (Emtree) terms for the EMBASE database. The search will cover literature published between 1 January 1996 to 30 April 2017. Studies will be independently screened by two reviewers using predefined criteria. Relevant eligible full texts will be screened; data will be extracted, and a qualitative synthesis will be conducted. Data extraction will be performed using Review Manager V.5.3. To assess the quality and strengths of evidence across selected studies, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation approach will be used. The Cochran’s Q statistic and the I2statistics will be used to analyse statistical heterogeneity between studies. If included studies show high levels of homogeneity, a random effects meta-analysis will be performed using R statistical software.Ethics and disseminationThis will be a review of existing studies and will not require ethical approval. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication and presented at local and international conferences. An emerging patient management dilemma is that of the increased incidence of CVD in people living with HIV on HAART. This review may inform treatment and cardiovascular risk stratification of HIV-infected patients at increased risk of developing CVD.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017062393.

Download Full-text

Is Non-Chlamydial Non-Gonococcal Urethritis Associated with Significant Clinical Complications in Men? A Systematic Review

Current Urology ◽

10.1159/000499266 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Cassandra E.L. Fairhead ◽

Alexander Hampson ◽

Louis Dwyer-Hemmings ◽

Nikhil Vasdev

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Reactive Arthritis ◽

Case Reports ◽

Case Series ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Future Research ◽

Qualitative Synthesis ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Gonococcal Urethritis ◽

Clinical Complications

Background: It is estimated that between 50 and 89% of non-gonococcal urethritis is not caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. Associations between non-chlamydial non-gonococcal urethritis (NCNGU) with balanoposthitis, epididymo-orchitis and reactive arthritis have been suggested, but evidence to support these often-theoretical relationships is sparse and further investigation is called for. Concerns over increasing antimicrobial resistance has rendered the need for clarity over this question ever more pressing in recent years. A review of the current evidence on the complications of NCNGU in men is therefore urgently warranted. Objective: This systematic review summarizes and evaluates the available evidence that NCNGU, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, causes the significant complications that are already well-recognized to be associated with non-gonococcal urethritis. These significant complications are epididymo-orchitis, balanoposthitis, and sexually-acquired reactive arthritis (Reiter's syndrome) including arthritis or conjunctivitis. Summary: We conducted a systematic review and qualitative synthesis using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis framework. Five databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, and British Nursing Index) were searched. We included studies that measured clinical outcome after diagnosis of NCNGU in men. Bias was assessed using variations of the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Data were extracted and entered into a pre-written data abstraction proforma. Seven peer-review studies were included. This included 2 retrospective cohort studies, 1 case series, 2 case reports and 2 cross-sectional studies. The studies described and analyzed 3 types of complication: balanitis, posthitis and/or meatitis; reactive arthritis and/or conjunctivitis; and epididymitis. All studies reported one or more complications. Key Messages: This review identifies an important avenue for future research: while the available evidence suggests that NCNGU has the potential to cause significant complications in men, with the strongest evidence existing for balanitis, posthitis and/or meatitis, the nature and significance of these relationships is far from clear. The findings of this review suggest that prospective, adequately powered research into whether there is a causal link between NCNGU and significant clinical complications in men would be highly worthwhile. The findings of this review raise important questions about the utility of the term NCNGU in research and clinical practice.

Download Full-text

Social Reintegration and Rehabilitation of Obstetric Fistula Patients Before and After Repair in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

Nepal Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology ◽

10.3126/njog.v13i2.21714 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 5-14

Author(s):

Atuhaire Shallon ◽

Oladosu A. Ojengbede ◽

John Francis Mugisha ◽

Akin-Tunde A. Odukogbe

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Obstetric Fistula ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Vaginal Fistula ◽

African Countries ◽

Social Reintegration ◽

Open Access Journals ◽

Before And After ◽

Sub Saharan

Aims: Social reintegration and rehabilitation of obstetric fistula patients before and after repair enhance their overall status, which may be unattainable even with a successful repair. Nonetheless, there is little traceable documentation about it even with supportive programs and projects, the thrust of this study. Methods: This is a systematic review involving a search of relevant literature from PubMed, Google scholar, PsychINFO, African Journals Online, Australian Journals Online, and open access journals of international organizations such as WHO, UNFPA, USAID, Engender Health, Fistula Foundation and Fistula Care Plus published between 1978 to date. Of the 46 articles identified, 25 were suitable for achievement of this study’s purpose. Results:Sub-Saharan African countries have recognized the overall burden of obstetric fistula and have devised strategies for its holistic management. Most countries have National Obstetric Fistula Strategic Frameworks which emphasize multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary approaches other than medical paradigms. Social reintegration and rehabilitation have been done through the identification of individual patient’s need/s. Projects and programs aiming to combat obstetric fistula and restore patients’ self-worth and dignity are: Lamaneh Suisse, and Delta Survie in Mali, Dimol in Niger, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in Burundi, FORWARD in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, Handicap International in Benin Republic, Women For Africa in Ghana and Liberia, TERREWODE and CoRSU both in Uganda, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia in Ethiopia, and others which cut across the region. Conclusions: Effective social reintegration and rehabilitation strategies are still inadequate in Sub-Saharan Africa due to lack of political commitment and inadequate outreach programs. Keywords: obstetric fistula, recto-vaginal fistula, rehabilitation, social reintegration, vesico-vaginal fistula.

Download Full-text

Spontaneous Heterotopic Pregnancy with Unaffected Intrauterine Pregnancy: Systematic Review of Clinical Outcomes

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina56120665 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 56 (12) ◽

pp. 665

Author(s):

Mihaela Oancea ◽

Razvan Ciortea ◽

Doru Diculescu ◽

Alexandra-Andreea Poienar ◽

Mihaela Grigore ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Case Reports ◽

Laparoscopic Approach ◽

Rare Condition ◽

Heterotopic Pregnancy ◽

Intrauterine Pregnancy ◽

First Semester ◽

Cochrane Reviews ◽

Reproductive Techniques

Background and objective: Spontaneous heterotopic pregnancy (SHP) is a rare condition represented by the synchronous coexistence of an intrauterine and an ectopic pregnancy. It rarely occurs with natural conception and is usually a consequence of assisted reproductive techniques. Diagnosis of SHP can be a challenge for the clinician. The evolution of the intrauterine pregnancy is dependent on many factors, such as the location of the heterotopic pregnancy, gestational age at the time of diagnosis, the surgical procedure, the presence of other risk factors, early or delayed management. The aim of this systematic review of the literature was to extract existing evidence on spontaneous heterotopic pregnancy with otherwise unaffected intrauterine pregnancy. Materials and Methods: From a total of 1907 database entries identified in PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane reviews, we selected 18 papers for narrative synthesis, for which we explored the diagnostic options, treatment, and outcome of these extremely rare epidemiologic occurrences. Manuscripts were assessed using the CARE guidelines for reporting case reports. Results: The main symptom was abdominal pain, and the preferred treatment approach was surgical, more precisely, using a laparoscopic approach. Most cases presented no risk factors, and the diagnosis was mostly made in the first semester. Conclusions: Normal follow-up and evolution of intrauterine pregnancy have been observed regardless of surgical approach (open or laparoscopic). Early diagnosis and treatment are advised, as they impact maternal and fetal outcomes. Evidence on this topic is scarce, predominantly comprised of case reports with variable degrees of adherence to dissemination guidelines. More studies on this topic are required to optimize care protocols for this type of pregnancy.

Download Full-text

Medication Bezoars: A Literature Review and Report of a Case

Annals of Pharmacotherapy ◽

10.1345/aph.17420 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 32 (9) ◽

pp. 940-946 ◽

Cited By ~ 55

Author(s):

James R Taylor ◽

Daniel S Streetman ◽

Sharon S Castle

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

English Language ◽

Case Reports ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Signs And Symptoms ◽

The Body ◽

Surgical Removal ◽

Diagnostic Challenge ◽

Medline Search

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of a medication bezoar and to review the clinical presentation, diagnosis, risk factors, pathogenesis, complications, and treatment of medication bezoars. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION: A MEDLINE search (January 1966–December 1997) of the English-language literature pertaining to bezoars was performed. These articles were scanned, and literature specifically discussing medication bezoars was selected. Additionally, the reference sections of pertinent review and case reports were scanned for additional relevant literature. DATA SYNTHESIS: Bezoars are concretions of foreign material within the body. In the case of medication bezoars, these concretions occur within the digestive tract and are composed of medications and/or medication vehicles. Rarely, however, is bezoar formation solely due to a medication. In nearly all reported cases the patient had one or more significant risk factors that contributed to bezoar formation. The exact method by which medication bezoars form is dependent on the particular type or combination of medications involved. Bezoar formation may be associated with significant complications for the patient due to the presence of the bezoar and because of the effects of the medication within the bezoar. Treatment of medication bezoars depends largely on the location and the cause of the bezoar. CONCLUSIONS: Medication bezoars are a rare but potentially serious complication of medication use in certain patients. These patients often present with signs and symptoms consistent with an obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract and represent an even greater diagnostic challenge due to the rarity of this complication. These patients also face significant complications from both the bezoar and the medication within the bezoar. To date, treatment of medication bezoars involves mainly physical manipulation of the bezoar through lavage, endoscopic removal, or, in most cases, surgical removal.

Download Full-text

Cyberknife Radiosurgery for the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review

European Journal of Dentistry ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1736330 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Cristalle Soman ◽

Shahad Ramzi Mohammed Alghamdi ◽

Faisal Nahar M. Alazemi ◽

Abdulaziz Ahmad Abdullah Alghamdi

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Case Reports ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Qualitative Synthesis ◽

Robotic Radiosurgery ◽

Open Access Journals ◽

Cyberknife Radiosurgery

AbstractCyberknife radiosurgery is a frameless stereotactic robotic radiosurgery which has shown to deliver better treatment outcomes in the treatment of advanced head and neck (H&N) carcinomas, especially in previously irradiated and recurrent cases. The aim of the study was to perform a systematic review of the available data on the outcomes of Cyberknife radiosurgery for treatment of head and neck cancer and to evaluate its collective outcomes. This systematic review was registered with the university with the registration no. FRP/2019/63 and was approved by the Institutional Review Board (RC/IRB/2019/132). Literature search was performed in the following: PubMed, Science direct, SciELO, MyScienceWork, Microsoft Academ EMBASE, Directory of Open Access Journals, and Cochrane databases with the keywords “Cyberknife,” “oral cancer,” “oropharyngeal cancer,” and “head and neck cancer” and data was extracted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The records identified were 147 manuscripts. Excluded articles included 5 duplicate articles, 33 abstracts, 101 full text articles due to being off-topic, case reports, review, non-English, 1 survey, and 2 other articles containing data extracted from a main study which was already included. A total of 5 articles were evaluated for qualitative synthesis. The mean dose of Cyberknife radiosurgery delivered for previously irradiated recurrent H&N carcinoma patients was 34.57 Gy, with a mean sample size of 5 studied during the period of 2000 to 2016. The available evidence from the systematic review indicates that Cyberknife can be an efficacious treatment option for recurrent previously irradiated H&N carcinoma, especially for nonresectable tumors. There is paucity of homogenous data and studies in this arena; hence, meta-analysis could not be performed. Further standardized studies are essential, especially where the treatment of H&N carcinoma is considered.

Download Full-text

Dental Findings in Kabuki Syndrome: A Systematic Review for Dentistry

Odovtos - International Journal of Dental Sciences ◽

10.15517/ijds.2020.40798 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 61-69

Author(s):

Ricardo Barbosa-Lima ◽

Amanda Lopes ◽

Juliely N. F. De Moura ◽

Sabrina N. Ribeiro ◽

Matheus S. N. T. Cardoso

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Clinical Case ◽

Search Strategy ◽

Case Reports ◽

Kabuki Syndrome ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Qualitative Synthesis ◽

Genetic Condition ◽

Language Data ◽

Eleven Case

Kabuki syndrome consists in a series of congenital anomalies involving intellectual disability, hypotonia, and facial and body dysmorphism. In addition to these cardinal signs, craniofacial and dental changes are frequently observed, although they are not fully understood. Thus, the aim of this article is to present the dental findings in patients with Kabuki syndrome. This is a systematic review developed according to the PRISMA protocol. A search strategy with descriptors ("kabuki syndrome" AND "dentistry") was applied to six databases. As inclusion criteria, we selected clinical case reports that addressed dental findings in one or more patients with Kabuki syndrome between 1999 and 2019, without restrictions regarding gender, age or language. Data collection in all databases was performed by a calibrated evaluator and titles, abstracts and full-text studies were systematically analyzed. Eleven case reports that fit the proposed inclusion criteria were found. After the qualitative synthesis, teeth absence or agenesis were the most reported findings, being observed by nine authors. Less frequent dental findings in patients with this syndrome are taurodontism, microdontia, fusion, gemination and conical or screwdriver-shaped teeth. In fact, when any syndrome or genetic condition is related to manifestations of dental interest, the dental surgeon should be able to investigate them, especially teeth agenesis or absence. For this reason, the dentist should be aware of the manifestations of Kabuki syndrome, contributing to patients' understanding and management.

Download Full-text

Social, Behavioral, and Cultural factors of HIV in Malawi: Semi-Automated Systematic Review

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/18747 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (8) ◽

pp. e18747

Author(s):

Amaury Thiabaud ◽

Isotta Triulzi ◽

Erol Orel ◽

Kali Tal ◽

Olivia Keiser

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Open Access ◽

Hiv Infection ◽

A Priori ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Topic Modelling ◽

African Countries ◽

Comprehensive Overview ◽

Quantitative Analyses ◽

Sub Saharan

Background Demographic and sociobehavioral factors are strong drivers of HIV infection rates in sub-Saharan Africa. These factors are often studied in qualitative research but ignored in quantitative analyses. However, they provide in-depth insight into the local behavior and may help to improve HIV prevention. Objective To obtain a comprehensive overview of the sociobehavioral factors influencing HIV prevalence and incidence in Malawi, we systematically reviewed the literature using a newly programmed tool for automatizing part of the systematic review process. Methods Due to the choice of broad search terms (“HIV AND Malawi”), our preliminary search revealed many thousands of articles. We, therefore, developed a Python tool to automatically extract, process, and categorize open-access articles published from January 1, 1987 to October 1, 2019 in the PubMed, PubMed Central, JSTOR, Paperity, and arXiV databases. We then used a topic modelling algorithm to classify and identify publications of interest. Results Our tool extracted 22,709 unique articles; 16,942 could be further processed. After topic modelling, 519 of these were clustered into relevant topics, of which 20 were kept after manual screening. We retrieved 7 more publications after examining the references so that 27 publications were finally included in the review. Reducing the 16,942 articles to 519 potentially relevant articles using the software took 5 days. Several factors contributing to the risk of HIV infection were identified, including religion, gender and relationship dynamics, beliefs, and sociobehavioral attitudes. Conclusions Our software does not replace traditional systematic reviews, but it returns useful results to broad queries of open-access literature in under a week, without a priori knowledge. This produces a “seed dataset” of relevance that could be further developed. It identified known factors and factors that may be specific to Malawi. In the future, we aim to expand the tool by adding more social science databases and applying it to other sub-Saharan African countries.

Download Full-text

Running related biomechanical risk factors for overuse injuries in distance runners: A systematic review considering injury specificity and the potentials for future research

10.1101/2021.07.23.21261034 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Steffen Willwacher ◽

Markus Kurz ◽

Johanna Robbin ◽

Matthias Thelen ◽

Joseph Hamill ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

English Language ◽

Retrospective Studies ◽

Overuse Injuries ◽

Future Research ◽

Comprehensive Overview ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Starting Point ◽

Data Collections

Objective To identify and evaluate the evidence of the most relevant running-related risk factors (RRRFs) for running-related overuse injuries (ROIs) and to suggest future research directions. Design Systematic review considering prospective and retrospective studies. (PROSPERO_ID: 236832) Data sources Pubmed. Connected Papers. The search was performed in February 2021. Eligibility criteria English language. Studies on participants whose primary sport is running addressing the risk for the seven most common ROIs and at least one kinematic, kinetic (including pressure measurements), or electromyographic RRRF. An RRRF needed to be identified in at least one prospective or two retrospective studies. Results Sixty-two articles fulfilled our eligibility criteria. Levels of evidence for specific ROIs ranged from conflicting to moderate evidence. Running populations and methods applied varied considerably between studies. While some RRRFs appeared for several ROIs, most RRRFs were specific for a particular ROI. The biomechanical measurements performed in many studies would have allowed for consideration of many more RRRFs than have been reported, highlighting a potential for more effective data usage in the future. Conclusion This study offers a comprehensive overview of RRRFs for the most common ROIs, which might serve as a starting point to develop ROI-specific risk profiles of individual runners. Future work should use macroscopic (big data) approaches involving long-term data collections in the real world and microscopic approaches involving precise stress calculations using recent developments in biomechanical modelling. However, consensus on data collection standards (including the quantification of workload and stress tolerance variables and the reporting of injuries) is warranted.

Download Full-text