scholarly journals Incidence of Histoplasmosis in a Cohort of People with HIV: From Estimations to Reality

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 2596
Author(s):  
Narda Medina ◽  
Juan Luis Rodriguez-Tudela ◽  
Luis Aguirre ◽  
Luis R. Salazar ◽  
Osmar Gamboa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Search ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Upward Trend ◽  
New Techniques ◽  
Diagnostic Assays ◽  
Screening Approach ◽  
Endemic Areas ◽  
Overall Mortality

Among people with HIV, histoplasmosis represents an important cause of mortality. Previous studies provided estimates of the disease incidence. Here, we compared those estimates with the results obtained from a screening program implemented in Guatemala, which included histoplasmosis detection for people with HIV. To compare the results of this program with previous estimations, a literature search was performed and reports concerning histoplasmosis incidence were analyzed. The screening program enrolled 6366 patients. The overall histoplasmosis incidence in the screening program was 7.4%, which was almost double that estimated in previous studies. From 2017 to 2019, the screening program showed an upward trend in histoplasmosis cases from 6.5% to 8.8%. Histoplasmosis overall mortality among those who were newly HIV diagnosed showed a decrease at 180 days from 32.8% in 2017 to 21.2% in 2019. The screening approach using rapid diagnostic assays detects histoplasmosis cases more quickly, allowing a specific treatment to be administered, which decreases the mortality of the disease. Therefore, the use of these new techniques, especially in endemic areas of histoplasmosis, must be implemented.

scholarly journals Incidence of Histoplasmosis in a Cohort of People with HIV: From Estimations to Reality

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narda Medina ◽  
Juan Luis Rodriguez-Tudela ◽  
Luis Aguirre ◽  
Luis R Salazar ◽  
Osmar Gamboa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Search ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Upward Trend ◽  
New Techniques ◽  
Diagnostic Assays ◽  
Screening Approach ◽  
Endemic Areas ◽  
Overall Mortality

Among people with HIV, histoplasmosis represents an important cause of mortality. Previous studies have provided estimates of the disease incidence. Here, we compared those estimates with the results obtained from a screening program implemented in Guatemala, which included histoplasmosis detection for people with HIV. To compare the results of this program, with previous estimations, a literature search was done and reports about histoplasmosis incidence were analyzed. The screening program enrolled 6,366 patients. The overall histoplasmosis incidence in the screening program was 7.4%, which was almost double than those estimated by the previous studies. From 2017 to 2019, the screening program showed an upward trend in histoplasmosis cases from 6.5% to 8.8%. Histoplasmosis overall mortality among those who were newly HIV diagnosed showed a decrease at 180 days from 32.8% in 2017 to 21.2% in 2019. The screening approach using rapid diagnostic assays detects quickly more cases of histoplasmosis, allowing a specific treatment, which decreases the mortality of the disease. Therefore, the use of these new techniques, especially in endemic areas of histoplasmosis, must be implemented.

scholarly journals Use of Quantitative Molecular Diagnostic Assays to Investigate Fusarium Dry Rot in Potato Stocks and Soil

2005 ◽  
Vol 95 (12) ◽  
pp. 1462-1471 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. Cullen ◽  
I. K. Toth ◽  
Y. Pitkin ◽  
N. Boonham ◽  
K. Walsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategies ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Harvest Date ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Potato Seed ◽  
Fusarium Spp ◽  
Dry Rot ◽  
Diagnostic Assays ◽  
Final Harvest

Specific and sensitive quantitative diagnostics, based on real-time (TaqMan) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, were developed to detect dry-rot-causing Fusarium spp. (F. avenaceum, F. coeruleum, F. culmorum, and F. sulphureum). Each assay detected Fusarium spp. on potato seed stocks with equal efficiency. Four potato stocks, sampled over two seed generations from Scottish stores, were contaminated with F. avenaceum, F. sulphureum, F. culmorum, F. coeruleum or a combination of species, and there was a general trend towards increased Fusarium spp. contamination in the second generation of seed sampled. F. sulphureum and F. coeruleum caused significantly (P < 0.05) more disease in storage than the other species when disease-free tubers of potato cvs. Spunta and Morene were inoculated at a range of inoculum concentrations (0, 104, 105, and 106 conidia/ml). Increased DNA levels were correlated with increased disease severity between 8 and 12 weeks of storage. The threshold inoculum levels resulting in significant disease development on both cultivars were estimated to be 104 conidia/ml for F. sulphureum and 105 conidia/ml for F. coeruleum. To study the effect of soil infestation and harvest date on disease incidence, seed tubers of cvs. Morene and Spunta were planted in a field plot artificially infested with the four Fusarium spp. F. culmorum and F. sulphureum were detected in soil taken from these plots at harvest, and F. sulphureum DNA levels increased significantly (P < 0.05) at the final harvest. All four Fusarium spp. were detected in progeny tubers. There was a trend toward higher levels of F. culmorum detected in progeny tubers at the earliest harvest date, and higher levels of F. sulphureum at the final harvest. The use of diagnostic assays to detect fungal storage rot pathogens and implications for disease control strategies are discussed.

scholarly journals The frequency of Tay-Sachs disease causing mutations in the Brazilian Jewish population justifies a carrier screening program

2001 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 146-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Rozenberg ◽  
Lygia da Veiga Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Carrier Frequency ◽  
Jewish Population ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Carrier Screening ◽  
Restriction Enzyme Digestion ◽  
Ashkenazi Jewish ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
Ashkenazi Jewish Population ◽  
Tay Sachs Disease

CONTEXT: Tay-Sachs disease is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by progressive neurologic degeneration, fatal in early childhood. In the Ashkenazi Jewish population the disease incidence is about 1 in every 3,500 newborns and the carrier frequency is 1 in every 29 individuals. Carrier screening programs for Tay-Sachs disease have reduced disease incidence by 90% in high-risk populations in several countries. The Brazilian Jewish population is estimated at 90,000 individuals. Currently, there is no screening program for Tay-Sachs disease in this population. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the importance of a Tay-Sachs disease carrier screening program in the Brazilian Jewish population by determining the frequency of heterozygotes and the acceptance of the program by the community. SETTING: Laboratory of Molecular Genetics - Institute of Biosciences - Universidade de São Paulo. PARTICIPANTS: 581 senior students from selected Jewish high schools. PROCEDURE: Molecular analysis of Tay-Sachs disease causing mutations by PCR amplification of genomic DNA, followed by restriction enzyme digestion. RESULTS: Among 581 students that attended educational classes, 404 (70%) elected to be tested for Tay-Sachs disease mutations. Of these, approximately 65% were of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. Eight carriers were detected corresponding to a carrier frequency of 1 in every 33 individuals in the Ashkenazi Jewish fraction of the sample. CONCLUSION: The frequency of Tay-Sachs disease carriers among the Ashkenazi Jewish population of Brazil is similar to that of other countries where carrier screening programs have led to a significant decrease in disease incidence. Therefore, it is justifiable to implement a Tay-Sachs disease carrier screening program for the Brazilian Jewish population.

scholarly journals Issues of Concern in Sexology

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-112
Author(s):  
E. Almås ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Search ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Sex Therapy ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Sexual Problems ◽  
Personal Relationships ◽  
Comprehensive Treatment ◽  
Treatment Methods ◽  
Market Driven

Objective: This presentation deal with issues of concern in sexology, as they have appeared in sexological publications in the period between 2001 and 2010. Examples are concerns about evidence base; on one side there is concern that there are so few randomized and controlled studies addressing psychological approaches and sex therapy in itself. On the other hand, there is concern that sexual problems are too complex to fit into standardized manuals, and that such simplifications cannot give justice to the complexity of sexual problems as they are embedded in culture and personal relationships. Another issue of concern is the fragmentation of sexology, due to market driven forces that restrict funding to biomedical ways of treatment, leaving more complex, but also more comprehensive treatment methods without funding. It is for example of concern that the number of AASECT certified sex therapists dropped from 928 in 1987 to 392 in 2002. Design and Method: These issues will be addressed based on a systematic literature search for publications on psychological treatment of sexual problems between 2001 and 2010. Results: A total of 261 publications were found, 49 of these concerned therapy as such. Among these, 38 addressed specific treatment methods, and 11 addressed different topics of discussion. This presentation will analyze the 11 articles and the concerns that are discussed. Conclusions: One of the aims is to pinpoint and highlight important issues for the development of better treatment for sexual problems.

M&E - what is measured, and reaching out to donors.

2021 ◽  
pp. 169-181
Author(s):  
Alan Fenwick ◽  
Wendie Norris ◽  
Becky McCall
Keyword(s):  
Growth Retardation ◽  
Hot Spots ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Economic Recovery ◽  
Program Managers ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Endemic Areas

Abstract This book chapter is intended to measure egg counts, disease incidence (damage to organs, anemia, growth retardation) and affect cognition. Epidemiologists and mathematical modelers agree that it is unlikely that schistosomiasis and HRT will be eradicated in a very long time, and certainly not until socio-economic recovery with better sanitation and provide potable water introduced in all endemic areas. However, the locals thought that elimination is certainly possible and is the current goal in many countries (WHO has made the plan available to program managers), acknowledging that some hot spots of infection will likely stay with these requiring more regularity of processing. Already in some regions, the MDA has greatly reduced popularity measured by structured monitoring and evaluation.

scholarly journals The use of protein hydrolysate improves the protein intestinal absorption in undernourished mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni

2002 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 585-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eridan M. Coutinho ◽  
Haroldo S. Ferreira ◽  
Monica L. Assunção ◽  
Sandra L. Carvalho ◽  
Sheilla A. Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Schistosoma Mansoni ◽  
Intestinal Absorption ◽  
Hospital Care ◽  
Protein Hydrolysate ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Nutritional Rehabilitation ◽  
Clinical Form ◽  
Endemic Areas ◽  
Hydrolysed Casein

Patients residing in endemic areas for schistosomiasis in Brazil are usually undernourished and when they develop the hepatosplenic clinical form of the disease should usually receive hospital care, many of them being in need of nutritional rehabilitation before specific treatment can be undertaken. In the mouse model, investigations carried out in our laboratory detected a reduced aminoacid uptake in undernourished animals which is aggravated by a superimposed infection with Schistosoma mansoni. However, in well-nourished infected mice no dysfunction occurs. In this study, we tried to improve the absorptive intestinal performance of undernourished mice infected with S. mansoni by feeding them with hydrolysed casein instead of whole casein. The values obtained for the coefficient of protein intestinal absorption (cpia) among well-nourished mice were above 90% (either hydrolysed or whole protein). In undernourished infected mice, however, the cpia improved significantly after feeding them with hydrolysed casein, animals reaching values close to those obtained in well-nourished infected mice.

scholarly journals Measures of infection prevention and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

2020 ◽  
Vol 196 (12) ◽  
pp. 1068-1079 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiane Matuschek ◽  
Johannes C. Fischer ◽  
Stephanie E. Combs ◽  
Rainer Fietkau ◽  
Stefanie Corradini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Radiation Oncology ◽  
Radiation Treatment ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Office Work ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Purpose COVID-19 infection has manifested as a major threat to both patients and healthcare providers around the world. Radiation oncology institutions (ROI) deliver a major component of cancer treatment, with protocols that might span over several weeks, with the result of increasing susceptibility to COVID-19 infection and presenting with a more severe clinical course when compared with the general population. The aim of this manuscript is to investigate the impact of ROI protocols and performance on daily practice in the high-risk cancer patients during this pandemic. Methods We addressed the incidence of positive COVID-19 cases in both patients and health care workers (HCW), in addition to the protective measures adopted in ROIs in Germany, Austria and Switzerland using a specific questionnaire. Results The results of the questionnaire showed that a noteworthy number of ROIs were able to complete treatment in SARS-CoV‑2 positive cancer patients, with only a short interruption. The ROIs reported a significant decrease in patient volume that was not impacted by the circumambient disease incidence, the type of ROI or the occurrence of positive cases. Of the ROIs 16.5% also reported infected HCWs. About half of the ROIs (50.5%) adopted a screening program for patients whereas only 23.3% also screened their HCWs. The range of protective measures included the creation of working groups, instituting home office work and protection with face masks. Regarding the therapeutic options offered, curative procedures were performed with either unchanged or moderately decreased schedules, whereas palliative or benign radiotherapy procedures were more often shortened. Most ROIs postponed or cancelled radiation treatment for benign indications (88.1%). The occurrence of SARS-CoV‑2 infections did not affect the treatment options for curative procedures. Non-university-based ROIs seemed to be more willing to change their treatment options for curative and palliative cases than university-based ROIs. Conclusion Most ROIs reported a deep impact of SARS-CoV‑2 infections on their work routine. Modification and prioritization of treatment regimens and the application of protective measures preserved a well-functioning radiation oncology service and patient care.

scholarly journals Detection of anti-M. leprae antibodies in children in leprosy-endemic areas: A systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. e0009667
Author(s):  
Louise Pierneef ◽  
Anouk van Hooij ◽  
Anneke Taal ◽  
Raisa Rumbaut ◽  
Mauricio Lisboa Nobre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Serological Tests ◽  
Past Infection ◽  
Endemic Areas ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals ◽  
Suitable Group ◽  
Synthetic Derivatives ◽  
Reporting Data

Background Leprosy elimination primarily targets transmission of Mycobacterium leprae which is not restricted to patients’ households. As interruption of transmission is imminent in many countries, a test to detect infected asymptomatic individuals who can perpetuate transmission is required. Antibodies directed against M. leprae antigens are indicative of M. leprae infection but cannot discriminate between active and past infection. Seroprevalence in young children, however, reflects recent M. leprae infection and may thus be used to monitor transmission in an area. Therefore, this literature review aimed to evaluate what has been reported on serological tests measuring anti-M. leprae antibodies in children without leprosy below the age of 15 in leprosy-endemic areas. Methods and findings A literature search was performed in the databases Pubmed, Infolep, Web of Science and The Virtual Health Library. From the 724 articles identified through the search criteria, 28 full-text articles fulfilled all inclusion criteria. Two additional papers were identified through snowballing, resulting in a total of 30 articles reporting data from ten countries. All serological tests measured antibodies against phenolic glycolipid-I or synthetic derivatives thereof, either quantitatively (ELISA or UCP-LFA) or qualitatively (ML-flow or NDO-LID rapid test). The median seroprevalence in children in endemic areas was 14.9% and was stable over time if disease incidence remained unchanged. Importantly, seroprevalence decreased with age, indicating that children are a suitable group for sensitive assessment of recent M. leprae infection. However, direct comparison between areas, solely based on the data reported in these studies, was impeded by the use of different tests and variable cut-off levels. Conclusions Quantitative anti-PGL-I serology in young children holds promise as a screening test to assess M. leprae infection and may be applied as a proxy for transmission and thereby as a means to monitor the effect of (prophylactic) interventions on the route to leprosy elimination.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Serum Biomarkers and Other Diagnostic Modalities for Early Diagnosis of Preeclampsia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Felicia Sunjaya ◽  
Anthony Paulo Sunjaya
Keyword(s):  
Early Detection ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Serum Biomarkers ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
New Techniques ◽  
Uterine Artery Doppler ◽  
Systemic Complication ◽  
Placental Protein ◽  
Diagnostic Modalities

Objective: Preeclampsia (PE) is a multi-systemic complication of pregnancy often characterised with the onset of hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation. Today, PE is the leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. An early detection of PE would allow a chance to plan the appropriate monitoring and for clinical management to be immediately done following early detection thus making prophylactic strategies much more effective. Materials and methods: This systematic review aims to evaluate the potential of the various serum biomarkers and diagnostic modalities (uterine artery Doppler, MAP, and maternal history) available for early prediction of PE with articles included and obtained through MEDLINE Full Text, Pubmed, Science Direct, ProQuest, SAGE, Taylor and Francis Online, Google Scholar, HighWire and Elsevier ClinicalKey. Results: Ninety-five articles were found that fulfilled all of our inclusion criteria. Placental growth factor (PlGF), pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFLT) and placental protein 13 (PP-13) were the most commonly studied biomarkers. Whereas uterine Doppler scanning and Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) were the most commonly studied out of other modalities. Conclusion: Current evidence shows serum biomarkers such as PIGF, PP-13 and sFlt yielded the best results for a single biomarker with others having conflicting results. However, a combination model with other diagnostic modalities performed better than a single biomarker. In the future, new techniques will hopefully provide sets of multiple markers, which will lead to a screening program with clinically relevant performance. However further studies are required to improve current methods.

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