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 Etiology and outcome of patients with viral-induced acute liver failure

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 1770
Author(s):  
Tauseef Nabi ◽  
Nadeema Rafiq
Keyword(s):  
Liver Failure ◽  
Acute Liver Failure ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Meld Score ◽  
Clinical Syndrome ◽  
Medical Emergency ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Overall Mortality

Background: Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare medical emergency and devastating clinical syndrome associated with high mortality in the absence of immediate intensive supportive care, specific treatment, or liver transplantation. Viral hepatitis is still one of the main causes of ALF in the India as well in world. We aimed to determine the etiology of Viral-ALF and to compare the outcome and clinical and biochemical variables in patients with hepatitis E and non HEV group in this prospective study.Methods: A total of 37 patients with a diagnosis of viral-ALF were included in the study. The variables evaluated were demographic, signs and symptoms, biochemical parameters, severity of liver injury, outcome, complications and duration of hospital stay.Results: Out of 37 Viral-ALF patients, Acute HEV-induced ALF (48.6%) was most common followed by HBV (24.3%) and HAV (21.6%). There were significantly more females in HEV group (61.1%) than non HEV group (21.1%) (P = 0.014). Overall mortality was 20 (54.1%). Mortality was higher in non HEV group (73.7%) than HEV group (33.3%) (P = 0.015). The mean age in HEV group was 30±12.7 years and in non HEV group was 38.1±10.4 years (P = 0.042). Bilirubin, ALT, mean grade of coma and interval between jaundice and encephalopathy were significantly higher in non HEV group than HEV group. MELD Score was higher in non HEV group 32.6±7.9 than HEV group 26.3±7.2 (P = 0.012). Sepsis and renal failure occurred more frequently in non HEV group than HEV group. Duration of hospital stay was also significantly more in non HEV group 11.3±3.3 days versus HEV group was 7.9 ± 2.9 (P = 0.002).Conclusions: HEV was the most frequently associated with Viral-ALF. HEV related ALF disproportionately affected young women. Mortality was higher in non HEV group (73.7%) than HEV group (33.3%). The marked difference in spontaneous survival between HEV and non HEV group can be explained by the severity of hepatic dysfunction on admission and more frequent complications.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Two Serological Assays for Diagnosing Zika Virus Infection

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1696
Author(s):  
Steev Loyola ◽  
Alfredo Huaman ◽  
Dina Popuche ◽  
Elizabeth Castillo ◽  
Julia S. Ampuero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Zikv Infection ◽  
Diagnostic Assays ◽  
Endemic Areas ◽  
Paired Serum

Zika virus (ZIKV) emerged and spread rapidly in South American countries during 2015. Efforts to diagnose ZIKV infection using serological tools were challenging in dengue-endemic areas because of antigenic similarities between both viruses. Here, we assessed the performance of an in-house developed IgM antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MAC-ELISA) and the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) to diagnose ZIKV infection. Acute and convalescent paired serum samples from 51 patients who presented with clinical symptoms suggestive of an arbovirus illness in dengue-endemic areas of Honduras, Venezuela, Colombia and Peru were used in the assessment. Samples were tested for ZIKV, dengue and chikungunya virus using a variety of laboratory techniques. The results for the ZIKV-RNA screening and seroconversion detected by the microneutralization test were used to construct a composite reference standard. The overall sensitivity and specificity for the MAC-ELISA were 93.5% and 100.0%, respectively. Contrastingly, the overall sensitivity and specificity for the PRNT were 96.8% and 95.0%, respectively. Restricting the analysis according to IgM or neutralizing antibodies against dengue, the performances of both serological assays were adequate. The findings of this study reveal that the MAC-ELISA and PRNT would provide initial reliable laboratory diagnostic assays for ZIKV infection in dengue-endemic areas.

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