Infections review

INTRODUCTION: The introduction of Janus Kinase inhibitors (JAKi) seems to revolutionize the field of alopecia areata (AA) therapeutics. However, real-world data are still missing. OBJECTIVES: To provide evidence about effectiveness and safety of tofacitinib and baricitinib in AA in real-world settings and describe baseline disease characteristics and patients profiles that are considered good candidates for JAKi in the daily practice. Furthermore, we intended to investigate potential correlations between baseline characteristics and treatment outcomes...

INTRODUCTION: Lateral pelvic node dissection (LPND) poses significant technical challenges. Despite the advent of robotic surgery, determining the optimal minimally invasive approach remains a topic of debate. This study aimed to compare postoperative outcomes between robotic total mesorectal excision with LPND (R-LPND) and laparoscopic total mesorectal excision with LPND (L-LPND). METHODS: This meta-analysis was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) 2020 and AMSTAR 2 (Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews) guidelines...

The surface properties of titanium dental implants, such as wettability and surface free energy, influence the adhesion of microorganisms responsible for inflammation and infection of peri-implant tissues. This systematic review aimed to investigate the relationship of titanium surface treatments, surface free energy/wettability property and its relationship with bacterial activity. This systematic review followed PRISMA 2020 (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and MetaAnalysis) guidelines and was registered in the OpenScience Framework (osf...

INTRODUCTION: Antimicrobial drugs form an essential component of medical treatment in human and animal health. Resistance associated with their use has posed a global public health threat. Multiple efforts have been made at the global level directed by the World Health Organization and associated partners to develop policies aimed at combatting antimicrobial resistance. AREAS COVERED: Whilst the Global Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance and people-centered framework aim to guide countries in implementing successful antimicrobial resistance policies, their adoption and success depend on different implementation contexts...

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of interleukin-1 (IL-1) inhibitors in patients with recurrent pericarditis (RP) remain to be determined. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to investigate the impact of IL-1 inhibitors on patients suffering from RP. METHODS: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched to identify articles investigating the effects of IL-1 inhibitors in patients with RP up until January 2024...

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has been described in the early post-operative phase after stoma reversal. This systematic review aimed to describe the incidence of CDI after stoma reversal and to identify pre-operative variables correlated with an increased risk of infection. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines in March 2024. Manuscripts were included if reported at least one patient with CDI-associated diarrhoea following stoma reversal (colostomy/ileostomy)...

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive surgery, including laparoscopy and robotics, has significantly improved general surgical (GS) practice globally. While robot-assisted GS practice is yet to be adopted in the majority of Africa, laparoscopy has been utilized to improve surgical outcomes. This study aims to review the laparoscopic GS procedures (LGSPs) performed and evaluate outcomes such as conversion to open surgery, morbidity, and mortality in Africa. METHODS: Four databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, WoS, and AJOL) were searched, identifying 8022 publications...

Antiviral agents with activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have played a critical role in disease management; however, little is known regarding the efficacy of these medications in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection in immunocompromised patients, particularly in the management of persistent SARS-CoV-2 positivity. This narrative review discusses the management of persistent coronavirus disease 2019 in immunocompromised hosts, with a focus on antiviral therapies. We identified 84 cases from the literature describing a variety of approaches, including prolonged antiviral therapy (n = 11), combination antivirals (n = 13), and mixed therapy with antiviral and antibody treatments (n = 60)...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Antibiotic-impregnated shunts seem to be beneficial in preventing bacterial infections and decreasing mortality by effectively inhibiting microbial growth in the shunt system and reducing the risk of shunt-associated infections. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic-impregnated shunt catheters (AISC) in reducing the incidence of bacterial shunt infection in patients with hydrocephalus. METHODS: The protocol was registered on PROSPERO...

Infections caused by Candida spp. are frequent in critically hospitalized patients, especially among premature neonates, representing one of the most common healthcare-related infections. Although there is considerable production of current knowledge about the mechanisms of immune response, aspects involved in the newborn's innate defense are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to describe the innate immune mechanisms involved in the defense of neonates against invasive candidiasis. This is an integrative literature review from the Scopus, Scifinder, Medline, Web of Science databases and the electronic libraries ScienceDirect and Scielo, in the period between 2002 and 2020, with rescue based on primary descriptor Immunity Innate plus secondary descriptors Candidiasis Invasive AND Infant Newborn...

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) decreases the risk for HIV transmission in high-risk populations. PrEP has been available in Denmark since 2019 and consists of antiretroviral drugs in a combination tablet taken daily or on demand. The effect of this prophylaxis in Denmark is summarized in the review. PrEP is indicated in men and transgender persons with unprotected anal intercourse with multiple male partners in the latest 12 weeks or recent diagnoses of syphilis, chlamydia, or gonorrhoea. PrEP is provided by infectious disease specialists...

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by protozoa parasites from the Leishmania genus. Vertebrate hosts acquire the infection through the bite of a female sandfly, initiating a complex parasite development cycle. Contrary to previous beliefs regarding cats' resistance, these animals have recently been identified as potential reservoirs for leishmaniasis. Clinical symptoms in cats can manifest in diverse forms, including cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral manifestations. The diagnosis of feline leishmaniasis is complicated by nonspecific symptoms and the relatively lower specificity of serological tests...

The utilization of In-silico subtractive genomic analysis has emerged as an important and essential method in modern drug discovery and development since it significantly improves the process of identifying and validating potential targets for discovering novel therapeutic compounds to treat severe infections caused by Antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) - pathogenic species. This review provides a complete overview of the methodology, advantages, disadvantages, and prospects, associated with subtractive genomic research in the context of drug discovery and development...

BACKGROUND: BK polyomavirus (BKV) DNAemia is a challenging infectious complication after kidney transplant (KT). Reduction of immunosuppression is the mainstay of management, and tacrolimus is often the first immunosuppressive medication adjusted upon the diagnosis of BKV DNAemia. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a new institutional protocol with lower target tacrolimus levels on BKV DNAemia, allograft rejection, and de novo donor-specific antibodies (dnDSA) among pediatric KT recipients...

BACKGROUND: Ocular cytology is an effective method of diagnosing infective, benign, and malignant ocular disease processes due to easy accessibility and rapid turnaround time. However, these specimens pose significant diagnostic challenges due to rarity of the specimen type, sparse diagnostic material available for ancillary workup, and unfamiliarity of the diagnostic entities by the cytopathologist. METHODS: This study conducted a 6-year comprehensive review of 65 eye cytology cases received at a tertiary level hospital...

KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE: Good's syndrome (GS) in conjunction with a severe COVID-19 infection, shedding light on the complexities of managing this rare condition that combines thymoma and immunodeficiency. ABSTRACT: This study delves into the clinical presentation and management of a 63-year-old male diagnosed with Good's syndrome (GS) amid a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. GS, an uncommon association between thymoma and immunodeficiency, remains a clinical mystery, necessitating increased awareness and understanding...

Background  Dorsal bridge plating (DP) of the distal radius is used as a definitive method of stabilization in complex fracture configurations and polytrauma patients. Questions/Purposes  This review aims to summarize the current understanding of DP and evaluate surgical outcomes. Methods  Four databases were searched following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines and registered with PROSPERO. Papers presenting outcome or complication data for DP were included...

OBJECTIVES: This study presents a case of Candida dubliniensis meningitis in an immunocompetent injection drug user and provides a literature review of CNS infections related to C dubliniensis . METHODS: A 32-year-old man with a history of opioid use disorder presented with seizures and underwent extensive diagnostic evaluations, including imaging, lumbar puncture, and tissue biopsies. Treatment consisted of antifungal therapy and placement of ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS)...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome or "long COVID" affects patients even after the recovery from Covid infection in various ways. Persistent headache or New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH) is one of such symptoms. In this review, we will discuss about the case-reports of post covid-19 headache- NDPH phenotype both after and in the course of COVID-19 infection. METHODS: Case reports/studies talked about patients having NDPH around the disease either immediately or late post COVID were included...

Cervical cancer, primarily caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, poses a significant global health challenge. Due to higher levels of poverty and health inequities, Indigenous women worldwide are more vulnerable to cervical cancer than their non-Indigenous counterparts. However, despite constituting nearly 10% of the population in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the true extent of the burden of cervical cancer among Indigenous people in this region remains largely unknown. This article reviews the available information on cervical cancer incidence and mortality, as well as HPV infection prevalence, among Indigenous women in LAC...