The global prevalence of human fascioliasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Fascioliasis is a parasitic zoonosis that can infect humans and be a source of significant morbidity. The World Health Organization lists human fascioliasis as a neglected tropical disease, but the worldwide prevalence of fascioliasis data is unknown. Objective: We aimed to estimate the global prevalence of human fascioliasis. Data sources and methods: We performed a systematic review and prevalence meta-analysis. We used the following inclusion criteria: articles published in the English, Portuguese, or Spanish languages from December 1985 to October 2022 and studies assessing the prevalence of Fasciola in the general population with an appropriate diagnostic methodology, including longitudinal studies, prospective and retrospective cohorts, case series, and randomized clinical trials (RCTs). We excluded animal studies. Two reviewers independently reviewed the selected studies for methodological quality, performing critical standard measures from JBI SUMARI. A random-effects model was conducted of the summary extracted data on the prevalence proportions. We reported the estimates according to the GATHER statement. Results: In all, 5617 studies were screened for eligibility. Fifty-five studies from 15 countries were selected, including 154,697 patients and 3987 cases. The meta-analysis revealed a pooled prevalence of 4.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.1-6.1; I2 = 99.4%; T2 = 0.07]. The prevalence in South America, Africa, and Asia was 9.0%, 4.8%, and 2.0%, respectively. The highest prevalence was found in Bolivia (21%), Peru (11%), and Egypt (6%). Subgroup analysis showed higher prevalence estimates in children, in studies from South America, and when Fas2-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used as a diagnostic method. A larger study sample size (p = 0.027) and an increase in female percentage (p = 0.043) correlated with a decrease in prevalence. Multiple meta-regression showed a higher prevalence for hyperendemic than hypoendemic (p = 0.002) or mesoendemic (p = 0.013) regions. Conclusion: The estimated prevalence and projected disease burden of human fascioliasis are high. Study findings support that fascioliasis continues to be a globally neglected tropical disease. Strengthening epidemiological surveillance and implementing measures to control and treat fascioliasis is imperative in the most affected areas.

Characteristics and clinical manifestations of monkeypox among people with and without HIV in the United States: a retrospective cohort.

OBJECTIVES: To compare characteristics and clinical manifestations of monkeypox (MPX) between people with and without HIV in the United States. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using TriNetX, a federated research network. METHODS: Patients 18 years and older with MPX were identified based on the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) diagnosis code B04 and divided into two groups: people with HIV (PWH) and people without HIV. Differences in baseline characteristics, clinical manifestations, and all-cause healthcare utilization were examined between groups. Outcomes were reported before and after propensity score matching. RESULTS: Of 322 cases of MPX included, 29% ( n  = 93) were PWH. Baseline characteristics were similar, but PWH were more likely to identify as Black or African American persons (24% vs. 11%, P  = 0.0303) or as Hispanic or Latino persons (24% vs. 11%, P  = 0.0345) and more likely to report lifestyle factors affecting health status. Rash and rectal pain were more common in PWH (25% vs. 11%, P  < 0.01, and 25% vs. 10%, P  < 0.001, respectively). In addition, PWH had higher rates of anal or rectal abscesses (11% vs. 0%, P  < 0.0001), phimosis (11% vs. 0%, P  < 0.0001), and pneumonia (11% vs. 0%, P  < 0.0001). More PWH required urgent care visits (53% vs. 29%, P  < 0.0001) and hospitalizations (11% vs. 4%, P  = 0.0314), but not emergency department visits (42% vs. 58%, P  = 0.0085). CONCLUSION: PWH had higher rates of clinical manifestations and required greater utilization of healthcare resources for any reason compared with those without HIV.

Human African Trypanosomiasis (Sleeping Sickness)-Epidemiology, Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention.

Purpose of Review: Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic neglected tropical disease (NTD) endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. This review aims to enhance our understanding of HAT and provide valuable insights to combat this significant public health issue by synthesizing the latest research and evidence. Recent Findings: HAT has reached a historical < 1000 cases in 2018. In patients without neurologic symptoms and signs, the likelihood of a severe meningoencephalitic stage is deemed low, obviating the need for a lumbar puncture to guide treatment decisions using fexinidazole. Summary: Both forms of the disease, gambiense HAT (gHAT) and rhodesiense HAT (rHAT), have specific epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment. Disease management still requires a high index of suspicion, infectious disease expertise, and specialized medical care. Essential stakeholders in health policy are critical to accomplishing the elimination goals of the NTD roadmap for 2021-2030.

Human monkeypox disease (MPX).

Monkeypox is a rare viral infection, endemic in many central and western African countries. The last international outbreak of monkeypox reported outside Africa occurred back in 2003. However, monkeypox has reemerged at a global scale with numerous confirmed cases across the globe in 2022. The rapid spread of cases through different countries has raised serious concerns among public health officials worldwide prompting accelerated investigations aimed to identify the origins and cause of the rapid expansion of cases. The current situation is reminiscent of the very early stages of the still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Overlapping features between these, two seemingly alike viral entities include the possibility for airborne transmission and the currently unexplained and rapid spread across borders. Early recognition of cases and timely intervention of potential transmission chains are necessary to contain further outbreaks. Measures should include rapid and accurate diagnosis of cases meeting case definitions, active surveillance efforts, and appropriate containment of confirmed cases. Governments and health policymakers must apply lessons learned from previous outbreaks and start taking active steps toward limiting the recent global spread of monkeypox. Herein, we discuss the status of the current monkeypox outbreaks worldwide, the epidemiological and public health situation at a global scale and what can be done to keep at bay its further expansion and future global implications.

Monkeypox - a description of the clinical progression of skin lesions: a case report from Colorado, USA.

A rapidly emerging global outbreak of monkeypox virus infection (MPXV) in over 50 non-endemic countries was identified in May 2022. We report the case and images of a patient with MPXV presenting with genital lesions later complicated by superimposed cellulitis in Colorado, USA. MPXV lesions are susceptible to bacterial superinfection, and with the advent of new cases, the early identification of skin lesions and their evolution during MPXV are imperative for treating clinicians. Clinicians should consider MPXV in differential diagnoses of sexually transmitted diseases presenting with genital lesions.

Willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccination in people living with HIV/AIDS from Latin America.

BACKGROUND: Prior research has established some risk factors for an increased risk of severe disease and mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the impact of HIV infection on SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and severity is a significant gap in the literature. In the same way, not many studies across the globe have analyzed the degree of vaccination willingness among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and considerations regarding prioritizing this population during vaccination plans, particularly in developing countries. METHODS: A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. Self-completed electronic surveys directed to PLWHA were performed via Twitter in February 2021, using accounts of HIV activists. RESULTS: 460 (87.1%) participants were willing to be vaccinated with any COVID-19 vaccine. The reasons for that were listed as 1) the belief that vaccination prevents both the COVID-19 infection (81.3%) as well as being a spreader (52.2%); 2) having a high occupational risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 (22%); and 3) the belief that they would be at high risk of death because of COVID-19 (21.3%). Only 56 (10.6%) participants expressed hesitancy toward vaccination, and 12 (2.2%) stated they did not want to get vaccinated. CONCLUSIONS: Our results may support the prioritization of people living with HIV during the implementation of vaccination plans in developing countries. New strategies should be adopted to overcome the hesitancy and unwillingness toward the COVID-19 vaccination, especially in populations with risk factors for severe disease.