Category Archives: Other
Does trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis for HIV induce bacterial resistance to other antibiotic classes? Results of a systematic review
BACKGROUND: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) prophylaxis has long been recommended for immunosuppressed HIV-infected adults and children born to HIV-infected women. Despite this, many resource-limited countries have not implemented this recommendation, partly because...
Intravaginal practices, bacterial vaginosis, and HIV infection in women: Individual participant data meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Identifying modifiable factors that increase women’s vulnerability to HIV is a critical step in developing effective female-initiated prevention interventions. The primary objective of this study was to pool individual...
Evidence behind the WHO guidelines: Hospital Care for Children: The usefulness of azole prophylaxis against cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-positive children
The World Health Organization has produced guidelines for the management of common illnesses in hospitals with limited resources. This series reviews the scientific evidence behind WHO’s recommendations. The WHO guidelines...
Improved effectiveness of partner notification for patients with sexually transmitted infections: Systematic review
Objective To examine the effectiveness of methods to improve partner notification by patient referral (index patient has responsibility for informing sex partners of their exposure to a sexually transmitted infection)....
Abstinence-plus programs for HIV infection prevention in high-income countries
BACKGROUND: Abstinence-plus interventions promote sexual abstinence as the best means of preventing acquisition of HIV, but also encourage safer-sex strategies (eg condom use) for sexually active participants. OBJECTIVES: To assess...
Comparisons of disparities and risks of HIV infection in black and other men who have sex with men in Canada, UK, and USA: A meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: We did a meta-analysis to assess factors associated with disparities in HIV infection in black men who have sex with men (MSM) in Canada, the UK, and the USA....
Effectiveness of female controlled barrier methods in preventing sexually transmitted infections and HIV: Current evidence and future research directions
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate evidence for the effectiveness of female controlled physical and chemical barrier methods in preventing STI/HIV transmission, to examine recent reviews on microbicide development, and to highlight promising...
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in tropical and low and middle income countries: A systematic review and meta-regression
OBJECTIVE: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP), the commonest opportunistic infection in HIV-infected patients in the developed world, is less commonly described in tropical and low and middle income countries (LMIC). We...
Treatment outcomes from community-based drug resistant tuberculosis treatment programs: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that community-based treatment of drug resistant tuberculosis (DRTB) is a feasible and cost-effective alternative to centralized, hospital-based care. Although several large programs have reported favourable...
Disparities and risks of sexually transmissible infections among men who have sex with men in China: A meta-analysis and data synthesis
BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including Hepatitis B and C virus, are emerging public health risks in China, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). This study aims...