Category Archives: Co-infections
HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis self-testing among adolescents and young adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background:Â Adolescents and young adults (AYA) make up a significant share of the world’s burden of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). Self-testing can increase testing coverage and strengthen the...
Meta-analysis of TB & HIV co-infection mortality rate in sub-Saharan African children, youth, and adolescents
Background Despite the effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment (ART) in reducing morbidity and mortality, children and adolescents with co-infections face an elevated risk of death due to their young age and...
Machine learning for personalized risk assessment of HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Machine learning (ML) shows promise for sexually transmitted infection (STI) risk prediction, but systematic evidence of its effectiveness remains fragmented. Methods We systematically searched six electronic databases, three preprint...
Immune responses to vaginal candidiasis in African women: A scoping review of cytokine profiles, T-cell activation, and gene expression
Background Recent immunological studies of vaginal candidiasis in African populations have revealed complex host‒pathogen interactions with implications for therapeutic development and HIV acquisition risk. Objective This scoping review synthesized evidence...
Adolescents’ sexual health during the COVID-19 outbreak: A systematic review
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly disrupted adolescents’ access to sexual health services, resulting in a decline in their overall sexual well-being. This systematic review explored adolescent sexual...
Efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine in immunocompromised patients: A targeted literature review
Individuals who are immunocompromised (IIC) may have impaired infection prevention/resolution, potentially causing increased disease severity, complications, and healthcare-system strain. Exclusion of IIC from COVID-19 vaccine trials and limited real-world Novavax...
Pneumocystis infection in pregnant women: A scoping review
Pneumocystis jirovecii is an opportunistic fungus that causes severe pneumonia in immunosuppressed individuals. While Pneumocystis colonization, a subclinical form of infection, has been studied in different populations, its implications during...
Exploring a rare association: Systematic review of hypercalcemia in nontuberculous mycobacterial infections
Hypercalcemia represents a rare complication of nontuberculous Mycobacterium (NTM) infections, particularly in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positivity. This systematic review examines NTM infections associated with hypercalcemia, including the...
The association between HIV/AIDS, ototoxicity of its treatments, and occupational noise induced hearing loss: A narrative review mapping the existing literature and identifying research gaps
Hearing loss remains a significant but underexplored health challenge in individuals with HIV/AIDS, particularly those exposed to occupational noise. The ototoxic effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and comorbid conditions like...
Aging and HIV: Recent findings in contributing factors
Background: Aging among people living with HIV (PLWH) presents multifaceted challenges influenced by antiretroviral therapy (ART), chronic inflammation, viral coinfections, stigma, multimorbidity, and immunosuppression. Methods: This review synthesizes recent research...
