Category Archives: Co-infections
Systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of fibrosis marker panels in patients with HIV/hepatitis C coinfection
BACKGROUND: Accurately staging hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related fibrosis is crucial for treatment decisions and prognostication. Our objective was to systematically review studies describing the accuracy of serum marker panels for...
Development of a standardized screening rule for tuberculosis in people living with HIV in resource-constrained settings: Individual participant data meta-analysis of observational studies
The World Health Organization recommends the screening of all people living with HIV for tuberculosis (TB) disease, followed by TB treatment, or isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) when TB is excluded....
A meta-analysis of drug resistant tuberculosis in Sub-Saharan Africa: How strongly associated with previous treatment and HIV co-infection?
BACKGROUND: In Sub-Saharan Africa, the fight against tuberculosis (TB) has encountered a great challenge because of the emergence of drug resistant TB strains and the high prevalence of HIV infection....
Is HIV infection a risk factor for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis? A systematic review
BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is an important cause of human suffering and death. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB), and extensive drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) have emerged as threats...
Community-acquired bloodstream infections in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Data on the prevalence and causes of community-acquired bloodstream infections in Africa are scarce. We searched three databases for studies that prospectively studied patients admitted to hospital with at least...
Terbinafine in the treatment of onychomycosis: A review of its efficacy in high-risk populations and in patients with nondermatophyte infections
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of onychomycosis is higher in certain high-risk populations, such as the immunocompromised, diabetics and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients. These patients can also develop onychomycosis due to...
Effect of race and/or ethnicity in use of antiretrovirals and prophylaxis for opportunistic infection: A review of the literature
OBJECTIVE: The authors performed a systematic and critical review of published studies investigating potential associations between race and/or ethnicity and use of HIV-related medications, including antiretroviral medications and medications used...
Periodic presumptive treatment of curable sexually transmitted infections among sex workers: A systematic review
BACKGROUND: Unprotected sex work remains a major driver of HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) epidemics in many countries. STI treatment can lower disease burden, complications and prevalence of HIV cofactors. Periodic...
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...
Influenza vaccination for immunocompromised patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis from a public health policy perspective
BACKGROUND: Immunocompromised patients are vulnerable to severe or complicated influenza infection. Vaccination is widely recommended for this group. This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses influenza vaccination for immunocompromised patients in...
