Category Archives: Testing
Workplace programmes for HIV and tuberculosis: A systematic review to support development of international guidelines for the health workforce
The health service sector has a vital role to play in delivering human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) prevention, treatment and care, yet evidence indicates that healthcare workers (HCWs)...
Nursing research and the prevention of infectious diseases among vulnerable populations
Racial and ethnic minorities, women and infants, youth, and other special needs populations have been found to be disproportionately affected by infectious disease morbidity and mortality, particularly Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome/Acquired...
Levels of salivary IgA antibodies to Candida spp. in HIV-infected adult patients: A systematic review
Objective: To perform a systematic review of published data with the aim of evaluating the levels of IgA antibodies to Candida albicans in HIV-infected adult patients. Methods: The search strategy...
Quality and reporting of diagnostic accuracy studies in TB, HIV and malaria: Evaluation using QUADAS and STARD standards
Background: Poor methodological quality and reporting are known concerns with diagnostic accuracy studies. In 2003, the QUADAS tool and the STARD standards were published for evaluating the quality and improving...
Improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of TB among people living with HIV: The role of operational research
Operational research is necessary to improve the access to and delivery of tuberculosis prevention, diagnosis and treatment interventions for people living with HIV. We conducted an extensive review of the...
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...
Pulmonary tuberculosis in severely-malnourished or HIV-infected children with pneumonia: A review
Presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) as acute pneumonia in severely-malnourished and HIV-positive children has received very little attention, although this is very important in the management of pneumonia in children...
A systematic review of the screening accuracy of the HIV Dementia Scale and International HIV Dementia Scale
BACKGROUND: The HIV Dementia Scale (HDS) and International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS) are brief tools that have been developed to screen for and aid diagnosis of HIV-associated dementia (HAD). They...
Efficacy of anti-leishmania therapy in visceral leishmaniasis among HIV infected patients: A systematic review with indirect comparison
OBJECTIVE: We conducted a systematic literature review with indirect comparison of studies evaluating therapeutic efficacy and toxicity associated to visceral leishmaniasis (VL) therapy among HIV infected individuals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS:...
Evidence behind the WHO guidelines: Hospital care for children: What is the role of HIV antigen testing in infants < 12-months old?
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,...