Diseases

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious illness worldwide. While guidelines for the treatment of COVID-19 have been established, the understanding of the relationship among neutralizing antibodies, cytokines, and the combined use of antiviral medications, steroid drugs, and convalescent plasma therapy remains limited. Here, we investigated the connection between the immunological response and the efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy in COVID-19 patients with moderate-to-severe pneumonia. The study included a retrospective analysis of 49 patients aged 35 to 57. We conducted clinical assessments to determine antibody levels, biochemical markers, and cytokine levels. Among the patients, 48 (98%) were discharged, while one died. We observed significantly higher levels of anti-nucleocapsid, anti-spike, and neutralizing antibodies on days 3, 7, and 14 after the transfusion compared to before treatment. Serum CRP and D-dimer levels varied significantly across these four time points. Moreover, convalescent plasma therapy demonstrated an immunoregulatory effect on cytokine parameters, with significant differences in IFN-β, IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-α levels observed at different sampling times. Evaluating the cytokine signature, along with standard clinical and laboratory parameters, may help to identify the onset of a cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients and determine the appropriate indication for anti-cytokine treatment. Full article

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most frequent etiological factors of lower respiratory tract infections in children, potentially affecting patients’ quality of life (QoL). We aimed to asses QoL in children under 2 years of age hospitalized due to laboratory-confirmed RSV infection. Methods: A QoL was assessed by parents/tutors with the use of the 100-point visual analog scale and compared against a disease-free period. We evaluated the median utility, QoL loss (reported in days), and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) loss in relation to RSV hospitalization. Results: We included 132 patients aged from 17 days to 24 months (median 3.8 months). The mean utility during the hospitalization varied between 0.418 and 0.952, with a median of 0.679 (95%CI: 0.6–0.757) and median loss of 0.321 [0.243–0.4], which further translated into a loss of 2.2 days (95%CI: 1.6–3.1). The QALY loss varied between 0.526 × 10⁻³ and 24.658 × 10⁻³, with a median of 6.03 × 10⁻³ (95%CI: 4.38–8.48 × 10⁻³). Based upon the final diagnoses, the highest QALY loss was 6.99 × 10⁻³ (95%CI: 5.29–13.7 × 10⁻³) for pneumonia, followed by bronchiolitis—5.96 × 10⁻³ (4.25–8.41 × 10⁻³) and bronchitis—4.92 × 10⁻³ (2.93–6.03 × 10⁻³); significant differences were observed only between bronchitis and pneumonia (p = 0.0171); the QALY loss was not age-dependent. Although an increasing tendency in the utility score was observed, a strong cumulative effect related to the length of stay was noted until day 13. Conclusions: RSV contributes significantly to the utility deterioration and QALY loss in the case of RSV hospitalization, and the patient-reported data should be used in pharmacoeconomic assessments of the impact of RSV. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate a potential correlation between results of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and the auxological/metabolic parameters in a cohort of overweight patients assessed for suspicion of hyperinsulinism. We analyzed 206 patients, comparing those with insulin peak below (nonhyperinsulinemic) and over 100 uIU/mL (hyperinsulinemic) at the OGTT. We found a significant difference in weight (p = 0.037), body mass index (BMI, p < 0.001) and BMI standard deviations (SD, p < 0.001), waist circumference (p = 0.001), hip circumference (p = 0.001), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR, p = 0.016) between the two groups. Analyzing the median insulin value during OGTT in the whole population, a weakly positive correlation emerged with weight SD (p < 0.001; rho = 0.292) and a moderate positive correlation with BMI SD (p < 0.001; rho = 0.323). We also found a weakly positive correlation with waist circumference (p = 0.001; rho = 0.214), hip circumference (p = 0.001; rho = 0.217), and WHTR (p = 0.016; rho = 0.209) and a moderate positive correlation with the HOMA index (p < 0.001; rho = 0.683). The median insulin value correlates with high triglyceride (p < 0.001; rho = 0.266) and triiodothyronine values (p = 0.003; rho = 0.193) and with low HDL values (p < 0.001; rho = −0.272). In clinical practice the interpretation of laboratory and anthropometric parameters could predict the level of insulin, highlighting also a possible underlying diagnosis of insulin resistance and/or hyperinsulinemia without performing an OGTT. Full article

The aim of this review is to determine the safety and efficacy of pre-operative spinal metastases embolization procedures. Two reviewers independently conducted the literature search (on MEDLINE databases), including in the review of all the studies that used pre-operative TAE to treat spinal metastases. Twelve articles on pre-operative spinal metastases embolization were selected. Most of the studies demonstrated the low complication rate of pre-operative embolization. The most important study strength is that there are very few reviews in the literature with the setting on pre-operative vertebral metastases embolization. A limitation of the review is that the studies included were predominately retrospective case-control studies, increasing the risk of bias in the primary data. Plus, divergent surgical and embolization procedures were performed in the studies, causing a potential risk of bias in the pooled results. We can conclude that preoperative arterial embolization of vertebral metastases is a safe, well-tolerated technique that reduces surgical blood loss and facilitates surgical tumor resection. Full article

An aneurysmal fibrous histiocytoma is a rare cutaneous soft-tissue tumour which accounts for approximately 0.06% of all dermatopathologies. Metastasis is exceedingly uncommon, to the point that there have only been eight reported cases in the scientific literature. We present the case of a 25-year-old male with a primary aneurysmal fibrous histiocytoma located in the nuchal region which exhibited rapid growth and abrupt ulceration over a short time span and showed signs of locoregional aggressive infiltration. A subsequent histopathological analysis confirmed the presence of diffuse solid and cystic pulmonary metastases. Further genetic sequencing verified LAMTOR1-PRKCD fusion. This case report seeks to review the existing literature on aneurysmal fibrous histiocytoma, discuss the challenges of differential diagnosis and propose standardised diagnostic criteria. Full article

Background: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a neurological disorder that causes a traumatic anatomical discontinuity of the spinal cord. SCI can lead to paraplegia, spastic, or motor impairments. Go-karting for people with SCI is an adapted sport that is becoming increasingly popular. The purpose of this case report is to shed light on the effects of driving a go-kart on a patient with SCI-related spasticity and to deepen understanding of the possible related role of whole-body vibration (WBV) and neuroendocrine reaction. Methods: The patient was a 50-year-old male with a spastic paraplegia due to traumatic SCI. He regularly practiced go-kart racing, reporting a transient reduction in spasticity. He was evaluated before (T0), immediately after (T1), 2 weeks after (T2), and 4 weeks after (T3) a go-kart driving session. On both sides, long adductor, femoral bicep, and medial and lateral gastrocnemius spasticity was assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and tone and stiffness were assessed using MyotonPro. Results: It was observed that a go-kart driving session could reduce muscle spasticity, tone, and stiffness. Conclusions: Go-kart driving can be a valid tool to obtain results similar to those of WBV and hormone production in the reduction of spasticity. Full article

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the world’s most important health problems, affecting more than half a billion of the world’s population today, with an ever-increasing prevalence. Among the most common manifestations of diabetes are skin manifestations, with 30–70% of patients experiencing skin complications during the course of the disease. Conditions such as acanthosis nigricans, diabetic dermopathy, necrobiosis lipoidica, bacterial infections, fungal infections, skin xerosis, and metabolic prurigo are often associated with diabetes and often precede its diagnosis. We conducted a retrospective study on a group of 103 patients hospitalized between January 2018 and December 2022, in a clinic of a county hospital, using as criteria the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus complicated by cutaneous manifestations frequently associated with diabetes. The aim was to observe which are the most common manifestations and whether they correlate with data in the research literature. In the present study, manifestations such as diabetic foot (20% of patients), bacterial (35%) and fungal infections, and cutaneous xerosis (45%) were predominant. Often, the integumentary involvement may precede the diagnosis of the underlying disease. It is therefore very important to recognize, investigate and treat these manifestations as soon as possible. Full article

Introduction: The need for effective therapeutic regimens for non-critically ill patients during the COVID-19 pandemic remained largely unmet. Previous work has shown that a combination of three aromatic plants’ essential oils (CAPeo) (Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav., Origanum dictamnus L., Salvia fruticose Mill.) has remarkable in vitro antiviral activity. Given its properties, it was urgent to explore its potential in treating mild COVID-19 patients in primary care settings. Methods: A total of 69 adult patients were included in a clinical proof-of-concept (PoC) intervention study. Family physicians implemented the observational study in two arms (intervention group and control group) during three study periods (IG_{2020, n=13}, IG_{2021/22, n=25}, and CG_{2021/22, n=31}). The SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed by real-time PCR. The CAPeo mixture was administered daily for 14 days per os in the intervention group, while the control group received usual care. Results: The PoC study found that the number and frequency of general symptoms, including general fatigue, weakness, fever, and myalgia, decreased following CAPeo administration. By Day 7, the average presence (number) of symptoms decreased in comparison with Day 1 in IG (4.7 to 1.4) as well as in CG (4.0 to 3.1), representing a significant decrease in the cumulative presence in IC (−3.3 vs. −0.9, p < 0.001; η² = 0.20) on Day 7 and on Day 14 (−4.2 vs. −2.9, p = 0.027; η² = 0.08). Discussion/Conclusions: Our findings suggest that CAPeo possesses potent antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in addition tο its effect against influenza A and B and human rhinovirus HRV14 strains. The early and effective impact on alleviating key symptoms of COVID-19 may suggest this mixture can act as a complementary natural agent for patients with mild COVID-19. Full article

Childhood respiratory tract infections (RTIs) pose a significant health burden, especially in children under six years old. The main objective of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention of RTI in this population while also exploring potential effect modifiers such as age, baseline vitamin D status, and type of respiratory infection. A systematic review of the literature published up to February 2023 was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, searching PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus databases. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria, which investigated the association between vitamin D supplementation and respiratory infections in children between zero and five years old. The included studies were conducted between 2012 and 2021, encompassing a total of 2189 children from five randomized trials, two case-control studies, and one prospective cohort study. The relationship between vitamin D supplementation and the prevention of childhood RTI was not consistently observed across all included studies. Pooled results demonstrated varied effects of vitamin D supplementation on respiratory infection incidence, severity, and symptoms. Three studies reported statistically significant associations between low vitamin D levels and respiratory infections (OR = 4.90, OR = 6.97), while one study found that children who received vitamin D supplementation of 800 UI/day for 3 months during the cold season had fewer episodes of respiratory symptoms (RR = 0.55) and recovered more quickly from acute RTI. Lastly, according to one study, vitamin D intake < 80 IU/kg/day was significantly associated with the risk of acquiring pneumonia (OR 7.9) but not bronchiolitis. The remaining five studies found no statistically significant differences in infection rates or severity (p-value > 0.050). The available evidence on the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation for preventing and treating respiratory infections in children under six years old is limited, with only a few favorable effects being reported. In some cases, a dose of 80 UI/kg/day was found to provide significant protection for acute respiratory infections, although in the major trials the only benefit was a quicker recovery and fewer respiratory symptoms, with no impact on incidence and severity of respiratory infections. Nevertheless, the study protocol, the supplementation dose, and duration of supplementation had significant variations between studies, leading to inconclusive findings. Full article

Background: There is significant pathogenic and epidemiological overlap between diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This systematic review aimed to ascertain the association between OSA and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a diabetic population. Methods: The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023404126). On 15 July 2023, a comprehensive search of the literature was performed in PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus, ProQuest, and Web of Science, using keywords and synonyms of OSA, diabetes, and CVD, coupled with specific terms for different CVDs. Only observational studies that reported CVD events in diabetics (with and without OSA) were included. The quality of the studies included in the analysis was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results: In the primary literature search, 8795 studies were identified, of which 9 met the inclusion criteria and included 17,796 participants. Eight studies were eligible for meta-analysis, and a pooled risk ratio (RR) of 1.29 (95% CI = 0.91–1.83) was found for developing CVD in diabetics with OSA at a 95% prediction interval of 0.30–5.60. The included studies showed significant heterogeneity with an I² value of 91%. Conclusion: These findings show the possible association between OSA and diabetes and their impact on CVDs. Identifying and managing OSA in individuals with diabetes at an early phase could potentially reduce the risk of CVDs and its related complications. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has had significant impacts on pulmonary function. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate pulmonary function and structure in patients 40 days post-SARS-CoV-2 infection, employing an array of testing methodologies including spirometry, plethysmography, forced oscillometry, and CT scanning. It also sought to establish potential correlations between these metrics and evaluate if forced oscillometry could provide additional value in post-infective lung function assessment. A 40-day post-infection follow-up observational study was conducted involving 66 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. The results revealed decreases in FVC and FEF25–75 with the increasing severity of COVID-19. Specifically, patients with severe symptoms exhibited statistically significant decreases in FVC (mean = 86.8) compared with those with mild symptoms (mean = 106.0; p = 0.018). The FEF25–75 showed a similar trend, with severe patients exhibiting a mean of 77.7 compared with 82.9 in the mild group (p = 0.017). Furthermore, resonant frequency (RF) increased with disease severity, with the severe group exhibiting a statistically significant increase (mean = 17.4) compared with the mild group (mean = 14.3; p = 0.042). CT scans showed an increase in ground-glass opacities with disease severity, with 81.8% of severe patients demonstrating this finding (p = 0.037). Multiple regression analysis revealed that Reactance at 4 Hz (X4), Forced Expiratory Flow 25–75% (FEF25–75), and Resonant Frequency (RF) were significantly related to COVID-19 severity. Specifically, for each unit increase in these factors, the risk of the event was estimated to increase by a factor of 3.16, 2.09, and 1.90, respectively. Conversely, Resistance at 4 Hz (R4) and Airway Resistance (RAW) were found to significantly decrease the event hazard, highlighting their potential protective role. Spirometry, plethysmography, and forced oscillometry are effective in assessing these changes. Forced oscillometry may be particularly beneficial in identifying subtle changes in lung function post-COVID-19. Further studies are warranted to validate these findings and develop strategies to manage post-infective pulmonary changes in SARS-CoV-2 patients. Full article

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a highly prevalent virus with a worldwide distribution. It typically remains dormant in most individuals until reactivation. Immunocompromised states are known to be potential causes for CMV reactivation. Current research has shown a link in the decline of immigrant health among those living in the US for an extended period, though the impact of CMV on this is not clear. Methods: This study investigated the association between country of birth, duration of US residency, allostatic load, and latent cytomegalovirus infection (CMV IgG) in a sample of US adults aged 20–49. The data utilized for our analysis was obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2001 and 2004. Allostatic load, an index measuring the cumulative physiological strain on the body as it strives to regain stability in the presence of chronic stress, provided a valuable approach to assess stress within the context of CMV exposure. Logistic regression modeling was employed to estimate odds ratios and confidence intervals for the analysis. The chi-square test of association and Cramer’s V statistic were used to assess the correlation among categorical variables, while Pearson’s correlation coefficient was applied to evaluate the relationship between continuous variables. The results revealed that individuals born outside the US and those with less than 20 years of residency in the US exhibited significantly higher proportions of positive CMV IgG compared to individuals born in the US. Specifically, individuals born outside the US had more than triple the odds of CMV IgG when adjusting for the AL index (OR = 3.69, p-value = 0.0063). A similar trend was observed when examining AL risk based on the duration of US residency. Furthermore, age and sex were identified as significant predictors (p-value < 0.05) of AL risk, considering the individual’s country of birth. In summary, the findings of this study significantly enhance our comprehension of the intricate interplay between cytomegalovirus (CMV) and allostatic load (AL). The investigation sheds light on how CMV and AL interact within specific demographic contexts, providing valuable insights into the underlying risk factors for CMV infection. Full article

Introduction: Conduction disorders following aortic valve replacement therapy (AVR), either surgical or percutaneous, are related to a higher risk of complete atrioventricular block and permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI). Aim: The objective of this study was to assess risk factors regarding the incidence of new postoperative and persistent new left bundle branch block (LBBB) 1 year after the implantation of a sutureless/rapid-deployment (SURD) aortic valve prosthesis. Material and Methods: The current study included 200 consecutive patients treated with isolated or concomitant AVR between May 2014 and May 2017 at the Department of Cardiac Surgery in Pasawa with SURD aortic valve EDWARDS INTUITY Elite^TM implantation. The patients were divided according to the presence of new postoperative LBBB (67 patients, 33.5%) and persistent new LBBB 1 year after AVR (35 patients, 17.5%). A comparative analysis was performed between patients with and without new LBBB after AVR and those with and without persistent LBBB 1 year after AVR. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to extract the risk factors of LBBB occurrence. Results: Among the risk factors for the lack of new LBBB development after AVR, Euroscore II (p < 0.001) was found, while for the occurrence of persistent new LBBB 1 year after AVR, atrial fibrillation (p = 0.001), length of hospital stay (p = 0.001) and body mass index (p = 0.004) were noted. Conclusions: Patients with new or persistent new LBBB 1 year after AVR had lower mean Euroscore II and BMI values. Their stay at the hospital was also shorter. Full article

Objectives: to analyse the clinical–pathological characteristics, treatment, and evolution of uterine smooth muscle tumours with uncertain malignant potential (STUMP) diagnosed in the Salamanca University Hospital with the implementation of the 2014 WHO criteria. Materials and methods: a retrospective descriptive study of patients diagnosed with STUMP from January 2015 to March 2023 at the Salamanca University Hospital. Demographic data, preoperative clinical data, treatment, complications, therapeutic results, anatomopathological findings and recurrence time were obtained. Results: a total of four patients were identified and included in the study. The mean age at diagnosis was 48 years (range 36–67). The surgical indications were abnormal uterine bleeding, compressive symptoms, and the growth of a pelvic mass suspected to be a degenerated myoma from the residual cervix after a subtotal hysterectomy 6 years earlier. In all cases, a laparotomic procedure was performed. A total hysterectomy, sub-total hysterectomy, and the excision of the cervix with STUMP localization were accomplished in two, one, and one patient, respectively. The mean diameter of the tumour pieces was 13 cm (range 8–17 cm), with a mean volume of 816 cc (range 234–1467 cc). The mean follow-up was 47 months, with no recurrence to date. Conclusions: STUMPs are a heterogeneous group of tumours with a difficult-to-predict clinical evolution. In most cases, their diagnosis is histological after performing surgery for suspected leiomyoma. Due to their low incidence, there are no specific guidelines for their treatment and control. However, considering their potential risk of recurrence and metastasis, it is advisable to maintain six-monthly controls for 5 years and then annual controls for 5 years more. Full article

Contact force (CF) is a novel approach developed to increase the safety and efficacy of catheter ablation. However, the value of CF-sensing technology for atrial flutter (AFL) cavo-tricuspid isthmus ablation (CTIA) is inconclusive. To generate a comprehensive assessment of optimal extant data on CF for AFL, we synthesized randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies from Web of Science, SCOPUS, EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane until 29 November 2022, using the odds ratio (OR) for dichotomous outcomes and mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Two RCTs and three observational studies with a total of 376 patients were included in our analysis. CF-guided ablation was associated with (A) a higher rate of AFL recurrence (OR: 2.26 with 95% CI [1.05, 4.87]) and total CF (MD: 2.71 with 95% CI [1.28, 4.13]); (B) no effect on total procedure duration (MD: −2.88 with 95% CI [−7.48, 1.72]), fluoroscopy duration (MD: −0.96 with 95% CI [−2.24, 0.31]), and bidirectional isthmus block (BDIB) (OR: 1.50 with 95% CI [0.72, 3.11]); and (C) decreased radiofrequency (RF) duration (MD: −1.40 with 95% CI [−2.39, −0.41]). We conclude that although CF-guided CTIA was associated with increased AFL recurrence and total CF and reduced RF duration, it did not affect total procedure duration, fluoroscopy duration, or BDIB. Thus, CF-guided CTIA may not be the optimal intervention for AFL. These findings indicate the need for (A) providers to balance the benefits and risks of CF when utilizing precision medicine to develop treatment plans for individuals with AFL and (B) clinical trials investigating CF-guided catheter ablation for AFL to provide definitive evidence of optimal CF-sensing technology. Full article

In the last decade, artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-mediated technologies have undergone rapid evolution in healthcare and medicine, from apps to computer software able to analyze medical images, robotic surgery and advanced data storage system. The main aim of the present commentary is to briefly describe the evolution of AI and its applications in healthcare, particularly in nutrition and clinical biochemistry. Indeed, AI is revealing itself to be an important tool in clinical nutrition by using telematic means to self-monitor various health metrics, including blood glucose levels, body weight, heart rate, fat percentage, blood pressure, activity tracking and calorie intake trackers. In particular, the application of the most common digital technologies used in the field of nutrition as well as the employment of AI in the management of diabetes and obesity, two of the most common nutrition-related pathologies worldwide, will be presented. Full article

Decades ago, the treatment for acute myeloid leukemia relied on cytarabine and anthracycline. However, advancements in medical research have introduced targeted therapies, initially employing monoclonal antibodies such as ant-CD52 and anti-CD123, and subsequently utilizing specific inhibitors that target molecular mutations like anti-IDH1, IDH2, or FLT3. The challenge lies in determining the role of these therapeutic options, considering the inherent tumor heterogeneity associated with leukemia diagnosis and the clonal drift that this type of tumor can undergo. Targeted drugs necessitate an examination of various therapeutic targets at the individual cell level rather than assessing the entire population. It is crucial to differentiate between the prognostic value and therapeutic potential of a specific molecular target, depending on whether it is found in a terminally differentiated cell with limited proliferative potential or a stem cell with robust capabilities for both proliferation and self-renewal. However, this cell-by-cell analysis is accompanied by several challenges. Firstly, the scientific aspect poses difficulties in comparing different single cell analysis experiments despite efforts to standardize the results through various techniques. Secondly, there are practical obstacles as each individual cell experiment incurs significant financial costs and consumes a substantial amount of time. A viable solution lies in the ability to process multiple samples simultaneously, which is a distinctive feature of the cell hashing technique. In this study, we demonstrate the applicability of the cell hashing technique for analyzing acute myeloid leukemia cells. By comparing it to standard single cell analysis, we establish a strong correlation in various parameters such as quality control, gene expression, and the analysis of leukemic blast markers in patients. Consequently, this technique holds the potential to become an integral part of the biological assessment of acute myeloid leukemia, contributing to the personalized and optimized management of the disease, particularly in the context of employing targeted therapies. Full article

Taeniasis is a neglected zoonotic disease responsible for serious health disorders, such as seizures, and may even cause death. Humans are the definitive host for the three species Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), T. saginata (beef tapeworm), and T. asiatica, harboring the adult tapeworm in the small intestine. In this study, a structured questionnaire was circulated to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) regarding taeniasis among the rural and urban communities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. A total of 770 individuals participated in the study. Of the total respondents, 44.4% had little knowledge about the disease and its impact, while the majority (70%) of respondents showed a willingness to participate in elimination campaigns by providing fecal samples. Most respondents kept raw meat separated from clean utensils (81.6%) and checked the internal temperature of meat when cooking it (75.1%). Regression analysis showed a significant association between age and knowledge, especially in the 20–30 years (p < 0.05; OR 0.574) and 30 to 40 years (p < 0.05; OR 0.553) age groups, and being a resident in Rawalpindi (p < 0.05; OR 0.68) and other cities (p < 0.05; OR 2.43), except Islamabad. Income ranges of 31,000–50,000 PKR (p < 0.05; OR: 0.574), 51,000–70,000 PKR (p < 0.05; OR 0.531), and above 70,000 PKR (p < 0.05; OR 0.42) were significantly related to attitude, compared with individuals with incomes of 10,000–30,000 PKR. Income above 70,000 PKR (p < 0.05; OR 0.87) and living in an urban area (p < 0.05; OR 0.616) compared to a rural area were significant with practices. A positive attitude was observed regarding awareness and prevention of the disease. Awareness campaigns and providing health education could be key approaches to manage this disease in the general population of developing countries. Full article

Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infection is on the rise among pregnant women in northern Ghana. Mono-infection with either of these two pathogens results in unique metabolic alterations. Thus, we aimed to explicate the effects of this co-infection on the metabolome signatures of pregnant women, which would indicate the impacted metabolic pathways and provide useful prognostic or diagnostic markers. Using an MS/MS-based targeted metabolomic approach, we determined the serum metabolome in pregnant women with P. falciparum mono-infection, HBV mono-infection, P. falciparum, and HBV co-infection and in uninfected (control) women. We observed significantly decreased sphingolipid concentrations in subjects with P. falciparum mono-infection, whereas amino acids and phospholipids were decreased in subjects with HBV mono-infection. Co-infections were found to be characterized distinctively by reduced concentrations of phospholipids and hexoses (mostly glucose) as well as altered pathways that contribute to redox homeostasis. Overall, PC ae C40:1 was found to be a good discriminatory metabolite for the co-infection group. PC ae C40:1 can further be explored for use in the diagnosis and treatment of malaria and chronic hepatitis B co-morbidity as well as to distinguish co-infections from cases of mono-infections. Full article