A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of Leishmania infection in blood donors.

BACKGROUND: The risk of transfusion transmitted leishmaniasis (TTL) from apparently healthy persons or asymptomatic individuals, should not be ignored. Lack of a comprehensive review, encouraged us to design a systematic review with meta-analysis approach to assess the prevalence of Leishmania infection in healthy blood donors. METHODS: For this purpose, 6 English databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences, Science Direct, EMBASE and CINAHL) were browsed from January 1990 to July 2016. RESULTS: Due to significant heterogeneity, the random-effects model was used (I2=98.04% and 94.68%, for serological and molecular methods, respectively). A total of 496 papers were found through searching in which 17,816 apparently healthy blood donors were examined for Leishmania infection. The weighted overall prevalence of Leishmania infection in this group was estimated 4% (95% CI=2-7) and 8.7% (95% CI=4.2-14.3) using serological and molecular methods, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: High serological prevalence does not justify widespread donor screening. Leukodepletion filters would substantially decrease the risk of TTL, hence they are potentially proposed in endemic areas specifically for high-risk recipients. To better enlighten the epidemiological aspects of Leishmania infection in blood donors, it is suggested to perform high-level stewardship and more precise studies with regard to involved risk factors.

Toxoplasmosis in rodents: A systematic review and meta-analysis in Iran.

During recent years, implication of rodents in the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii is overlooked in Iran; thus, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in rodents of Iran. For this purpose, following the general methodology recommended for systematic reviews and meta-analysis, 5 English and 3 Persian databases were explored from 1 January 2000 till 10 September 2016 using related keywords. Finally, 9 out of 291 citations were met to be included in this study. Due to significant heterogeneity, the random-effects model was conducted (I2=93.55%). During the years, 661 rodents were trapped, and 121 of them were identified positive for T. gondii 15% (95% CI=5-27). Moreover, overall prevalence using direct microscopic examination (1/230), PCR-based techniques (41/246) and serological tests (83/437) was obtained 0.1% (95% CI=0.0-1.5), 18% (95% CI=4-39) and 15% (95% CI=3-33), respectively. Our study revealed the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in rodents is remarkable. Considering this fact, they play a key role in the life cycle of T. gondii and should not be neglected. Further surveys is needed to better recognize the role of various rodent species in distribution of toxoplasmosis.