Protocol for the systematic review of the Pneumocystis jirovecii-associated pneumonia in non-HIV immunocompromised patients.

INTRODUCTION: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is a well-known and frequent opportunistic infection in HIV patients. However, there has been an increase in the number of reports of PJP in other immunosuppressed patients with autoimmune inflammatory disorders or because of chemotherapy and high doses of steroids, especially when used in combination as part of immunosuppressive therapy. OBJECTIVE: Despite the increasing importance of PJP in non-HIV patients, there is a lack of comprehensive and updated information on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, microbiology, treatments, and prophylaxis of this infection in this population. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review is to synthesize information on these aspects, from a perspective of evidence-based medicine. METHODS: The protocol is prepared following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA-P) guidelines. We will perform a systematic review of literature published between January 2010 and July 2023, using the databases PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. In addition, manual searches will be carried out through related articles, and references to included articles. The main findings and clinical outcomes were extracted from all the eligible studies with a standardized instrument. Two authors will independently screen titles and abstracts, review full texts, and collect data. Disagreements will be resolved by discussion, and a third reviewer will decide if there is no consensus. We will synthesize the results using a narrative or a meta-analytic approach, depending on the heterogeneity of the studies. EXPECTED RESULTS: It is expected that this systematic review will provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the state-of-the-art of PJP in non-HIV patients. Furthermore, the study will highlight possible gaps in knowledge that should be addressed through new research. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we present the protocol for a systematic review which will consider all existing evidence from peer-reviewed publication sources relevant to the primary and secondary outcomes related to diagnosing and managing PJP in non-HIV patients.

Antimicrobial phytoconstituents from Azadirachta indica (neem) with potential inhibitor against FtsZ protein of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a well-known pathogen for its rapid development of multi-drug antibiotic resistance. This pathogen is responsible for numerous human diseases, particularly affecting immunocompromised and elderly patients. Hence, discovering novel therapeutics has become necessary in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. This study is focused on evaluating the potential inhibitory activity of eleven phytocompounds from Azadirachta indica against the nucleotide-binding site of the FtsZ protein of P. aeruginosa through a cheminformatics approach. FtsZ is an indispensable and highly conserved protein in prokaryotic cell division. Docking studies revealed favourable binding energies (ΔG= - 8.3 to - 5.4 kcal/mol) for all selected phytoconstituents. Finally, we selected Nimbiol (CID 11119228), as a lead compound, exhibiting a binding energy (ΔG= -7.8 kcal/mol) for the target. Based on our findings, Nimbiol shows potential as an anti-FtsZ compound, making it a promising candidate for further in vitro and in vivo investigations to assess its antimicrobial activity.

Amebas de Vida Libre aisladas en aguas superficiales del municipio de Turbaco, Bolívar-Colombia / Free-living amoebae isolated from surface water in the municipality of Turbaco, Bolívar, Colombia

Introducción: las amebas de vida libre (AVL) han sido aisladas de hábitat incluyendo: agua, suelo y vegetación. Los cambios ecológicos y la incursión de estos hábitats, han hecho que puedan invadir un hospedero y vivir como parásitos dentro de él. Por esto, las especies de los géneros Acanthamoeba y Naegleria han sido asociadas con infecciones oportunistas. Objetivo: evaluar la presencia de las amebas de vida libre en fuentes de agua natural en el municipio de Turbaco, con el fin de que sean consideradas en la conducta diagnóstica y terapéutica por las entidades de salud pertinentes. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal en los arroyos Matute, Mameyal y Cucumán del municipio de Turbaco - Bolívar. La identificación se hizo mediante el estudio de los frescos de las fuentes de agua observando características morfológicas de las amebas. Resultados: de un total de 54 muestras se obtuvo una positividad del 55,5 por ciento para una o más AVL. Con mayor frecuencia Naegleria sp con un 44,4 por ciento y Acanthamoeba sp, en un 7,4 por ciento. Además, se encontraron otros microorganismos responsables de parasitosis intestinales como: Giardia intestinalis, Blastocystis hominis y Retortomonas intestinalis. Conclusión: los arroyos estudiados son hábitat de las AVL, demostrando que están presentes en el ambiente y que son frecuentes en zonas donde el ser humano suele practicar ciertas actividades, sin embargo, la proporción de Naegleria sp. permite alertar aún más a la población puesto que esta ameba puede afectar a todo tipo de individuo independiente de su estado inmunológico(AU)

Introduction: free-living amoebae (FLAs) have been isolated from habitats such as water, soil and vegetation. As a result of ecological changes and incursion into these habitats, free-living amoebae have invaded hosts and settled within them as parasites. This is the reason why the species of genera Acanthamoeba and Naegleria have been associated with opportunistic diseases. Objective: determine the presence of free-living amoebae in natural water sources from the municipality of Turbaco, so they are taken into account by the corresponding health institutions in the design of diagnostic and therapeutic actions. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted of streams Matute, Mameyal and Cucumán in the municipality of Turbaco, Bolívar. Identification was based on the study of fresh water from the sources selected and observation of the morphological characteristics of amoebae. Results: of the total 54 samples, 55.5 percent tested positive for one or more FLAs. The most common were Naegleria sp with 44.4 percent and Acanthamoeba sp with 7.4 percent. Microorganisms were also found which cause intestinal parasitic disease, such as Giardia intestinalis, Blastocystis hominis and Retortomonas intestinalis. Conclusion: the streams studied are habitats for FLAs, showing that the latter are present in the environment and are common in areas where human beings perform certain activities. However, the proportion of Naegleria sp. makes it necessary to emphatically alert the population, since this amoeba may affect all individuals, irrespective of their immune status(AU)