Urea breath test for Helicobacter pylori infection in adult dyspeptic patients: A meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy

BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)infection has been well-established as a significant risk factor for several gastrointestinal disorders.The urea breath test(UBT)has emerged as a leading non-invasive method for detecting H.pylori.Despite numerous studies confirming its substantial accuracy,the reliability of UBT results is often compromised by inherent limitations.These findings underscore the need for a rigorous statistical synthesis to clarify and reconcile the diagnostic accuracy of the UBT for the diagnosis of H.pylori infection.AIM To determine and compare the diagnostic accuracy of 13C-UBT and 14C-UBT for H.pylori infection in adult patients with dyspepsia.METHODS We conducted an independent search of the PubMed/MEDLINE,EMBASE,and Cochrane Central databases until April 2022.Our search included diagnostic accuracy studies that evaluated at least one of the index tests(^(13)C-UBT or ^(14)C-UBT)against a reference standard.We used the QUADAS-2 tool to assess the methodo-logical quality of the studies.We utilized the bivariate random-effects model to calculate sensitivity,specificity,positive and negative test likelihood ratios(LR+and LR-),as well as the diagnostic odds ratio(DOR),and their 95%confidence intervals.We conducted subgroup analyses based on urea dosing,time after urea administration,and assessment technique.To investigate a possible threshold effect,we conducted Spearman correlation analysis,and we generated summary receiver operating characteristic(SROC)curves to assess heterogeneity.Finally,we visually inspected a funnel plot and used Egger’s test to evaluate publication bias.endorsing both as reliable diagnostic tools in clinical practice.CONCLUSION In summary,our study has demonstrated that ^(13)C-UBT has been found to outperform the ^(14)C-UBT,making it the preferred diagnostic approach.Additionally,our results emphasize the significance of carefully considering urea dosage,assessment timing,and measurement techniques for both tests to enhance diagnostic precision.Nevertheless,it is crucial for researchers and clinicians to evaluate the strengths and limitations of our findings before implementing them in practice.

Performance of a serological IgM and IgG qualitative test for COVID-19 diagnosis:An experimental study in Brazil

Qualitative antibody tests are an easy,point-of-care diagnostic method that is useful in diagnosing coronavirus disease 2019,especially in situations where reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction is negative.However,some factors are able to affect its sensitivity and accuracy,which may contribute to these tests not being used as a first-line diagnostic tool.

Correction to“Performance of a serological IgM and IgG qualitative test for COVID-19 diagnosis:An experimental study in Brazil”

Correction to“Freire de Melo F,Martins Oliveira Diniz L,Nélio Januário J,Fernando Gonçalves Ferreira J,Dórea RSDM,de Brito BB,Marques HS,Lemos FFB,Silva Luz M,Rocha Pinheiro SL,de Magalhães Queiroz DM.Performance of a serological IgM and IgG qualitative test for COVID-19 diagnosis:An experimental study in Brazil.World J Exp Med 2022;12(5):100-103[PMID:36196438 DOI:10.5493/wjem.v12.i5.100]”.In this article,we identified an issue with the“Acknowledgments”section.Here,we then provide a recognition section for our supporting institutions.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in a Brazilian public hospital

BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has become a major health concern worldwide.In that context,the understanding of epidemiological and clinical features associated with the disease and its severity is crucial for the establishment of strategies aimed at disease control and remedy.AIM To describe epidemiological features,signs,symptoms,and laboratory findings among severely ill COVID-19 patients from an inten-sive care unit in northeastern Brazil as well as to evaluate predictor factors for disease outcomes.METHODS This is a prospective single-center study that evaluated 115 patients admitted to the intensive care unit in a northeastern Brazilian hospital.RESULTS The patients had a median age of 65.60±15.78 years.Dyspnea was the most frequent symptom,affecting 73.9%of the patients,followed by cough(54.7%).Fever was reported in approximately one-third of patients and myalgia in 20.8%of the patients.At least two comorbidities were found in 41.7%of the patients,and hypertension was the most prevalent(57.3%).In addition,having two or more comorbidities was a predictor of mortality,and lower platelet count was positively associated with death.Nausea and vomiting were two symptoms that were predictors of death,and the presence of a cough was a protective factor.CONCLUSION This is the first report of a negative correlation between cough and death in severely ill severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-infected individuals.The associations between comorbidities,advanced age,and low platelet count and the outcomes of the infection were similar to the results of previous studies,highlighting the relevance of these features.

Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in children:A systematic review

BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)infection is predominantly acquired in childhood.When indicated,the most accepted treatment for H.pylori eradication in this age group is first-line triple therapy.However,the increasing resistance to clarithromycin and nitroimidazoles has been associated with treatment failure,and thus,alternative treatment regimens have been proposed.AIM To perform a systematic review of randomized controlled trials on treatment regimens for H.pylori infection in children.METHODS We surveyed relevant articles published in English from 2010 to April 2020 in the PubMed and MEDLINE databases.Keywords included“Helicobacter pylori“/”children or childhood“/”treatment or eradication.”The risk of bias was evaluated according to the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews for Interventions.RESULTS Among the 1144 records identified through the database,20 articles were selected.Four studies compared the eradication rates of H.pylori infection between standard triple therapies,changing only the main antibiotic used.Seven studies evaluated the effectiveness of standard triple therapy with the addition of probiotics.One study investigated the relationship between the effectiveness in the eradication rates of standard triple therapy and vitamin E levels.Six studies analyzed the eradication rates of sequential therapy.CONCLUSION The findings suggest that although standard triple therapy is the most recommended regimen for children by the current guidelines,other therapeutic schemes have shown promising results and may also be recommended for clinical practice in the future.

COVID-19 and dengue coinfection in Brazil

The case we present here is a man who lives in a dengue-endemic area.Initially,the patient was diagnosed with dengue fever by clinical evaluation and laboratorial confirmation.Subsequently,he presented respiratory symptoms,and a concomitant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection was confirmed.He was hospitalized for 17 d and had a satisfactory recovery.