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Carshon-Marsh R, Bondy S, Witek T, Jha P. Validation of malaria-attributed deaths using verbal autopsy studies: a systematic review. Malar J 2024; 23:217. [PMID: 39030612 PMCID: PMC11264987 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-05035-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria contributes substantially to the persistent burden of child deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. Accurate and comprehensive malaria mortality data are crucial to monitor the progress in reducing malaria incidence and mortality. Verbal Autopsy (VA) ascertains the cause of death despite its limitations leading to misclassification errors. Minimally Invasive Tissue Sampling (MITS) is being conducted in some settings as an alternative to Complete Diagnostic Autopsy (CDA). The present study examines the validity of malaria-related deaths comparing VA diagnoses with those obtained through MITS and/or CDA. METHODS A comprehensive literature search for original studies in English language using Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, CINAHL via EBSCO, Scopus, The Cochrane Library via Wiley, Google Scholar and searching the MITS Surveillance Alliance papers was carried out. The reference period was January 1, 1990-March 31, 2024. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were adopted. RESULTS Among 71 articles identified in the databases, 21 matched the eligibility criteria. Qualitative syntheses showed that malaria Cause Specific Mortality Fractions (CSMFs) across various studies ranged from 2 to 31%. Plasmodium falciparum was mostly responsible for these deaths and the most common complications were anaemia and cerebral malaria. The sensitivity and specificity of the VA validation studies ranged from 18.4% to 33% and from 86.6% to 97%, respectively, and there was a high level of misclassification for both InSilico and Expert Algorithm VA for malaria compared to MITS. The overall concordance rates between MITS and CDA diagnoses ranged from 68 to 90%, with the highest concordance seen in deaths due to infectious diseases and malignant tumours. Clinical data increased diagnostic coincidence between MITS blind to clinical data and the gold standard CDA by 11%. CONCLUSIONS The comprehensive review finds that MITS demonstrated better accuracy compared to VA in diagnosing malaria-attributed deaths, particularly in hospital settings. The high specificity of malaria in VA diagnosis suggests population-based estimates of the proportion of deaths due to malaria are broadly plausible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Carshon-Marsh
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada.
- Centre for Global Health Research, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada.
| | - Susan Bondy
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Theodore Witek
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Prabhat Jha
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada
- Centre for Global Health Research, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada
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Molinengo L, Estrin-Serlui T, Hanley B, Osborn M, Goldin R. Infectious diseases and the role of needle biopsy post-mortem. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2024; 5:707-716. [PMID: 38604206 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(24)00044-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Post-mortem examinations continue to play a crucial role in understanding the epidemiology and pathogenesis of infectious diseases. However, the perceived infection risk can preclude traditional, invasive, complete diagnostic autopsy. Post-mortem examination is especially important in emerging infectious diseases with potentially unknown infection risks, but rapid acquisition of good quality tissue samples is needed as part of the scientific and public health response. Needle biopsy post-mortem is a minimally invasive, rapid, closed-body autopsy technique that was originally developed to minimise the infection risk to practitioners. Since its inception, needle biopsy post-mortem has also been used as a technique to support complete diagnostic autopsy provision in poorly resourced regions and to facilitate post-mortem examinations in communities that might have religious or cultural objections to an invasive autopsy. This Review analyses the evolution and applicability of needle biopsy post-mortem in investigating endemic and emerging infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Molinengo
- Cellular Pathology Department, Northwest London Pathology hosted by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK.
| | - Theodore Estrin-Serlui
- Cellular Pathology Department, Northwest London Pathology hosted by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK
| | - Brian Hanley
- Cellular Pathology Department, Northwest London Pathology hosted by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK; Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK; Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Michael Osborn
- Cellular Pathology Department, Northwest London Pathology hosted by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK
| | - Robert Goldin
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College, London, UK
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Ogbuanu IU, Otieno K, Varo R, Sow SO, Ojulong J, Duduyemi B, Kowuor D, Cain CJ, Rogena EA, Onyango D, Akelo V, Tippett Barr BA, terKuile F, Kotloff KL, Tapia MD, Keita AM, Juma J, Assefa N, Assegid N, Acham Y, Madrid L, Scott JAG, Arifeen SE, Gurley ES, Mahtab S, Dangor Z, Wadula J, Dutoit J, Madhi SA, Mandomando I, Torres-Fernandez D, Kincardett M, Mabunda R, Mutevedzi P, Madewell ZJ, Blau DM, Whitney CG, Samuels AM, Bassat Q. Burden of child mortality from malaria in high endemic areas: Results from the CHAMPS network using minimally invasive tissue sampling. J Infect 2024; 88:106107. [PMID: 38290664 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria is a leading cause of childhood mortality worldwide. However, accurate estimates of malaria prevalence and causality among patients who die at the country level are lacking due to the limited specificity of diagnostic tools used to attribute etiologies. Accurate estimates are crucial for prioritizing interventions and resources aimed at reducing malaria-related mortality. METHODS Seven Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) Network sites collected comprehensive data on stillbirths and children <5 years, using minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS). A DeCoDe (Determination of Cause of Death) panel employed standardized protocols for assigning underlying, intermediate, and immediate causes of death, integrating sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory (including extensive microbiology, histopathology, and malaria testing), and verbal autopsy data. Analyses were conducted to ascertain the strength of evidence for cause of death (CoD), describe factors associated with malaria-related deaths, estimate malaria-specific mortality, and assess the proportion of preventable deaths. FINDINGS Between December 3, 2016, and December 31, 2022, 2673 deaths underwent MITS and had a CoD attributed from four CHAMPS sites with at least 1 malaria-attributed death. No malaria-attributable deaths were documented among 891 stillbirths or 924 neonatal deaths, therefore this analysis concentrates on the remaining 858 deaths among children aged 1-59 months. Malaria was in the causal chain for 42.9% (126/294) of deaths from Sierra Leone, 31.4% (96/306) in Kenya, 18.2% (36/198) in Mozambique, 6.7% (4/60) in Mali, and 0.3% (1/292) in South Africa. Compared to non-malaria related deaths, malaria-related deaths skewed towards older infants and children (p < 0.001), with 71.0% among ages 12-59 months. Malaria was the sole infecting pathogen in 184 (70.2%) of malaria-attributed deaths, whereas bacterial and viral co-infections were identified in the causal pathway in 24·0% and 12.2% of cases, respectively. Malnutrition was found at a similar level in the causal pathway of both malaria (26.7%) and non-malaria (30.7%, p = 0.256) deaths. Less than two-thirds (164/262; 62.6%) of malaria deaths had received antimalarials prior to death. Nearly all (98·9%) malaria-related deaths were deemed preventable. INTERPRETATION Malaria remains a significant cause of childhood mortality in the CHAMPS malaria-endemic sites. The high bacterial co-infection prevalence among malaria deaths underscores the potential benefits of antibiotics for severe malaria patients. Compared to non-malaria deaths, many of malaria-attributed deaths are preventable through accessible malaria control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kephas Otieno
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Rosauro Varo
- ISGlobal - Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça [CISM], Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Samba O Sow
- Centre pour le Développement des Vaccins (CVD-Mali), Ministère de la Santé, Bamako, Mali
| | | | - Babatunde Duduyemi
- University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospital Complex, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | | | | | - Emily A Rogena
- School of Medicine, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Juja, Kenya
| | | | - Victor Akelo
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention--Kenya, Kisumu, Kenya
| | | | - Feiko terKuile
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Karen L Kotloff
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Milagritos D Tapia
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adama Mamby Keita
- Centre pour le Développement des Vaccins (CVD-Mali), Ministère de la Santé, Bamako, Mali
| | - Jane Juma
- Centre pour le Développement des Vaccins (CVD-Mali), Ministère de la Santé, Bamako, Mali
| | - Nega Assefa
- College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nardos Assegid
- College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
| | - Yenework Acham
- College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
| | - Lola Madrid
- College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - J Anthony G Scott
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Shams El Arifeen
- International Center for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research (ICDDR,B), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Emily S Gurley
- International Center for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research (ICDDR,B), Dhaka, Bangladesh; Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sana Mahtab
- South African Medical Research Council Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ziyaad Dangor
- South African Medical Research Council Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jeannette Wadula
- South African Medical Research Council Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jeanie Dutoit
- South African Medical Research Council Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Shabir A Madhi
- South African Medical Research Council Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Wits Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Inácio Mandomando
- ISGlobal - Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça [CISM], Maputo, Mozambique; Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Ministério de Saúde, Maputo, Moçambique
| | - David Torres-Fernandez
- ISGlobal - Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça [CISM], Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Milton Kincardett
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça [CISM], Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Rita Mabunda
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça [CISM], Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Portia Mutevedzi
- Emory Global Health Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Zachary J Madewell
- Global Health Center, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dianna M Blau
- Global Health Center, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Aaron M Samuels
- Global Health Center, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA; Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Quique Bassat
- ISGlobal - Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça [CISM], Maputo, Mozambique; ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain; Pediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Universitat de Barcelona, Esplugues, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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