BackgroundSwitzerland recommends individuals who originate from high-prevalence countries to be screened for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, not all these persons are equally at risk. We thus aimed to describe the number and characteristics of persons with HCV infection born outside of Switzerland.MethodsWe compared characteristics of anti-HCV-positive individuals in the Swiss Hepatitis C Cohort Study (SCCS) and of HCV cases reported to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), with those of the general population in Switzerland. Persons who inject drugs (PWID) and persons who do not inject drugs (non-PWID) were compared by age groups for different countries of origin (represented by ≥1% of participants in the SCCS or FOPH).ResultsWe included 4,199 persons from the SCCS and 26,610 cases from the FOPH. Both groups had similar characteristics. In both data sources non-PWID were more frequent in foreign-born than in Swiss-born persons (63% versus 34% in the SCCS). The only subgroup with a clearly higher proportion both in the SCCS and FOPH than in the general population were persons over 60 years from Italy and Spain, with a 3.7- and 2.8-fold increase in the SCCS. These persons were non-PWID (99%), less frequently HIV- and anti-HBc positive and more often female than PWID from Italy and Spain; cirrhosis at enrolment was frequent (31%). Their HCV genotypes were consistent with those observed in elderly non-PWID of their birth countries. In the FOPH a higher proportion than in the general population was also seen for cases from Georgia and Russia.ConclusionThe identification of subgroups in which HCV infection is particularly frequent might allow for better targeting HCV screening among foreign-born persons in Switzerland and elsewhere.
Acid gas removal from gaseous streams such as flue gas, natural gas and biogas is mainly performed by chemical absorption with amines, but the process is highly energy intensive and can generate emissions of harmful compounds to the atmosphere. Considering the emerging interest in carbon capture, mainly associated with increasing environmental concerns, there is much current effort to develop innovative solvents able to lower the energy and environmental impact of the acid gas removal processes. To be competitive, the new blends must show a CO2 uptake capacity comparable to the one of the traditional MEA benchmark solution. In this work, a review of the state of the art of attractive solvents alternative to the traditional MEA amine blend for acid gas removal is presented. These novel solvents are classified into three main classes: biphasic blends—involving the formation of two liquid phases, water-lean solvents and green solvents. For each solvent, the peculiar features, the level of technological development and the main expected pros and cons are discussed. At the end, a summary on the most promising perspectives and on the major limitations is provided.
BackgroundMycoplasma genitalium causes urethritis in men and cervicitis in women but characteristics of the infection have not been systematically reviewed.ObjectivesTo determine the incidence, persistence and transmissibility of M. genitalium and its role in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).MethodsWe searched Medline, EMBASE, LILACS, IndMed and African Index Medicus. Two investigators selected studies and extracted data independently. We examined the findings in forest plots and assessed heterogeneity using the I2 statistic. We conducted meta-analysis if appropriate.ResultsOf 4355 abstracts we included 6, 5, 9 and 3 studies about incidence, persistence, transmissibility and PID respectively. Study designs were heterogeneous. In high income countries the pooled incidence was 1.1 per 100 person-years (95% CI, 0.5 to 1.7, I2 28.3%, 3 studies). The proportion of infected people who cleared infection were 50% after 2.5 months and <90% after 8 months but in one study 25.9% had persistent infection after a median of 16 months. In studies of people with M. genitalium the proportion of sexual partners also infected was 55% (95% CI 40 to 70%, I2 61.5%) and in cross-sectional studies 1 to 22% of couples were concordantly infected. Two cohort studies found PID more commonly in women with M. genitalium than in uninfected women (risk ratios 2.4, 95% CI 0.7 to 7.5 and 1.6, 95% CI 0.8 to 3.1).DiscussionFurther studies of the natural history of M. genitalium are warranted. These estimates can be used in mathematical modelling studies of M. genitalium dynamics.
BackgroundMycoplasma genitalium is a common cause of non-gonococcal non-chlamydial urethritis but prevalence rates in asymptomatic populations are not well-established.ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of M. genitalium in adult women and men in general population and clinic based samples.MethodsWe searched Embase, Medline, IndMED, AIM and LILACS. We examined eligible studies in forest plots and conducted random effects meta-analysis if appropriate. Between study heterogeneity was examined by use of the I2 statistic.ResultsOf 4355 screened abstracts, 55 studies were eligible. In high income countries that described samples from the general population, prevalence estimates ranged from 0.5 to 3.3% (pooled prevalence 1.4% (95% confidence intervals, CI 0.9 to 1.9%, I2 72.2%). In three studies with population-based random sampling prevalence was 1.2% (95% CI 0.9 to 1.6%, I2 30.1%). Pooled estimates of prevalence in other populations were: pregnant women 1.2% (95% CI 0.4 to 1.9%, I2 85.1%, 4 studies); men who have sex (MSM) in the general population 2.3% (95% CI 1.6 to 3.1, I2 0%, 3 studies); and clinic-based samples of MSM 5.2% (95% CI 4.2% to 6.1%, I2 0%, 2 studies). In female sex workers in low income countries, prevalence estimates ranged from 13.2 to 26.3% (4 studies).Discussion Prevalence rates of M. genitalium in the overall general population, population-based samples of MSM and pregnant women in high income countries are low. Estimates of prevalence are higher in MSM in clinic-based samples and in female sex workers in low income countries.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.