Publications by authors named "Nirali Soni"

Rats are major reservoirs for pathogenic , the bacteria causing leptospirosis, particularly in urban informal settlements. However, the impact of variation in rat abundance and pathogen shedding rates on spillover transmission to humans remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate how spatial variation in reservoir abundance and pathogen pressure affect spillover transmission to humans in a Brazilian urban informal settlement.

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Introduction: HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a promising strategy to improve diagnosis coverage among key populations (KP). The ATLAS (Auto Test VIH, Libre d'Accéder à la connaissance de son Statut) programme implemented HIVST in three West African countries, distributing over 380,000 kits up between 2019 and 2021, focussing on community-led distribution by KP to their peers and subsequent secondary distribution to their partners and clients. We aim to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of community-led HIVST in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Senegal.

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Article Synopsis
  • The ATLAS program distributed approximately 380,000 HIV self-testing kits to high-risk populations in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal between 2019-2021 to improve HIV diagnosis and treatment coverage.
  • A deterministic compartmental model was used to estimate the impacts of the ATLAS program and future scale-up of HIV self-testing on HIV diagnoses, treatment initiation, incidence, and related mortality among key populations.
  • The model predicted that ATLAS could result in around 1,500 additional HIV diagnoses across the three countries during 2019-2021, significantly contributing to increased awareness and potential treatment for HIV.
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Objectives: To estimate the epidemiological impact of past HIV interventions and the magnitude and contribution of undiagnosed HIV among different risk groups on new HIV acquisitions in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Senegal.

Design: HIV transmission dynamic models among the overall population and key populations [female sex workers (FSW), their clients, and MSM].

Methods: Models were independently parameterized and calibrated for each set of country-specific demographic, behavioural, and epidemiological data.

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Article Synopsis
  • Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in Africa face significant barriers to HIV prevention and treatment, which contributes to their higher rates of HIV infection.
  • A systematic review of studies from 1980 to 2023 found that while HIV testing among MSM has increased, with 73% having ever tested by 2020, only half were aware of their HIV status.
  • Current use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved, with 73% of MSM living with HIV on ART, but viral suppression rates remain low at 69%, and no significant decrease in HIV incidence was observed.
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Background: In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched its initiative to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem. To inform global efforts for countries with high HIV and cervical cancer burden, we assessed the impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and cervical cancer screening and treatment in South Africa, on cervical cancer and the potential for achieving elimination before 2120, considering faster HPV disease progression and higher cervical cancer risk among women living with HIV(WLHIV) and HIV interventions.

Methods: Three independent transmission-dynamic models simulating HIV and HPV infections and disease progression were used to predict the impact on cervical cancer incidence of three scenarios for all women: 1) girls' vaccination (9-14 years old), 2) girls' vaccination plus 1 lifetime cervical screen (at 35 years), and 3) girls' vaccination plus 2 lifetime cervical screens (at 35 and 45 years) and three enhanced scenarios for WLHIV: 4) vaccination of young WLHIV aged 15-24 years, 5) three-yearly cervical screening of WLHIV aged 15-49 years, or 6) both.

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Background: Vaccines have been demonstrated to protect against high-risk human papillomavirus infection (HPV), including HPV-16/18, and cervical lesions among HIV negative women. However, their efficacy remains uncertain for people living with HIV (PLHIV).We systematically reviewed available evidence on HPV vaccine on immunological, virological, or other biological outcomes in PLHIV.

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Monitoring progress towards the UNAIDS 'first 90' target requires accurate estimates of levels of diagnosis among people living with HIV (PLHIV), which is often estimated using self-report. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis quantifying under-reporting of known HIV-positive status using objective knowledge proxies. Databases were searched for studies providing self-reported and biological/clinical markers of prior knowledge of HIV-positive status among PLHIV.

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We examined the effects of adjunctive lacosamide (LCM) on mood and quality of life (QOL) in adult patients with partial-onset seizures in a prospective, controlled, single-blind study. Patients in whom LCM was added to their AED regimen for clinical indications comprised the LCM group (n=18), while the control group (n=32) comprised patients on ≥2 AEDs with anticipated stable dosing for the duration of the study. Profile of Mood States (POMS) and QOLIE-89 were used to assess mood and QOL at enrollment and 12-16weeks later.

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