Population structure of Salmonella enterica Typhi in Harare, Zimbabwe (2012-19) before typhoid conjugate vaccine roll-out: a genomic epidemiology study.

Background: The continued emergence of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, with ever increasing antimicrobial resistance, necessitates the use of vaccines in endemic countries. A typhoid fever outbreak in Harare, Zimbabwe, in 2018 from a multidrug resistant S Typhi with additional resistance to ciprofloxacin was the catalyst for the introduction of a typhoid conjugate vaccine programme. We aimed to investigate the emergence and evolution of antimicrobial resistance of endemic S Typhi in Zimbabwe and to determine the population structure, gene flux, and sequence polymorphisms of strains isolated before a typhoid conjugate vaccine programme to provide a baseline for future evaluation of the effect of the vaccination programme.

SARS-CoV-2 mutations on diagnostic gene targets in the second wave in Zimbabwe: A retrospective genomic analysis.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 continues to be a major issue in resource-limited settings, particularly owing to the limited supply of vaccinescaused by inequitable distribution.

Objective: To monitor diagnostic gene targets to identify potential test failures caused by mutations, which is important for public health.

Methods: Here we analysed the genome sequence of SARS-CoV-2 from the second wave in Zimbabwe.

Laboratory capacity strengthening in Zimbabwe as part of the COVID-19 response: what has worked? What still needs to be done?

The COVID-19 pandemic was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30, 2020. The government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Health and Child Care set up the COVID-19 national preparedness and response plan in which the laboratory was a key pillar. The implementation of PCR testing, genomic sequencing, and the establishment of quality management systems during the COVID-19 response strengthened the capacity of the public health laboratory system in responding to the pandemic.

R-BIND 2.0: An Updated Database of Bioactive RNA-Targeting Small Molecules and Associated RNA Secondary Structures.

Discoveries of RNA roles in cellular physiology and pathology are increasing the need for new tools that modulate the structure and function of these biomolecules, and small molecules are proving useful. In 2017, we curated the NA-targeted oactive ligad atabase (R-BIND) and discovered distinguishing physicochemical properties of RNA-targeting ligands, leading us to propose the existence of an "RNA-privileged" chemical space. Biennial updates of the database and the establishment of a website platform (rbind.