An investigation of the correlation of vitamin D status and management outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19 at a South African tertiary hospital.

Background: Severe COVID-19 has a poor prognosis, and biomarkers may predict disease severity. This study aimed to assess the effect of baseline Vitamin D (VitD) inadequacy on outcome of patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) in a tertiary hospital in South Africa.

Methods: Patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 were recruited during wave II of the pandemic in Cape Town.

Diagnosis of Chikungunya Virus in Febrile Patients From a Malaria Holoendemic Area.

Introduction: Accurate diagnosis of chikungunya (CHIK) is essential for effective disease management and surveillance. In a cohort of febrile Congolese patients, available diagnostic methods widely used in CHIK diagnosis were evaluated. In addition, plasma cytokines were quantified in CHIK patients and those coinfected with malaria compared with healthy controls.

The cursed duet today: Tuberculosis and HIV-coinfection.

The tuberculosis (TB) and HIV syndemic continues to rage and are a major public health concern worldwide. This deadly association raises complexity and represent a significant barrier towards TB elimination. TB continues to be the leading cause of death amongst HIV-infected people.

Educational outreach to promote screening for tuberculosis in primary care: a cluster randomised controlled trial.

Background: Tuberculosis is re-emerging as an important health problem in industrialised countries. Uncertainty surrounds the effect of public-health control options. We therefore aimed to assess a programme to promote screening for tuberculosis in a UK primary health care district.

Effect of cotrimoxazole on causes of death, hospital admissions and antibiotic use in HIV-infected children.

Background: Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis reduces morbidity and mortality in HIV-1-infected children, but mechanisms for these benefits are unclear.

Methods: CHAP was a randomized trial comparing cotrimoxazole prophylaxis with placebo in HIV-infected children in Zambia where background bacterial resistance to cotrimoxazole is high. We compared causes of mortality and hospital admissions, and antibiotic use between randomized groups.