Markers of Environmental Enteric Dysfunction are Associated with Poor Growth and Developmental Outcomes among Young Children in Lusaka, Zambia.

Objective: To examine cross-sectional relationships between biomarkers of environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), an acquired subclinical condition of the small intestine, and anthropometric and developmental outcomes among children in Lusaka, Zambia.

Study Design: Serum samples were collected from 240 children aged 27 to 35 months enrolled in a cluster-randomized trial assessing the effects of growth charts and small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements on linear growth. Samples were analyzed using the 11-plex Micronutrient and EED Assessment Tool, which incorporates 2 biomarkers of EED, namely intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP), a marker of epithelial damage, and soluble CD14 (sCD14), a marker of microbial translocation.

Field performance evaluation of dual rapid HIV and syphilis tests in three antenatal care clinics in Zambia.

This cross-sectional study of 3212 pregnant women assessed the field performance, acceptability, and feasibility of two dual HIV/syphilis rapid diagnostic tests, the Chembio DPP HIV-syphilis Assay and the SD Bioline HIV/syphilis Duo in antenatal clinics. Sensitivity and specificity for HIV and syphilis were calculated compared to the rapid Determine HIV-1/2 with Uni-Gold to confirm positive results for HIV and the Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay for syphilis. RPR titers ≥1:4 were used to define active syphilis detection.

A Preliminary Assessment of Rotavirus Vaccine Effectiveness in Zambia.

Background: Diarrhea is the third leading cause of child death in Zambia. Up to one-third of diarrhea cases resulting in hospitalization and/or death are caused by vaccine-preventable rotavirus. In January 2012, Zambia initiated a pilot introduction of the Rotarix live, oral rotavirus vaccine in all public health facilities in Lusaka Province.