Identification of complex Plasmodium falciparum genetic backgrounds circulating in Africa: a multicountry genomic epidemiology analysis.

Background: The population structure of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum can reveal underlying adaptive evolutionary processes. Selective pressures to maintain complex genetic backgrounds can encourage inbreeding, producing distinct parasite clusters identifiable by population structure analyses.

Methods: We analysed population structure in 3783 P falciparum genomes from 21 countries across Africa, provided by the MalariaGEN Pf7 dataset.

The Bacterial Species Behind the Wound and Their Antibacterial Resistant Pattern: A Three-Year Retrospective Study at St. Dominic Hospital, Akwatia, Ghana.

Background: Wound infections are often underestimated issues that can lead to chronic illnesses, and since the introduction of antibiotics, wound complications have become less common. However, due to the increased and irrational use of these antibiotics, the resistance in the bacterial isolates has become very common. This has led to reduced treatment options, delay in wound healing, and high treatment costs.

Association of first-line combination antiretroviral therapy with malaria among adult HIV-infected persons in Jos, Nigeria: a pilot cross sectional study.

Background: Malaria and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection coexist in significant numbers in some geographic areas including sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). HIV-infected patients are a World Health Organization (WHO) recognized high risk group for increased malaria morbidity. Majority of HIV-infected patients undertaking treatment in SSA are on WHO recognized first-line combination antiretroviral therapy (cART).

Epidemiology and likelihood of asymptomatic malaria among community dwellers in the Fanteakwa south district of Ghana.

Background: Data on the asymptomatic burden of malaria in endemic areas is essential for Ghana's malaria elimination efforts. Consequently, the situation of asymptomatic malaria in the Fanteakwa South District (FSD) is determined in this study. The FSD is predominantly forested with more rural than peri-urban communities.

ABO and Rhesus blood group variability and their associations with clinical malaria presentations.

Background: Plasmodium falciparum infection is associated with the human ABO blood group. However, there is a paucity of data on the role that ABO and Rhesus blood groups play in malaria clinical presentations. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the association of human ABO blood groups and the Rhesus blood (Rh) types with the severity of malaria.

The use of the WHO criteria to detect severe malaria among patients clinically diagnosed with uncomplicated malaria.

The World Health Organization (WHO) strict defining criteria were used to identify severe malaria among Ghanaian patients clinically diagnosed as uncomplicated malaria. From each study participant, blood haemoglobin (Hb) and plasma bilirubin levels were estimated using automated analyzers. According to the WHO, the criteria for diagnosing severe malaria among children (< 12 years) was assessed using Hb < 5 g/dL and among other patients ≥ 12 years, Hb < 7 g/dL with parasitemia > 10,000/μL, plasma bilirubin > 50 μmol/L amidst parasitemia > 100,000/μL and P.

Trends of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance at the Ho Teaching Hospital in Ghana.

Background: Tuberculosis remains a major public health threat worldwide, causing significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In recent years, efforts to combat tuberculosis have focused on strengthening healthcare systems and increasing access to diagnostics and treatment services. There is scarcity of data on the prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis in the Volta region of Ghana.

Faecal shedding of SARS-CoV-2 from patients with asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 without gastrointestinal symptoms in Ghana.

Objective: In this study, we sought to determine whether faecal shedding occurs among SARS-COV-2 positive Ghanaians, as reported elsewhere. Hence we assayed for SARS-COV-2 in the stools of 48 SARS-COV-2 confirmed patients at the Ho Municipal Hospital in Ghana.

Results: Of the 48 COVID-19 patients, 45 (93.

Vikil Suppresses the Proliferation of Prostate Cancer (PC-3) Cells and Quenches Free Radicals In Vitro.

Vikil is an herbal formula produced in Ghana and is widely marketed as a product to boost immunity as well as for general well-being. However, the pharmacological effect of this herbal preparation has not been proven scientifically. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating the antioxidative as well as the anti-prostate cancer effects of the product.

Comparative evaluation of the diagnostic accuracies of four different malaria rapid diagnostic test kits available in Ghana.

Malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT) kit is one of the techniques for diagnosing malaria. Due to its inherent advantages over the microscopy technique, several brands of the kit have flooded malaria endemic countries, without prior in-country evaluation. Two of such mRDT kits are Oscar (India) and Standard Q (Korea Republic).

Point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen positivity and associated factors in school children one year after mass praziquantel administration in an endemic district in Ghana.

Background: Mass drug administration of praziquantel is expected to reduce carriage in treated children in endemic communities. However, the effectiveness of this annual exercise has not been assessed in Ghana. Therefore, this study aimed to detect viable infection using point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) positivity as proxy and associated factors in children previously treated with praziquantel in an endemic municipality in Ghana.

Pre-vaccination seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the Volta Region, Ghana.

Objectives: Before administration of the first dose of the AstraZeneca 2019 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine to selected prioritized groups in the Volta regional capital of Ghana, we determined the pre-vaccination status of prospective recipients and established the baseline exposure status 1 year after the first case was reported.

Methods: After informed consent, blood samples were collected for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin (Ig) M/IgG antibodies using rapid diagnostic test kits. A total of 409 individuals (mean age 27 years) consented and participated in the study, comprising 70% students and others were health staff and educators who presented themselves for vaccination.

Elevation of free triiodothyronine (fT3) levels by Plasmodium falciparum independent of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in children with uncomplicated malaria.

Background: Malaria parasites have a devastating effect on the infected host. However, there is a paucity of data on the effect of Plasmodium falciparum on thyroid hormones.

Methods: This case-control study (1:1) involved children <16 years of age with uncomplicated malaria.

Molecular speciation of Plasmodium and multiplicity of P. falciparum infection in the Central region of Ghana.

Malaria is endemic in the Central region of Ghana, however, the ecological and the seasonal variations of Plasmodium population structure and the intensity of malaria transmission in multiple sites in the region have not been explored. In this cross-sectional study, five districts in the region were involved. The districts were Agona Swedru, Assin Central and Gomoa East (representing the forest zone) and Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese and Cape Coast representing the coastal zone.

Pf7: an open dataset of genome variation in 20,000 worldwide samples.

We describe the MalariaGEN Pf7 data resource, the seventh release of genome variation data from the MalariaGEN network.  It comprises over 20,000 samples from 82 partner studies in 33 countries, including several malaria endemic regions that were previously underrepresented.  For the first time we include dried blood spot samples that were sequenced after selective whole genome amplification, necessitating new methods to genotype copy number variations.

Zero malaria: a mirage or reality for populations of sub-Saharan Africa in health transition.

The global burden of malaria continues to be a significant public health concern. Despite advances made in therapeutics for malaria, there continues to be high morbidity and mortality associated with this infectious disease. Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be the most affected by the disease, but unfortunately the region is burdened with indigent health systems.

Utilization of 18s ribosomal RNA LAMP for detecting Plasmodium falciparum in microscopy and rapid diagnostic test negative patients.

In this study, Plasmodium falciparum was detected in patients that were declared negative for malaria microscopy and rapid diagnostic test kit (mRDT), using Plasmodium 18s rRNA loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique. The main aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of LAMP assay for detecting pre-clinical malaria, when microscopy and mRDT were less sensitive. DNA was obtained from 100 μL of whole blood using the boil and spin method.

Safety and Efficacy of Novasil Clay (Calcium Montmorillonite) in Children Exposed to Aflatoxin in Ejura-Sekyedumase District in Ghana.

. Aflatoxin levels are very high in animals and humans in places where cereals are poorly stored. In this study, Novasil was evaluated for safety and efficacy in children.

Toxicogenic Fungi, Aflatoxins, and Antimicrobial Activities Associated with Some Spices and Herbs from Three Selected Markets in Ho Municipality, Ghana.

Spices and herbs are widely used food ingredients that enhance most organoleptic features of prepared foods. They are also used for medicinal and preservative purposes. Spices and herbs are potential carriers of bacteria, yeasts, and molds due to the nature of cultivation, harvest methods, storage conditions, packaging procedures, distribution, sale, and general handling.

Oxidative stress and associated clinical manifestations in malaria and sickle cell (HbSS) comorbidity.

In Ghana, uncomplicated malaria and sickle cell disease (SCD) is common, hence comorbidity is not farfetched. However, the extent of oxidative stress and the array of clinical manifestations in this comorbidity (presence of both malaria and SCD) has not been fully explored. This study highlights the impact of uncomplicated malaria on SCD.

Ecological and seasonal variations and other factors associated with clinical malaria in the Central Region of Ghana: A cross-sectional study.

Background: This study investigated malaria transmission under various contrasting settings in the Central Region, a malaria endemic region in Ghana.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in five randomly selected districts in the Central Region of Ghana. Three of the districts were forested, while the rest was coastal.

Immunochromatographic and microscopic detection of Plasmodium falciparum in recipients of P. falciparum-infected donor blood.

Blood transfusion practice is an essential medical intervention; however, it poses problems of transmissibility of infectious diseases including malaria. This study was designed to determine the potential of transfusion-transmitted malaria (TTM) by detecting malaria antigens and parasites in recipients of infected donor blood. After successful blood transfusion, remnants of transfused blood were screened for Plasmodium falciparum HRP2 antigen and parasitemia using CareStart malaria RDT and 10% Giemsa stain microscopy respectively according to established protocols.

Factors Influencing HIV Status Disclosure to Partners Among Antiretroviral Therapy Clients in the Upper East Region, Ghana.

In Ghana, HIV status disclosure to partners is voluntary. This study sought to determine the factors associated with HIV status disclosure to partners among antiretroviral therapy (ART) clients in the Upper East Region. A matched case-control study (1:1) was carried out in nine ART sites in the Upper East region in which 100 ART sexually active clients who had not disclosed their status to their partners were compared with 100 ART sexually ART clients who had disclosed their status to their partners.