Laboratory validation of a simplified DNA extraction protocol followed by a portable qPCR detection of M. tuberculosis DNA suitable for point of care settings.

Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a treatable and curable disease, and yet remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Diagnosis is essential to reducing the number of cases and starting treatment, but costly tests and equipments that require complex infrastructure hamper their widespread use as a tool to contain the disease in vulnerable populations as well countries lacking resources. Therefore, it becomes necessary to develop new technological approaches to molecular methods as well as screening tests that can be rapidly conducted among people presenting to a health facility to differentiate those who should have further diagnostic evaluation for TB from those who should undergo further investigation for non-TB diagnoses.

Cost of the typhoid conjugate vaccine introduction through an integrated campaign and follow-on routine immunization in Malawi.

Malawi introduced typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) in 2023 through an integrated campaign delivering TCV alongside other vaccines and interventions (measles rubella vaccine (MRV), bivalent oral polio vaccine (OPV), and vitamin A Supplementation). The campaign sought to reach all children 9 months to younger than 14 years, representing more than 9 million individuals, and about half the country's population. Following the campaign, TCV was incorporated into the routine immunization program for 9-month-old infants.

Rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XDR lineage derived from recombination between XBB and BA.2.86 subvariants circulating in Brazil in late 2023.

Recombination plays a crucial role in the evolution of SARS-CoV-2. The Omicron XBB* recombinant lineages are a noteworthy example, as they have been the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant worldwide in the first half of 2023. Since November 2023, a new recombinant lineage between Omicron subvariants XBB and BA.