The performance of a point-of-care test for the diagnosis of Neurocysticercosis in a resource-poor community setting in Zambia - a diagnostic accuracy study.

Background: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the main cause of epilepsy in endemic rural communities. NCC diagnosis is difficult due to unavailability and unaffordability of serologic assays and neuroimaging. This study aimed to assess the performance of a cheap, novel lateral-flow point-of-care (TS POC) test for the diagnosis of NCC in a community setting.

Could a ring treatment approach be proposed to control Taenia solium transmission in a post elimination setting? A pilot study in Zambia.

Background: Geographically targeted Taenia solium ring approaches consisting of treating individuals within a radius of 100-meter of a cysticercosis positive pig have been trialled in Peru. This study explored if a similar approach could be proposed to control T. solium transmission in a post elimination setting in Zambia, focussing on community members' willingness to be sampled and treated.

Neurocysticercosis Prevalence and Characteristics in Communities of Sinda District in Zambia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: This study aimed at describing the epidemiology of (neuro)cysticercosis as well as its clinical and radiological characteristics in a Taenia solium endemic district of Zambia.

Methods: This was part of a cross-sectional community-based study conducted in Sinda district to evaluate an antibody-detecting T. solium point-of-care (TS POC) test for taeniosis and (neuro)cysticercosis.

Comparative analysis of cholera serum vibriocidal antibodies from Convalescent and vaccinated adults in Zambia.

Cholera is responsible for 1.3 to 4.0 million cholera cases globally and poses a significant threat, with Zambia reporting 17,169 cases as of 4th February 2024.

Seroconversion and Kinetics of Vibriocidal Antibodies during the First 90 Days of Re-Vaccination with Oral Cholera Vaccine in an Endemic Population.

Despite the successful introduction of oral cholera vaccines, Zambia continues to experience multiple, sporadic, and protracted cholera outbreaks in various parts of the country. While vaccines have been useful in staying the cholera outbreaks, the ideal window for re-vaccinating individuals resident in cholera hotspot areas remains unclear. Using a prospective cohort study design, 225 individuals were enrolled and re-vaccinated with two doses of Shanchol™, regardless of previous vaccination, and followed-up for 90 days.