Near-complete genome of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of concern identified in a symptomatic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) in Botswana.

We sought to investigate whether SARS-CoV-2 was present, and to perform full-length genomic sequencing, in a 5-year-old male crossbreed dog from Gaborone, Botswana that presented overt clinical signs (flu-like symptoms, dry hacking cough and mild dyspnoea). It was only sampled a posteriori, because three adult owners were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Next-generation sequencing based on Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) was performed on amplicons that were generated using a reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) of confirmed positive SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal and buccal swabs, as well as a bronchoalveolar lavage with mean real cycle threshold (qCt) value of 36 based on the Nucleocapsid (N) gene.

Rapid epidemic expansion of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in southern Africa.

The SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in southern Africa has been characterized by three distinct waves. The first was associated with a mix of SARS-CoV-2 lineages, while the second and third waves were driven by the Beta (B.1.

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission and voluntary counseling and testing programme data: what is their utility for HIV surveillance?

Objective: Antenatal clinic (ANC)-based surveillance through unlinked anonymous testing (UAT) for HIV without informed consent provides solid long-term trend data in resource-constrained countries with generalized epidemics. The rapid expansion of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) and voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) programmes prompts the question regarding their utility for HIV surveillance and their potential to replace UAT-based ANC surveillance.

Methods: Four presentations on the use of PMTCT or VCT data for HIV surveillance were presented at a recent international conference.

HIV-1 subtype C drug-resistance background among ARV-naive adults in Botswana.

Current HIV-1 antiretroviral (ARV) drug resistance knowledge is limited to HIV-1 subtype B (HIV-1B). We addressed whether unique genetic and phenotypic properties of HIV-1 subtype C (HIV-1C), southern Africa's most prevalent subtype, may foment earlier and/or distinct resistance mutations. Population-level HIV-1C genotypes were evaluated with respect to drug resistance prevalence before Botswana's public ARV treatment programme began.

Low CD4+ T-lymphocyte values in human immunodeficiency virus-negative adults in Botswana.

CD4+-lymphocyte counts (LCs) play a crucial role in the management and monitoring of HIV infection. Variability in CD4+ LCs has been reported to occur as a result of measurement techniques and/or biological variations. We report on the CD4+ LCs of healthy human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seronegative adults in Botswana.