Drug resistance profiles of clinical isolates by genotype MTBDRplus line probe assay in Zambia: findings and implications.

Background: The emergence of drug resistance is a threat to global tuberculosis (TB) elimination goals. This study investigated the drug resistance profiles of () using the Genotype MTBDRplus Line Probe Assay at the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (NTRL) in Zambia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2019 and December 2020.

Evolution of the joint International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and WHO cancer control assessments (imPACT Reviews).

Before 2005, cancer and other non-communicable diseases were not yet health and development agenda priorities. Since the 2005 World Health Assembly Resolution, which encouraged WHO, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to jointly work on cancer control, progress was achieved in low-income and middle-income countries on a small scale. Recently, rapid acceleration in UN collaboration and global cancer activities has focused attention in global cancer control.

Zambia cervical cancer control program resource mapping - Leveraging support to achieve the 90-70-90 elimination target.

Background: Zambia has one of the highest incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer at 65.5 and 43.4 per 100 000 respectively.

Effects of HIV infection on metastatic cervical cancer and age at diagnosis among patients in Lusaka, Zambia.

Objective: To examine the association between the duration of HIV infection and the stage of cervical cancer in Lusaka, Zambia.

Methods: This retrospective case-case study included 1583 cervical cancer patients from the Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. A sub-population of HIV-positive patients with additional clinical HIV information was identified following linkage of cancer and HIV databases.

Cervical cancer screening outcomes in Zambia, 2010-19: a cohort study.

Background: Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death among women. Poor uptake of screening services contributes to the high mortality. We aimed to examine screening frequency, predictors of screening results, and patterns of sensitisation strategies by age group in a large, programmatic cohort.

Radiation Sciences Education in Africa: An Assessment of Current Training Practices and Evaluation of a High-Yield Course in Radiation Biology and Radiation Physics.

Purpose: Formal education in the radiation sciences is critical for the safe and effective delivery of radiotherapy. Practices and patterns of radiation sciences education and trainee performance in the radiation sciences are poorly described. This study assesses the current state of radiation sciences education in Africa and evaluates a high-yield, on-site educational program in radiation biology and radiation physics for oncology and radiation therapy trainees in Africa.

Zambia's National Cancer Centre response to the COVID-19 pandemic-an opportunity for improved care.

The COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed health systems around the globe even in countries with strong economies. This is of particular concern for nations with weaker health systems. This article reports the response of a comprehensive cancer centre in a lower-middle income country to prevent COVID-19 transmission and how the implementation of pragmatic strategies have served as a springboard to improve cancer services beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effects of HIV status on non-metastatic cervical cancer progression among patients in Lusaka, Zambia.

Introduction: Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest global incidence of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the most common cause of cancer morbidity and mortality among women in Zambia. HIV increases the risk for cervical cancer and with a national Zambian adult HIV prevalence of 16%, it is important to investigate the impact of HIV on the progression of cervical cancer.

Challenges, Opportunities, and Priorities for Advancing Breast Cancer Control in Zambia: A Consultative Meeting on Breast Cancer Control.

In 2016, the Zambian government made cancer control a national priority and released a National Cancer Control Strategic Plan for 2016 to 2021, which focuses on malignancies of the breast, cervix, and prostate, and retinoblastoma. The plan calls for a collective reduction in the cancer burden by 50%. In support of this vision, Susan G.

Descriptive analysis of colorectal cancer in Zambia, Southern Africa using the National Cancer Disease Hospital Database.

Introduction: Colon cancer is preventable. There is a plethora of data regarding epidemiology and screening guidelines, however this data is sparse from the African continent. Objective: we aim to evaluate the trends of colorectal cancer (CRC) in a native African population based on age at diagnosis, gender and stage at diagnosis.

Leverage of an Existing Cervical Cancer Prevention Service Platform to Initiate Breast Cancer Control Services in Zambia: Experiences and Early Outcomes.

Purpose: In 2005, the Cervical Cancer Prevention Program in Zambia (CCPPZ) was implemented and has since provided cervical cancer screen-and-treat services to more than 500,000 women. By leveraging the successes and experiences of the CCPPZ, we intended to build capacity for the early detection and surgical treatment of breast cancer.

Methods: Our initiative sought to build capacity for breast cancer care through the (1) formation of a breast cancer advocacy alliance to raise awareness, (2) creation of resource-appropriate breast cancer care training curricula for mid- and high-level providers, and (3) implementation of early detection and treatment capacity within two major health care facilities.

1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Investigate Potential Etiologies of Brain Swelling in Pediatric Cerebral Malaria.

The hallmark of pediatric cerebral malaria (CM) is sequestration of parasitized red blood cells in the cerebral microvasculature. Malawi-based research using 0.35 Tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) established that severe brain swelling is associated with fatal CM, but swelling etiology remains unclear.

Corrigendum: 2016 ACG Abstracts- Outcomes Research.

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/ajg.2016.

Mapping Disparities in Access to Safe, Timely, and Essential Surgical Care in Zambia.

Importance: Surgical care is widely unavailable in developing countries; advocates recommend that countries evaluate and report on access to surgical care to improve availability and aid health planners in decision making.

Objective: To analyze the infrastructure, capacity, and availability of surgical care in Zambia to inform health policy priorities.

Design, Setting, And Participants: In this observational study, all hospitals providing surgical care were identified in cooperation with the Zambian Ministry of Health.

Management and Care of Women With Invasive Cervical Cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology Resource-Stratified Clinical Practice Guideline.

Purpose: To provide evidence-based, resource-stratified global recommendations to clinicians and policymakers on the management and palliative care of women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer.

Methods: ASCO convened a multidisciplinary, multinational panel of cancer control, medical and radiation oncology, health economic, obstetric and gynecologic, and palliative care experts to produce recommendations reflecting resource-tiered settings. A systematic review of literature from 1966 to 2015 failed to yield sufficiently strong quality evidence to support basic- and limited-resource setting recommendations; a formal consensus-based process was used to develop recommendations.

Observed and expected incidence of cervical cancer in lusaka and the southern and Western provinces of Zambia, 2007 to 2012.

Objectives: Cervical cancer is increasing but underestimated in developing countries. We calculated the observed and expected incidence of cervical cancer in Lusaka and Southern and Western provinces of Zambia.

Methods/materials: Data for 2007 to 2012 were obtained for the 3 provinces.

Patterns of practice in palliative radiotherapy in Africa - case revisited.

Aims: To investigate patterns of practice in palliative radiotherapy in Africa.

Materials And Methods: Fifteen centres in Africa provided detailed information about radiotherapy in both metastatic and locally advanced disease via a questionnaire. Information included general information (institution status, equipment, staff, patient number), radiotherapy and other treatment characteristics in bone metastasis, brain metastasis, metastatic spinal cord compression, lung and liver metastasis, as well as locally advanced tumours.

Effect of cotrimoxazole on causes of death, hospital admissions and antibiotic use in HIV-infected children.

Background: Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis reduces morbidity and mortality in HIV-1-infected children, but mechanisms for these benefits are unclear.

Methods: CHAP was a randomized trial comparing cotrimoxazole prophylaxis with placebo in HIV-infected children in Zambia where background bacterial resistance to cotrimoxazole is high. We compared causes of mortality and hospital admissions, and antibiotic use between randomized groups.

Determinants of survival without antiretroviral therapy after infancy in HIV-1-infected Zambian children in the CHAP Trial.

Background: There are few data on predictors of HIV progression in untreated children in resource-limited settings.

Methods: Children with HIV Antibiotic Prophylaxis (CHAP) was a randomized trial comparing cotrimoxazole prophylaxis with placebo in HIV-infected Zambian children. The prognostic value of baseline characteristics was investigated using Cox models.

Co-trimoxazole as prophylaxis against opportunistic infections in HIV-infected Zambian children (CHAP): a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial.

Background: No trials of co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) prophylaxis for HIV-infected adults or children have been done in areas with high levels of bacterial resistance to this antibiotic. We aimed to assess the efficacy of daily co-trimoxazole in such an area.

Methods: We did a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial in children aged 1-14 years with clinical features of HIV infection in Zambia.

Lung diseases at necropsy in African children dying from respiratory illnesses: a descriptive necropsy study.

Background: Accurate information about specific causes of death in African children dying of respiratory illnesses is scarce, and can only be obtained by autopsy. We undertook a study of children who died from respiratory diseases at University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.

Methods: 137 boys (93 HIV-1-positive, 44 HIV-1-negative], and 127 girls (87 HIV-1-positive, 40 HIV-1-negative) aged between 1 month and younger than 16 years underwent autopsy restricted to the chest cavity.

Identification of Pneumocystis carinii DNA by polymerase chain reaction in necropsy lung samples from children dying of respiratory tract illnesses.

Polymerase chain reaction for Pneumocystis carinii DNA was performed on necropsy lung samples from children by means of P carinii -specific primers.P carinii DNA was identified in 22 of 22 (100%) samples with histologically proven P carinii pneumonia and 13 of 75 (17%) with non-P carinii pneumonia respiratory illness (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 83%). The low specificity precludes the use of polymerase chain reaction as an alternative to histopathologic diagnosis.

Identification of Pneumocystis carinii DNA in oropharyngeal mouth washes from AIDS children dying of respiratory illnesses.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using Pneumocystis carinii-specific primers pAZ 102-H(5'-GTGTACGTTGCAAAGTACTC-3') and pAZ 102-E(5'-GATGGCTGTTTCCAAGCCCA-3') was performed on oropharyngeal washes obtained at autopsy from 22 AIDS children with histologically confirmed P. carinii pneumonia (PCP), and 48 control AIDS children who died from other infections. Fifteen of 22 (68%) PCP samples and none of 48 (0%) control samples had detectable P.

Necropsies in African children: consent dilemmas for parents and guardians.

Background: Necropsy examination provides a good index of the accuracy of clinical diagnosis and the quality of treatment, but its use in sub-Saharan Africa is limited.

Aims: To identify the main reasons for parents'/guardians' refusal of consent for necropsy and to explore the issues affecting their decision.

Methods: A sequential necropsy study of Zambian children between 2 months and 15 years dying of respiratory disease.