Performance of three diagnostic tests for tuberculosis among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) patients presenting to a health facility in an informal urban settlement in Nairobi, Kenya.

The absence of an accurate reference test complicates the evaluation of tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic tests among people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLWHIV). The objective of this study was to estimate (using Bayesian latent class models [BLCM]) the sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp) and negative and positive predictive values (NPV and PPV) of sputum smear microscopy (SSM), Xpert Ultra and lipoarabinomannan antigen (LAM) tests for TB among PLWHIV in Nairobi, Kenya. This cross-sectional study enrolled a total of 190 patients aged ≥ 18 years with presumptive TB seeking treatment at the Kibra Community Health Center Comprehensive Care Centre (CCC) clinic between September 2022 and March 2023.

Birth defects and their impact on child morbidity and mortality in developing settings.

Despite the notable gains that have been realized in reversing perinatal, neonatal, and childhood morbidity and mortality, insignificant actions on birth defects undermine the desired outcomes. A yearly upward trend of birth defects (44.04-205.

Cost analysis of outpatient services for major external structural birth defects: an ingredient approach in selected hospitals in Kiambu County, Kenya.

Introduction: major external structural birth defects (MESBDs) are known to exert an enormous economic burden on individuals and health services; however, they have been vastly underprioritized as a public health problem in settings where cost analyses are limited. This study aimed at conducting a cost analysis of outpatient services for MESBDs in selected hospitals in Kiambu County, Kenya.

Methods: a cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted in four hospitals selected for providing outpatient corrective and rehabilitative services to the under-fives.

Knowledge assessment of women of reproductive age on birth defects: a descriptive cross-sectional study in Kenya.

Introduction: birth defects are defined as structural or functional congenital malformations occurring during intrauterine and detectable prenatally, at birth, or later. Birth defects-awareness creation among women of reproductive age would help in preventing the occurrence of birth defects of known aetiology worldwide. Thus, this study aimed to assess the birth defects knowledge of women of reproductive age.

Widening geographic range of Rift Valley fever disease clusters associated with climate change in East Africa.

Background: Recent epidemiology of Rift Valley fever (RVF) disease in Africa suggests growing frequency and expanding geographic range of small disease clusters in regions that previously had not reported the disease. We investigated factors associated with the phenomenon by characterising recent RVF disease events in East Africa.

Methods: Data on 100 disease events (2008-2022) from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania were obtained from public databases and institutions, and modelled against possible geoecological risk factors of occurrence including altitude, soil type, rainfall/precipitation, temperature, normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), livestock production system, land-use change and long-term climatic variations.

Bayesian Estimation of Diagnostic Accuracy of Three Diagnostic Tests for Bovine Tuberculosis in Egyptian Dairy Cattle Using Latent Class Models.

The aim of the present study was to calculate the sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of the single cervical tuberculin test (SCT), rapid lateral flow test (RLFT), and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the diagnosis of () infection in Egyptian dairy cattle herds within a Bayesian framework. The true infection within-herd prevalence was assessed as a secondary objective. Data on the test results of SCT, RLFT, and RT-PCR for the detection of were available from 245 cows in eleven herds in six major governorates in Egypt.

The detection dogs test is more sensitive than real-time PCR in screening for SARS-CoV-2.

In January 2020, the coronavirus disease was declared, by the World Health Organization as a global public health emergency. Recommendations from the WHO COVID Emergency Committee continue to support strengthening COVID surveillance systems, including timely access to effective diagnostics. Questions were raised about the validity of considering the RT-PCR as the gold standard in COVID-19 diagnosis.

Sensitivity and specificity of piroplasm indirect fluorescent antibody test and PCR for Theileria annulata infection in clinically asymptomatic large ruminants using Bayesian latent class analysis.

There is limited information about the accuracy of molecular and serological diagnostic assays for tropical theileriosis in asymptomatic carrier large ruminants. This study has estimated the sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of PCR and an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) in the diagnosis of tropical theileriosis in cattle and buffaloes via a Bayesian latent class analysis (BLCA) framework. Blood samples were collected from 70 cattle and water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) raised under a smallholder production system in different Egyptian localities.

Risk factors for major external structural birth defects among children in Kiambu County, Kenya: a case-control study.

Although major external structural birth defects continue to occur globally, the greatest burden is shouldered by resource-constrained countries with no surveillance systems. To our knowledge, many studies have been published on risk factors for major external structural birth defects, however, limited studies have been published in developing countries. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for major external structural birth defects among children in Kiambu County, Kenya.

Prevalence of major external structural birth defects in Kiambu County, Kenya, 2014-2018.

Introduction: major external structural birth defects are typical and have been associated with childhood morbidity, mortality and lifelong resource-intensive disabilities. These defects continue to occur; however, they are yet to be recognized as public health problems in Kenya. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of major external structural birth defects in Kiambu County in Kenya, 2014-2018.

Accuracy of diagnostic tests for respiratory syncytial virus infection within a paediatric hospital population in Kilifi County, Kenya.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-induced lower respiratory tract disease is a prominent cause of hospitalisation among children aged <5 years in developing countries. Accurate and rapid diagnostic tests are central to informing effective patient management and surveillance efforts geared towards quantifying RSV disease burden. This study sought to estimate the sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp) (along with the associated factors) and predictive values of a direct immunofluorescence test (IFAT), and two real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assays for RSV infection within a paediatric hospital population: a multiplex rRT-PCR (MPX) and Fast-Track Diagnostics (FTD) Respiratory Pathogens 33 (Resp-33) rRT-PCR.

Accuracy of PCR, mycobacterial culture and interferon-γ assays for detection of Mycobacterium bovis in blood and milk samples from Egyptian dairy cows using Bayesian modelling.

The number of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) infected dairy herds in Egypt is growing and this calls for accurate and reliable diagnostic methods at cow level for cost-effective bTB eradication as culling of the whole herd is not economically sustainable. The present study aimed to estimate the sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of PCR, mycobacterial culture and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) assays for Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) detection in blood and milk samples from dairy cows in Egyptian dairy herds within a Bayesian framework.

Bayesian evaluation of the performance of three diagnostic tests for infection in a low-transmission setting in Kilifi County, Kenya.

Central to the successful elimination of malaria, are tests with superior capability of diagnosing low-density parasitaemias. Empirical evidence on the performance of the commonly available diagnostics (light microscopy (LM), rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)) is needed to better inform case management and surveillance activities within primary health care settings where elimination of malaria is targeted. The objective of this study was to estimate the sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) and predictive values of LM, RDT and PCR tests for infection in children, while evaluating the effect of specific covariates on the accuracy of the tests.

Association between umbilical cord hygiene and neonatal sepsis among neonates presenting to a primary care facility in Nairobi County, Kenya: a case-control study.

Three-quarters of all annual neonatal deaths in developing countries are attributable to neonatal sepsis. In primary care settings, poor cord hygiene due to improper handling of the infant's cord is a major contributor to the occurrence of neonatal sepsis. The objective of this study was to describe the umbilical cord practices among mothers attending a primary care facility, assess the relationship between umbilical cord hygiene and neonatal sepsis, its impact on the population, as well as the influence of other neonatal and maternal factors on this relationship.

Prevalence and risk factors for low back pain among university teaching staff in Nairobi, Kenya: a cross-sectional study.

: To date, there are few studies carried out on low back pain (LBP) among university teaching staff in developing countries despite academics being a high-risk group for LBP. In Kenya, to the best of our knowledge, there are no published studies that have investigated risk factors for LBP among teaching staff. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of LBP among teaching staff of the University of Nairobi (UoN), during the period June 2016 - May 2017, and to identify its socio-demographic and work-related risk factors.

Diagnostic performance of direct and indirect methods for assessing failure of transfer of passive immunity in dairy calves using latent class analysis.

Accurate diagnosis of failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) in newborn calves is an essential component of dairy farm management plan. Several methods (direct and indirect) are available for diagnosis of FTPI in dairy calves. However, the indirect methods offer an advantage over the direct methods in not requiring an experienced veterinarian, rapid, cost efficient and can be performed under field-setting.

Effect of carryover and presampling procedures on the results of real-time PCR used for diagnosis of bovine intramammary infections with Streptococcus agalactiae at routine milk recordings.

The use of PCR tests as diagnostics for intramammary infections (IMI) based on composite milk samples collected in a non-sterile manner at milk recordings is increasing. Carryover of sample material between cows and non-aseptic PCR sampling may be incriminated for misclassification of IMI with Streptococcus agalactiae (S. agalactiae) in dairy herds with conventional milking parlours.

Spatiotemporal patterns, annual baseline and movement-related incidence of Streptococcus agalactiae infection in Danish dairy herds: 2000-2009.

Several decades after the inception of the five-point plan for the control of contagious mastitis pathogens, Streptococcus agalactiae (S. agalactiae) persists as a fundamental threat to the dairy industry in many countries. A better understanding of the relative importance of within- and between-herd sources of new herd infections coupled with the spatiotemporal distribution of the infection, may aid in effective targeting of control efforts.

Temporal characterisation of the network of Danish cattle movements and its implication for disease control: 2000-2009.

Social network analysis provides a valuable framework for understanding the dynamics of diseases on networks as well as a means for defining effective control measures. An understanding of the underlying contact pattern for a susceptible population is advisable before embarking on any strategy for disease control. The objective of this study was to characterise the network of Danish cattle movements over a 10-year period from 2000 to 2009 with a view to understanding: (1) cohesiveness of the network, (2) influential holdings and (3) structural vulnerability of the network.

Annual incidence, prevalence and transmission characteristics of Streptococcus agalactiae in Danish dairy herds.

Contagious mastitis pathogens continue to pose an economic threat to the dairy industry. An understanding of their frequency and transmission dynamics is central to evaluating the effectiveness of control programmes. The objectives of this study were twofold: (1) to estimate the annual herd-level incidence rates and apparent prevalences of Streptococcus agalactiae (S.

Evaluation of two herd-level diagnostic tests for Streptococcus agalactiae using a latent class approach.

Streptococcus agalactiae mastitis persists as a significant economic problem for the dairy industry in many countries. In Denmark, the annual surveillance programme for this mastitis pathogen initially based only on bacteriological culture of bulk tank milk (BTM) samples, has recently incorporated the use of the real-time PathoProof Mastitis PCR assay with the goal of improving detection of infected herds. The objective of our study was to estimate the herd sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of both tests of BTM samples using latent class models in a Bayesian analysis while evaluating the effect of herd-level covariates on the Se and Sp of the tests.