SARS-CoV-2 mutations on diagnostic gene targets in the second wave in Zimbabwe: A retrospective genomic analysis.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 continues to be a major issue in resource-limited settings, particularly owing to the limited supply of vaccinescaused by inequitable distribution.

Objective: To monitor diagnostic gene targets to identify potential test failures caused by mutations, which is important for public health.

Methods: Here we analysed the genome sequence of SARS-CoV-2 from the second wave in Zimbabwe.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic across Africa: Current Status of Vaccinations and Implications for the Future.

The introduction of effective vaccines in December 2020 marked a significant step forward in the global response to COVID-19. Given concerns with access, acceptability, and hesitancy across Africa, there is a need to describe the current status of vaccine uptake in the continent. An exploratory study was undertaken to investigate these aspects, current challenges, and lessons learnt across Africa to provide future direction.

Analysis of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance genes in group B streptococcus from clinical samples.

Background: Streptococcus agalacticae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS) is one of the most important causative agents of serious infections among neonates. This study was carried out to identify antibiotic resistance and virulence genes associated with GBS isolated from pregnant women.

Methods: A total of 43 GBS isolates were obtained from 420 vaginal samples collected from HIV positive and negative women who were 13-35 weeks pregnant attending Antenatal Care at Chitungwiza and Harare Central Hospitals in Zimbabwe.

Sepsis in cancer patients residing in Zimbabwe: spectrum of bacterial and fungal aetiologies and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.

Background: Cancer and sepsis comorbidity is a major public health problem in most parts of the world including Zimbabwe. The microbial aetiologies of sepsis and their antibiograms vary with time and locations. Knowledge on local microbial aetiologies of sepsis and their susceptibility patterns is critical in guiding empirical antimicrobial treatment choices.

Evaluation of the Xpert® MTB/RIF assay and microscopy for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Namibia.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) kills approximately two million people and infects around nine million worldwide annually. Its proper management, especially in resource-limited settings, has been hindered by the lack of rapid and easy-to-use diagnostic tests. Sputum smear microscopy remains the cheapest, readily available diagnostic method but it only identifies less than half of the patients with a HIV/TB co-infection because the bacilli would have disseminated from the lungs to other areas of the body.

Antigenic distribution of Streptococcus agalactiae isolates from pregnant women at Garankuwa hospital - South Africa.

Introduction: Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus; GBS) is globally recognised as one of the leading causes of neonatal sepsis and meningitis. It also causes adverse pregnancy outcomes such as stillbirth and miscarriages. Incidence of invasive disease is increasing in non-pregnant adults with underlying medical conditions (e.

Antibiotic resistance of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from pregnant women in Garankuwa, South Africa.

Background: This study was undertaken to determine the susceptibility profile and the mechanism of antibiotic resistance in Group B streptococcus (GBS) isolates detected in vaginal and rectal swabs from pregnant women attending Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, a University Teaching Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa.

Methods: The samples were collected over an 11-month period, cultured on selective media (colistin and nalidixic acid agar and Todd-Hewitt broth), and GBS positively identified by using different morphological and biochemical tests. The susceptibility testing was done using the Kirby-Bauer and E test methods according to CLSI guidelines 2012.

Prevalence of bacterial contamination in blood and blood products at the National Blood Service Zimbabwe.

Introduction: Advances in screening for infections improve the safety of donated blood. Transfusion-related bacterial sepsis, although not established in Zimbabwe, stills makes bacterial contamination of blood clinically relevant.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Harare.

Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus, syphilis, hepatitis B and C in blood donations in Namibia.

Background: Transfusion Transmissible Infections (TTIs) such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), syphilis, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are infections which are common in some communities in Southern Africa. It is important to screen blood donations for these infections.

Methods: This is a retrospective study which involved reviewing of previous blood donation records for the year 2012 in Namibia.

Novel aspects of the Z and R3 antigens of Streptococcus agalactiae revealed by immunological testing.

Group B streptococci (GBS) are important human and bovine pathogens which can be classified by a variety of phenotype- and gene-based techniques. The capsular polysaccharide and strain-variable, surface-anchored proteins are particularly important phenotypic markers. In an earlier study, a previously unrecognized protein antigen called Z was described.

Streptococcus agalactiae alpha-like protein 1 possesses both cross-reacting and Alp1-specific epitopes.

Most isolates of group B streptococci (GBS) express an alpha-like protein (Alp), Cα (encoded by bca), Alp1 (also called epsilon; alp1), Alp2 (alp2), Alp3 (alp3), Alp4 (alp4), or R4/Rib (rib). These proteins are chimeras with a mosaic structure and with antigenic determinants with variable immunological cross-reactivities between the Alps, including Alp1 and Cα cross-reactivity. This study focused on antigenic domains of Alp1, studied by using rabbit antisera in immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based tests and whole cells of GBS or trypsin-extracted and partially purified antigens from the strains A909 (serotype Ia/Cα, Cβ) and 335 (Ia/Alp1).

Serotype markers in a Streptococcus agalactiae strain collection from Zimbabwe.

Objective: Group B streptococci (GBS) from Southern African areas have been less well characterized. Our objective was to study serotype and serovariant distribution of carrier GBS strains as part of a study of the epidemiology of GBS carriage in pregnant women from Zimbabwe.

Materials And Methods: We studied GBS isolated from 121 healthy pregnant women living in Harare and surrounding areas, Zimbabwe.

Streptococcus agalactiae colonization and correlation with HIV-1 and HBV seroprevalence in pregnant women from Zimbabwe.

Objective: To estimate the frequency of coinfection of Streptococcus agalactiae or Group B streptococcus (GBS), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HIV-1 in pregnant women and evaluate any association between them.

Study Design: Three health centres from rural, rural-urban and urban communities were selected and at least 369 pregnant women had samples available for simultaneous analysis of GBS colonization rates, and HIV and HBV seroprevalence rates. Swabs were collected at two different stages in the course of pregnancy and at delivery to isolate GBS.

Group B Streptococcus colonization during pregnancy and maternal-fetal transmission in Zimbabwe.

Objective: To explore risk factors for group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization during pregnancy and at delivery, estimate the predictive value of early GBS colonization for colonization at delivery and in the newborn, and explore the relationship to adverse perinatal factors.

Design And Setting: Cohort study of pregnant women from three communities in Zimbabwe.

Methods: Information collected by questionnaire at inclusion and from delivery records.

Putative novel surface-exposed Streptococcus agalactiae protein frequently expressed by the group B streptococcus from Zimbabwe.

Group B streptococci (GBS) express a variety of surface-exposed and strain-variable proteins which function as phenotypic markers and as antigens which are able to induce protective immunity in experimental settings. Among these proteins, the chimeric and immunologically cross-reacting alpha-like proteins are particularly important. Another protein, R3, which has been less well studied, occurred at a frequency of 21.

Distinctive features of surface-anchored proteins of Streptococcus agalactiae strains from Zimbabwe revealed by PCR and dot blotting.

The distribution of capsular polysaccharide (CPS) types and subtypes (serovariants) among 121 group B streptococcus (GBS) strains from Zimbabwe was examined. PCR was used for the detection of both CPS types and the surface-anchored and strain-variable proteins Calpha, Cbeta, Alp1, Alp2, Alp3, R4/Rib, and Alp4. The R3 protein was detected by an antibody-based method using monoclonal anti-R3 antibody in dot blotting.

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus (GBS)) colonisation and persistence, in pregnancy; a comparison of two diverse communities (rural and urban).

Objective: To establish the extent of GBS colonisation, persistence of colonisation in pregnancy and influence of obstetric history in two diverse communities (rural and urban) in Zimbabwe.

Design: Cross sectional survey.

Setting: Rutsanana Clinic in Highfield, Harare (representing the urban area) and Chitsungo Mission Hospital in Lower Guruve, (representing the rural area).

Use of culture methods for recovery of atypical mycobacteria from stools of AIDS patients.

Objective: To establish recovery rates of atypical mycobateria from stools of suspected AIDS patients using culture media.

Design: Laboratory evaluation of recovery rates, contamination rates, optimum exposure time and optimum concentration of alkali used for decontamination.

Setting: The study was conducted in Harare, Zimbabwe at two medical institutions: Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital (BRIDH) (a tuberculosis referral hospital) and Mashambanzou Care Unit (MCU) (a home-based care centre).