Barriers and Enablers to Retention in HIV Care and Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy: Evidence from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Purpose: To explore the enabling factors, barriers, and strategies to improve retention in HIV care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among adults (18 years and above) living with HIV in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive qualitative study to better understand and explore enablers, barriers, and strategies to improve retention in HIV care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among PLHIV in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted with a semi-structured discussion guide between December 2021 and June 2022.

Tetracycline and sulphonamide residues in farmed fish in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and human health risk implications.

In Africa, antibiotic residue investigations in animal food have primarily been focused on meat, neglecting farmed fish. This cross-sectional study conducted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, aimed to assess sulphonamide and tetracycline residues in farmed fish, comparing levels with Codex Alimentarius Commission's acceptable daily intake (ADI) and maximum residue limits (MRLs). A total of 84 farmed fish were sampled and analysed in the presence of tetracycline and sulphonamide residues.

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Isolated from Broiler and Layer Chickens in Arusha and Mwanza, Tanzania.

The rise in the spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens such as is one of the very important dynamics off-putting treatment and prophylaxis possibilities, hence posing a threat to the modern human medicine, veterinary medicine, and food safety. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine antimicrobial resistance profiles in isolates obtained from broiler and layer chickens in Mwanza and Arusha regions in Tanzania. A cross-sectional study was carried out from February to March, 2021, in 402 poultry farms in Mwanza (201) and Arusha (201) regions in Tanzania.

Occurrence of Multi-Drug-Resistant in Chickens, Humans, Rodents and Household Soil in Karatu, Northern Tanzania.

We investigated antibiotic resistance profiles of among 960 samples obtained from chickens (236), humans (243), rodents (101) and soil (290). was isolated from 650 (67.7%) samples.

Occurrence of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) Producers, Quinolone and Carbapenem Resistant Isolated from Environmental Samples along Msimbazi River Basin Ecosystem in Tanzania.

We conducted environmental surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) bacteria in the Msimbazi river basin in Tanzania to determine the occurrence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing, carbapenem resistant (CRE) and quinolone resistant and spp. A total of 213 isolates were recovered from 219 samples. Out of the recovered isolates, 45.

Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with MDR tuberculosis in Dar Es Salaam region, Tanzania.

Background: In Tanzania more than 28% of all multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) cases occur in Dar es Salaam. However, information about management and clinical outcomes of patients with MDR-TB in the region is scarce, and hence the need for this study.

Methods: A 5-year retrospective cohort study was conducted in six centres in Dar es Salaam.

Multidrug-Resistant, Including Extended-Spectrum Beta Lactamase-Producing and Quinolone-Resistant, Isolated from Poultry and Domestic Pigs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

We determined the phenotypic profile of multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolated from 698 samples (390 and 308 from poultry and domestic pigs, respectively). In total, 562 were isolated. About 80.

The Governance and Implementation of the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance in Tanzania: A Qualitative Study.

Tanzania launched its first National Action Plan (NAP) on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in 2017 to reduce the burden of AMR in the country and contribute to the global response. We aimed to analyze the implementation of the NAP on AMR in Tanzania using the governance framework. In-depth interviews were conducted with human and animal health practitioners and national-level policy actors.

Assessment of Drivers of Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Poultry and Domestic Pig Farming in the Msimbazi River Basin in Tanzania.

Uncontrolled use of drugs both in humans and animals coupled with environmental contamination exacerbate the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. This paper assessed the drivers of antimicrobial use and resistance in poultry and domestic pig farming and the environment. Questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions (FGDs) were used to collect information regarding demographic characteristics, knowledge, practices, attitudes, and perceptions of the drivers of antimicrobial use and resistance in animal farming and the environment.

Antimicrobial use and resistance in food-producing animals and the environment: an African perspective.

Background: The overuse of antimicrobials in food animals and the subsequent contamination of the environment have been associated with development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. This review presents information on antimicrobial use, resistance and status of surveillance systems in food animals and the environment in Africa.

Methods: Information was searched through PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and African Journal Online databases.

Performance of Widal test and stool culture in the diagnosis of typhoid fever among suspected patients in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Objective: We set an experiment to determine the diagnostic performance of the Widal test and stool culture in typhoid-suspected cases attending tertiary hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania using blood culture as a golden standard. We also evaluated the agreement between Widal, stool and blood culture.

Results: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between June and September 2018, in three Regional Referral Hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Genetic variation of innate immune genes in HIV-infected african patients with or without oropharyngeal candidiasis.

Background: The occurrence of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) in combination with HIV disease progression is a very common phenomenon. However, not all HIV-infected patients develop OPC, even when they progress to low CD4 T-cell counts. Because T-cell immunity is defective in AIDS, the innate defence mechanisms are likely to have a central role in antifungal immunity in these patients.

Single-dose fluconazole versus standard 2-week therapy for oropharyngeal candidiasis in HIV-infected patients: a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy trial.

Background: Oropharyngeal candidiasis is the most common opportunistic infection affecting patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Because of convenience, cost, and reluctance to complicate antiretroviral treatment regimens, single-dose fluconazole may be a favorable regimen for treatment of moderate to severe oropharyngeal candidiasis. We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to compare the clinical and mycological responses, relapse rates, and safety of a single 750-mg dose and a 14-day course of treatment with fluconazole.

Species distribution and in vitro antifungal susceptibility of oral yeast isolates from Tanzanian HIV-infected patients with primary and recurrent oropharyngeal candidiasis.

Background: In Tanzania, little is known on the species distribution and antifungal susceptibility profiles of yeast isolates from HIV-infected patients with primary and recurrent oropharyngeal candidiasis.

Methods: A total of 296 clinical oral yeasts were isolated from 292 HIV-infected patients with oropharyngeal candidiasis at the Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Identification of the yeasts was performed using standard phenotypic methods.

Evaluation of cytotoxic, genotoxic and CYP450 enzymatic competition effects of Tanzanian plant extracts traditionally used for treatment of fungal infections.

HIV-infected patients in sub-Saharan countries highly depend on traditional medicines for the treatment of opportunistic oral infections as candidiasis. Previous investigations on antifungal activity of medicinal plant extracts utilized by traditional healers in Tanzania have revealed 12 extracts with potent antifungal activity. Although the plants may be good candidates for new treatment opportunities, they can be toxic or genotoxic and could cause pharmacokinetic interactions when used concomitantly with antiretroviral agents.

Oral manifestations of HIV infection in children and adults receiving highly active anti-retroviral therapy [HAART] in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Background: The aim of the study was to compare the prevalence and types of HIV-related oral lesions between children and adult Tanzanian patients on HAART with those not on HAART and to relate the occurrence of the lesions with anti-HIV drug regimen, clinical stage of HIV disease and CD4+ cell count.

Methods: Participants were 532 HIV infected patients, 51 children and 481 adults, 165 males and 367 females. Children were aged 2-17 years and adults 18 and 67 years.

Antifungal activity of some Tanzanian plants used traditionally for the treatment of fungal infections.

Using the ethnobotanical approach, some Tanzanian plants reported to be used by traditional healers for the treatment of oral candidiasis and fungal infections of the skin were collected and screened for their antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei and Cryptococcus neoformans. A total of 65 crude methanol extracts belonging to 56 plant species and 38 families were screened using the broth microdilution method, according to the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) (formerly, National Committee for Clinical and Laboratory Standards) [National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards, 2002. Reference Method for Broth Dilution Antifungal Susceptibility Testing of Yeasts.

Estimating and projecting HIV prevalence and AIDS deaths in Tanzania using antenatal surveillance data.

Background: The Estimations and Projections Package (EPP 2005) for HIV/AIDS estimates and projects HIV prevalence, number of people living with HIV and new HIV infections and AIDS cases using antenatal clinic (ANC) surveillance data. The prevalence projection produced by EPP can be transferred to SPECTRUM, a demographic projection model, to calculate the number of AIDS deaths. This paper presents estimates and projections of HIV prevalence, new cases of HIV infections and AIDS deaths in Tanzania between 2001 and 2010 using the EPP 2005 and SPECTRUM soft-wares on ANC data.

Surveillance of HIV and syphilis infections among antenatal clinic attendees in Tanzania-2003/2004.

Background: This paper presents the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis infections among women attending antenatal clinics (ANC) in Tanzania obtained during the 2003/2004 ANC surveillance.

Methods: Ten geographical regions; six of them were involved in a previous survey, while the remaining four were freshly selected on the basis of having the largest population among the remaining 20 regions. For each region, six ANC were selected, two from each of three strata (urban, peri-urban and rural).

Screening of Tanzanian medicinal plants for anti-Candida activity.

Background: Candida albicans has become resistant to the already limited, toxic and expensive anti-Candida agents available in the market. These factors necessitate the search for new anti-fungal agents.

Methods: Sixty-three plant extracts, from 56 Tanzanian plant species obtained through the literature and interviews with traditional healers, were evaluated for anti-Candida activity.

Seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and C viruses and syphilis infections among blood donors at the Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Background: According to the latest Tanzanian National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) report a total of 147,271 individuals donated blood during the year 2002. However, blood safety remains an issue of major concern in transfusion medicine in Tanzania where national blood transfusion services and policies, appropriate infrastructure, trained personnel and financial resources are inadequate. Most of the donated blood is screened for HIV alone.

Brine shrimp toxicity evaluation of some Tanzanian plants used traditionally for the treatment of fungal infections.

Plants which are used by traditional healers in Tanzania have been evaluated to obtain preliminary data of their toxicity using the brine shrimps test. The results indicate that 9 out of 44 plant species whose extracts were tested exhibited high toxicity with LC(50) values below 20 microg/ml. These include Aloe lateritia Engl.