Advancing disease genomics beyond COVID-19 and reducing health disparities: what does the future hold for Africa?

The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in high-throughput sequencing technology as an essential public health tool. Scaling up and operationalizing genomics in Africa is crucial as enhanced capacity for genome sequencing could address key health problems relevant to African populations. High-quality genomics research can be leveraged to improve diagnosis, understand the aetiology of unexplained illnesses, improve surveillance of infectious diseases and inform efficient control and therapeutic methods of known, rare and emerging infectious diseases.

Recent advances and challenges in the early diagnosis and management of invasive fungal infections in Africa.

Invasive fungal infections are a serious concern globally, especially in African settings which are typified by poorly funded and fragile healthcare systems. Low performance diagnostics, limited therapeutics and poor societal awareness of invasive fungal infections are some of the perennial challenges which have contributed to the unacceptably high death rates from these serious infections. However, recent advances have been recorded in fungal diagnostics and therapeutics development.

mHealth guideline training for non-communicable diseases in primary care facilities in Nigeria: a mixed methods pilot study.

Objective: To pilot the use of a scalable innovative mobile health (mHealth) non-communicable diseases (NCDs) training application for nurses at the primary care level.

Design: Mixed methods pilot of mHealth training on NCD care for nurses at primary healthcare (PHC) facilities. We provide a descriptive analysis of mHealth training test scores, with trend analysis of blood pressure (BP) control using paired t-test for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data.

Evaluation of knowledge and awareness of invasive fungal infections amongst resident doctors in Nigeria.

Introduction: it has been estimated that about 11.8% of the Nigerians suffer serious fungal infections annually. A high index of suspicion with early diagnosis and institution of appropriate therapy significantly impacts on the morbidity and mortality of invasive fungal infections (IFIs).

Haemoptysis in a female with diabetes mellitus: a unique presentation of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, and Klebsiella peumoniae co-infection.

While chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), and Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia co-infection is rare, we present a 50-year-old woman with uncontrolled diabetes who presented with these three diseases. There is considerable overlap in symptoms of PTB and CPA. Treatment with antifungals, anti-tuberculosis therapy, and antibiotics is beneficial.

Fahr's disease: a rare neurological presentation in a tropical setting.

While rare, Fahr's disease should be considered as a differential diagnosis for seizures, movement disorders, or cognitive impairment in tropical settings. Classically, bilateral calcification of the basal ganglia is seen on CT. Endemic infections, metabolic, and toxic causes should be excluded.

HIV infection in pregnancy: maternal and perinatal outcomes in a tertiary care hospital in Calabar, Nigeria.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is likely to have untoward effects on pregnancy and its outcome. This study assessed the impact of maternal HIV infection on pregnancy outcomes in a tertiary centre in Calabar, Nigeria.

Methods: This retrospective study analysed delivery records of 258 HIV-positive and 257 HIV-negative women for pregnancy and delivery complications.

Assessment of anthropometric indices among residents of Calabar, South-East Nigeria.

Background: Obesity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus which may be addressed by application of intensive lifestyle interventions. Thus, establishing normative values of anthropometric indices in our environment is crucial. This study aimed to determine normative values of anthropometric indices of nutrition among residents of Calabar.

Coronary artery disease and the profile of cardiovascular risk factors in South South Nigeria: a clinical and autopsy study.

Introduction. Death from coronary artery disease (CAD) has been until recently considered rare in Nigeria. We present a report of a study of CAD with its predisposing cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors in South South Nigeria.