Isolation and characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from bovine mastitis in North West Cameroon: public health implications.

Objectives: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a zoonotic pathogen that poses a serious threat to veterinary and public health worldwide. We investigated mastitis milk samples for contamination with MRSA and also characterized the MRSA isolates by investigating antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors.

Result: We confirmed MRSA in 69 of 201 (34.

Immunologic, virologic and drug resistance outcomes in an HIV-infected prospective cohort on treatment in South Africa.

Background: In September 2016, South Africa introduced the Universal Test and Treat (UTT) programme to manage HIV infection. However, the development of drug resistance and sustaining viral suppression are challenges to the success of treatment programmes. This prospective observational study describes virologic, immunologic, and drug resistance profiles in a test and treat cohort in north-eastern South Africa.

Molecular epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Northern South Africa: wastewater surveillance from January 2021 to May 2022.

Introduction: Wastewater-based genomic surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) provides a comprehensive approach to characterize evolutionary patterns and distribution of viral types in a population. This study documents the molecular epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2, in Northern South Africa, from January 2021 to May 2022.

Methodology: A total of 487 wastewater samples were collected from the influent of eight wastewater treatment facilities and tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Prevalence and Molecular Epidemiology of Human Coronaviruses in Africa Prior to the SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak: A Systematic Review.

Coronaviruses, re-emerging in human populations, cause mild or severe acute respiratory diseases, and occasionally epidemics. This study systematically reviewed human coronavirus (HCoVs) infections in Africa prior to the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. Forty studies on the prevalence or molecular epidemiology of HCoVs were available from 13/54 African countries (24%).

Epidemiology of Campylobacter infections among children of 0-24 months of age in South Africa.

Background: Campylobacter spp. are one of the most frequent causes of diarrhoeal disease in humans throughout the world. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and the genotypic distribution of Campylobacter spp.

Development of a pseudovirus assay and evaluation to screen natural products for inhibition of HIV-1 subtype C reverse transcriptase.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Medicinal plants are used in the management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in many developing country settings where HIV-1 subtype C drives the epidemic. Efforts to identify plant derived molecules with anti-HIV properties require reproducible assay systems for routine screening of selected plant compounds. Although a number of standardized HIV-1 pseudoviruses have been generated to assess infectivity, replicability or reproducibility, HIV-1 subtype C (HIV-1-C) pseudoviruses have not been comprehensively characterized to identify inhibitory plant substances.

Prevalence of torque viruses in HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected Nigerian subjects: analysis of near-full-length genome sequences.

Torque teno virus (TTV), torque teno mini virus (TTMV) and torque teno midi virus (TTMDV) are members of the family Anelloviridae that are known to infect humans. Although no pathogenic roles have been associated with anelloviruses, their high prevalence and perceived ubiquitousness have provoked scientific interest in understanding their molecular and biological characteristics. We used nested PCR to determine the prevalence of anelloviruses among 130 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients and 130 healthy blood donors, and analyzed three near-full-length genome sequences of TTV isolates from HIV-infected and non-HIV infected Nigerians.

Aflatoxin exposure in children living in Mirpur, Dhaka: data from MAL-ED companion study.

Dietary exposure to aflatoxin is implicated in growth faltering of children. Despite the high burden of childhood stunting in urban Bangladesh, there are no data on long-term exposure to aflatoxin. This study aimed to explore aflatoxin exposure levels in a group of children followed longitudinally.

A putative HIV-1 subtype C/CRF11_cpx unique recombinant from South Africa.

The HIV epidemic in South Africa is overwhelmingly driven by HIV-1 subtype C viruses. The HIV gag, pol, env (C2-V5) and nef sequences of virus 08MB26ZA, obtained from a 47 year old woman, were studied by phylogenetic analysis, REGA and the jumping Profile Hidden Markov Model (jPHMM) tools. The pol gene was further analyzed for recombination by Simplot.

Development of the Dzimauli community in Vhembe District, Limpopo province of South Africa, for the MAL-ED cohort study.

The Dzimauli community is located in the Vhembe district in the northern part of Limpopo Province, South Africa. The district is bordered by Botswana and Zimbabwe to the north and Mozambique to the East. The study site population is entirely blacks and 53% female, with a mean household size of 6 persons.

Genetic variants of APOC3 promoter and HLA-B genes in an HIV infected cohort in northern South Africa: a pilot study.

Metabolic disorders and hypersensitivities affect tolerability and impact adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of C-482T/T-455C variants in the Apolipoprotein C3 (APOC3) promoter gene and Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*57:01, known to impact lipid metabolic disorders and hypersensitivity respectively; and to correlate genotypes with gender, CD4+ cell count and viral load in an HIV infected cohort in northern South Africa. Frequencies of C-482 and T-455 polymorphisms in APOC3 were determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

Genetic Analysis of HIV-1 Integrase Sequences from Treatment Naive Individuals in Northeastern South Africa.

Raltegravir, an integrase inhibitor, is not a component of the current South African antiretroviral treatment guidelines, but it could be introduced in the near future as cases of virological failures from current treatment regimens begin to occur. The aim of this study was to analyze the complete HIV integrase gene obtained from individuals at two treatment sites in northeastern South Africa for the presence of Raltegravir associated drug resistant mutations and viral subtypes based on the integrase gene. Examination for mutations against other integrase inhibitors, such as Elvitegravir and Dolutegravir, was also done.

Low prevalence of transmitted genetic drug resistance in a cohort of HIV infected naïve patients entering antiretroviral treatment programs at two sites in northern South Africa.

Infection with drug resistant viruses influences the outcome of antiretroviral therapy (ART). This study was carried out to determine the transmitted genetic drug resistance profile in a cohort of patients prior to initiation of treatment at two treatment sites in northern South Africa. These study sites were among the first to benefit from antiretroviral drugs in this region.

Prevalence of MDR1 C3435T and CYP2B6 G516T polymorphisms among HIV-1 infected South African patients.

Data on genetic polymorphisms associated with response to anti-HIV drugs has accumulated over the years. Information on how polymorphisms influence drug metabolism and transport to target sites is important in guiding dosage or selection of appropriate alternative therapies. This study determined the frequency of MDR1 C3435T and CYP2B6 G516T polymorphisms associated with the transport and metabolism of efavirenz and nevirapine, in a population of South African HIV infected patients.

Molecular epidemiology of HIV in two highly endemic areas of northeastern South Africa.

There is paucity of data on the genetic landscape of HIV-1 viruses circulating in the Limpopo Province of northeastern South Africa. Here, we examine the genetic diversity of viruses from Bela-Bela and Musina, two towns with high HIV prevalence. Between June 2007 and March 2008, blood samples were collected from antiretroviral-drug-naïve individuals.

Peltophorum africanum, a traditional South African medicinal plant, contains an anti HIV-1 constituent, betulinic acid.

The biodiversity of medicinal plants in South Africa makes them rich sources of leading compounds for the development of novel drugs. Peltophorum africanum (Fabaceae) is a deciduous tree widespread in South Africa. The stem bark has been traditionally employed to treat diarrhoea, dysentery, sore throat, wounds, human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), venereal diseases and infertility.

Polymorphisms in HIV-1 subtype C proteases and the potential impact on protease inhibitors.

Objectives: (i) To review data on the genetic profile of the protease (PR) gene of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-C primary isolates relative to HIV-1-B; (ii) to examine data on the susceptibility of HIV-1-C isolates harbouring polymorphisms to PR inhibitors (PI) and the development of resistance; and (iii) to identify gaps required for an improved understanding of the role of polymorphisms in resistance development of HIV-1-C to PI.

Method: Literature review.

Results: Significant differences exist between the baseline nucleotide and amino acid sequences of PR of HIV-1-B and HIV-1-C.

Issues surrounding the use of herbal therapies for AIDS in endemic regions.

Herbal preparations are rampantly used in the treatment of AIDS in endemic regions. Despite beneficial effects from the use of some plant preparations, the issues that still have to be addressed comprise the interaction between herbal preparations and antiretrovirals, lack of conclusive clinical trials of widely used plants, and ethical issues surrounding the practices of traditional healers. The burden presented by AIDS requires an urgent need for closer collaboration among scientists, medical practitioners and traditional systems of medicine to evaluate promising herbal preparations rigorously, and develop policies and guidelines for the judicious use of herbs with proven clinical benefit.

Bacterial contamination of Vhuswa--a local weaning food and stored drinking-water in impoverished households in the Venda region of South Africa.

Bacterial contaminants of Vhuswa--a traditional maize-based weaning food, and domestic drinking-water stored in impoverished rural households in Venda of Limpopo province, South Africa, were determined. One hundred and twenty-five samples of Vhuswa fed to children aged less than five years were assessed for Escherichia coli, Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella, and Shigella. The microbiological quality of 125 drinking-water samples was also evaluated using total coliforms, faecal coliforms, and faecal streptococci as indicators.

Evaluation of selected South African medicinal plants for inhibitory properties against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase and integrase.

Seventeen aqueous and methanol extracts from nine South African medicinal plants, ethnobotanically selected, were screened for inhibitory properties against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT). Isolated compounds were additionally evaluated on HIV-1 integrase (IN). The strongest inhibition against the RNA-dependent-DNA polymerase (RDDP) activity of RT was observed with the methanol extract of the stem-bark of Peltophorum africanum Sond.

Characterization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 from a previously unexplored region of South Africa with a high HIV prevalence.

HIV prevalence in the Limpopo Province has increased rapidly within the past 10 years, as in other parts of South Africa. Little is known about the genetic and biological properties of HIV circulating in this region including the baseline drug resistance profiles. We therefore collected blood samples from 42 HIV-1-infected patients residing in this region for analysis.

Diarrhoeagenic bacterial pathogens in HIV-positive patients with diarrhoea in rural communities of Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Potential enteric bacterial pathogens in 60 HIV-positive patients with chronic diarrhoea in rural communities of the Limpopo Province, South Africa, were identified using standard microbiological methods. The Kirby-Bauer disk-diffusion method was employed to determine antibiograms of isolated bacteria. Results revealed that diarrhoeagenic bacterial agents were isolated from 48 (80%) of the 60 HIV-positive patients with diarrhoea.