Antimicrobial resistance profiles of and associated risk factors for nosocomial infection among patients at two tertiary healthcare facilities in Lusaka and Copperbelt Provinces, Zambia.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of pathogens such as is among the top 10 threats to global health. However, clinical and molecular data are scarce in Zambia. We, therefore, evaluated the AMR profiles of nosocomial infections (NIs).

Electrodiagnostic consultations in Zambia: Referral characteristics and neuromuscular disorders.

Introduction: Research on neuromuscular disorders in sub-Saharan Africa is scarce. We aimed to delineate referral characteristics and the neuromuscular disorders observed among electrodiagnostic (EDX) consultations in a tertiary care setting in Zambia.

Methods: EDX records were reviewed for all specialist-performed studies after the establishment of the laboratory.

Progressive respiratory distress in a 42-year-old HIV-positive woman with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: Identifying and treating the cause of pulmonary symptoms in HIV patients with underlying systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can be very challenging. Delays in diagnosing active SLE in HIV patients can lead to significant morbidity and even mortality. We report the case of an HIV-positive woman with SLE who presented with severe respiratory distress.

Frequency of APOE, MTHFR and ACE polymorphisms in the Zambian population.

Background: Polymorphisms within the apolipoprotein-E (APOE), Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) genes has been associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders, Alzheimer's disease and other complex diseases in various populations. The aim of the study was to analyze the allelic and genotypic frequencies of APOE, MTHFR C677T and ACE I/D gene polymorphisms in the Zambian population.

Results: The allele frequencies of APOE polymorphism in the Zambian populations were 13.

Association of the APOE, MTHFR and ACE Genes Polymorphisms and Stroke in Zambian Patients.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of APOE, MTHFR and ACE polymorphisms with stroke in the Zambian population. We analyzed 41 stroke patients and 116 control subjects all of Zambian origin for associations between the genotype of the APOE, MTHFR and ACE polymorphisms and stroke. The APOE ε2ε4 genotype showed increased risk for hemorrhagic stroke (P<0.