Evaluation of a surrogate virus neutralization assay for detecting neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in an African population.

The global resurgence of coronaviruses and the move to incorporate COVID-19 vaccines into the expanded program for immunization have warranted for a high-throughput and low-cost assay to measure and quantify mounted neutralizing antibodies as an indicator for protection against SARS-CoV-2. Hence, we evaluated the surrogate-virus-neutralization-assay (sVNT) as an alternative assay to the pseudo-virus neutralization assay (pVNT). The sVNT was used to measure neutralizing antibodies among 119 infected and/or vaccinated blood samples, against wild-type SARS-CoV-2 (WT) and the Omicron-variant with reference to the pVNT.

Effectiveness of a timed praziquantel treatment of school children in relation to seasonal transmission of urogenital schistosomiasis in Northwestern Tanzania.

Background: Regular mass drug administration of praziquantel has a positive impact on reducing the burden of human schistosomiasis, however transmission still persists in many areas. To reach disease elimination; tailored interventions are needed to not only further reduce infections but also to tackle areas of persistent high prevalences of infection. One proposed approach is timed treatment based on the natural disease transmission cycle in relation to seasons.

Sickle Cell Disease in the Islands of Zanzibar: Patients' Characteristics, Management, and Clinical Outcomes.

Background: This study aimed to describe Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) phenotypes, sociodemographic characteristics, healthcare, and clinical outcomes of patients with SCD attending Mnazi Mmoja Hospital (MMH) in Zanzibar.

Methods: Individuals who visited MMH between September 2021 and December 2022 and were known or suspected to have SCD were enrolled in the clinic. Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical features were documented, and laboratory tests were performed.

Revisiting Africa's Stroke Obstacles and Services (SOS).

Background: As one of the most common non-communicable diseases in Africa, Stroke ought to be dealt with properly with intensifying efforts to control its burden and to face obstacles in its management.

Methods And Results: In this follow-up study we reanalyzed stroke services and related obstacles in 17 African countries that were previously studied in 2021/22 in aspects related to manpower, acute stroke services, rehabilitation programs, number of stroke units/centers, telestroke services, awareness campaigns, and national and international stroke registries through a survey that was sent to stroke specialists and national stroke societies. Overall, there is an improvement in many fields yet many obstacles in the implementation of telestroke services, acute management, secondary prevention, post-discharge services, and follow-ups whether governmental, medical, or societal are prevalent.

Incidence and Progression of Diastolic Dysfunction in People With HIV in Tanzania: A Comparative Cohort.

Background: People living with HIV (PLWH) have a higher prevalence of diastolic dysfunction and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in cross-sectional studies. Longitudinal data are lacking, especially from Africa.

Objectives: The aim was to examine: 1) the incidence of diastolic dysfunction in PLWH compared to community controls in Tanzania; 2) the progression of diastolic function and LVH in PLWH after antiretroviral therapy initiation; and 3) traditional, endemic, and HIV-specific risk factors for diastolic function and LVH.

Synthesizing evidence to guide the design and implementation of effective strategies for discontinuing postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis in surgical settings: an umbrella review post-WHO 2018 recommendations.

Background: Postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis (PAP) involves using antibiotics after surgery to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs). However, studies have shown that PAP offers no additional benefits compared to discontinuation after surgical incision closure, prompting its de-implementation to prevent unnecessary antibiotic use that may contribute to antibiotic resistance. We conducted this review to synthesize evidence for guiding the design and implementation of effective strategies for discontinuing PAP practice and optimizing antibiotic use in surgical settings.

Associations between dietary patterns and intestinal inflammation among HIV-infected and uninfected adults: A cross-sectional study in Tanzania.

The increased burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is fueled by lifestyle factors including diet. This cross-sectional study explored among Tanzanian adults whether unhealthy dietary patterns are associated with intestinal and systemic inflammation which could increase the risk of NCDs. The study included 574 participants, with both diet and inflammatory markers data.

Challenges and motivating factors for integrating geostatistical models in targeted schistosomiasis control: A qualitative case study in Northwestern Tanzania.

Introduction: To address problems of over- and under-treatment with preventive chemotherapy resulting in ongoing transmission of schistosomiasis, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends targeted mass drug administration (MDA) interventions at a sub-district level. In Tanzania, the lack of sub-district (ward) prevalence data has inhibited a transition to targeted treatment. Model-based prevalence estimation combined with routine surveillance data can be used to overcome this gap.

"They are not HIV treatments drugs; they are preventive drugs (PrEP)". Experiences of PrEP uptake among vulnerable adolescent girls and young women in Tanzania.

Introduction: HIV poses a significant global health concern, affecting adolescents among other populations. This is attributed to various vulnerabilities including biological factors, gender inequalities and limited access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services in sub-Saharan Africa. In Tanzania, adolescent girls, and young women (AGYW) face double the risk of HIV infection compared to their male counterparts.

Androgen receptor overexpression by immunohistochemistry in malignant salivary gland tumors in Tanzania.

Background: Malignant salivary gland tumors (SGTs) present diagnostic challenges and limited treatment options. This study aims to determine the proportion of malignant SGTs overexpressing the androgen receptor (AR) by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and its association to age, sex, anatomical site, histopathological subtype and grade which may inform customized treatment approaches.

Methodology: This was a retrospective cross-sectional analytical study of archived paraffin embedded tissue blocks of malignant SGTs diagnosed at MNH Central Pathology Laboratory (CPL) from January 2019 to December 2022.

Time to change implementation units for mass drug administration against schistosomiasis in Uganda: Evidence from Communities levels data validation and its implication in planning.

Uganda started implementing mass drug administration against schistosomiasis in 2003, with district used as an implementation unit. This resulted into misclassification of communities into wrong risk levels, under-or-over treatment and over request of praziquantel (PZQ) drugs. The objective of the current study was to reviewing the community data available at World Health Organization/ESPEN database to understand the status of schistosomiasis and identify pockets with infection.

Describing trauma patient characteristics and care provided at a referral hospital in Mwanza, Tanzania: a prospective cross-sectional study.

Background: Over 90% of trauma deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The trauma burden in Tanzania is similar to the global rate of 10% and road traffic injuries result in a 40% mortality. To understand epidemiology of trauma referrals and care we aimed to describe the patients presenting to a tertiary, referral hospital in Tanzania for trauma care, their injuries and mechanism of injury, and describe the care received.

Breast Cancer Knowledge and Attitude Toward Breast Cancer Screening Practice Among Catholic Nuns in Lake Zone-Tanzania.

Background: Breast cancer poses a significant public health challenge in Tanzania. Limited knowledge about breast cancer and negative attitudes toward screening practices contributes to delayed diagnoses and poorer patient outcomes. Catholic nuns, who are often nulliparous, represent a population with an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Five-year tuberculosis trends analysis in eight districts of Mwanza region, Tanzania; (2017-2021).

Background: In Tanzania like other developing countries, TB detection is hindered by totally missed, late notification, and delayed diagnosis of active cases. Apart from having TB control strategies and interventions to detect patients and put them on treatment to cut down the chain of transmission, TB remains a health concern. Limited data exist on the burden and trends of tuberculosis in Mwanza, which includes fishing communities and living conditions that are associated with high TB transmission like overcrowding.

Inclusiveness of the All of Us Research Program improves polygenic risk scores and fosters genomic medicine for all.

Polygenic risk scores (PRS) show promise but have accuracy disparities across ancestries due to underrepresentation in the existing genomic databases. Here, we outline the initiative of All of Us Research Program in refining PRS and advancing genomic medicine for all.

Acute stroke care in low and middle-income countries.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this article is to discuss the global impact of stroke, the disparities and barriers to implement stroke care, and the global efforts to improve access to acute treatments in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Recent Findings: Disparities in access to stroke care are influenced by socioeconomic inequalities, geographic disparities, and limited healthcare infrastructure, particularly in LMICs. Effective stroke care requires a coordinated approach involving emergency services, rapid diagnosis, timely treatment, and early rehabilitation.

Causes of death among older children and adolescents (5-19 years) in the Magu Health and Demographic Surveillance Study, Tanzania, 1995-2022.

Background: Population data on mortality and causes of death among 5-19-year-olds are limited.

Objectives: To assess levels, trends, and risk factors of cause-specific mortality and place at death among 5-19-year-olds in Tanzania (1995-2022).

Methods: Using longitudinal data from the Magu Health and Demographic Surveillance System in northwest Tanzania, we identified leading causes of death among 5-19-year-olds from verbal autopsy interviews, using physician review and a Bayesian probabilistic model (InSilicoVA).