Exploring polyamine metabolism of the yeast-like fungus, Emergomyces africanus.

Emergomyces africanus is a thermally dimorphic pathogen causing severe morbidity and mortality in immunocompromized patients. Its transition to a pathogenic yeast-like phase in the human host is a notable virulence mechanism. Recent studies suggest polyamines as key players in dimorphic switching, yet their precise functions remain enigmatic.

The epidemiology of laboratory-confirmed Hepatitis B Virus infection in the general population of South Africa, 2016-2018.

Introduction: despite the introduction of the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) vaccine in South Africa in 1995, HBV remains endemic. South Africa's HBV vaccine coverage for the third dose was 71% in 2015. Information on the HBV prevalence in South Africa in recent years is limited, therefore, we estimated HBV prevalence and described annual trends.

Vaccine safety surveillance in South Africa through COVID-19: A journey to systems strengthening.

Background: Surveillance systems for monitoring and reporting adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) and adverse events of special interest (AESI) are vital in understanding safety profiles of post-marketed vaccines. Evaluation of surveillance systems is necessary for systems strengthening. We conducted the first evaluation of the South African AEFI surveillance system in its current form, established in 2018.

Safety, effectiveness and immunogenicity of heterologous mRNA-1273 boost after prime with Ad26.COV2.S among healthcare workers in South Africa: The single-arm, open-label, phase 3 SHERPA study.

Limited studies have been conducted on the safety and effectiveness of heterologous COVID-19 vaccine boosting in lower income settings, especially those with high-HIV prevalence., The Sisonke Heterologous mRNA-1273 boost after prime with Ad26.COV2.

Novel polymorphic and copy number diversity in the antibody IGH locus of South African individuals.

The heavy chain of an antibody is crucial for mediating antigen binding. IGHV genes, which partially encode the heavy chain of antibodies, exhibit vast genetic diversity largely through polymorphism and copy number variation (CNV). These genetic variations impact population-level expression levels.

Clostridioides difficile hypervirulent strain ST1 isolated from clinical stool specimens obtained from three Provinces in South Africa.

Objectives: Clostridioides difficile infection is a serious healthcare-associated infection linked to antimicrobial use. The severity of the disease can be associated with hypervirulent ribotypes such as RT027. The study aimed to investigate the molecular epidemiology and genomic characteristics of C.

The challenges of difficult-to-treat infections.

SUMMARYInfections due to spp. are among the most difficult to treat. Most are resistant to standard antibiotics, and there is difficulty in distinguishing colonizers from pathogens.

A potential platform for future vaccine trials identifies high incidence of symptomatic and asymptomatic influenza infection among children aged 6-23 months in South Africa.

Background: Approaches for determining whether influenza vaccination prevents infection, attenuates illness, or both, are important for developing improved vaccines. We estimated influenza infection incidence, and evaluated symptom ascertainment methodologies in children to inform future vaccine trial design.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study among children aged 6-23 months from May-October 2022.

Enhancing clinical microbiology for genomic surveillance of antimicrobial resistance implementation in Africa.

Surveillance is essential in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), to monitor the extent of resistance, inform prevention, control measures, and evaluate intervention progress. Traditional surveillance methods based on phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility data offer important but limited insights into resistance mechanisms, transmission networks, and spread patterns of resistant bacterial strains. Fortunately, genomic technologies are increasingly accessible and can overcome these limitations.

Genomics sequence data of a drug-resistant producing Tripoli Metallo-β-lactamase 1 isolated from Sudan.

We whole-genome sequence a drug-resistant strain (PANU108) isolated in 2020 from an elderly male patient admitted to an intensive care unit with bloodstream infection in Khartoum, Sudan. The analysis of the sequenced data revealed that the strain is sequence type 319 (ST319) and carrying 11 acquired resistance genes belonging to 5 drug classes. Interestingly, we found that PANU108 strain harbouring resistance gene.

Research and product development for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever: priorities for 2024-30.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a widely distributed and potentially fatal tick-borne viral disease with no licensed specific treatments or vaccines. In 2019, WHO published an advanced draft of a research and development roadmap for CCHF that prioritised the development and deployment of the medical countermeasures most needed by CCHF-affected countries. This Personal View presents updated CCHF research and development priorities and is the product of broad consultation with a working group of 20 leading experts in 2023-24.

Molecular epidemiology of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Gauteng South Africa.

Klebsiella pneumoniae multidrug-resistant (MDR) high-risk clones drive the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) associated infections, resulting in limited therapeutic options. This study described the genomic characteristics of K. pneumoniae MDR high-risk clones in Gauteng, South Africa.

Public health surveillance perspectives from provincial COVID-19 experiences, South Africa 2021.

Unlabelled: Previous pandemics, recent outbreaks, and imminent public health events are a clarion call for functional public health surveillance systems that timeously detect public health events, guide interventions, and inform public health policy. We reviewed the Eastern Cape Provincial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) surveillance approach to determine best practices and opportunities to strengthen public health surveillance. We conducted a document review of COVID-19 surveillance reports, tools and guidelines prepared between March 2020 and November 2021.

The prevalence and distribution of malaria in Mpumalanga Province before and during COVID-19 (2017 - 2022).

Background: South Africa (SA) has committed to eliminating malaria by 2028. However, the initial target was set for 2023. Additionally, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of drug and insecticide resistance have been identified as potential stumbling blocks in the achievement of this goal.

Safety and implementation of a phase 1 randomized GLA-SE-adjuvanted CH505TF gp120 HIV vaccine trial in newborns.

Background: The neonatal immune system is uniquely poised to generate broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) and thus infants are ideal for evaluating HIV vaccine candidates. We present the design and safety of a novel glucopyranosyl lipid A (GLA)-stable emulsion (SE) adjuvant admixed with a first-in-infant CH505 transmitter-founder (CH505TF) gp120 immunogen designed to induce precursors for bnAbs against HIV.

Methods: HVTN 135 is a phase I randomized, placebo-controlled trial of CH505TF+GLA-SE or placebo.

Evaluating culture-free targeted next-generation sequencing for diagnosing drug-resistant tuberculosis: a multicentre clinical study of two end-to-end commercial workflows.

Background: Drug-resistant tuberculosis remains a major obstacle in ending the global tuberculosis epidemic. Deployment of molecular tools for comprehensive drug resistance profiling is imperative for successful detection and characterisation of tuberculosis drug resistance. We aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of a new class of molecular diagnostics for drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Towards integrated malaria molecular surveillance in Africa.

Integrated malaria molecular surveillance (iMMS) systems are essential for Africa's expanding malaria genomics initiatives. Here we highlight a few initiatives and demonstrate how iMMS can support evidence-based decisions and policies for National Malaria Programs and other malaria control stakeholders. We conclude with key considerations for advancing these malaria genomics initiatives towards sustainable iMMS.

Host Preferences and Impact of Climate on Blood Feeding in Group from South Africa.

and (members of the group) are generally not considered malaria vectors. However, both species were recently identified as potential vectors in South Africa. A critical factor needed to determine their role in malaria transmission is their preference for human blood.

The Effect of Larval Exposure to Heavy Metals on the Gut Microbiota Composition of Adult (Diptera: Culicidae).

is a highly adaptable member of the . complex. Its flexible resting behaviour and diverse feeding habits make conventional vector control methods less effective in controlling this species.