Systematic review on the compliance of WHO guidelines in the management of patients with advanced HIV disease in Africa: The case of cryptococcal antigen screening.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) screening for people presenting with advanced HIV disease (AHD) and for those with positive CrAg without evidence of meningitis to initiate preemptive antifungal medication. Data on the implementation of WHO recommendations regarding CrAg screening is limited. We estimated pooled prevalence of CrAg screening uptake, cryptococcal antigenemia, lumbar puncture, cryptococcal meningitis and initiation of preemptive antifungal medication from available eligible published studies conducted in Africa.

A systematic review on malaria and Tuberculosis (TB) vaccine challenges in sub-Saharan African clinical trials.

Objective: For more than a century, developing novel and effective vaccines against malaria and Tuberculosis (TB) infections has been a challenge. This review sought to investigate the reasons for the slow progress of malaria and TB vaccine candidates in sub-Saharan African clinical trials.

Methods: The systematic review protocol was registered on PROSPERO on July 26, 2023 (CRD42023445166).

Deterministic and stochastic effects drive the gut microbial diversity in cucurbit-feeding fruit flies (Diptera, Tephritidae).

Insect diversity is closely linked to the evolution of phytophagy, with most phytophagous insects showing a strong degree of specialisation for specific host plants. Recent studies suggest that the insect gut microbiome might be crucial in facilitating the dietary (host plant) range. This requires the formation of stable insect-microbiome associations, but it remains largely unclear which processes govern the assembly of insect microbiomes.

Prevalence of HIV infection and uptake of HIV/AIDs services among fishermen on the shores of Lake Victoria in Kagera region, Northwestern Tanzania.

Introduction: The Tanzania HIV Impact Survey (THIS) 2022-2023 showed that HIV prevalence among the general population stabilises but varies geographically across the country. Despite this, disproportionate burdens of HIV continue among specific subpopulations, such as fishermen. Fishermen are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection and have a low uptake of HIV prevention and treatment services.

Allergic Rhinitis and Its Associated Co-Morbidities Among Patients Attending the ENT Department at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center in Northern Tanzania: Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis is the specific inflammation against allergen by immune defense cells on the nasal mucosa, which can lead to chronic nasal symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, and nasal congestion. It is associated with high morbidity including sinusitis, asthma, otitis media, hypertrophied inferior turbinate, and nasal polyps. Despite its complications, it remains poorly recognized and tracked.

Effects of protection on large-bodied reef fishes in the western Indian Ocean.

Predatory and large-bodied coral reef fishes have fundamental roles in the functioning and biodiversity of coral reef ecosystems, but their populations are declining, largely due to overexploitation in fisheries. These fishes include sharks, groupers, Humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), and Green Humphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum). In the western Indian Ocean, this situation is exacerbated by limited population data on these fishes, including from conventional visual census methods, which limit the surface area surveyed.

Using Human-Centered Design to Bridge Zero-Dose Vaccine Gap: A Case Study of Ilala District in Tanzania.

Immunization plays a substantial role in reducing the under-five mortality rate. However, Tanzania still has a significant number of zero-dose and under-vaccinated children and was ranked among the top ten African countries with the highest numbers of zero-dose children in 2022. The human-centered design (HCD) approach is more ethical and effective at addressing public health challenges in complex sociocultural settings.

Integrated Serosurveillance of Infectious Diseases Using Multiplex Bead Assays: A Systematic Review.

Integrated serological surveillance (serosurveillance) involves testing for antibodies to multiple pathogens (or species) simultaneously and can be achieved using multiplex bead assays (MBAs). This systematic review aims to describe pathogens studied using MBAs, the operational implementation of MBAs, and how the data generated were synthesised. In November and December 2023, four databases were searched for studies utilising MBAs for the integrated serosurveillance of infectious diseases.

Gender Stereotypes and Bias in Nursing: A Qualitative Study in Tanzania.

(1) The question addressed in this study is what kinds of stereotypes and biases of gender in nursing exist in Tanzania. This study aimed to investigate gender stereotypes and bias among healthcare providers and non-healthcare providers. (2) Methods: Qualitative descriptive design and data were collected from the Dar es Salaam region of Tanzania through a Focus Group Discussion approach.

Social Iatrogenesis and Social Risks Among Queer PrEP Users in Dar Es Salaam.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis, commonly known as PrEP, is an HIV-preventative pill taken to reduce the risk of contracting HIV. During a PrEP study in Dar es Salaam among queer PrEP users, this ethnographic study observed how PrEP users experienced novel types of (social) risks and harms, or social iatrogenesis, imposed by the biomedical HIV prevention pill or the PrEP program. These forms of social iatrogenesis related to lack of autonomy, creating demand for PrEP, then removing services, projectivization of PrEP programs, social risks related to fear of stigma by association, and clinical encounters producing multiple understandings of adherence and usage of PrEP.

Neonatal indicator data in Tanzania District Health Information System: evaluation of availability and quality of selected newborn indicators, 2015-2022.

Background: The Every Newborn Action Plan (ENAP) indicators are essential in monitoring neonatal healthcare coverage and quality. The District Health Information System (DHIS2), an open-source platform in over 80 countries, supports health data collection and analysis, enabling progress tracking at national and subnational levels. This study evaluates the availability and quality of maternal and newborn health indicators, explicitly focusing on ENAP indicators within Tanzania's DHIS2.

Interpretable COVID-19 chest X-ray detection based on handcrafted feature analysis and sequential neural network.

Deep learning methods have significantly improved medical image analysis, particularly in detecting COVID-19 chest X-rays. Nonetheless, these methodologies frequently inhibit some drawbacks, such as limited interpretability, extensive computational resources, and the need for extensive datasets. To tackle these issues, we introduced two novel algorithms: the Dynamic Co-Occurrence Grey Level Matrix (DC-GLM) and the Contextual Adaptation Multiscale Gabor Network (CAMSGNeT).

Folate and Vitamin B12 Status among Non-Pregnant, Non-Lactating Women of Reproductive Age and Predicted Risk for Neural Tube Defects, Morogoro Region, Tanzania.

Introduction: Population risk for neural tube defects (NTDs) can be determined using red blood cell (RBC) folate. However, a paucity of biomarker and surveillance data among non-lactating, non-pregnant women of reproductive age (NPWRA) from Africa limits accurate assessment. Our study assessed folate and vitamin B12 status among non-lactating NPWRA and predicted population risk of NTDs in Tanzania.

Extracellular matrix re-normalization to improve cold tumor penetration by oncolytic viruses.

Immunologically inert or cold tumors pose a substantial challenge to the effectiveness of immunotherapy. The use of oncolytic viruses (OVs) to induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) in tumor cells is a well-established strategy for initiating the cancer immunity cycle (CIC). This process promotes the trafficking and infiltration of CD8+ T cells into tumors, thereby eliciting a tumor-specific immune response.

Safety of combined drug use in patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: an analysis based on the spontaneous reporting database of adverse drug reactions in Hubei Province.

Objective: There is a lack of studies investigating the safety of combination regimens specifically for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of combination drugs for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases using real-world data.

Methods: We analyzed adverse drug reaction data received by the Hubei Adverse Drug Reaction Center from the first quarter of 2014 to the fourth quarter of 2022.

Factors associated with HIV testing among young women in Tanzania: Insights from the 2022 Tanzanian Demographic and Health Survey using Anderson's Behavioral Model.

Background: HIV continues to be a significant global health issue, particularly affecting sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania. Knowing one's HIV status is a crucial first step in combating HIV/AIDS and achieving the targets set for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. However, despite ongoing efforts, HIV testing coverage remains low in developing countries, including Tanzania, where testing among young people poses particular challenges.

Adult Wilms Tumor With Inferior Vena Cava Thrombus on an Incomplete Duplex Collecting System Ureter Fissus Proximalis Managed at a Tertiary Hospital in Tanzania: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Wilms' tumor (WT), also known as nephroblastoma, is a malignant embryonal kidney tumor composed of embryonic cells and is the most prevalent tumor among children, but isolated cases occur infrequently in the adult population. Adult WT is defined according to the criteria of Kilton, Matthews, and Cohen, which comprise age above 15 years and histological patterns characteristic of WT. We report a case of an adult WT with venous thrombus on an incomplete duplex collecting system.

Atypical presentation of gouty tophi in a resource-limited setting.

A man in his early 50s from Tanzania presented with chronic nodular skin lesions and joint pain, likely due to gout complicated by obesity, after over 15 years of misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment. Despite various therapies for leprosy, tuberculosis and steroid use, his condition worsened, leading to hyperglycaemia and significant financial strain. Missed opportunities to use simple, low-cost diagnostic tests such as ultrasound and examining nodule fluid for urate crystals led to delays in diagnosis.

Emerging of non-vaccine Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes colonizing the nasopharynx of children under the age of five years in the 13-vallent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine era in Moshi district, Tanzania. A short communication.

In this study, we describe S. pneumoniae serotype distribution before and after PCV13 rollout in Tanzania. We serotyped S.

Community responses to a novel house design: A qualitative study of "Star Homes" in Mtwara, southeastern Tanzania.

Introduction: To evaluate the impact of a novel design "Star Home" on the incidence of malaria, respiratory tract infections and diarrheal diseases among children, randomly selected households in Mtwara, Tanzania were offered a free, new Star Home. Drawing on longitudinal qualitative research that accompanied the Star Homes study, this article describes the experiences of residents and the wider community of living with these buildings.

Methods: A total of four rounds of face-to-face interviews were undertaken with residents of Star Homes (n = 37), control (wattle/daub) homes (n = 21), neighboring households n = 6), community members (n = 17) and community leaders (n = 6).

A unique case of cutaneous tuberculosis of the scalp with extensive intracranial invasion from sub Saharan Africa.

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis can present with a large variety of mimics of other, treatable, disorders. We present a young man with advanced cranial disease responding to tuberculostatic treatment but posing significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Extensive Inactive Neurocysticercosis: A Case Report in Mbeya, Southern Highlands of Tanzania.

Background: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) and Acquired Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are both highly prevalent in Africa. Clinical presentation of NCC ranges from asymptomatic to manifestations, including epileptic seizures, severe progressive headache, and focal neurological deficits. It is influenced by the number, size, location, and stage of the cysts, as well as the parasite's potential to cause inflammation and the immunological response of the host.

Complete heart block with SARS-COV-2 infection inducing permanent pacing: a case report from a tertiary private hospital In Tanzania.

There is an increased risk of cardiac complications in COVID-19 among patients with pre-existing comorbidities due to their existing pro-inflammatory status. The manifestation of complete heart block has been evidenced as transient and in no need of intervention. This case presents a previously healthy woman who was diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection and complete heart block; she underwent permanent dual-chamber pacemaker implantation after successful treatment and a negative COVID-19 test.

Geographic origin and evolution of dengue virus serotypes 1 and 3 circulating in Africa.

Despite the increasing burden of dengue in Kenya and Africa, the introduction and expansion of the virus in the region remain poorly understood. The objective of this study is to examine the genetic diversity and evolutionary histories of dengue virus (DENV) serotypes 1 and 3 in Kenya and contextualize their circulation within circulation dynamics in the broader African region. Viral RNA was extracted from samples collected from a cohort of febrile patients recruited at clinical sites in Kenya from 2013 to 2022.