Strengthening serological studies: the need for greater geographical diversity, biobanking, and data-accessibility.

Serological studies uniquely strengthen infectious disease surveillance, expanding prevalence estimates to encompass asymptomatic infections, and revealing the otherwise inapparent landscape of immunity, including who is and is not susceptible to infection. They are thus a powerful complement to often incomplete epidemiological and public health measures (administrative measures of vaccination coverage, incidence estimates, etc.).

Can microbiota gut-brain axis reverse neurodegenerative disorders in human?

The trillions of microbial populations residing in the gut have recently shown that they can be used as a remedy for various diseases. The gut microbiota-brain-axis interface is one unique pathway that the microbiota demonstrates its medicinal value. This medicinal value is further seen when there is a decline in gut microbial diversity (dysbiosis).

Transcriptome analysis reveals molecular targets of erythrocyte invasion phenotype diversity in natural isolates from Cameroon.

Further understanding of the molecular mediators of alternative RBC invasion phenotypes in endemic malaria parasites will support malaria blood-stage vaccine or drug development. This study investigated the prevalence of sialic acid (SA)-dependent and SA-independent RBC invasion pathways in endemic parasites from Cameroon and compared the schizont stage transcriptomes in these two groups to uncover the wider repertoire of transcriptional variation associated with the use of alternative RBC invasion pathway phenotypes. A two-color flow cytometry-based invasion-inhibition assay against RBCs treated with neuraminidase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin and deep RNA sequencing of schizont stages harvested in the first replication cycle in culture were employed in this investigation.

Sub-Saharan Africa's Contribution to Clinical Trials in International Acute Coronary Syndromes and Heart Failure Guidelines.

Background: There is a growing burden of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and heart failure (HF) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), yet outcomes remain poor compared to high-income countries. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) international guidelines are pivotal to the delivery of evidence-based care; however, their representation of populations from SSA remains unclear.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the representation of populations from SSA in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that inform ESC ACS and HF guidelines.

Promotion of Cardiovascular Health in Africa: The Alliance for Medical Research in Africa (AMedRA) Expert Panel.

This proposed scientific statement is focused on providing new insights regarding challenges and opportunities for cardiovascular health (CVH) promotion in Africa. The statement includes an overview of the current state of CVH in Africa, with a particular interest in the cardiometabolic risk factors and their evaluation through metrics. The statement also explains the main principles of primordial prevention, its relevance in reducing noncommunicable disease and the different strategies that have been effective worldwide.

A diagnostic host-specific transcriptome response for Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia to guide pediatric patient treatment.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes atypical pneumonia in children and young adults. Its lack of a cell wall makes it resistant to beta-lactams, which are the first-line treatment for typical pneumonia. Current diagnostic tests are time-consuming and have low specificity, leading clinicians to administer empirical antibiotics.

Immunogenicity of yellow fever vaccine co-administered with 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in rural Gambia: A cluster-randomised trial.

Introduction: Because booster doses of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) may be given at a similar time to yellow fever vaccine (YF), it is important to assess the immune response to YF when co-administered with PCV. This has been investigated during a reduced-dose PCV trial in The Gambia.

Methods: In this phase 4, parallel-group, cluster-randomized trial, healthy infants aged 0-10 weeks were randomly allocated to receive either a two-dose schedule of PCV13 with a booster dose co-administered with YF vaccine at age 9 months (1 + 1 co-administration) or YF vaccine administered separately at age 10 months (1 + 1 separate) or the standard three early doses of PCV13 with YF vaccine at age 9 months (3 + 0 separate).

Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among household heads in northern Nigeria: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Objectives: COVID-19 vaccine was rolled out for the public in August 2021 in Zamfara state, Northen Nigeria. We determined the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

Settings: We executed a community-based analytical cross-sectional study during the first 4 months of the second phase of the COVID-19 (Oxford/AstraZeneca) mass vaccination campaign in Zamfara state.

Impact of water, sanitation, and hygiene indicators on enteric viral pathogens among under-5 children in low resource settings.

Poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are the primary risks of exposure to enteric viral infection. Our study aimed to describe the role of WASH conditions and practices as risk factors for enteric viral infections in children under 5. Literature on the risk factors associated with all-cause diarrhea masks the taxa-specific drivers of diarrhea from specific pathogens, limiting the application of relevant control strategies.

Factors influencing malnutrition among adolescent girls in The Gambia: a mixed-methods exploratory study.

Background: In The Gambia, existing research to understand and address malnutrition among adolescent girls is limited. Prior to the conduct of large-scale studies, formative research is needed. The aim of this mixed methods, cross-sectional study was to explore cultural contexts relevant to nutritional status, feasibility and appropriateness of recruitment and data collection methods (questionnaires and anthropometric measures), and plausibility of data collected.

Current evidence around key underrepresented women's health topics in pregnancy and postpartum nutrition: a narrative review.

Adequate nutrition during pregnancy and postpartum is critical to maternal and child health, but there is often a missing focus around health outcomes specifically for women. Women's health includes sex-specific biological attributes and socially constructed gender roles framing behaviours and practices. This narrative review aims to highlight key areas where women's health has been underrepresented in pregnancy and postpartum nutrition research.

Redefining the severity of orofacial tissue damage caused by noma: a novel classification approach.

Background: Noma is a severe orofacial disease with high mortality and morbidity. Although severity scales exist, they fail to fully capture the extent of damage caused by the disease.

Methods: This study analysed 404 photos of 260 noma cases from Facing Africa (n=228) and Project Harar (n=32) to create a new severity classification system.

Three in four children age 12-23 months missed opportunities for vaccination in Sub-Saharan African countries: a multilevel mixed effect analysis of demographic health and surveys 2016-2023.

Background: Despite vaccination being the most cost-effective means to prevent disease and its adverse consequences, missing opportunities for vaccination remains a critical public health challenge. Many SSA countries still couldn't reach the target endorsed by the Global Vaccine Action Plan. Identifying contributing factors helps policymakers and planners to design potential interventions to avert missing opportunities for vaccination.

Deep analysis of the major histocompatibility complex genetic associations using covariate analysis and haploblocks unravels new mechanisms for the molecular etiology of Elite Control in AIDS.

Introduction: We have reanalyzed the genomic data from the International Collaboration for the Genomics of HIV (ICGH), focusing on HIV-1 Elite Controllers (EC).

Methods: A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed, comparing 543 HIV-1 EC individuals with 3,272 uninfected controls (CTR) of European ancestry. 8 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and HLA class I and class II gene alleles were imputed to compare EC and CTR.

Affordability of healthy and water-saving dietary patterns in The Gambia.

Dietary modification has the potential to improve nutritional status and reduce environmental impacts of the food system. However, for many countries, the optimal composition of locally contextualized healthy and sustainable diets is unknown. The Gambia is vulnerable to climate-change-induced future water scarcity which may affect crop yields and the ability to supply healthy diets.

Multiplication rate variation of malaria parasites from hospital cases and community infections.

The significance of multiplication rate variation in malaria parasites needs to be determined, particularly for Plasmodium falciparum, the species that causes most virulent infections. To investigate this, parasites from cases presenting to hospital in The Gambia and from local community infections were culture-established and then tested under exponential growth conditions in a standardised six-day multiplication rate assay. The multiplication rate distribution was lower than seen previously in clinical isolates from another area in West Africa where infection is more highly endemic.

Efficacy, Safety, and Immunogenicity of the MATISSE (Maternal Immunization Study for Safety and Efficacy) Maternal Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prefusion F Protein Vaccine Trial.

Objective: To evaluate descriptive efficacy data, exploratory immunogenicity data, and safety follow-up through study completion from the global, phase 3 MATISSE (Maternal Immunization Study for Safety and Efficacy) maternal vaccination trial of bivalent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prefusion F protein vaccine (RSVpreF).

Methods: MATISSE was a phase 3, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Healthy pregnant participants aged 49 years or younger at 24-36 weeks of gestation were randomized (1:1) to receive a single RSVpreF 120 micrograms or placebo dose.

Preterm Birth Frequency and Associated Outcomes From the MATISSE (Maternal Immunization Study for Safety and Efficacy) Maternal Trial of the Bivalent Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prefusion F Protein Vaccine.

Objective: To describe preterm birth frequency and newborn and infant outcomes overall and among preterm children in the MATISSE (Maternal Immunization Study for Safety and Efficacy) trial of maternal vaccination with bivalent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prefusion F protein-based vaccine (RSVpreF) to protect infants against severe RSV-associated illness.

Methods: MATISSE was a global, phase 3, randomized, double-blind trial. Pregnant individuals received single injections of RSVpreF or placebo.

Childhood Vaccinations and Associated Factors in 35 Sub-Saharan African Countries: Secondary Analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys Data from 358 949 Under-5 Children.

. We examined childhood vaccinations coverage and its associated factors in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries. .

Sepsis in a 9-Month-Old Female Infant: A Case Report.

Grimontia hollisae, an uncommon cause of sepsis, was identified in a 9-month-old infant in Africa without confirmed seafood consumption. Prompt diagnosis through blood culture and targeted antibiotic therapy ensured recovery, emphasizing the need for increased awareness, enhanced diagnostic tools, and active monitoring of emerging pathogens in tropical and resource-limited regions. We present a case report involving a 9-month-old infant who exhibited symptoms of acute gastroenteritis.

The evolutionary history of Plasmodium falciparum from mitochondrial and apicoplast genomes of China-Myanmar border isolates.

Background: The frequent communication between African and Southeast Asian (SEA) countries has led to the risk of imported malaria cases in the China-Myanmar border (CMB) region. Therefore, tracing the origins of new malaria infections is important in the maintenance of malaria-free zones in this border region. A new genotyping tool based on a robust mitochondrial (mt) /apicoplast (apico) barcode was developed to estimate genetic diversity and infer the evolutionary history of Plasmodium falciparum across the major distribution ranges.

Dermoscopy of Scabies: Utility of Polarised and Ultraviolet-Induced Fluorescence Examination in Fair and Dark Skin.

Introduction: Ultraviolet-based dermoscopy may support the recognition of scabies, yet neither accuracy analyses nor data on skin of colour are available. The aim of this multicentric observational retrospective was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of polarised and ultraviolet-induced fluorescence (UVF) dermoscopic examination in both fair and dark skin, also assessing possible differences according to the skin tone.

Methods: Consecutive patients with a diagnosis of scabies were eligible.

Genetic parameters and correlations between growth traits and packed cell volume of N'Dama cattle in the Gambia.

The evolution of body weight under the natural trypanosome challenge and its association with disease tolerance to trypanosomosis is of utmost economic importance in cattle. This study estimated heritability for growth traits and packed cell volume (PCV) and their genetic correlations in the N'Dama cattle in the Gambia. A total of 2,488, 2,442, 1,471, 1,934, and 1,452 bodyweight records at 12 months (WT12), 16 months (WT16), 18 months (WT18), 24 months (WT24), 36 months (WT36) and 50 months (WT50) and 1,782, 1,800, 1,844, 1,608, and 1,459 records for PCV at 12 months (PCV12) 18 months (PCV18), 24 months (PCV24), 36 months (PCV36), and 50 months (PCV50), respectively, were analysed.