GWAS of resistance to three bacterial diseases in the Andean common bean diversity panel.

Bacterial brown spot (BBS) caused by pv. (), common bacterial blight (CBB) caused by pv. () and subsp.

Enteric pathogens relationship with small bowel histologic features of environmental enteric dysfunction in a multicountry cohort study.

Background: Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (EED) is an acquired disorder of asymptomatic altered gut function, the etiology of which is unknown. EED is postulated to be a major contributor to growth faltering in early childhood in regions where early-life enteropathogenic carriage is prevalent. Few studies have examined the critical organ (the upper small bowel) with enteropathogens in the evolution of small bowel disease.

Biomarker relationships with small bowel histopathology among malnourished children with environmental enteric dysfunction in a multicountry cohort study.

Background: Validated biomarkers could catalyze environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) research.

Objectives: Leveraging an EED histology scoring system, this multicountry analysis examined biomarker associations with duodenal histology features among children with EED. We also examined differences in 2-h compared with 1-h urine collections in the lactulose rhamnose (LR) dual sugar test.

Anthropometry relationship with duodenal histologic features of children with environmental enteric dysfunction: a multicenter cross-sectional study.

Background: Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) is a precursor of growth faltering in children living in impoverished conditions who are frequently exposed to environmental toxins and enteropathogens, leading to small bowel inflammatory, malabsorptive, and permeability derangements and low-grade chronic systemic inflammation.

Objectives: We explored the association between anthropometrics and duodenal histologic features of EED among children from 3 lower middle-income country centers.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, Pakistani children (n = 63) with wasting, Bangladesh children (n = 116) with stunting or at risk for stunting (height-for-age Z score [HAZ] <-1 but ≥-2), and Zambian children (n = 108) with wasting or stunting received nutritional intervention.

Duodenal transcriptomics demonstrates signatures of tissue inflammation and immune cell infiltration in children with environmental enteric dysfunction across global centers.

Background: Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) is an inflammatory condition of the small intestine that is prevalent in children residing in low- and middle-income countries. EED is accompanied by profound histopathologic changes in the small bowel, loss of absorptive capacity, increased intestinal permeability, increased microbial translocation, and nutrient loss.

Objectives: We sought to identify dysregulated genes and pathways that might underlie pediatric EED.

Multiplexed immunohistochemical evaluation of small bowel inflammatory and epithelial parameters in environmental enteric dysfunction.

Background: Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) is characterized by reduced absorptive capacity and barrier function of the small intestine, leading to poor ponderal and linear childhood growth.

Objectives: To further define gene expression patterns that are associated with EED to uncover new pathophysiology of this disorder.

Methods: Duodenal biopsies from cohorts of children with EED from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Zambia were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) to interrogate gene products that distinguished differentiation and various biochemical pathways in immune and epithelial cells, some identified by prior bulk RNA sequence analyses.

EsxA, a type VII secretion system-dependent effector, reveals a novel function in the sporulation of Bacillus cereus ATCC14579.

Background: Bacillus cereus is a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium that produces a spectrum of effectors integral to bacterial niche adaptation and the development of various infections. Among those is EsxA, whose secretion depends on the EssC component of the type VII secretion system (T7SS). EsxA's roles within the bacterial cell are poorly understood, although postulations indicate that it may be involved in sporulation.

Identification of antibody targets associated with lower HIV viral load and viremic control.

Background: High HIV viral loads (VL) are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and on-going transmission. HIV controllers maintain low VLs in the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART). We previously used a massively multiplexed antibody profiling assay (VirScan) to compare antibody profiles in HIV controllers and persons living with HIV (PWH) who were virally suppressed on ART.

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).

Utility of Cerebrospinal Fluid Unstimulated Interferon-Gamma (IRISA-TB) as a Same-Day Test for Tuberculous Meningitis in a Tuberculosis-Endemic, Resource-Poor Setting.

Background: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) mortality is high and current diagnostics perform suboptimally. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of a DNA-based assay (GeneXpert Ultra) against a new same-day immunodiagnostic assay that detects unstimulated interferon-gamma (IRISA-TB).

Methods: In a stage 1 evaluation, IRISA-TB was evaluated in biobanked samples from Zambia (n = 82; tuberculosis [TB] and non-TBM), and specificity in a South African biobank (n = 291; non-TBM only).

Implementation strategies for decentralized management of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: insights from community health systems in Zambia.

Background: Decentralized management approaches for multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) have shown improved treatment outcomes in patients. However, challenges remain in the delivery of decentralized MDR TB services. Further, implementation strategies for effectively delivering the services in community health systems (CHSs) in low-resource settings have not been fully described, as most strategies are known and effective in high-income settings.

Inflammation and Elevated Osteopontin in Plasma and CSF in Cerebral Malaria Compared to -Negative Neurological Infections.

Cerebral malaria in young African children is associated with high mortality, and persisting neurological deficits often remain in survivors. Sequestered -infected red blood cells lead to cerebrovascular inflammation and subsequent neuroinflammation. Brain inflammation can play a role in the pathogenesis of neurologic sequelae.

Evaluation of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for the prevention of COVID-19 (COPCOV): A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has proved ineffective in treating patients hospitalised with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), but uncertainty remains over its safety and efficacy in chemoprevention. Previous chemoprevention randomised controlled trials (RCTs) did not individually show benefit of HCQ against COVID-19 and, although meta-analysis did suggest clinical benefit, guidelines recommend against its use.

Methods And Findings: Healthy adult participants from the healthcare setting, and later from the community, were enrolled in 26 centres in 11 countries to a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial of COVID-19 chemoprevention.

Molecular detection and phylogenetic characterization of in ticks collected from leopard tortoise () in rural Zambia.

In sub-Saharan Africa, limited studies have investigated zoonotic pathogens that may be harboured by ticks infesting reptiles such as tortoises. Here, we report the presence of pathogenic in ticks () collected from the leopard tortoise () in rural Zambia. Using polymerase chain reaction, 56% (49/87) of ticks were positive for the outer membrane protein () gene.

Awareness and willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis among the University of Zambia students: A cross-sectional study.

Background And Aims: Despite a quick rollout of PrEP as a preventive method against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections in Zambia, adolescent and young adult populations have remained very vulnerable to HIV infection. This study assessed the awareness and willingness to use PrEP among University of Zambia (UNZA) students.

Methods: Three hundred forty-six students participated in this cross-sectional study at UNZA between March and June 2021.

Pan-genome analysis reveals novel chromosomal markers for multiplex PCR-based specific detection of Bacillus anthracis.

Background: Bacillus anthracis is a highly pathogenic bacterium that can cause lethal infection in animals and humans, making it a significant concern as a pathogen and biological agent. Consequently, accurate diagnosis of B. anthracis is critically important for public health.

Trust in government moderates the association between fear of COVID-19 as well as empathic concern and preventive behaviour.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, behavioural scientists aimed to illuminate reasons why people comply with (or not) large-scale cooperative activities. Here we investigated the motives that underlie support for COVID-19 preventive behaviours in a sample of 12,758 individuals from 34 countries. We hypothesized that the associations of empathic prosocial concern and fear of disease with support towards preventive COVID-19 behaviours would be moderated by trust in the government.

A needs assessment for formal emergency medicine curriculum and training in Zambia.

Emergency medicine (EM) is a nascent field in Zambia. While not yet recognized as a medical specialty, there is national interest for developing more robust emergency care systems in this setting. One key element of strengthening EM in Zambia is identifying current gaps in emergency healthcare provision and opportunities for advancement in the field.

Persistent hypertension among postpartum women with comorbid HIV and preeclampsia in Zambia.

Background: Persistent hypertension is common after preeclampsia and is causally tied to later cardiovascular risks. This study examined whether being HIV-infected and on antiretroviral therapy (ART) is associated with persistent postpartum hypertension among women diagnosed with preeclampsia.

Methods: We conducted a six-month prospective cohort study at Kanyama and Women and Newborn hospitals from January 01, 2022, to June 30, 2023, among 190 women diagnosed with preeclampsia (59 HIV-positive, 131 HIV-negative).