Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Composition in Breast Milk Plasma of HIV-infected and Uninfected Mothers in Relation to Infant Clinical Outcomes.

Background: The increased coverage of prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) services has significantly reduced paediatric HIV infection incidence. The aim of the study was to compare breast milk omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid profiles of HIV infected and uninfected mothers and determine the association between fatty acid profiles and postnatal transmission of HIV, morbidity/mortality of HIV exposed and unexposed infants.

Methods: A prospective cohort study of 57 HIV infected and 57 HIV uninfected lactating mothers was conducted in Gweru, Zimbabwe from July 2019 to March 2020.

Levels of Total Antioxidant Capacity, sCD14, and TGF-β2 in Breast Milk Plasma of HIV-Infected and HIV-Uninfected Lactating Women.

Breast milk provides nourishment for infants and nonnutritive bioactive factors, which possess key protective and developmental benefits essential in shaping the infant immune system. However, the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and universal antiretroviral therapy (ART) on breast milk nutritional composition and immunity status is not well documented. The study aimed to compare breast milk immune factors; total antioxidant capacity (TAC), soluble cluster of differentiation 14 (sCD14), and transcription growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-β2) levels between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected lactating mothers and determine the association between breast milk parameters with HIV disease progression and duration of ART.

Growth Trajectories of HIV Exposed and HIV Unexposed Infants. A Prospective Study in Gweru, Zimbabwe.

Background: With the increasing HIV seroprevalence among women of childbearing age in sub-Saharan Africa, limited data on growth outcomes of HIV exposed infants under current policies of universal maternal antiretroviral therapy exist.

Methods: The longitudinal growth patterns of 114 HIV exposed and unexposed infants were assessed and compared. The prevalence and factors associated with malnutrition were established.

Tuberculosis incidence is high in HIV-infected African children but is reduced by co-trimoxazole and time on antiretroviral therapy.

Background: There are few data on tuberculosis (TB) incidence in HIV-infected children on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Observational studies suggest co-trimoxazole prophylaxis may prevent TB, but there are no randomized data supporting this. The ARROW trial, which enrolled HIV-infected children initiating ART in Uganda and Zimbabwe and included randomized cessation of co-trimoxazole prophylaxis, provided an opportunity to estimate the incidence of TB over time, to explore potential risk factors for TB, and to evaluate the effect of stopping co-trimoxazole prophylaxis.

Natural clinical tolerance to peanut in African patients is caused by poor allergenic activity of peanut IgE.

Background: In Africa, peanuts are frequently consumed, but severe allergic reactions are rare. We investigated immunological patterns of clinical tolerance to peanut in peanut-sensitized but asymptomatic patients from central Africa compared to peanut-allergic and peanut-sensitized but asymptomatic patients from Sweden.

Methods: Sera from allergic patients (n = 54) from Zimbabwe sensitized to peanut but without allergic symptoms to peanut, and sera from peanut-allergic (n = 25) and peanut-sensitized but asymptomatic (n = 25) patients from Sweden were analyzed toward peanut allergen components (Ara h 1-3, 6, 8-9) and other allergen molecules from important allergen sources using microarray.

Pharmacokinetics of zidovudine dosed twice daily according to World Health Organization weight bands in Ugandan HIV-infected children.

Data on zidovudine pharmacokinetics in children dosed using World Health Organization weight bands are limited. About 45 HIV-infected, Ugandan children, 3.4 (2.

Global differences in lung function by region (PURE): an international, community-based prospective study.

Background: Despite the rising burden of chronic respiratory diseases, global data for lung function are not available. We investigated global variation in lung function in healthy populations by region to establish whether regional factors contribute to lung function.

Methods: In an international, community-based prospective study, we enrolled individuals from communities in 17 countries between Jan 1, 2005, and Dec 31, 2009 (except for in Karnataka, India, where enrolment began on Jan 1, 2003).

Differences in Clinical Manifestations of Acute and Early HIV-1 Infection between HIV-1 Subtypes in African Women.

Little is known about the differences in clinical manifestations between women with various HIV-1 subtypes during acute (AI) and early (EI) HIV infection. In a longitudinal cohort study, clinical signs and symptoms among Uganda and Zimbabwe women with AI and EI were compared with HIV-negative controls; symptoms were assessed quarterly for 15 to 24 months. Early HIV infection was defined as the first visit during which a woman tested HIV antibody positive.

Evaluation of cost per test of clinical biochemistry tests at Parirenyatwa Central Hospital Laboratory, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Objectives: To determine the cost per test for selected clinical biochemistry tests at Parirenyatwa Central Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Design: A retrospective study for the month January 2003. Cost analysis was based on a 'bottom-up' micro cost analysis technique.

Adolescent pregnancy in Zimbabwe: distribution by socio-demographic factors.

We conducted a further analysis of the Zimbabwe 1994 demographic health survey data to determine demographic and social factors associated with adolescent pregnancies in Zimba notbwe. Out of a total of 1486 female adolescents sampled, 12 did not provide information on whether they had begun child bearing, and were therefore excluded from the analysis. Significantly elevated odds ratios (OR) were noted for age (OR=2.

Making research ethics review work in Zimbabwe--the case for investment in local capacity.

Objective: To describe the status of ethics review as pertaining to medical research in Zimbabwe, to compare this with international guidelines, and thus to identify potential improvements in the process.

Design: The description includes background about the national review body, the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe (MRCZ), and the findings of an analysis of institutional ethics review performed by the MRCZ liaison office.

Results: Discrepancies with international guidelines include application of the concepts of independent and competent review, monitoring of ongoing studies, and ensuring appropriate membership of institutional ethics review committees (IRECs).

Adverse drug reactions reporting at a referral hospital in Zimbabwe.

Objectives: To establish factors influencing voluntary reporting of adverse drug reactions among health workers. A second objective was to establish the level of awareness on adverse drug reaction reporting and attitudes towards the voluntary adverse drug reaction reporting scheme.

Design: Cross sectional descriptive study.

Sexually transmitted diseases in Zimbabwe: a qualitative analysis of factors associated with choice of a health care facility.

Background: The control of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) through rapid and effective treatment is critical in reducing the transmission of HIV infection. This is only possible when STD patients access appropriate STD care services.

Objectives: To examine factors associated with choice of STD health care facility in Zimbabwe.

Recognition of different epitopes on the Ca & R4 proteins of group B streptococci by normal human & antibodies induced in animals.

Background & Objectives: Levels of protective antibodies against Calpha and R4 proteins of the group B streptococci (GBS) have been measured in humans. The findings indicated that the human anti Calpha and anti-R4 antibodies may recognize targets which are different from those recognized by antibodies raised in animals. In the present study normal human serum antibodies which target the GBS proteins Calpha and R4 and immune anti-Calpha and anti -R4 antibodies raised in animals were compared.

Cancer of the cervix: knowledge, beliefs and screening behaviours of health workers in Mudzi District in Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe.

Objective: To assess the knowledge, beliefs and screening behaviours on cervical cancer among health workers in Mudzi District.

Design: Cross sectional survey.

Settings: Mudzi District Hospital and all the 20 rural health centres in Mudzi District of Mashonaland East.

Chlamydia trachomatis in symptomatic and asymptomatic men: detection in urine by enzyme immunoassay.

Background: Infection with Chlamydia trachomatis is known to be a common cause of urethritis and cervicitis. The standard methods of detection require the collection of intra-urethral and/or cervical swabs, which may be submitted for culture, antigen detection or nucleic acid amplification. The collection of swabs is suitable only within the context of a health care facility.

Association of HIV infection with the development of severe and complicated malaria cases at a rural hospital in Zimbabwe.

Objective: To determine the association between HIV infection and progression of Plasmodium falciparum malaria illness in Hurungwe district, Zimbabwe.

Design: Prospective cohort.

Setting: Hurungwe Rural Hospital in Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among indigent urban pregnant women in Zimbabwe.

Objective: To estimate the seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among indigent pregnant women.

Design: A serological survey study of indigent pregnant women admitted for labour and delivery.

Setting: Harare Maternity Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Priority setting in a hospital critical care unit: qualitative case study.

Objective: To describe priority setting for admissions in a hospital critical care unit and to evaluate it using the ethical framework of "accountability for reasonableness.

Design: Qualitative case study and evaluation using the ethical framework of accountability for reasonableness.

Setting: A medical/surgical intensive care unit in a large urban university-affiliated teaching hospital in Toronto, Canada.

A hospital response to a soccer stadium stampede in Zimbabwe.

Objectives: When a soccer stadium stampede occurred in Zimbabwe on 9 July 2000, the hospital disaster (medical emergency) plan failed. This report describes the use of the audit technique to change the hospital's disaster preparedness.

Method: A literature review was done to establish international standards of best practice in major medical incident response.

The rate of and indications for enucleations at Sekuru Kaguvi Eye Unit in Harare: a comparative analysis.

Objectives: To determine the rate of and indications for enucleation at Sekuru Kaguvi Eye Unit (SKEU) in Zimbabwe and compare the findings with those from other tertiary eye care centres in the developing world.

Design: Descriptive retrospective cross sectional study.

Setting: Sekuru Kaguvi Eye Unit, Parirenyatwa Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe.

The trend of ocular surface squamous neoplasia among ocular surface tumour biopsies submitted for histology from Sekuru Kaguvi Eye Unit, Harare between 1996 and 2000.

Objective: To determine the trend in the prevalence of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) among ocular surface tumour biopsies submitted for histology from Sekuru Kaguvi Eye Unit (SKEU), Harare between January 1996 and August 2000.

Design: The study was a retrospective records review of patients who had biopsies of ocular surface tumours done during the study period.

Setting: National Referral Centre for eye patients (Sekuru Kaguvi Eye Unit), Parirenyatwa Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe.