Techniques for the detection of disease biomarkers are key components in the protection of human health. While work over the last few decades has redefined the low-level measurement of disease biomarkers, the translation of these capabilities from the formal clinical setting to point-of-need (PON) usage has been much more limited. This paper presents the results of experiments designed to examine the potential utility of a handheld Raman spectrometer as a PON electronic reader for a sandwich immunoassay based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). In so doing, the study herein used a recently developed procedure for the SERS detection of phospho-myo-inositol-capped lipoarabinomannan (PILAM) as a means to compare the performance of laboratory-grade and handheld instrumentation and, therefore, gauge the utility of the handheld instrument for PON deployment. Phospho-myo-inositol-capped lipoarabinomannan is a non-pathogenic simulant for mannose-capped lipoarabinomannan (ManLAM), which is an antigenic marker found in serum and other body fluids of individuals infected with tuberculosis (TB). The results of the measurements with the field-portable spectrometer were then compared to those obtained for the same samples when using a much more sensitive benchtop Raman spectrometer. The results, albeit under different operational settings for the two spectrometers (e.g., signal integration time), are promising in that the limit of detection found for PILAM spiked in human serum when using the handheld system (0.18 ng/mL) approached that of the benchtop instrument (0.032 ng/mL). This work also: (1) identified potential adaptations (e.g., optimization of the plasmonically enhanced response for measurement by the handheld unit through a change in the excitation wavelength) to tighten the gap in performance; and (2) briefly examined the next steps and potential processes required to move this immunoassay platform closer to PON utility.

Handheld Raman Spectrometer Instrumentation for Quantitative Tuberculosis Biomarker Detection: A Performance Assessment for Point-of-Need Infectious Disease Diagnostics.

Background: Malaria and HIV diseases kill millions of people yearly, and they are the scourges of developing nations. This study was conducted to determine the coinfections of malaria and HIV, and the effect of demographic characters on HIV-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in Kogi State, Nigeria. Methods: Five hundred and eleven participants consisting of 411 (51 males and 360 females) HIV-infected patients on HAART and 100 (8 males and 92 females) apparently healthy HIV-noninfected individuals who served as controls were enrolled in this study. Blood sample was collected from each participant and malaria was diagnosed using the standard procedure. Results: An overall prevalence of 7.8% and 2% of malarial infection was observed in HIV-infected patients on HAART and non-HIV participants, respectively. The prevalence of malaria among HIV patients on HAART differed signifi cantly (P Conclusion: Diagnosis of malaria among HIV patients on HAART is advocated.

Prevalence of malaria among HIV patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy in Kogi State, North Central Nigeria

Background Caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) is a serious disease affects sheep and goat, caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Due to it is non-treatable disease, so the effective preventive vaccines are considered a significant way to combat the disease. All strains of C. pseudotuberculosis have several virulence factors that associated with their cell invasion, survival, and proliferation such as phospholipase D (PLD), outer lipid coat, and secreted proteases. Aim The present study was directed to perform a comparative innate and acquired immune response assessment of different four vaccine formulas to evoke protection against induced (CLA) challenge in sheep. Materials and Methods Negative ELISA (free of CLA) 15 local breed male (Balady) sheep were divided into five groups, each has received a different vaccine while the control has received saline buffer. The first vaccine composed of toxoid PLD alone the second composed of toxoid PLD with bacterin (formalinkilled bacteria), the third vaccine composed of toxoid PLD plus covaccine 8, while the fourth one composed of toxoid PLD plus locally produced polyvalent clostridial vaccine. The specific immune response was evaluated through lymphocyte proliferation assay using ELISA BrdU kit, while the non-specific response was estimated by superoxide anion production and lysozyme activity assays. Results The study revealed that PLD toxoid could evoke the highest specific immune response, showing a stimulation index (9.12%). On the other hand, combined toxoid ↱PLD with bacterin followed by PLD toxoid showed a significant increase in the non-specific innate immune response. Conclusion The present study indicated that the toxoid PLD alone vaccine was most efficient and provided innate and acquired immune response in animals against CLA.

/pdf/evaluation-of-specific-and-non-specific-immune-response-of-2tvwsg411y.pdf

Evaluation of specific and non-specific immune response of four vaccines for caseous lymphadenitis in sheep challenged.

Background: Despite a notable reduction in the incidence and prevalence of HIV and malaria, both diseases remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of the research study is to provide epidemiological data of malaria among HIV positive individuals, establish the socio-economic determinants associated with HIV-malaria co-infection, and develop a co-infection intervention model. This research study will enable health policymakers to develop new health policies in the management and care of HIV-malaria co-infected patients. 

Methods and Analysis: The study design will be a retrospective, descriptive cross-sectional study. Case files of HIV positive individuals receiving care and treatment will be randomly selected at six selected peri-urban secondary hospitals. Interviews will be conducted among HIV positive patients, health managers, and doctors at selected hospitals. A mixed method (quantitative and qualitative) will be adopted in the research study. Proportional allocation will be used to select an estimated 1,652 case files of registered patients to be reviewed across the study location.

Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0 will be used for data analysis. The categorical variable will be illustrated as a percentage and compared using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test. Backward multivariate analysis will be used to evaluate HIV-malaria co-infection and associated health outcomes. The continuous variables will be summarised as mean, ± SD or median, interquartile range, and compared using student t-test or Wilcoxon test. Values of P < 0.05 will be considered significant. Qualitative data will be analysed using NVivo 12 software. 

Strengths and Limitations of This Study

Strengths


	The proposed large sample size of case files to be reviewed will enhance the validity and precision of the research study. 


Limitations


	Data that will be generated might not be adequate to make a generalized conclusion for the whole country.  
	 


Q= Quarter.

Since the study involves the use of secondary data (generated from patient case files), missing data is anticipated.

 


	Strike actions by health care workers were also expected. 
	Another limitation is that the research study will not be conducted as a prospective cohort study. 


Ethics and Dissemination 

Considering the research study involves the use of secondary data, the ethical approval issued to conduct the study covers the informed consent of the participants’ information. Copies of written informed consent, participant consent, and confidentiality forms will be provided to the participants both in English and in the native language, notably Hausa, TIV, and Yoruba. Verbal informed and signed informed consent to take part in the study will be obtained from the participants. This study was approved by the University of KwaZulu-Natal Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (BREC)-Reference Number: (BE654/17). Ethical approval was also obtained from the Kwara State Ministry of Health (MOH/KS/EU/777/225), Benue State Ministry of Health (MOH/STA/204/56), and the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health: NHREC 18/06/2017). 

Findings from this study will be published in peer-reviewed local and international journals. Findings will also be made available to health policymakers at the state ministry of health and hospital facilities selected for the study. The principal investigators and the health providers will sensitize patients on the study outcome.

/pdf/human-immunodeficiency-virus-and-malaria-co-infection-among-3fh5izapik.pdf

Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Malaria Co-Infection among Adults in the North-Central Zone of Nigeria, in the era of Improved access to Prevention and Control: A Study Protocol

Background:Malaria and HIV are 2 significant infections of critical public health concern globally. Malaria infection is one of the preceding causes of morbidity and mortality in endemic developing...

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1178636120947680

Status of Anaemia and Malaria Co-infection With HIV From HAART Clinics in Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and malaria are two of the world’s most formidable pathogens. Coinfection has been shown to amplify the effects of both diseases with HIV infection enhancing the severity of malaria. Previous work in our laboratory has shown that individuals infected with malaria and HIV who are taking anti-retrovirals have the Plasmodium parasite in their bloodstream suggesting that the lack of anti-malarials in their drug regimen resulted in Plasmodium infection. In this study, we set out to determine the status of Plasmodium infection in a cohort of patients taking both anti-malarial and anti-retroviral drugs. Blood samples were collected from patients of the Edo district of Nigeria in Benin City co-infected with Plasmodium and HIV. We have found that 31 out of the 317 (9.78%) HIV patients on HAART and ACT had Plasmodium in their blood based on microscopic counts. Surprisingly, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the prevalence was at 25.6% for Plasmodium. In addition, we have identified by PCR that Plasmodium falciparum is the only species infecting these patients. Furthermore, no significant relationship was found to exist between CD4+ T-cell counts and malarial infections (CD4 count<200 cells/µL (7.20%)) nor was the malaria parasite density significantly associated with CD4 count<200 cells/µL (P=0.595) in this study population in Benin City, Nigeria. These results suggest that other factors are involved in this complex interaction.

/pdf/co-endemicity-of-plasmodium-falciparum-and-hiv-infections-in-3x2uatflx8.pdf

Sabrina Peoples

Papers

Co-Endemicity of Plasmodium falciparum and HIV-Infections in Treated Patients is Uncorrelated in Benin City, Nigeria