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Showing papers by "University of Zambia published in 1992"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, Bovine pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB) was monitored in cows following an intrauterine infection with A. pyogenes and during subsequent abortion and recovery from infection.

60 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Patients who had received prednisolone showed a greater improvement in generalized lymphadenopathy and cough, and controlled studies of the risks and benefits of administration of corticosteroids to HIV-positive TB patients are urgently needed.
Abstract: Corticosteroids are beneficial in the treatment of some forms of tuberculosis, but their role in TB affecting HIV-positive patients is not clear. During a cohort study of tuberculosis patients in Lusaka, Zambia, prednisolone was prescribed for specific indications. Six of 47 (13 per cent) of patients who received prednisolone early in treatment developed herpes zoster, compared with 2 of 118 (2 per cent) of those who did not. Three patients who received prednisolone developed Kaposi's sarcoma, compared with none who did not. At 2 months patients who had received prednisolone showed a greater improvement in generalized lymphadenopathy and cough. Controlled studies of the risks and benefits of administration of corticosteroids to HIV-positive TB patients are urgently needed.

48 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: A significant increase in the incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma was noted in the present series, compared to an earlier report from Zambia (1968-1972).
Abstract: The pattern of malignancies among indigenous Zambian children is described. The study, based upon an analysis of histopathology, autopsy and haematology records for a 10-year period (1980-1989), reveals a total of 525 neoplasms with a peak prevalence in the 5-9 year age group. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (17.5%) was the most common disorder followed by Burkitt's lymphoma (13.9%), retinoblastoma (11.4%), Kaposi's sarcoma (8.8%), Hodgkin's disease (5.9%), Wilms' tumour (5.9%), acute lymphocytic leukaemia (4%), rhabdomyosarcoma (3.4%), nasopharyngeal carcinoma (2.7%) and osteogenic sarcoma (2.1%). Kaposi's sarcoma and Hodgkin's disease revealed a significant male dominance; the former presented mainly in nodal form. Compared to an earlier report from Zambia (1968-1972), a significant increase in the incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma was noted in the present series.

24 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The composition of the rumen ciliate fauna in 76 Kafue lechwe inhabiting a limited area in Zambia was surveyed and five genera containing 24 species with 16 formae belonging to the family Ophryoscolecidae were identified.
Abstract: The composition of the rumen ciliate fauna in 76 Kafue lechwe inhabiting a limited area in Zambia was surveyed and five genera containing 24 species with 16 formae belonging to the family Ophryoscolecidae were identified. Four new species belonging to Diplodiniinae were recognized and described as Diplodinium lochinvarense n. sp., Diplodinium leche n. sp., Diplodinium zambiense n. sp., and Metadinium ossiculi n. sp. In addition, Ostracodinium gracile form fissilaminatum Dogiel, 1932 was found for the second time and described as Metadinium fissilaminatum n. comb. The species composition was fairly unusual. Seven of the species have been found only in African wild antelopes and these species were found more frequently than cosmopolitan species. There was no evidence of isotrichid species. The average density of ciliates per 1 ml of the rumen fluid was 25.7 x 10(4), and the number of ciliate species per head of host was 10.8.

22 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results suggest that shoot die-back in seedlings of miombo trees is caused by drought and that the slow shoot growth is the result of allocating most of the biomass to root growth during seedling development.
Abstract: The development of seedlings of two miombo trees, Brachystegia spiciformis Benth. and Julbernardia paniculata (Benth.) Troupin, was studied during two growing seasons (December 1989–April 1991) at a Zambian grassland site. Seed germination rates under laboratory and field conditions were not significantly different although germination in the field was delayed by 1–2 weeks due to insufficient rainfall. After one year of storage J. paniculata seed germination had declined from 67% to 17% while germination of B. spiciformis seeds remained at about 83%.

21 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: 4 cases of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in HIV-infected patients studied at the University of Zambia Medical School, Lusaka, were verified by bronchoalveolar lavage, remarkable because 2 of them also had pulmonary tuberculosis, which is often the presumed diagnosis of pneumonia in African AIDS patients.
Abstract: 4 cases of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in HIV-infected patients studied at the University of Zambia Medical School Lusaka were verified by bronchoalveolar lavage Pneumocystis is common in North American AIDS patients but has been considered rare in Africa One reason may be that facilities for diagnosis bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage are not usually available 44 consecutive HIV seropositive patients who were unresponsive to a 10-day course of antibiotics and whose sputum was negative for acid fast bacteria underwent bronchoalveolar lavage from February 1990 to December 1990 HIV status was assayed with Welcozyme ELISA kits and P carinii was detected with toluidine blue O stain The 1st case of confirmed P carinii pneumonia was a 35-year old man who had a productive cough for 4 weeks fever and dyspnea He was treated with co-trimoxazole and was symptom-free in 3 weeks but developed severe Stevens-Johnson reaction His cultures were positive for M tuberculosis at week 8 He was lost to follow-up The 2nd case was a 26-year old man with a 6-month history of cough and white sputum treated without effect with antituberculous medication He improved over 3 weeks with co-trimoxazole but died of respiratory failure 2 months later The 3rd case was a 30-year old woman being treated for pulmonary tuberculosis who became progressively dyspneic 7 months later She developed a generalized maculo-papular rash after taking co-trimoxazole so was given dapsone 100 mg/day prednisone 1 mg/kg/day and trimethoprim 15 mg/kg for 1 week She improve in 3 weeks The 4th case was a 30-year old man with a 4-week history of dry cough and dyspnea and recent high fever He was given co-trimoxazole but developed generalized purpura after 5 days His treatment was changed to Dapsone 100 mg/day prednisone 1 mg/kg/day and antituberculous medication He improved after 3 weeks and is being maintained on Fansidar 1 tablet/week These cases are remarkable because 2 of them also had pulmonary tuberculosis which is often the presumed diagnosis of pneumonia in African AIDS patients Furthermore 3 developed serious drug reactions to co-trimoxazole also considered an uncommon occurrence

20 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The courtship behaviour, orientations of members of a copulating pair relative to each other, copulation, spermatophore transfer from the male to the female during copulation and oviposition and postoviposition behaviours of the species are described.
Abstract: Observations on the reproductive behaviour of the armoured ground cricket, Acanthoplus speiseri Brancsik were made in the laboratory and field. In the field a male ready to mate attracted both receptive females and mature “silent males” by stridulating. A receptive female moved to the stridulating male and upon reaching it courtship begun. Silent males also moved towards the stridulating male, but stopped at a mean distance of 1.07 ± 0.14 m from him and either seduced females that passed their way to the stridulating male, to copulate with them, or joined the stridulating male singing. Chorusing of the calling song involving more than two males was not uncommon in both the field and laboratory.

9 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the problems and prospects of the envisaged integration and examined the dysfunctions of political control in the Zambian context, where the real aim of the integration was to revive the demoralized and ineffective UNIP organization at grass-roots level.
Abstract: In 1980 administrative reforms were announced in Zambia which aimed at integrating the party, central government departments, and local authorities. Over 10 years have now elapsed since the announcement of the reforms and to date the envisaged integration has not been realized. The problems and prospects of the envisaged integration are examined. Integration has not been possible due to lack of a formula for it. It is not possible in an atmosphere where the District Council operates without a Development Plan whilst the various central government departments and agencies follow their own plans. The real aim of the integration was to revive the demoralized and ineffective UNIP organization at grass-roots level. The dysfunctions of political control in the Zambian context are examined. What local councils, central government departments and parastatals require is coordination and not integration with the party or an increase in political control. The reintroduction of multi-partyism has improved the prospects for this development.

9 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
C. C. Chama1
TL;DR: In this paper, two commercial aluminum-silicon casting alloys with 0.060 and 0.100 maximum volume fractions of porosity, were hot isostatically pressed (HIPed) at 68.95 M Pa and various combinations of temperature (500 to 560 °C) and time (15 to 120 min).
Abstract: Specimens from two commercial aluminum-silicon casting alloys, with 0.060 and 0.100 maximum volume fractions of porosity, were hot isostatically pressed (HIPed) at 68.95 M Pa and various combinations of temperature (500 to 560 °C) and time (15 to 120 min). Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to document the distribution of porosity before and after HIPing in addition to standard stereological techniques and high-precision density measurements. It was found that HIPing these alloys for at least 120 min led to the elimination of porosity. In all cases, there was a significant increase in density after HIPing.

8 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The estimated optimal protein and energy requirements in concentrate supplements for pregnant Gwembe Valley goats is 13.4% CP and 13.3 MJ GE/kg, since body weight and birth weight were best at that level.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the suitability of the University of Zambia farm for selected crops was assessed using the principles and concepts of the FAO Framework for Land Evaluation, and an appropriate land use plan was developed and implemented.
Abstract: . The suitability of the University of Zambia farm for selected crops was assessed using the principles and concepts of the FAO Framework for Land Evaluation. Moisture and nutrient availability were found to be the most limiting land qualities, but moisture availability is a more important consideration because the farm is managed with high inputs. Heavy dependence on rainfall makes the farm very vulnerable to drought which has had a devastating impact on yields in recent years. Soyabean, potato and wheat are the best-suited crops. Sunflower is not recommended because of the low market value. Maize is not a suitable crop because of its sensitivity to water stress and nutrient availability. Rhodes grass is recommended in mapping units where other crops have little economic value. The FAO Framework for Land Evaluation can be used in Zambia. It can identify land utilization types that are physically and economically suitable. Based on these findings an appropriate land use plan of the University Farm has been developed and implemented.

Journal Article
Desai G1, Islam R
TL;DR: Review of reports of thyroid tissue sent for histopathology to the Department of Pathology at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka by one of the five general surgical units at the institution during the period January 1981-December 1990 shows a 20pc decrease in the incidence of colloid goitre and doubling of the incidence the adenoma and carcinoma when compared to the study done at the Central Hospital, Kitwe in the late sixties.
Abstract: Review of reports of thyroid tissue sent for histopathology to the Department of Pathology at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka (UTH) by one of the five general surgical units at the institution during the period January 1981-December 1990 shows a 20pc decrease in the incidence of colloid goitre and doubling of the incidence of the adenoma and carcinoma when compared to the study done at the Central Hospital, Kitwe in the late sixties. In our study for the general pathology of the thyroid gland female to male ratio is 7.4:1; 1.25:1 when only thyroid cancers are considered. The incidence of papillary carcinoma is substantially lower than in the west. Recently, there has been an increased incidence of thyroid abscesses associated with HIV infection. Knowledge of the local pattern of surgical pathology of an organ is important for planning the operative management more effectively but in many developing countries, such as ours, this information is not readily available. Goitre is common in Zambia and to our knowledge to date there is only one comprehensive report done during the period January 1966, to March 1971.This deals with the Northern and Western regions of the country. This study was undertaken to look into the surgical pathology of the thyroid gland seen at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, which is in the central part of the country. The hospital is a general provincial hospital and a referral centre. It caters for the Central, Southern, Eastern and part of the Western regions of the country. Patients either present or are referred from peripheral hospitals to either general medical or surgical units of the hospital and represent a cross-section of the Zambian society. We used the Mahmud -Durrani et al on thyroid diseases done at the Central Hospital, Kitwe (about 200 miles north of Lusaka), between the period January 1966 to March 1971, for comparison to see if the pattern of surgical pathology of the thyroid gland in Zambia has changed in recent years.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Standard treatment regimens are effective, but thiacetazone should be avoided because of its association with severe, cutaneous adverse reactions, and treatment may have to be prolonged in HIV positive cases.
Abstract: The epidemic of HIV-associated tuberculosis is having a severe impact on tuberculosis control in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as the United States of America, and is expected to spread. Where facilities are limited, the association between HIV and sputum-smear negative tuberculosis hampers diagnosis; trials of anti-tuberculous therapy are indicated in some cases. Standard treatment regimens are effective, but thiacetazone should be avoided because of its association with severe, cutaneous adverse reactions. Treatment may have to be prolonged in HIV positive cases. Measures to maximize compliance with therapy are paramount. These include the use of the shortest possible regimens, of recognized potency, and emphasis on ensuring that the regimen is understood by and readily accessible to the patient.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Although there is some evidence that BCG at 3 months produces a larger induration more frequent scar formation and less lymphadenopathy than if it is given at birth, it is suggested that in African countries this is not the time to change the policy of giving BCG near birth.

Journal Article
K. J. Mbata1
TL;DR: The biology of the armoured ground cricket, Acanthoplus speiseri Brancsik, a pest of maize and sorghum in Zambia, was studied in the field and in the laboratory.
Abstract: The biology of the armoured ground cricket, Acanthoplus speiseri Brancsik, a pest of maize and sorghum in Zambia, was studied in the field and in the laboratory. A. speiseri fed on a number of grasses and on a single species from each of the families Asteraceae and Solanaceae. The cultivated plants, Zea mays L., and Sorghum vulgare Pers., were also fed upon although no conspicuous concentrations of crickets were found on these plants.

Journal ArticleDOI
Shyam Singh1
TL;DR: A theoretical investigation of troublesome aberrations, i.e., astigmatism and coma, of an ellipsoidal diffraction grating recorded holographically has been made and it has been found that a Rowland circle solution gives the best nonastigmatic mounting of anEllip soidal diffractions grating.
Abstract: A theoretical investigation of troublesome aberrations, i.e., astigmatism and coma, of an ellipsoidal diffraction grating recorded holographically has been made. It has been found that a Rowland circle solution gives the best nonastigmatic mounting of an ellipsoidal diffraction grating.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed a simple model to identify the possible macroeconomic adjustment processes arising in an economy experiencing a temporary period of oil production, under alternative wage adjustment assumptions, namely nominal and real wage rigidity.
Abstract: The paper is an extension to another paper recently published in this same journal by Harvie (1990a). In that paper he developed a simple model to try to identify the possible macroeconomic adjustment processes arising in an economy experiencing a temporary period of oil production, under alternative wage adjustment assumptions, namely nominal and real wage rigidity. Certain assumptions were made regarding the characteristics of actual oil production, the permanent revenues generated from that oil production, and the net exports/imports of oil. The role of the price of oil, and possible changes in that price, was essentially ignored, which was equivalent there to setting it to a value of zero. Hence Harvie (1990a) was effectively concerned with analysing the economic effects arising from the production of oil alone. Here we attempt to overcome this deficiency by incorporating the price of oil, as well as changes in that price, in conjunction with the production of oil, the objective being to identify the contribution which the price of oil, and changes in it, make to the adjustment process itself. As in Harvie (1990a), the emphasis in this paper is not given to a mathematical derivation and analysis of the model's dynamics of adjustment or its comparative statics. But rather to the derivation of simulation results from the model, for a specific assumed case, using a numerical algorithm program, conducive to the type of theoretical framework utilized here. The results presented suggest that although the adjustment profiles of the macroeconomic variables of interest, for either wage adjustment assumption, remain fundamentally the same, the magnitude of these adjustments is increased. Hence, to derive a more accurate picture of the dimensions of adjustment of these macroeconomic variables, it is essential to include the price of oil as well as changes in that price.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from two (a normal and a compacted) Oxic Paleustalfs, to irrigation schedules based on open-pan evaporation was studied for three seasons.
Abstract: Response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from two (a normal and a compacted) Oxic Paleustalfs, to irrigation schedules based on open‐pan evaporation was studied for three seasons. Three irrigation intervals (0 of 50‐, 70‐, and 100‐mm cumulative open‐pan evaporation (COPE) were used to schedule irrigation. These irrigation intervals were combined with irrigation water to COPE ratios (R) of R0.60, R0.75, R0.90, and R1.05, and the crop coefficient to calculate the depth of each irrigation. Irrigation interval between 50 to 75 mm COPE and irrigation depth based on R0.75 to R0.90 were found satisfactory for both of these soils. Lower wheat yields from the compacted than from the normal soil indicated that physical condition of the soils contributed towards wheat response to irrigation. Evaluation of open‐pan based irrigation scheduling for other climatic conditions, and consideration of the physical conditions of a soil to predct crop response to irrigation are recommended.


Journal Article
K. J. Mbata1
TL;DR: C Crosby's rule was applied to the Dyar's ratios calculated from the mean head width measurements of the nymphal ins tars, to test for the possibility of having omitted a developmental stage in the observations, and confirmed the occurrence of only six ins tar in the life cycle of A. speiseri.
Abstract: The armoured ground cricket, Acanthoplus speiseri Brancsik, was reared in the laboratory under controlled conditions and its immature stages examined to select features for use in quick identification in the field. There were six nymphal instars. Crosby's rule was applied to the Dyar's ratios calculated from the mean head width measurements of the nymphal ins tars, to test for the possibility of having omitted a developmental stage in the observations. This procedure confirmed the occurrence of only six ins tars in the life cycle of A. speiseri.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: During the last 2 years patients with what can be called a 'moth-eaten' spleen were observed, it presented multiple hypoechoic areas of different dimensions without posterior enhancement, and with slightly irregular margins.
Abstract: Investigation by ultrasound is used more and more in developing countries. We would like to report an observation that might be of interest for people dealing with ultrasound in countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) and with HIV infection on the increase. During the last 2 years we have observed patients with what can be called a 'moth-eaten' spleen. The spleen was normal or slightly increased in size, it presented multiple hypoechoic areas of different dimensions without posterior enhancement, and with slightly irregular margins (Figures I and 2). Sometimes this was the only abnormality seen, in other cases it was associated with lymphadenopathy, ascites or other findings. A hypoechoic focal lesion is nonspecific and the differential diagnosis includes (congenital) cysts, malignancies (such as lymphoma, reticulum cell sarcoma, lymphosarcoma, hypoechoic metastasis), abscesses (depending on the content), and Iiquified haematoma1,2. All patients discussed here had multiple hypoechoic lesions all over the spleen.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Surgery for duodenal ulcer: acid secretory profile and selection of procedure and a four year experience in Central Africa.
Abstract: Correspondence to: Dr G Desai, PO Box 34032, Lusaka, zambia 2 Makuria T. Ulcer surgery in 720 patients in Ethiopia. Ethiop Med J 1985;23:75 3 Mabogunje OA. Perforated duodenal and gastric ulcers in the Nigerian Savannah. Int Surg 1985;327-~0 4 Dewulf E. Abdominal emergencies: a four year experience in Central Africa. Trop Doet 1986;16:129-31 5 Huizinga WKJ, Robbs JV, Simjee AA. Surgery for duodenal ulcer: acid secretory profile and selection of procedure. S Afr Med J 1985;68:514

Journal ArticleDOI
K. J. Mbata1
TL;DR: The horn-shaped prothoracic tracheal apparatus was previously reported to be a specialized structure in the ‘Bradyporoid group’ of Zeuner (1936a) and is reported for the first time in the Tettigoniidae subfamily.

Journal Article
K. J. Mbata1
TL;DR: The functional morphology of the stridulatory apparatus of Acanthoplus speiseri Brancsik was studied and geographic variation in the structure investigated.
Abstract: The functional morphology of the stridulatory apparatus of Acanthoplus speiseri Brancsik was studied and geographic variation in the structure investigated. The stridulatory apparatus comprises a pair of modified and highly reduced mesothoracic wings or tegmina that serve solely as sound producing organs, and their operating muscles. These forewings are oval in shape and have a parchment-like consistency. Each tegmen bears a file of cuticular teeth on the CuP vein and a hardened edge (plectrum) underneath. The left sound producing organ overlaps the right both at rest and during stridulation.

Journal ArticleDOI
G Desai1
TL;DR: The serology confirmed the suspicion of HIV seropositivity and the patient was classified in clinical stage II of HIV disease', and the histology of the biopsy specimen of the colonic mucosa revealed granulomas containing ova of Schistosoma mansoni.
Abstract: CASE REPORT A 26-year-old Zambian fisherman presented with a 3 month history of weight loss, continuous dull abdominal pain, occasional bloody diarrhoea and an increasing lower abdominal mass. He was wasted and anaemic. Multiple cervical and axillary lymph nodes were palpable. A large, tender, firm and immobile mass arising from the pelvis and extending to the umbilicus was detected. Digital rectal examination revealed free but easily bleeding mucosa. A firm, large mass could be felt behind the rectum. Sigmoidoscopy showed a narrowed ulcerated colon which also bled easily. Three ulcers were biopsied. Ultrasonography detected hepatosplenomegaly and suggested a solid retroperitoneal tumour involving the colon. Cystoscopy revealed a normal bladder. Barium enema showed an extracolonic mass stretching the sigmoid colon. The entire bowel was infiltrated by the mass (Figure 1). The serology confirmed our suspicion of HIV seropositivity and the patient was classified in clinical stage II of HIV disease'. The histology of the biopsy specimen of the colonic mucosa revealed granulomas containing ova of Schistosoma mansoni. A clinical diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in association with HIV disease in a patient with coincidental bowel schistosomiasis was entertained. At laparotomy the peritoneal cavity contained haemorrhagic ascites. The lower abdomen was occupied by a retroperitoneal fleshy mass. to which all bowel loops were adherent. The distal