Showing papers by "University of Zambia published in 2004"
TL;DR: The results suggest that children of all ages with clinical features of HIV infection should receive co-trimoxazole prophylaxis in resource-poor settings, irrespective of local resistance to this drug.
368 citations
TL;DR: A Bayesian analysis framework offers the possibility to combine prior opinion with experimental data to more accurately estimate the real prevalence of porcine cysticercosis in the absence of a gold standard.
274 citations
TL;DR: It is established that 29.8% of TB patients failed to comply with TB drug taking regimen once they started feeling better, with more males than females reporting sharing of cups as a means for TB transmission, after adjusting for age, marital status and educational levels.
Abstract: The treatment guidelines for tuberculosis treatment under Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (DOTS) have been a common strategy for TB treatment in Zambia. The study was carried out in Ndola, Zambia, to investigate factors contributing to treatment non-adherence and knowledge of TB transmission among patients on TB treatment, in order to design a community-based intervention, that would promote compliance. A household-based survey was conducted in six randomly selected catchment areas of Ndola, where 400 out of 736 patients receiving TB treatment within the six months period, were recruited through the District's Health Management Board (DHMB) clinics. All patients were interviewed using a pre-tested structured questionnaire, consisting of i. Socio-demographic characteristics ii. Socio-economic factors iii. Knowledge about TB transmission and prevention iv. Patterns in health seeking behaviour and v. TB treatment practices at household level. Most male TB patient respondents tended to be older and more educated than the female TB patient respondents. Overall, 29.8% of the patients stopped taking their medication. There were 39.1% of the females and 33.9% of the males, who reported that TB patients stopped taking their medication within the first 2 months of commencing treatment. Age, marital status and educational levels were not significantly associated with compliance. The major factors leading to non-compliance included patients beginning to feel better (45.1% and 38.6%), lack of knowledge on the benefits of completing a course (25.7%), running out of drugs at home (25.4%) and TB drugs too strong (20.1% and 20.2%). There was a significant difference [OR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.23, 2.26] in TB knowledge, with more males than females reporting sharing of cups as a means for TB transmission, after adjusting for age, marital status and educational levels. Significantly [p = 0.016] more patients who had resided in the study for less than two years (59%) were more likely to report mother to child transmission of TB, compared to 41.2% of those who had been in the area for more than 2 years. This study established that 29.8% of TB patients failed to comply with TB drug taking regimen once they started feeling better.
262 citations
TL;DR: Examination of factors affecting readiness for and acceptability of voluntary HIV counselling and testing and their effects on preparedness and acceptance are examined.
Abstract: OBJECTIVES To examine factors affecting readiness for and acceptability of voluntary HIV counselling and testing (VCT). METHODS Participants in a population-based HIV survey conducted in an urban population in Zambia in 1996 were offered VCT. Although 29% of them expressed interest in being tested (readiness), only 4% of this group used the services (i.e. acceptability). When the survey was repeated 3 years later, VCT was designed differently to assess acceptability. At the cluster level the participants were randomly allocated to VCT either at the local clinic (similar to 1996, n = 1102) or at an optional location (n = 1343). RESULTS Readiness varied significantly by age group (47% in age group 20-24 years vs. 18% in age group 40-49 years). There were contrasts between young (15-24 years) and older age groups (25-49 years) regarding the main factors associated with readiness. Whereas self-perceived risk of being HIV infected was the only significant factor among the young, poor self-rated health and ever HIV tested were important factors among the older. The acceptability was 11.8% among the group allocated to VCT at the local clinic compared with 55.8% for the group allocated to an optional location (RR, 4.7). CONCLUSIONS Perceived risk of HIV infection had a major influence on VCT readiness among young people, whereas declining general health status, as indicated by self-rated health, was most evident among those of older age. A strong effect of placement on acceptability of VCT was demonstrated, indicating this barrier to be important in explaining low demands for VCT in the past. Differences in perceptions of how confidentiality is handled at the two locations might be an important underlying factor.
242 citations
TL;DR: The whole cohort had structural and functional evidence of tropical enteropathy, but structure and function were only weakly correlated, and seasonal variation was observed in villous height, xylose recovery, and permeability.
Abstract: To determine the response of the small intestinal mucosa to environmental conditions, we studied changes in mucosal architecture and function in a longitudinal cohort study in African adults. Over three consecutive years, 238 adults submitted monthly stool samples for parasitologic and bacteriologic analysis and underwent an annual endoscopic jejunal biopsy for mucosal morphometry. Absorption and permeability assays were performed on the same day as the enteroscopy. Variation in mucosal architecture and function was correlated with environmental factors and stool microbiology. The whole cohort had structural and functional evidence of tropical enteropathy, but structure and function were only weakly correlated. There were marked changes over time, and seasonal variation was observed in villous height (16%), xylose recovery (16%), and permeability (28%). Asymptomatic intestinal infections were common. Enteropathy was more severe in participants with Citrobacter rodentium or hookworm ova in the stool sample taken one month before the investigations were performed.
145 citations
TL;DR: Interim findings show that country coordinating mechanisms (CCMs) are country-level partnerships, which were formed quickly to develop and submit grant proposals to the Global Fund, were often ineffective at representing their constituencies and encountered obstacles in participating in CCM processes.
118 citations
TL;DR: Greater understanding of the influences underpinning societal attitudes towards sexuality and disability in this setting, and more extensive communication between health care staff and women with disabilities would facilitate positive action towards improving safe motherhood and reproductive health services for women with disability are suggested.
Abstract: Purpose: To ascertain how well health services in Lusaka, Zambia currently meet the safe motherhood and reproductive health care needs of women who have physical impairment leading to disability.Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in Lusaka, Zambia. In-depth tape-recorded interviews were conducted with 24 purposively selected women with disabilities and with 25 safe motherhood/reproductive public sector health service providers. Qualitative analysis was conducted using NVivo software.Results: Women with disabilities encounter various social, attitudinal and physical barriers to accessing safe motherhood and reproductive health (RH) services in this particular setting. The strong desire for children and affection can increase vulnerability to sexual exploitation. At the same time, a generalized assumption among reproductive health service providers that women with disabilities will not be sexually active, and not require RH services, leads to increased vulnerability to sexually transmitted infection...
109 citations
TL;DR: Non-iron supplementation reduced the prevalence of geophagy more than iron supplementation did, but this was not confirmed in the multiple logistic regression analysis, and iron supplementation had no effects on geophageous behaviour.
Abstract: Geophagy has been associated with iron deficiency and anaemia, but no causal relationship has been established. To clarify this, we conducted a two-by-two factorial randomised, controlled trial on the effect of iron and multimicronutrient supplementation on geophagy in Zambian schoolchildren in Lusaka, from February to December 2001. Of the 406 children, 212 (52.2%) were girls and the mean (range) age was 10.2 (7-15) years. Geophagy was reported by 302 (74.4%) and more often in girls than in boys (80.2 vs. 67.7%, P = 0.007). The mean (range) daily earth intake was 25.2 (1-200) g. Geophageous children had more often geophageous relatives than non-geophageous children (79.5 vs. 1.9%, P < 0.001). Geophageous children had lower serum ferritin (20.5 vs. 25.0 microg/l, P = 0.032) but not haemoglobin (Hb) (129.2 vs. 130.4 g/l, P = 0.59), than non-geophageous. Among those with Hb < 130 g/l, geophageous children had significantly higher prevalence (53.7 vs. 30.6%, P = 0.024) of Ascaris lumbricoides infection than non-geophageous. The prevalence of geophagy (74.4 to 51.6%) and the intake of earth (25.3 to 15.0 g/day) declined (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively) among the 220 (54.2%) children followed-up. In bivariate analysis, non-iron supplementation reduced the prevalence of geophagy more than iron supplementation did, but this was not confirmed in the multiple logistic regression analysis. Multimicronutrients had no effect on either geophagy prevalence or earth intake. Geophagy was prevalent and associated with iron deficiency, but iron supplementation had no effects on geophageous behaviour. Geophagy could be a copied behaviour and the association between geophagy and iron deficiency due to impaired iron absorption following earth eating.
103 citations
TL;DR: The issue of patient adherence remains challenging when considering the use of ACT, but it should not be used as an argument against the introduction of ACT.
Abstract: Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is one strategy recommended to increase cure rates in malaria and to contain resistance to Plasmodium falciparum. In the Maheba refugee settlement, children aged 5 years or younger with a confirmed diagnosis of uncomplicated falciparum malaria are treated with the combination of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (1 day) and artesunate (3 days). To measure treatment adherence, home visits were carried out the day after the last treatment dose. Patients who had any treatment dose left were considered certainly non-adherent. Other patients' classification was based on the answers to the questionnaire: patients whose caretakers stated the child had received the treatment regimen exactly as prescribed were considered probably adherent; all other patients were considered probably non-adherent. Reasons for non-adherence were assessed. We found 21.2% (95% CI [15.0-28.4]) of the patients to be certainly non-adherent, 39.4% (95% CI [31.6-47.6]) probably non-adherent, and 39.4% (95% CI [31.6-47.6]) probably adherent. Insufficient explanation by the dispenser was identified as an important reason for non-adherence. When considering the use of ACT, the issue of patient adherence remains challenging. However, it should not be used as an argument against the introduction of ACT. For these treatment regimens to remain efficacious on a long-term basis, specific and locally adapted strategies need to be implemented to ensure completion of the treatment.
91 citations
TL;DR: The findings demonstrate the lack of HHV-8 DNA in the breast milk of seropositive mothers, and they suggest that contact with breast milk is not a likely source of horizontal transmission of virus to infants in sub-Saharan Africa.
Abstract: Background. The seroprevalence of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV/human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) in sub-Saharan Africa suggests that multiple routes of transmission exist. In the present study we examined 2 possible routes of mother-to-child transmission through breast milk and saliva during the first 6 months after delivery. Methods. The prevalence of HHV-8 DNA in the breast-milk cells (n = 75) milk supernatant (n = 56) colostrum (n = 2) and saliva cells (n = 65) of HHV-8-seropositive mothers who recently gave birth was examined. Polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed for the detection of HHV-8 in cross-sectional samples isolated at 2 4 and 6 months after delivery. Results. None of the 75 breast-milk samples but 2 of the colostrum samples that were analyzed contained HHV-8 DNA at a limit of detection of ~1 HHV-8 copy/10(4) cellular genomes whereas Epstein-Barr virus DNA and HIV-1 DNA were detected in 16 and 22 samples respectively. Analysis of 65 saliva cell samples which were obtained from mothers who also provided milk samples revealed that 19 of the samples had detectable HHV-8 DNA. Viral DNA was found at all time points but the presence of viral DNA in saliva was independent of maternal HIV-1 serostatus (?2 = 0.33; P = .57). Conclusions. Our findings demonstrate the lack of HHV-8 DNA in the breast milk of seropositive mothers and they suggest that contact with breast milk is not a likely source of horizontal transmission of virus to infants in sub-Saharan Africa. (authors)
81 citations
TL;DR: The analysis of the current geographical distribution of C 4 Cyperaceae in southern Africa in a phylogenetic context suggests that the ecological advantages conferred by the C 4 pathway differ amongst the different plant groups.
Abstract: In this study the contribution of climatic factors and phylogenetic relationships affecting the geographical distribution of C 3 and C 4 genera of the Cyperaceae in South Africa was investigated The δ 13 C values of herbarium specimens of 68 southern African species from 22 genera and eight tribes were used to assign the species to either the C 3 or C 4 photosynthetic pathway Geographical distribution data for the Cyperaceae were used to investigate relationships between climatic factors and the number of species and proportional abundance of C 4 species per region The number of Cyperaceae species per 2° X 2° square across South Africa varied from less than five in the north-western regions to more than 15 in the south-western and north-eastern regions of South Africa where rainfall exceeds 800 mm y -1 Of the 68 species investigated, 28 had C 4 photosynthesis and these were scattered among nine genera of four tribes (Cypereae, Scirpeae, Abildgaardieae and Rhyncosporeae) The proportional abundance of C 4 species ranged from 14% in the winter rainfall regions of the south-west of South Africa to 67% in the summer rainfall areas of the north-east The geographical distribution of species was related to their phylogenetic position such that the distributions of C 3 and C 4 species in Cypereae, Scirpeae and Schoeneae was quite distinct Linear regression analysis showed that the transition temperatures (equal C 3 and C 4 species numbers) for the Cyperaceae were different to those obtained for the Poaceae from the same region No strong relationships were found between the proportional abundance of C 4 species and other climate factors such as altitude and rainfall Our analysis of the current geographical distribution of C 4 Cyperaceae in southern Africa in a phylogenetic context suggests that the ecological advantages conferred by the C 4 pathway differ amongst the different plant groups
TL;DR: Survey of postpartum women in Zambia found that living in an area of high HIV seroprevalence like Zambia seems to be the greatest risk factor for infection in unselected pregnant women, and population-based strategies that involve men must be implemented.
Abstract: One quarter of pregnant women in Zambia are infected with HIV. Understanding how knowledge of HIV relates to personal risk perception and avoidance of risky behaviors is critical to devising effective HIV prevention strategies. In conjunction with a large clinical trial in Lusaka, Zambia, we surveyed postpartum women who had been tested for HIV but did not know their status before undergoing the questionnaire. Of 858 women for whom complete data were available, 248 (29%) were HIV infected. Women 22 years of age or older (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–2.5), women reporting ≥2 sexual partners in their lifetime (AOR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.3–2.5), and women reporting a history of a sexually transmitted infection (AOR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.7–4.3) were more likely to be HIV infected. Having had ≥2 lifetime sexual partners was a marker for perception of high personnel risk for HIV infection (AOR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1–2.1). However, there was no relationship between perceived risk of HIV infection and actual HIV status. In fact, 127 (52%) of 245 women who stated that they were at no or low risk for HIV infection were HIV infected. Living in an area of high HIV seroprevalence like Zambia seems to be the greatest risk factor for infection in unselected pregnant women. Before significant inroads can be made in decreasing the incidence of HIV infection among pregnant women, population-based strategies that involve men must be implemented.
TL;DR: In this paper, the development of miombo woodland after felling, and under a variable fire regime, occur via a seral stage of fire-tolerant species, and the authors found that fire frequency was variable at the study sites and fuel loads were generally too low to suppress woodland regeneration after falling.
Abstract: Question: Does the development of Brachystegia-Julbernardia (miombo) woodland after felling, and under a variable fire regime, occur via a seral stage of fire-tolerant species? Location: Four sites in central Zambia, Africa. Methods: Trees in replicate plots were clear-cut and stumps and resprouts enumerated. Species recruited into the tree layer (> 2.0 m tall) were monitored for 11 years (1991 – 2001) and fire occurrence and herbaceous biomass assessed annually to determine fuel loads. Results: Fire frequency was variable at the study sites and fuel loads were generally too low to suppress woodland regeneration after felling. However, at one site a change from low to high fire frequency arrested woodland development and triggered a regression towards a ‘fire-trap’ vegetation type in which a few fire-tolerant species survived. There was no evidence to support the hypothesis that miombo woodland regeneration is facilitated by a sere of fire-tolerant species. All regrowth after felling was from res...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors conducted petrographic and whole-rock chemical analyses of the Neoproterozoic Nchanga granite, Lusaka Granite, Ngoma Gneiss and felsic metavolcanic rocks from the Lufilian-Zambezi belt in Zambian, in order to evaluate their chemical characteristics and tectonic settings.
TL;DR: The study aims to quantify the benefit-risk ratio of early cessation of exclusive breast-feeding to interrupt mother-to-child transmission of HIV with an intensive behavioral intervention that has both observational and experimental analytic approaches.
TL;DR: The various settings and populations in which HIV testing might be implemented, and the goals to be achieved by that testing are considered, also the practical information public health decision makers in sub-Saharan Africa should have in order to choose an appropriate test or combination of tests for use in a particular clinical setting are defined.
TL;DR: Several viruses were identified on the basis of field symptomatology, symptoms developing on mechanically inoculated indicator plant species or cultivars and serology (DAS-ELISA), and BSMV, BYDV-PAV, SBWMV, WDV, WSMV and WSSMV were found to be the most prevalent viruses.
Abstract: Surveys were conducted during the cool-dry months of June-August 1997 and June-July 1998 for the presence of viruses in irrigated wheat in Central, Copperbelt, Lusaka and Southern Provinces of Zambia in 14 commercial farms and four wheat cultivar plots. Virus symptoms were observed on nine wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum 'Deka', 'Gamtoos', 'Lorie II', 'MM2', 'Nata', 'Nkwazi', 'P7', 'Scan' and 'Sceptre') of South African, Zambian and Zimbabwean origin. Several viruses were identified on the basis of field symptomatology, symptoms developing on mechanically inoculated indicator plant species or cultivars and serology (DAS-ELISA). The study revealed the occurrence ofBrome mosaic virus (BMV), Barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV), Barley yellow dwarf virus and its strains (BYDV-PAV and RPV), Soil-borne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV), Wheat dwarf virus (WDV), Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) and Wheat spindle streak mosaic virus (WSSMV). DSA-ELISA tests confirmed these identifications. The prevalence of viruses varied annually and from field to field. BSMV, BYDV-PAV, SBWMV, WDV, WSMV and WSSMV were found to be the most prevalent viruses. Viruses generally occurred in mixed infections of 3-6 viruses and the most common virus complex consisted of 4 viruses (50%), viz. BYDV, SBWMV, WDV and WSSMV. Five- and six-virus complexes were relatively less common (20% each) whereas 3-virus complex was noticed in only 10% cases. SBWMV and WSSMV have been found to be new to Africa and Zambia and are reportedly vectored by a fungal protist -Polymyxa graminis. BYDV strains MAV and SGV were also tested but gave negative results against their antisera.
TL;DR: The improved soil conditions and N contribution of sesbania and cajanus fallows to the subsequent maize crop was evidenced by increased maize yields of between 170–200% over maize without fertilizer.
Abstract: Improved fallows with leguminous trees have been developed in Southern Africa as a viable alternative to inorganic fertilizers but the changes in soil properties that are responsible for crop productivity improvement and implications of mixing litter and fresh leaves from the same tree species on soil fertility are not fully understood. Our objectives were to quantify (1) some changes in soil properties that are responsible for crop production improvement under improved fallow systems; (2) the N mineralization patterns of mixtures of litter and fresh leaves from the same tree species. The treatments used in the study were 2-year planted Sesbania sesban (sesbania) and Cajanus cajan (cajanus) and controls of natural fallow, continuous fertilized and unfertilized maize. At fallow clearing sesbania contributed 56 kg N ha−1 through litter and fresh leaves. Sesbania (fresh leaves + litter) showed high N mineralization after 10 weeks compared to the mixture of cajanus fresh leaves with litter. Maize yields were significantly correlated with preseason NO3−-N and total inorganic-N content of the top 20-cm soil layer. Soil penetrometer resistance at 4 weeks after planting was lowest in the sesbania land-use system (2.2 Mpa), whereas the highest percentage of water-stable aggregates at fallow clearing and crop harvest was in sesbania (83%) and cajanus (77%), respectively. The improved soil conditions and N contribution of sesbania and cajanus fallows to the subsequent maize crop was evidenced by increased maize yields of between 170–200% over maize without fertilizer.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the anthropogenic and natural processes in the Lusaka area leading to environmental degradation and their possible mitigation and made proposals to mitigate adverse environmental effects, including closure or reclamation of existing waste dumps, upgrading existing waste dump to controlled landfills, establishing new urban waste landfill and plants in geo-environmentally suitable sites, local waste management projects in all compounds (residential areas) to prevent and reduce haphazard waste dumping, enlarging sewerage drainage systems to all compounds; enforcing control on groundwater abstraction and pollution, and dem
TL;DR: The results highlight the need for further provider education, critical appraisal of the current system for HIV testing, and widespread distribution of ART.
Abstract: Mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) is a major contributor to Zambia’s HIV burden. Based on our experience in Zambia we felt that provider perceptions knowledge base and practice patterns toward HIV-positive mothers may pose as significant obstacles to preventing MTCT. Two hundred and twenty-five health care providers throughout Zambia were surveyed in 2002. Providers reported widespread stigma associated with HIV. Physicians (OR=1.9) providers with research affiliations (OR=2.3) and those located in Lusaka (OR=9.0) were more likely to offer HIV testing. Only 30% routinely prescribed antiretroviral treatment (ART) to reduce MTCT. Practitioners from district facilities those from Lusaka and those employed at research facilities were more likely to prescribe ART routinely (OR=2.8 10.1 and 3.4 respectively). Among those never prescribing ART most cited a lack of availability (83%). Our results highlight the need for further provider education critical appraisal of the current system for HIV testing and widespread distribution of ART. (authors)
TL;DR: It is recommended that HIV-related clinical care and research be integrated within home-based care services and operated within the existing health delivery structures to ensure sustainability, reduce costs, and strengthen the structures.
Abstract: Zambia is a landlocked southern African country with one of the world’s worst HIV epidemics. This democratic nation, about the size of Texas, had a population estimated at 10.2 million persons in 2002. The HIV prevalence rate in the general population is an estimated 16%, with rates among young women in urban centers of up to 31.9%.1,2 Since the 1980s, measures to control the HIV epidemic have been mainly preventive—through education, behavioral change campaigns, and condom use promotion. These measures have not achieved much success in adults, although declining trends of HIV prevalence among the youth may indicate an incipient salutary trend.3,4 Since 1999, prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission through short-course zidovudine or nevirapine administration at the onset of labor has introduced antiretroviral therapy (ART) as a preventive tool, primarily in the capital city of Lusaka.5
In 2002, the Zambian government provided lower cost generic antiretroviral drugs purchased from an Indian pharmaceutical firm (Cipla, Mumbai, India), permitting initiation of a care program including highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for more than 80 HIV-infected persons in a model care program at the University Teaching Hospital (the main teaching hospital in the country) located in Lusaka. Other government initiatives in 2003 have led to increased accessibility of HAART. It is hoped that the World Health Organization initiative to have 3 million people on treatment by the year 2005 as well as new resources from the United States; the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria; Europe; and Japan will add impetus to increase accessibility and availability of HAART in Africa.6
With increasing availability of HAART, new challenges are arising in care and research for the Zambian health care community as well as for consumers. This has given rise to fears that challenges encountered in developing countries such as Zambia could lead to unregulated use of therapy giving rise to antiretroviral anarchy.7 In 2001, the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases launched the Comprehensive International Program for Research on AIDS (CIPRA) to promote and develop AIDS research led by local investigators in resource-limited countries. A 2-year planning grant was awarded to Zambia in 2001 (I. Zulu, Principal Investigator) for preparation of the infrastructure and capacity for ART clinical trials and operational research. As part of the research planning process, we held a consultative conference with a broad cross section of medical, nursing, academic, government, and community leaders in Lusaka on January 4, 2002. The goal of the conference was to discuss and suggest a national therapeutic research agenda and to seek other ideas and improvements that could ensure strong support for future ART research from medical, nursing, and community leaders in Zambia. The increasing availability of HAART in the country has made the challenges and research priorities identified in 2002 even more urgent and relevant today.
TL;DR: The use of molecular diversity and combinatorial chemistry, proteomics, and the use of the whole genome to discover drug targets are expected to produce new lead compounds for turning into drugs to treat active, latent and multi‐drug‐resistant TB more effectively in the foreseeable future.
Abstract: Health services in Africa are being overburdened by a continuous increase of cases of tuberculosis (TB), largely resulting from the large pool of infected individuals becoming co-infected with HIV. To help deal with the situation, TB treatment schedules need to be shorter and simpler, with minimal contact between the patient and the service provider required, if the problems of non-compliance and of ineffective service provision are to be overcome. Various drugs not marketed for use in the treatment of TB are currently under investigation for their potential roles in the simplification or shortening of treatment schedules. These mainly include the long-acting rifamycins and the fluoroquinolones. Furthermore, new drug development is focused on an understanding of the host-pathogen interaction leading to infection, latency and disease. Of these, latency is least understood. The use of molecular diversity and combinatorial chemistry, proteomics, and the use of the whole genome to discover drug targets are expected to produce new lead compounds for turning into drugs to treat active, latent and multi-drug-resistant TB more effectively in the foreseeable future.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Adjunctive immunotherapy of drug-susceptible pulmonary TB with M. vaccae during the first 2 weeks of treatment did not improve radiographic responses to treatment or resolution of cavitary disease.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Controlled trials have failed to show an effect of Mycobacterium vaccae immunotherapy on treatment outcome and mortality in patients with tuberculosis (TB); however, several studies have suggested improvement in radiographic clearing and resolution of cavitary disease. METHODS: To assess the effect of M. vaccae immunotherapy on radiographic healing in pulmonary TB, chest X-rays from three randomized placebo-controlled trials of M. vaccae given as a single injection during the first 2 weeks of treatment were interpreted by a single, masked assessor using a standard scheme. Endpoints were the overall degree of radiographic improvement or deterioration and changes in cavitary disease at the end of antituberculosis treatment and follow-up. RESULTS: Of 1018 patients (478 HIV-infected; 540 HIV-uninfected) with an end of treatment or end of follow-up X-ray analyzed, 496 received M. vaccae and 522 received placebo. There was no difference in radiographic improvement or deterioration or cavitary disease at the end of treatment or follow-up comparing the M. vaccae and placebo groups. Results were similar comparing HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients. CONCLUSION: Adjunctive immunotherapy of drug-susceptible pulmonary TB with M. vaccae during the first 2 weeks of treatment did not improve radiographic responses to treatment or resolution of cavitary disease.
TL;DR: The avirulent form of R. equi was widespread in the animals and the soil, and about 20% of the isolates contained cryptic plasmids of various sizes.
Abstract: Rhodococcus equi is an important pathogen in foals; however, its incidence in African indigenous animals is poorly understood Fecal samples (92 from nine indigenous species) and 43 soil samples were collected from two Zambian National Parks The presence of R equi was investigated and 533 isolates were tested for the presence of 15- to 17-kDa antigens (VapA) and a 20-kDa antigen (VapB) by immunoblotting and PCR R equi was isolated (10(2)-10(4) colony forming units/g) from 75% of fecal and 74% of soil samples Neither antigen was detected; however, about 20% of the isolates contained cryptic plasmids of various sizes There was no evidence of virulent R equi, but the avirulent form was widespread in the animals and the soil
TL;DR: Investigation of calves born to cows infected with S. mattheei confirms earlier work that specific antibodies and circulating antigens may be present in serum from calves at birth, and shows that these calves have lower faecal egg counts and CAA levels after exposure to a natural challenge.
TL;DR: The resulting method, that has significant S/N ratio improvements resulting from a combination of septum programmable injections (SPI), optimized CI and inert Silcosteel®-coated electrodes, was used to determine instrument detection limits.
Abstract: Synthetic pyrethroids fragment extensively under electron ionization (EI) conditions to give low mass ions, most of them with the same m/z ratios. This fragmentation is primarily due to the labile ester linkage found in these compounds. In this research we established the best gas chromatography (GC) conditions in the EI mode that served as a benchmark in the development of a chemical ionization (CI) protocol for ten selected synthetic pyrethroids. Based on proton affinity data, several reagent gases were evaluated in the positive CI ionization mode. Methanol was found to produce higher average ion counts relative to the other gases evaluated, which led to the development of an optimized method consisting of selective ejection chemical ionization (SECI) and MS/MS. Standard stainless steel ion trap electrodes produced significant degradation of chromatographic performance on late eluting compounds, which was attributed to electrode surface chemistry. A dramatic improvement in signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios was observed when the chromatographically inert Silcosteel® coated electrodes were used. The resulting method, that has significant S/N ratio improvements resulting from a combination of septum programmable injections (SPI), optimized CI and inert Silcosteel®-coated electrodes, was used to determine instrument detection limits.
TL;DR: Amblyomma variegatum appears to be widespread throughout the study area, as are antibodies to E. ruminantium, which is the vector for heartwater transmission in Zambia.
Abstract: A survey was carried out to define the distribution of heartwater in goats that originated from six districts in communal grazing semi-arid areas of Zambia. A total of 181 samples (40.1 %) out of 451 serum samples from adult goats were positive for Ehrlichia ruminantium antibodies after screening using indirect MAP-1B antigen ELISA technique with statistically significant differences ( P < 0.01) between the six districts. Out of 1 036 adult goats examined for tick infestation, 105 were infested by ticks, with Amblyomma species being the most dominant tick encountered. Amblyomma variegatum , which is the vector for heartwater transmission in Zambia constituted 42.4 % of the tick species, identified. The overall tick infestation rate was 10 % while the tick:goat ratio was 2.1:1. Amblyomma variegatum appears to be widespread throughout the study area, as are antibodies to E. ruminantium .
TL;DR: In this article, computer modelling has revealed that a graded band gap buffer layer at the p/i interface containing a slightly acceptor doped defective layer next to the p-layer improves the initial performance of a-Si:H p-i-n solar cells.
Abstract: Light soaking experiments have been conducted on a-Si:H p-i-n solar cells with a silicon carbide buffer layer at the p/i interface. The rate of light induced degradation in the performance of these solar cells is higher in the initial stages of light soaking and assumes the same levels as the cells without a buffer layer with prolonged light soaking. Computer modelling has revealed that a graded band gap buffer layer at the p/i interface containing a slightly acceptor doped defective layer next to the p-layer improves the initial performance of a-Si:H p-i-n solar cells. The modelling also reveals that the effect of the buffer layer on solar cell performance depends critically on the configuration and composition of the buffer layer. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)