University of Zimbabwe

About: University of Zimbabwe is a education organization based out in Harare, Harare, Zimbabwe. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The organization has 4378 authors who have published 6800 publications receiving 160720 citations. The organization is also known as: UZ & University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

Geospatial distribution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotypes in Africa

Abstract: CITATION: Chihota, V. N., et al. 2018. Geospatial distribution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotypes in Africa. PLoS ONE, 13(8):e0200632, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0200632.

Peripheral neuropathy in individuals with HIV infection in Zimbabwe

Abstract: Peripheral neuropathy is associated with HIV infection. The prevalence and types of peripheral neuropathy encountered in a randomly-selected HIV infected African population at different stages of disease were investigated. HIV positive individuals were categorized into 1 of 3 groups: asymptomatic, symptomatic and AIDS. HIV negative individuals formed the control group. Nerve conduction data were obtained using standard electrophysiological procedures and CD4+ levels were measured. The type of neuropathy was determined from the history, clinical presentation and electrophysiological abnormalities. The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy was 44%: subclinical neuropathy (SCN) accounted for 56%, acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) for 15% and distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN) for 22% of cases of neuropathy. SCN was found in all categories whereas AIDP predominated in the symptomatic category and DSPN in individuals with AIDS. The pattern and frequency of neuropathies seen in our African population is similar to that reported from other continents.

Iron overload in urban Africans in the 1990s

Abstract: BACKGROUND—In a previously described model, heterozygotes for an African iron loading locus develop iron overload only when dietary iron is high, but homozygotes may do so with normal dietary iron. If an iron loading gene is common, then homozygotes with iron overload will be found even in an urban population where traditional beer, the source of iron, is uncommon. AIMS—To determine whether iron overload and the C282Y mutation characteristic of hereditary haemochromatosis are readily identifiable in an urban African population. METHODS—Histological assessment, hepatocellular iron grading, and dry weight non-haem iron concentration were determined in post mortem tissue from liver, spleen, heart, lungs, and skin. DNA of subjects with elevated hepatic iron indexes was analysed for the C282Y mutation. Iron concentrations in other tissues were compared. RESULTS—A moderate increase (>30 µmol/g) in hepatic iron concentrations was found in 31 subjects (23%; 95% confidence interval 15.9 to 30.1%), and they were considerably elevated (>180 µmol/g) in seven subjects (5.2%; 95% confidence interval 1.5 to 8.9%). Appreciably elevated hepatic iron concentrations were associated with heavy iron deposition in both hepatocytes and macrophages, and either portal fibrosis or cirrhosis. All were negative for the C282Y mutation. Very high concentrations were uncommon in subjects dying in hospital. Concentrations of iron in spleen, heart, lung, and skin were significantly higher in subjects with elevated hepatic iron. CONCLUSIONS—Iron overload is readily identified among urban Africans and is associated with hepatic damage and iron loading of several tissues. The condition is unrelated to the genetic mutation found in hereditary haemochromatosis. Keywords: haemosiderosis; cirrhosis; iron; liver; Africa; haemochromatosis