Background: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) upsurge sprang up in Wuhan, China, in late December 2019.
Objectives: Due to the exceptionally high mutation frequency, comparative genomics of viruses isolated throughout time and in various geographical locations are crucial. To better understand how SARS-CoV-2 heterogeneity has changed around the globe, this research was conducted.
Methods: Nucleotide and protein sequences of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and bat SARS-like CoV were extracted from the NCBI Virus database. The Wuhan SARS-CoV-2 variant was used as a reference. Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Study performed the phylogenetic analysis, while the Genome Detective Coronavirus Typing Tool performed the mutational analysis.
Results: The evolutionary research has revealed that bats are the primary host for coronavirus evolution and the origin of the formation of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Numerous mutations have been discovered in the spike, envelope, and nucleocapsid protein.
Conclusions: The current research findings may have an implication that facilitates the development of prospective immunization candidates/small pharmacological compounds targeting COVID-19.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; pandemic; comparative genomics; spike protein; envelope protein; nucleocapsid protein.
{"title":"Comparative genomics of spike, envelope, and nucleocapsid protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2","authors":"Sufyan Sohail Khan, Anwar Ullah","doi":"10.4314/ahs.v23i3.45","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i3.45","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) upsurge sprang up in Wuhan, China, in late December 2019.
 Objectives: Due to the exceptionally high mutation frequency, comparative genomics of viruses isolated throughout time and in various geographical locations are crucial. To better understand how SARS-CoV-2 heterogeneity has changed around the globe, this research was conducted.
 Methods: Nucleotide and protein sequences of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and bat SARS-like CoV were extracted from the NCBI Virus database. The Wuhan SARS-CoV-2 variant was used as a reference. Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Study performed the phylogenetic analysis, while the Genome Detective Coronavirus Typing Tool performed the mutational analysis.
 Results: The evolutionary research has revealed that bats are the primary host for coronavirus evolution and the origin of the formation of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Numerous mutations have been discovered in the spike, envelope, and nucleocapsid protein.
 Conclusions: The current research findings may have an implication that facilitates the development of prospective immunization candidates/small pharmacological compounds targeting COVID-19.
 Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; pandemic; comparative genomics; spike protein; envelope protein; nucleocapsid protein.","PeriodicalId":7853,"journal":{"name":"African Health Sciences","volume":"18 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136213472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mehdi Torabi, Mostafa Khafaei, Behnaz Jahanbin, Morteza Sadeghi
Introduction: Lung carcinoma is characterized by uncontrollable division of respiratory system cells with detrimental and lethalconsequences on human health. Critical roles of microRNAs (miR) are scientifically approved in biological and pathologicalpathways, such as the role of miR-499 (rs3746444) in lung carcinomas. Thus, in this case-control investigation, we aimed toassess the probable relationship between miR-499C/T variant and the occurrence of lung carcinoma in Iranian population forthe first time.
Methods: Genotype of miR-499 polymorphism was described by the Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment LengthPolymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay in patients and healthy individuals. Following definite diagnosis of lung carcinoma, the bloodsamples were collected, and the DNA extraction was performed by Salting-Out method. Finally, data were analysed by SPSS (v.20) and the significant level was considered p-value<0.05.
Results: Statistically, the frequency of combined genotypes of CC+CT were 83.33% and 35% and TT+CT were 100% and 92%in case and control individuals, respectively. Also, individuals with genotypes of TC (OR: 3.08, CI95%: 3.03-3.17, p<0.0001),TC+CC (OR: 0.10, CI95%: 0.05-0.23, p<0.0001), CC (OR: 0, CI95%: 0.00-0.60, p=0.0214), and TC (OR: 0.07, CI95%: 0.03-0.15, p<0.0001) represented statistically significant (p<0.05) differences lung carcinoma than those with TT, TT, TT+TC, andTT+CC genotypes, respectively. The frequency of miR-499C (78.5%) and miR-499T (21.5%) alleles were also statistically significantly(p<0.05) difference associated with lung carcinoma in patients than controls.
Conclusion: In this study, a possible relationship among miR-499C/T polymorphism and lung carcinoma was detected in Iranianpopulation. Since this study was conducted for the first time, thus other supplementary assessments are needed for definiteconclusion.
Keywords: Lung, neoplasm; carcinoma; rs3746444; miR-499C/T; miR-499A/G; RFLP-PCR; Polymorphism; Iran.
{"title":"Assessment of the relationship between miR-499C/T (rs3746444) polymorphism and lung carcinoma in Iranian population; a case-control study","authors":"Mehdi Torabi, Mostafa Khafaei, Behnaz Jahanbin, Morteza Sadeghi","doi":"10.4314/ahs.v23i3.36","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i3.36","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Lung carcinoma is characterized by uncontrollable division of respiratory system cells with detrimental and lethalconsequences on human health. Critical roles of microRNAs (miR) are scientifically approved in biological and pathologicalpathways, such as the role of miR-499 (rs3746444) in lung carcinomas. Thus, in this case-control investigation, we aimed toassess the probable relationship between miR-499C/T variant and the occurrence of lung carcinoma in Iranian population forthe first time.
 Methods: Genotype of miR-499 polymorphism was described by the Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment LengthPolymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay in patients and healthy individuals. Following definite diagnosis of lung carcinoma, the bloodsamples were collected, and the DNA extraction was performed by Salting-Out method. Finally, data were analysed by SPSS (v.20) and the significant level was considered p-value<0.05.
 Results: Statistically, the frequency of combined genotypes of CC+CT were 83.33% and 35% and TT+CT were 100% and 92%in case and control individuals, respectively. Also, individuals with genotypes of TC (OR: 3.08, CI95%: 3.03-3.17, p<0.0001),TC+CC (OR: 0.10, CI95%: 0.05-0.23, p<0.0001), CC (OR: 0, CI95%: 0.00-0.60, p=0.0214), and TC (OR: 0.07, CI95%: 0.03-0.15, p<0.0001) represented statistically significant (p<0.05) differences lung carcinoma than those with TT, TT, TT+TC, andTT+CC genotypes, respectively. The frequency of miR-499C (78.5%) and miR-499T (21.5%) alleles were also statistically significantly(p<0.05) difference associated with lung carcinoma in patients than controls.
 Conclusion: In this study, a possible relationship among miR-499C/T polymorphism and lung carcinoma was detected in Iranianpopulation. Since this study was conducted for the first time, thus other supplementary assessments are needed for definiteconclusion.
 Keywords: Lung, neoplasm; carcinoma; rs3746444; miR-499C/T; miR-499A/G; RFLP-PCR; Polymorphism; Iran.","PeriodicalId":7853,"journal":{"name":"African Health Sciences","volume":"254 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136213643","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michael Okello, Sabrina Bakeera-Kitaka, Ponsiano Ocama, Esther Patience Nabwire, Dave Darshit, Christine Namata, Annah Ainembabazi Tinka
Background: Diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy involves examination of the lining of the esophagus, stomach and part of the duodenum. Interventional endoscopy in addition to evaluating the upper gastrointestinal tract to make a diagnosis, also offers a treatment benefit. Traditionally, esophageal foreign bodies (FBs) in Uganda were removed using rigid endoscopy. We therefore report an emerging trend of using flexible endoscopy to remove these FBs.
Objective: To describe participant characteristics and endoscopic findings among children who underwent esophageal FB removal in Lubaga Hospital in Kampala.
Methods: This was a retrospective review of endoscopy reports for children who underwent endoscopic esophageal FB removal at Lubaga Hospital from December 2014 to March 2022.
Results: Overall, 61 symptomatic children underwent this procedure. The majority of the FBs were removed by flexible endoscopy (n=55, 90.16%). The mean age of the participants was 7.88 (SD=2.12) years old. The majority of the children were females (72.13%) and coins were the most ingested FBs (84%), others included steel crucifix, nails etc. The upper esophageal sphincter was the commonest site for FB impaction (74%).
Conclusion: We report high success rates of 90.16% for endoscopic removal of impacted esophageal foreign bodies among Ugandan children using the now widely available flexible endoscopy.
Keywords: Endoscopy; esophagus; foreign body.
{"title":"Endoscopic esophageal foreign body removal among children at Lubaga Hospital, Kampala, Uganda","authors":"Michael Okello, Sabrina Bakeera-Kitaka, Ponsiano Ocama, Esther Patience Nabwire, Dave Darshit, Christine Namata, Annah Ainembabazi Tinka","doi":"10.4314/ahs.v23i3.27","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i3.27","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy involves examination of the lining of the esophagus, stomach and part of the duodenum. Interventional endoscopy in addition to evaluating the upper gastrointestinal tract to make a diagnosis, also offers a treatment benefit. Traditionally, esophageal foreign bodies (FBs) in Uganda were removed using rigid endoscopy. We therefore report an emerging trend of using flexible endoscopy to remove these FBs.
 Objective: To describe participant characteristics and endoscopic findings among children who underwent esophageal FB removal in Lubaga Hospital in Kampala.
 Methods: This was a retrospective review of endoscopy reports for children who underwent endoscopic esophageal FB removal at Lubaga Hospital from December 2014 to March 2022.
 Results: Overall, 61 symptomatic children underwent this procedure. The majority of the FBs were removed by flexible endoscopy (n=55, 90.16%). The mean age of the participants was 7.88 (SD=2.12) years old. The majority of the children were females (72.13%) and coins were the most ingested FBs (84%), others included steel crucifix, nails etc. The upper esophageal sphincter was the commonest site for FB impaction (74%).
 Conclusion: We report high success rates of 90.16% for endoscopic removal of impacted esophageal foreign bodies among Ugandan children using the now widely available flexible endoscopy.
 Keywords: Endoscopy; esophagus; foreign body.","PeriodicalId":7853,"journal":{"name":"African Health Sciences","volume":"24 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136213773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tope Olubodun, Oluwatoyin O Ogundele, Zainab A Salisu, Yetunde O Odusolu, Ugonnaya U Caleb-Ugwuowo
Background: Poor awareness of cervical cancer and high prevalence of its risk factors may be responsible for the large burdenof cervical cancer in low-income countries. This study assessed awareness of cervical cancer and prevalence of risk factorsamong women residing in a slum in Lagos, Nigeria.
Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out amongst 305 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) inIdi-Araba, a slum in Urban Lagos. Data were collected using interviewer administered questionnaires. Analysis was done withSPSS 20 software.
Results: Mean age of respondents was 33.5(9.0) years. Only 12.8% of the respondents had heard of cervical cancer. Ninety-fivepercent of respondents were sexually active and 56.2% had more than one lifetime sexual partner. Close to half (47.3%) ofrespondents had their first sexual intercourse before the age of 20. One in five (22.2%) had 5 or more children. Half of therespondents (54.8%) had had abnormal vaginal discharge.
Conclusion: Awareness of cervical cancer among the women was poor and prevalence of risk factors of cervical cancer washigh. Campaigns aimed at increasing awareness of cervical cancer, and screening should be carried out by governmental andcharitable organizations for women residing in slums.
Keywords: Cervical cancer; awareness; risk factors; slum; Nigeria.
{"title":"Cervical cancer awareness and risk factors among women residing in an urban slum in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria","authors":"Tope Olubodun, Oluwatoyin O Ogundele, Zainab A Salisu, Yetunde O Odusolu, Ugonnaya U Caleb-Ugwuowo","doi":"10.4314/ahs.v23i3.33","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i3.33","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Poor awareness of cervical cancer and high prevalence of its risk factors may be responsible for the large burdenof cervical cancer in low-income countries. This study assessed awareness of cervical cancer and prevalence of risk factorsamong women residing in a slum in Lagos, Nigeria.
 Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out amongst 305 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) inIdi-Araba, a slum in Urban Lagos. Data were collected using interviewer administered questionnaires. Analysis was done withSPSS 20 software.
 Results: Mean age of respondents was 33.5(9.0) years. Only 12.8% of the respondents had heard of cervical cancer. Ninety-fivepercent of respondents were sexually active and 56.2% had more than one lifetime sexual partner. Close to half (47.3%) ofrespondents had their first sexual intercourse before the age of 20. One in five (22.2%) had 5 or more children. Half of therespondents (54.8%) had had abnormal vaginal discharge.
 Conclusion: Awareness of cervical cancer among the women was poor and prevalence of risk factors of cervical cancer washigh. Campaigns aimed at increasing awareness of cervical cancer, and screening should be carried out by governmental andcharitable organizations for women residing in slums.
 Keywords: Cervical cancer; awareness; risk factors; slum; Nigeria.","PeriodicalId":7853,"journal":{"name":"African Health Sciences","volume":"4 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136211814","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Objective: To evaluate the effects of interventional vascular embolization at different timing on the prognosis and serum S100calcium-binding protein B (S100B) level of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).
Methods: A total of 229 aSAH patients enrolled from January 2016 to January 2020 were divided into an early-stage group(n=66), a middle-stage group (n=95) and a late-stage group (n=68. Their baseline data, serum indices and clinical outcomes werecompared. The factors affecting their prognosis were analysed. The value of serum S100B level for predicting the prognosis wasevaluated.
Results: The early-stage group had the highest GOS score, and the late-stage group had the lowest score (P<0.05). Older age,large diameter of aneurysm, high Hunt-Hess grade upon admission, late surgical treatment and high S100B level were risk factorsfor the poor prognosis of aSAH patients. The optimal cut-off value of S100B for predicting the prognosis was 2.785 μg/L.The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve, sensitivity, specificity, Youden index and 95% confidence interval were0.892, 84.3%, 86.3%, 0.706 and 0.844-0.940, respectively.
Conclusion: Early vascular interventional embolization is beneficial to the alleviation of brain injury and the reduction of serumS100B level.
Keywords: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage; interventional vascular embolization; prognosis; S100 calcium-binding proteinB; timing.
{"title":"Effects of interventional vascular embolization at different timing on prognosis and serum S100 calcium-binding protein B level of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage","authors":"Peidong Yue, Lei Zhang, Bin Wang","doi":"10.4314/ahs.v23i3.65","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i3.65","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: To evaluate the effects of interventional vascular embolization at different timing on the prognosis and serum S100calcium-binding protein B (S100B) level of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).
 Methods: A total of 229 aSAH patients enrolled from January 2016 to January 2020 were divided into an early-stage group(n=66), a middle-stage group (n=95) and a late-stage group (n=68. Their baseline data, serum indices and clinical outcomes werecompared. The factors affecting their prognosis were analysed. The value of serum S100B level for predicting the prognosis wasevaluated.
 Results: The early-stage group had the highest GOS score, and the late-stage group had the lowest score (P<0.05). Older age,large diameter of aneurysm, high Hunt-Hess grade upon admission, late surgical treatment and high S100B level were risk factorsfor the poor prognosis of aSAH patients. The optimal cut-off value of S100B for predicting the prognosis was 2.785 μg/L.The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve, sensitivity, specificity, Youden index and 95% confidence interval were0.892, 84.3%, 86.3%, 0.706 and 0.844-0.940, respectively.
 Conclusion: Early vascular interventional embolization is beneficial to the alleviation of brain injury and the reduction of serumS100B level.
 Keywords: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage; interventional vascular embolization; prognosis; S100 calcium-binding proteinB; timing.","PeriodicalId":7853,"journal":{"name":"African Health Sciences","volume":"26 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136211815","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: The efficacy of iron isomaltoside ferumoxytol versus iron sucrose to treat iron deficiency anemia remains controversial. We conduct this meta-analysis to explore the influence of iron isomaltoside ferumoxytol versus iron sucrose on iron deficiency anemia.
Methods: We have searched PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through March 2021 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of iron isomaltoside ferumoxytol versus iron sucrose on iron deficiency anemia. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effect model.
Results: Four RCTs involving 3892 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with iron sucrose for iron deficiency anemia, iron isomaltoside showed similar change of Hb (SMD=0.14; 95% CI=-0.07 to 0.35; P=0.18), Hb responder (SMD=1.41; 95% CI=0.71 to 2.81; P=0.33), serum ferritin (SMD=15.13; 95% CI=-23.45 to 53.71; P=0.44), and transferrin saturation (SMD=1.20; 95% CI=-1.08 to 3.47; P=0.30). However, iron isomaltoside further improved serum-ferritin at week 2 than iron sucrose (SMD=204.79; 95% CI=38.23 to 371.35; P=0.02).
Conclusions: Iron isomaltoside ferumoxytol showed comparable efficacy to iron sucrose for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia.
Keywords: Iron isomaltoside ferumoxytol; iron sucrose; iron deficiency anemia; randomized controlled trials.
{"title":"Comparison of iron isomaltoside ferumoxytol with iron sucrose for iron deficiency anemia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","authors":"Lunbo Shi, Yan Zhao, Aihua Rao","doi":"10.4314/ahs.v23i3.25","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i3.25","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: The efficacy of iron isomaltoside ferumoxytol versus iron sucrose to treat iron deficiency anemia remains controversial. We conduct this meta-analysis to explore the influence of iron isomaltoside ferumoxytol versus iron sucrose on iron deficiency anemia.
 Methods: We have searched PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through March 2021 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of iron isomaltoside ferumoxytol versus iron sucrose on iron deficiency anemia. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effect model.
 Results: Four RCTs involving 3892 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with iron sucrose for iron deficiency anemia, iron isomaltoside showed similar change of Hb (SMD=0.14; 95% CI=-0.07 to 0.35; P=0.18), Hb responder (SMD=1.41; 95% CI=0.71 to 2.81; P=0.33), serum ferritin (SMD=15.13; 95% CI=-23.45 to 53.71; P=0.44), and transferrin saturation (SMD=1.20; 95% CI=-1.08 to 3.47; P=0.30). However, iron isomaltoside further improved serum-ferritin at week 2 than iron sucrose (SMD=204.79; 95% CI=38.23 to 371.35; P=0.02).
 Conclusions: Iron isomaltoside ferumoxytol showed comparable efficacy to iron sucrose for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia.
 Keywords: Iron isomaltoside ferumoxytol; iron sucrose; iron deficiency anemia; randomized controlled trials.","PeriodicalId":7853,"journal":{"name":"African Health Sciences","volume":"14 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136211963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nadia Touil, Charifa Drissi Touzani, El Mostafa Benaissa, Jalal Kasouati, Zineb Rhazzar, Hicham El Annaz, Nadia El Mrimar, Lamiae Neffah, Rachid Abi, Rida Tagajdid Rida Tagajdid, Safae El Kochri, Mariette Ducatez, Youssouf Akhouad, Ahmed Reggad, Zouhour El Kassimi, Abdelhamid Zrara, Fatna Bssaibis, ElMostapha El Fahime, Idriss Lahlou Amine, Abdelkader Belmekki, Yashpal Singh Malik, Mostafa Elouennass, Khalid Ennibi
Background: The SARS-CoV-2 is an extremely contagious and acute viral disease mainly affecting humans.
Objective: To estimate seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) for illegible armed force individuals living in Rabat, Morocco
Method: A convenience sample (N = 2662) was conducted from May 2020 to February 2021. We used the standard neutralization assay to quantify the NAbs titers. A serum was positive when the titer was 1:4. High positive NAbs titers were defined when ≥ 1:32.
Results: Demographic and socioeconomic status did not affect seroprevalence data. An overall seroprevalence of 24,9% was found. Sera from blood donors, young recruits and auto-immune population had lower NAbs titers. However, titers were above 1:16 in 9% of the population with high risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Seropositivity increased over time with values reaching peaks after the epidemic waves (2.4% in May 2020; 16.2% in August 2020; 22.7% in December 2020 and 37% in February 2021).
Conclusion: And increase of NAbs was observed over time and correlated with the post-epidemic waves of COVID-19 in Morocco.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; Serum neutralizing assay; Seroprevalence; Rabat; Morocco.
{"title":"Neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 give important information on Covid-19 epidemic evolution in Rabat, Morocco, March 2020-February 2021","authors":"Nadia Touil, Charifa Drissi Touzani, El Mostafa Benaissa, Jalal Kasouati, Zineb Rhazzar, Hicham El Annaz, Nadia El Mrimar, Lamiae Neffah, Rachid Abi, Rida Tagajdid Rida Tagajdid, Safae El Kochri, Mariette Ducatez, Youssouf Akhouad, Ahmed Reggad, Zouhour El Kassimi, Abdelhamid Zrara, Fatna Bssaibis, ElMostapha El Fahime, Idriss Lahlou Amine, Abdelkader Belmekki, Yashpal Singh Malik, Mostafa Elouennass, Khalid Ennibi","doi":"10.4314/ahs.v23i3.46","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i3.46","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The SARS-CoV-2 is an extremely contagious and acute viral disease mainly affecting humans.
 Objective: To estimate seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) for illegible armed force individuals living in Rabat, Morocco
 Method: A convenience sample (N = 2662) was conducted from May 2020 to February 2021. We used the standard neutralization assay to quantify the NAbs titers. A serum was positive when the titer was 1:4. High positive NAbs titers were defined when ≥ 1:32.
 Results: Demographic and socioeconomic status did not affect seroprevalence data. An overall seroprevalence of 24,9% was found. Sera from blood donors, young recruits and auto-immune population had lower NAbs titers. However, titers were above 1:16 in 9% of the population with high risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Seropositivity increased over time with values reaching peaks after the epidemic waves (2.4% in May 2020; 16.2% in August 2020; 22.7% in December 2020 and 37% in February 2021).
 Conclusion: And increase of NAbs was observed over time and correlated with the post-epidemic waves of COVID-19 in Morocco.
 Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; Serum neutralizing assay; Seroprevalence; Rabat; Morocco.","PeriodicalId":7853,"journal":{"name":"African Health Sciences","volume":"3 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136213313","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the most predominant pathogen that causes severe urinary tract infections (UTIs). Their therapeutic options are limited due to the rising of antibiotic resistance.
Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of antibiotic resistance profile, redundancy of virulence genes, and their correlation.
Methods: 41 UPEC isolates were collected from patients diagnosed with UTI, identified by the standard microbiological analysis, and tested for susceptibility to 12 antibiotic agents using the Kirby-Bauer method. The ability of UPEC isolates to produce biofilm, hemolyze and cause clumping of blood was determined. Virulence genes were detected by PCR analysis.
Results: The percentage of UPEC isolates was higher in females (78.1%) than in males (21.9%). UPEC isolates showed a high degree of resistance towards Ceftriaxone (90.2%), Cefepime (90.2%), Ciprofloxacin (82.9%), Levofloxacin (82.9%), and Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (80.4%). Biofilm formation (87.8%) and hemagglutinin activity (80.4%) were the most predominant virulence markers expressed in UPEC and showed a high degree of correlation with the antibiotic resistance profile. PCR analysis showed that fimH (85.3%) was the most prevalent gene detected in UPEC isolates, followed by aac3-II (80.4%) among the five genes tested, blaTEM, aac3-II, sul2, hlyA, and fimH. The correlation between antibiotic resistant patterns and the presence aac3-II gene was significantly high. The resistance to the sulfonamides’ combined antibiotic was highly correlated with the presence of sulf2 gene.
Conclusion: Antimicrobial resistance was significantly linked to phenotypic and genotypic virulence factors. These results will aid in elucidating the pathogenicity of UTIs and guiding treatment decisions.
Keywords: UPEC resistance profile; virulence factor; Biofilm formation; hemagglutinin; hemolysin.
{"title":"Relationship between antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors in uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates from Ramadi, Iraq: phenotype and genotype identification","authors":"Ahmed Dhahir Abed, Thamer Y Mutter","doi":"10.4314/ahs.v23i3.56","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i3.56","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the most predominant pathogen that causes severe urinary tract infections (UTIs). Their therapeutic options are limited due to the rising of antibiotic resistance.
 Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of antibiotic resistance profile, redundancy of virulence genes, and their correlation.
 Methods: 41 UPEC isolates were collected from patients diagnosed with UTI, identified by the standard microbiological analysis, and tested for susceptibility to 12 antibiotic agents using the Kirby-Bauer method. The ability of UPEC isolates to produce biofilm, hemolyze and cause clumping of blood was determined. Virulence genes were detected by PCR analysis.
 Results: The percentage of UPEC isolates was higher in females (78.1%) than in males (21.9%). UPEC isolates showed a high degree of resistance towards Ceftriaxone (90.2%), Cefepime (90.2%), Ciprofloxacin (82.9%), Levofloxacin (82.9%), and Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (80.4%). Biofilm formation (87.8%) and hemagglutinin activity (80.4%) were the most predominant virulence markers expressed in UPEC and showed a high degree of correlation with the antibiotic resistance profile. PCR analysis showed that fimH (85.3%) was the most prevalent gene detected in UPEC isolates, followed by aac3-II (80.4%) among the five genes tested, blaTEM, aac3-II, sul2, hlyA, and fimH. The correlation between antibiotic resistant patterns and the presence aac3-II gene was significantly high. The resistance to the sulfonamides’ combined antibiotic was highly correlated with the presence of sulf2 gene.
 Conclusion: Antimicrobial resistance was significantly linked to phenotypic and genotypic virulence factors. These results will aid in elucidating the pathogenicity of UTIs and guiding treatment decisions.
 Keywords: UPEC resistance profile; virulence factor; Biofilm formation; hemagglutinin; hemolysin.","PeriodicalId":7853,"journal":{"name":"African Health Sciences","volume":"49 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136213315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mthobisi Mxolisi Zondi, Henry G Mwambi, Sileshi Fanta Melesse
Background: Lesotho is in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) region which aims to reduce the under-five mortality (U5M) to the average of 25 deaths per 1000 live births by the end of 2030 under the sustainable development goals (SDGs) initiative by the United Nations
Methodology: This paper makes use of the Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey (LDHS dataset, which focuses on female reproductive ages 15-49 and male reproductive ages 15-54 The spatio-temporal models were used in this study to investigate how the proposed covariates change over time.
Results: The results showed that children who were breastfed had a lower odd of death compared to children who were not breastfed, children from more educated mothers had significantly lower odds of U5M compared to those from less educated mothers. Having a larger number of children under the age of five also contributed significantly to an increased risk of U5M. The likelihood of U5M increased with age.
Conclusion: The study recommends that mothers of under-five children be educated about breastfeeding and encouraged to use contraception in order to postpone birth and reduce parity. Rural development should be prioritized through improved primary health care; and public health services should be made more accessible to rural residents.
Keywords: Spatio-temporal modelling; under-five mortality; Integrated Laplace nested approximation; Lesotho demographic and health survey data.
{"title":"Spatio-temporal modelling of under-five mortality in Lesotho using demographic and health survey data","authors":"Mthobisi Mxolisi Zondi, Henry G Mwambi, Sileshi Fanta Melesse","doi":"10.4314/ahs.v23i3.21","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i3.21","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Lesotho is in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) region which aims to reduce the under-five mortality (U5M) to the average of 25 deaths per 1000 live births by the end of 2030 under the sustainable development goals (SDGs) initiative by the United Nations
 Methodology: This paper makes use of the Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey (LDHS dataset, which focuses on female reproductive ages 15-49 and male reproductive ages 15-54 The spatio-temporal models were used in this study to investigate how the proposed covariates change over time.
 Results: The results showed that children who were breastfed had a lower odd of death compared to children who were not breastfed, children from more educated mothers had significantly lower odds of U5M compared to those from less educated mothers. Having a larger number of children under the age of five also contributed significantly to an increased risk of U5M. The likelihood of U5M increased with age.
 Conclusion: The study recommends that mothers of under-five children be educated about breastfeeding and encouraged to use contraception in order to postpone birth and reduce parity. Rural development should be prioritized through improved primary health care; and public health services should be made more accessible to rural residents.
 Keywords: Spatio-temporal modelling; under-five mortality; Integrated Laplace nested approximation; Lesotho demographic and health survey data.","PeriodicalId":7853,"journal":{"name":"African Health Sciences","volume":"15 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136213323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chukwuemeka Charles Nwafor, Kingsley Uwaemechi Umeh, Emmanuel Benjamin Etuk, Uchechukwu Brian Eziagu, Ikwo Jonathan Kudamnya, Esther Ekwo
Background: Breast lesions are not common in children and adolescents. The aim of this study is to retrospectively survey the clinicopathological pattern of breast lesions in children and adolescents in our setting.
Materials and method: This is a retrospective study of all breast specimens from children and adolescents that were histopathologically diagnosed in University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.
Results: The youngest patients seen were 11 years old, with mean age of 17.1 ± 1.91. The commonest clinical diagnoses were fibroadenoma (n=134, 72.4%). Thirty-five-point seven percent of the patients presented within 6 months of noticing the lump. The mean size of the lumps was 6.2cm ± 3.9. Fibroadenoma was the most common benign diagnosis and the most common histopathologic diagnosis in this study. The mean age of patients with fibroadenoma was 17.15±1.83.
Conclusion: The pattern of breast lesions in adolescents in Uyo is similar to that from other parts of Nigeria.
Keywords: Adolescents; benign; breast lesions; fibroadenoma.
{"title":"Clinicopathological pattern of breast lesions in children and adolescents","authors":"Chukwuemeka Charles Nwafor, Kingsley Uwaemechi Umeh, Emmanuel Benjamin Etuk, Uchechukwu Brian Eziagu, Ikwo Jonathan Kudamnya, Esther Ekwo","doi":"10.4314/ahs.v23i3.28","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i3.28","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Breast lesions are not common in children and adolescents. The aim of this study is to retrospectively survey the clinicopathological pattern of breast lesions in children and adolescents in our setting.
 Materials and method: This is a retrospective study of all breast specimens from children and adolescents that were histopathologically diagnosed in University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.
 Results: The youngest patients seen were 11 years old, with mean age of 17.1 ± 1.91. The commonest clinical diagnoses were fibroadenoma (n=134, 72.4%). Thirty-five-point seven percent of the patients presented within 6 months of noticing the lump. The mean size of the lumps was 6.2cm ± 3.9. Fibroadenoma was the most common benign diagnosis and the most common histopathologic diagnosis in this study. The mean age of patients with fibroadenoma was 17.15±1.83.
 Conclusion: The pattern of breast lesions in adolescents in Uyo is similar to that from other parts of Nigeria.
 Keywords: Adolescents; benign; breast lesions; fibroadenoma.","PeriodicalId":7853,"journal":{"name":"African Health Sciences","volume":"254 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136213476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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