http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/120 2026-10-13T05:27:24Z http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2919 Title: Vibrio cholerae O1 Hybrid El Tor Strains, Asia and Africa Authors: Safia, Asharafus; Sultana, Jinath; Dac Cam, Phung; Mwansa, James; Kong, Richard Y.C. Abstract: Vibrio cholerae is a water-borne pathogen that causes a severe watery diarrhea disease known as cholera. On the basis of variable somatic O antigen composition, >200 serogroups of V. cholerae have been recognized. Classical and El Tor are 2 well-established biotypes within the V. cholerae O1 serogroup, and they can be distinguished by differences in their biochemical reactions or phenotypic traits (1). In addition to phenotypic traits, genetic markers have recently been used in the identification of the biotypes of V. cholerae. For example, the major toxin-coregulated pilus (TCP) gene, tcpA, of the TCP cluster possesses classical- and El Tor–specific alleles that encode identical functions but differ in their DNA sequence composition; however, the rtxC gene of the repeat in toxin (RTX) cluster is present in El Tor strains only and absent in classical strains (2,3). The cholera toxin, encoded by the ctxA and ctxB genes, is the principal toxin produced by V. cholerae O1 and O139 and is responsible for the disease cholera. Heterogeneity within the ctxB gene and protein was first reported in the early 1990s, and, on this basis, 3 ctxB genotypes of the V. cholerae O1 strains have been identified. Based on amino acid residue substitutions at positions 39, 46, and 68, all classical and US Gulf Coast El Tor strains have been categorized as genotype 1, the Australian El Tor strains as genotype 2, and the El Tor strains of the seventh pandemic and the Latin American epidemic as genotype 3. Genotyping of ctxB has indicated that the classical strains harbor a unique cholera toxin gene that is not in the El Tor strains except for the US Gulf Coast El Tor clone (4). The US Gulf Coast hybrid El Tor strains that harbor the classical cholera toxin have been associated with sporadic outbreaks in the United States (5) and, until recently, had not been reported anywhere else in the world. Then in 2004, hybrid El Tor strains that encode the classical cholera toxin were isolated from cholera patients in Matlab, Bangladesh (6), and in Beira, Mozambique (7). In 2006, Nair et al. reported that the current seventh pandemic prototype El Tor strains had been replaced by hybrid El Tor strains in Bangladesh (8). We now report how far the hybrid El Tor strains have spread in Asia and Africa. Description: This article can also be accessed through pubmed on doi: 10.3201/eid1406.080129 2008-06-01T00:00:00Z http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2918 Title: Investigation of Malaria Parasitemia among Asymptomatic Individuals in Designated Districts of Central and Muchinga Provinces of Zambia – A Cross Sectional Study Authors: Loti, Patrick; Nyirenda, Stanley. S.; Chisulo, Frank, K.; Chama, Agness; Singogo, Majory; Chileshe, Daniel, B.; Mwansa, James Abstract: Abstract. The aim of the study was to investigate asymptomatic malaria in health-conscious population across four selected districts. Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium spp. transmitted through bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Asymptomatic malaria refers to the presence of malaria parasites in vivo without symptoms, which usually provides a reservoir for the disease transmission. Materials and methods. Blood collected in EDTA underwent testing through RDT (SD Bioline one-step malaria antigen P.f. (HRP-II) rapid test kits), while thin and thick blood smears Giemsa stained were microscopically examined. Results and discussion. Out of 385 individuals examined, 84 people (21.8 %) tested positive for malaria using RDT and 101/385 (26.2 %) – through microscopy. Microscopic examination further identified 27 individuals (7.0 %) with gametocytes and 74 (19.2 %) – with trophozoites. Intriguingly, 17 (4.4 %) samples showed negative results in RDT but exhibited trophozoites and gametocytes upon smear examination. District-wise analysis demonstrated the highest malaria positivity rate in Kanchibiya district, with 32 cases (8.3 %) detected by RDT and 35 (8.5 %) – through microscopy. Chitambo district followed closely: with RDT and microscopy values of 25 (6.5 %) and 33 (8.4 %), respectively; while Mpika and Serenje districts had 13 (3.4 %) and 14 (3.6 %) prevalence, respectively, with RDT and microscopy at 12 (3.1 %) in both districts [x2 =16.3, p-value=0.0118]. The study also revealed that 365/385 (95 %) of the participants demonstrated knowledge and positive attitudes toward malaria. Our findings accentuate the presence of asymptomatic malaria, encompassing trophozoites and gametocytes, among seemingly healthy individuals which poses a health risk to the community. Therefore, it is imperative to implement preventive chemotherapy and strengthen vector control efforts against malaria in order to reduce the infection rate. Description: This article is investigating malaria parasitemia and can also be accessed online using DOI: 10.21055/0370-1069-2024-2-188-192 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2904 Title: RESPONSES OF SMALL INTESTINAL ARCHITECTURE AND FUNCTION OVER TIME TO ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IN A TROPICAL POPULATION Authors: Kelly, Paul; Ian, Menzies; Crane, Roger; Zulu, Isaac; Nickols, Carole; Feakins, Roger; Mwansa, James; Mudenda, Victor; Katubulushi, Max; Greenwald, Steve; Tarthing, Michael 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. 2004-01-01T00:00:00Z http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2902 Title: Improving Mental Health Literacy and Reducing Psychological Problems Among Teachers in Zambia: Protocol for Implementation and Evaluation of a Wellness 4 Teachers Email Messaging Program Authors: Agyapong, Belinda; Chishimba, Charlse; Wei, Yifeng; Dias, Raquel da Luz; Msidi, Elearnor; Mutaka-Loongo, Maryn; Mwansa, James; Orji, Rita; Zulu, John Mathias; Agyapong, Vincent Israel Opoku; Eboreime, Ejemai; Abidi, Syed Sible Raza Abstract: Background: Primary, basic, secondary, and high school teachers are constantly faced with increased work stressors that can result in psychological health challenges such as burnout, anxiety, and depression, and in some cases, physical health problems. It is presently unknown what the mental health literacy levels are or the prevalence and correlates of psychological issues among teachers in Zambia. It is also unknown if an email mental messaging program (Wellness4Teachers) would effectively reduce burnout and associated psychological problems and improve mental health literacy among teachers. Objective: The primary objectives of this study are to determine if daily supportive email messages plus weekly mental health literacy information delivered via email can help improve mental health literacy and reduce the prevalence of moderate to high stress symptoms, burnout, moderate to high anxiety symptoms, moderate to high depression symptoms, and low resilience among school teachers in Zambia. The secondary objectives of this study are to evaluate the baseline prevalence and correlates of moderate to high stress, burnout, moderate to high anxiety, moderate to high depression, and low resilience among school teachers in Zambia. Methods: This is a quantitative longitudinal and cross-sessional study. Data will be collected at the baseline (the onset of the program), 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months (the program midpoint), and 12 months (the end point) using web-based surveys. Individual teachers will subscribe by accepting an invitation to do so from the Lusaka Apex Medical University organizational account on the Resilience N Hope web-based application. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 25 with descriptive and inferential statistics. Outcome measures will be evaluated using standardized rating scales. Results: The Wellness 4 Teachers email program is expected to improve the participating teachers’ mental health literacy and well-being. It is anticipated that the prevalence of stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, and low resilience among teachers in Zambia will be similar to those reported in other jurisdictions. In addition, it is expected that demographic, socioeconomic, and organizational factors, class size, and grade teaching will be associated with burnout and other psychological disorders among teachers, as indicated in the literature. Results are expected 2 years after the program’s launch. Conclusions: The Wellness 4 Teachers email program will provide essential insight into the prevalence and correlates of psychological problems among teachers in Zambia and the program’s impact on subscribers’mental health literacy and well-being. Description: This article can also be accessed https://www.researchprotocols.org/2023/1/e44370/on 2023-03-23T00:00:00Z