multi-epitope-based vaccine design for complex species.

Introduction: The complex (MAC)-comprising , , and-is an emerging group of opportunistic pathogens responsible for significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Despite this growing burden, no vaccines currently provide cross-species protection. In silico vaccine design offers a rapid, cost-effective strategy to identify immunogenic epitopes and assemble multi-epitope constructs with optimized safety and efficacy.

Theileria parva genetics, prevalence and vaccination practices in Zimbabwe and the African region and the prospects for vaccine development: a systematic review.

Introduction: January disease causes the deaths of over 55,000 cattle valued at approximately US$ 17 million annually in Zimbabwe. The locally developed Boleni stabilate vaccine is in use for controlling the disease. In the present review, we show the current knowledge of the genetic variation and population structure of Theileria parva parasite and its implications on the epidemiology and control of the parasite in eastern and southern Africa, with a major emphasis on Zimbabwe.

Genetic diversity of Biomphalaria pfeifferi, the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni in Shamva district, Zimbabwe: role on intestinal schistosomiasis transmission.

The fresh water snail Biomphalaria pfeifferi is the intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni, which causes human intestinal schistosomiasis in Zimbabwe. Despite the medical importance of this intermediate host, there are no current data on its molecular characterization in Zimbabwe. In 2016, human water contact sites were identified in four communities in Madziwa area, Shamva district, Zimbabwe.

Intra-host sequence variability in human papillomavirus.

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) co-evolve slowly with the human host and each HPV genotype displays epithelial tropisms. We assessed the evolution of intra HPV genotype variants within samples, and their association to anogenital site, cervical cytology and HIV status. Variability in the L1 gene of 35 HPV genotypes was characterized phylogenetically using maximum likelihood, and portrayed by phenotype.

Genotypic diversity of anogenital human papillomavirus in women attending cervical cancer screening in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Although anogenital cancers have been on a gradual rise in developing countries in the past few decades, they have been understudied. The objective was to investigate genotypic diversity of anogenital HPV amongst women reporting for routine cervical cancer screening in Harare in Zimbabwe. A cross-sectional study that enrolled 144 women ≥18 years from a cervical cancer-screening clinic was performed.

Cryptococcus neoformans population diversity and clinical outcomes of HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis patients in Zimbabwe.

HIV and cryptococcal meningitis co-infection is a major public health problem in most developing countries. Cryptococcus neoformans sensu stricto is responsible for the majority of HIV-associated cryptococcosis cases in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the available information, little is known about cryptococcal population diversity and its association with clinical outcomes in patients with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis in sub-Saharan Africa.

Molecular epidemiology of co-infection with hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among adult patients in Harare, Zimbabwe.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of co-infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the genetic characteristics of both viruses among pre-HIV-treatment patients in Harare, Zimbabwe. This cross-sectional survey involved 176 remnant plasma samples collected from consenting HIV patients (median age 35 [18-74]) between June and September 2014. HBV seromarkers were determined by high-sensitivity chemiluminescence assays.

Molecular Identification of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Humans in Zimbabwe Using 16S Ribosequencing.

Background: Several nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) were previously isolated from diverse environments such as water, soil, sewage, food and animals. Some of these NTM are now known to be opportunistic pathogens of humans.

Objective: The main purpose of the study was to identify NTM isolates stored at the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory (NMRL) and were previously isolated from humans during a national tuberculosis (TB) survey.

Molecular Identification of Mycobacterium Species of Public Health Importance in Cattle in Zimbabwe by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing.

Mycobacterium species are naturally found in the environment as well as in domestic animals such as cattle. So far, more than 150 species of Mycobacterium, some of which are pathogenic, have been identified. Laboratory isolation, detection and identification of Mycobacterium species are therefore critical if human and animal infections are to be controlled.

HIV/AIDS vaccines for Africa: scientific opportunities, challenges and strategies.

More than decades have already elapsed since human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was identified as the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The HIV has since spread to all parts of the world with devastating effects. In sub-saharan Africa, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has reached unprecedented proportions.

Adherence to tuberculosis infection control guidelines by nurses in Lesotho.

Background: Lesotho has a high prevalence rate of tuberculosis (TB) that has been exacerbated by high prevalence of HIV. Adherence to the TB infection control guidelines recommended by the World Health Organization is pivotal in TB infection control.

Objectives: We assessed the level of adherence to the TB infection control guidelines by nurses in TB wards and outpatient departments and the factors associated with nonadherence to the guidelines in Lesotho.

Evaluation of TUBEX-TF and OnSite Typhoid IgG/IgM Combo rapid tests to detect Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi infection during a typhoid outbreak in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Background: Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, the causative agent of typhoid, is endemic in most parts of the world especially in Africa. Reliable and rapid diagnosis of the bacterium is therefore critical for confirmation of all suspected typhoid cases. In many parts of Zimbabwe, laboratory capacity to isolate the microorganism by culture method as a way of diagnosis has limitations.

Occurrence of HBV/HIV coinfection by laboratory values in Roma, Lesotho.

Objective: This study was an assessment of the coinfection status of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Lesotho, and this has been rarely reported.

Methods: This was a retrospective study, in a laboratory setting, on HBV/HIV coinfection among 304 HIV-positive patients who were screened for HBsAg in St Joseph's Hospital records between March 2011 and December 2013. Demographic characteristics, HIV status, indications for HBsAg screening, HBsAg results and liver function test results including alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase were reviewed from the patient and laboratory registers.

Human parasitic protozoa in drinking water sources in rural Zimbabwe and their link to HIV infection.

Objective: We aimed to perform a risk assessment in a rural setting, where drinking water is obtained from both protected and unprotected deep or shallow wells, boreholes and springs. Water is consumed untreated and this poses a risk of acquiring waterborne infections that may cause diarrhea.

Methods: The study included 113 study participants who volunteered in Chiweshe rural community (Musarara village) in Mashonaland Central Province in Zimbabwe.

CCR2, CX3CR1, RANTES and SDF1 genetic polymorphisms influence HIV infection in a Zimbabwean pediatric population.

Introduction: There is growing evidence that polymorphisms in chemokine and chemokine receptor genes influence susceptibility to HIV infection and disease progression. However, not much is documented about the prevalence and effects of chemokine and chemokine receptor gene variations in the Zimbabwean population despite the high burden of HIV/AIDS in the country. This study therefore describes polymorphisms in CCR2, CX3CR1, SDF1 and RANTES genes in a Zimbabwean pediatric population and their effects on HIV infection in children born to HIV-infected mothers.

The use of directed evolution to create a stable and immunogenic recombinant BCG expressing a modified HIV-1 Gag antigen.

Numerous features make Mycobacterium bovis BCG an attractive vaccine vector for HIV. It has a good safety profile, it elicits long-lasting cellular immune responses and in addition manufacturing costs are affordable. Despite these advantages it is often difficult to express viral antigens in BCG, which results in genetic instability and low immunogenicity.

Human papillomavirus genotypes in cervical cancer and vaccination challenges in Zimbabwe.

Cervical cancer is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in women in Zimbabwe. This is mainly due to the high prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes in the population. So far, few studies have been done that showed the presence of high-risk genital HPV genotypes such as 16, 18, 31, 33, 52, 58 and 70 in Zimbabwean women with cervical cancer.

Overexpression of recombinant HIV-1 Subtype C Tat and Nef in a Salmonella vaccine vector.

Tat and Nef are very important regulatory proteins of HIV-1. They enhance viral replication and down-regulate expression of MHC Class I molecules, respectively. The antigens are now considered to be targets for HIV vaccine development.

Recombinant Salmonella Bacteria Vectoring HIV/AIDS Vaccines.

HIV/AIDS is an important public health problem globally. An affordable, easy-to-deliver and protective HIV vaccine is therefore required to curb the pandemic from spreading further. Recombinant Salmonella bacteria can be harnessed to vector HIV antigens or DNA vaccines to the immune system for induction of specific protective immunity.

Recombinant Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium as a vaccine vector for HIV-1 Gag.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic remains a global health problem, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. An effective HIV-1 vaccine is therefore badly required to mitigate this ever-expanding problem. Since HIV-1 infects its host through the mucosal surface, a vaccine for the virus needs to trigger mucosal as well as systemic immune responses.

Seroprevalence of HBV and HCV in primary hepatocellular carcinoma patients in Zimbabwe.

Background: Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) is one of the most common cancers in Zimbabwe. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are suspected to play a major role in causing this cancer. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV in PHC at Parirenyatwa Referral Hospital in Zimbabwe.

Oral vaccination with a recombinant Salmonella vaccine vector provokes systemic HIV-1 subtype C Gag-specific CD4+ Th1 and Th2 cell immune responses in mice.

Background: Recombinant Salmonella vaccine vectors may potentially be used to induce specific CD4+ T cell responses against foreign viral antigens. Such immune responses are required features of vaccines against pathogens such as human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The aim of this study was to investigate the induction of systemic HIV-1-specific CD4+ T helper (Th) responses in mice after oral immunization with a live attenuated Salmonella vaccine vector that expressed HIV-1 subtype C Gag.