Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by SARS-CoV-2 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. As of 21 st April 2021, the disease had affected more than 143 million people with more than 3 million deaths worldwide. Urgent effective strategies are required to control the scourge of the pandemic. Rapid sample collection and effective testing of appropriate specimens from patients meeting the suspect case definition for COVID-19 is a priority for clinical management and outbreak control. The WHO recommends that suspected cases be screened for SARS-CoV-2 virus with nucleic acid amplification tests such as real-time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR). Other COVID-19 screening techniques such as serological and antigen tests have been developed and are currently being used for testing at ports of entry and for general surveillance of population exposure in some countries. However, there are limited testing options, equipment, and trained personnel in many African countries. Previously, positive patients have been screened more than twice to determine viral clearance prior to discharge after treatment. In a new policy directive, the WHO now recommends direct discharge after treatment of all positive cases without repeated testing. In this review, we discuss COVID-19 testing capacity, various diagnostic methods, test accuracy, as well as logistical challenges in Africa with respect to the WHO early discharge policy.
Introduction: Extensive genetic diversity of malaria parasites is a major draw back to ongoing control efforts. Population-specific investigation of genetic structure of the parasite is important for effective malaria intervention in endemic populations such as Nigeria where about one-third of the global burden of the disease is borne. This study describes the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum isolates in the Niger River basins, North-Central Nigeria. Methodology: Parasite DNA w as extracted fr om finger -prick blood samples collected from eighty P. falciparum positive individuals. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) genotyping was carried out to target K1, MAD20 and R033 allelic families of Merozoite Surface Protein (MSP) -1 gene and FC27 and 3D7 allelic families of MSP-2 gene. Results: Proportion of isolates with K1 family w as 28(70%) with two alleles in Idah and 16(40%) with two alleles in Ibaji. Proportion of isolates with MAD20 family was 8 (20%) and a total of two alleles were observed in Idah and 4(10%) with two alleles in Ibaji. RO33 proportion was 16 (40%) in Idah one allele and 8(20%) in Ibaji where the allelic family was also observed to be monomorphic. K1 was the most predominant MSP1 allele in the two parasite populations and the frequency of FC27 genotype was higher than 3D7 in both populations. Multiplicity of infection (Mol) with MSP-1 loci was higher in Ibaji (1.30) than Idah (1.05) while MoI with MSP-2 loci was lower in Ibaji (2.00) than Idah (2.13). However, there is no significant difference in the mean Mol between Idah and Ibaji (P > 0.05). The expected heterozygosity (HE) value was 0.56 for MSP-1 and 0.84 for MSP-2. Conclusion: Our findings revealed high levels of monoclonal infections with P. falciparum, suggesting low parasite diversity. This may be a pointer to a reduction in malaria transmission in the river basins.
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is one of the biggest public health crises globally. Although Africa did not display the worst-case scenario compared to other continents, fears were still at its peak since Africa was already suffering from a heavy load of other life-threatening infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria. Other factors that were anticipated to complicate Africa's outcomes include the lack of resources for diagnosis and contact tracing along with the low capacity of specialized management facilities per capita . The current review aims at assessing and generating discussions on the realities, and pros and cons of the WHO COVID-19 interim guidance 2020.5 considering the known peculiarities of the African continent. A comprehensive evaluation was done for COVID-19-related data published across PubMed and Google Scholar (date of the last search: August 17, 2020) with emphasis on clinical management and psychosocial aspects. Predefined filters were then applied in data screening as detailed in the methods. Specifically, we interrogated the WHO 2020.5 guideline viz-a-viz health priority and health financing in Africa, COVID-19 case contact tracing and risk assessment, clinical management of COVID-19 cases as well as strategies for tackling stigmatization and psychosocial challenges encountered by COVID-19 survivors. The outcomes of this work provide links between these vital sub-themes which may impact the containment and management of COVID-19 cases in Africa in the long-term. The chief recommendation of the current study is the necessity of prudent filtration of the global findings along with regional modelling of the global care guidelines for acting properly in response to this health threat on the regional level without exposing our populations to further unnecessary adversities.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.