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Background Severe anemia is common and frequently fatal for hospitalized patients in limited-resource settings. Lack of access to low-cost, accurate, and rapid diagnosis of anemia impedes the delivery of life-saving care and appropriate use of the limited blood supply. The WHO Haemoglobin Colour Scale (HCS) is a simple low-cost test but frequently inaccurate. AnemoCheck-LRS (limited-resource settings) is a rapid, inexpensive, color-based point-of-care (POC) test optimized to diagnose severe anemia. Methods Deidentified whole blood samples were diluted with plasma to create variable hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations, with most in the severe (≤ 7 g/dL) or profound (≤ 5 g/dL) anemia range. Each sample was tested with AnemoCheck-LRS and WHO HCS independently by three readers and compared to Hb measured by an electronic POC test (HemoCue 201+) and commercial hematology analyzer. Results For 570 evaluations within the limits of detection of AnemoCheck-LRS (Hb ≤ 8 g/dL), the average difference between AnemoCheck-LRS and measured Hb was 0.5 ± 0.4 g/dL. In contrast, the WHO HCS overestimated Hb with an absolute difference of 4.9 ± 1.3 g/dL for samples within its detection range (Hb 4–14 g/dL, n = 405). AnemoCheck-LRS was much more sensitive (92%) for the diagnosis of profound anemia than WHO HCS (22%). Conclusions AnemoCheck-LRS is a rapid, inexpensive, and accurate POC test for anemia. AnemoCheck-LRS is more accurate than WHO HCS for detection of low Hb levels, severe anemia that may require blood transfusion. AnemoCheck-LRS should be tested prospectively in limited-resource settings where severe anemia is common, to determine its utility as a screening tool to identify patients who may require transfusion.

In this study, we present data from a neurosurgical training program in Tanzania for the treatment of pediatric hydrocephalus. The objectives of the study were to identify the demographics and clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with hydrocephalus who were admitted to Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania, as well as to describe their surgical treatment and early clinical outcomes.This cross-sectional study included 38 pediatric patients. Physical examinations were conducted pre- and postoperatively, and their mothers completed a questionnaire providing demographic and clinical characteristics.There was a slight preponderance of male sex (21/38; 55.3%) with median age at the time of admission of 98.5 days. The majority of patients were surgically treated (33/38; 86.8%). Among those surgically treated, most received a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (23/33; 69.7%), whereas 7 were treated with an endoscopic third ventriculostomy (7/33; 21.2%). At the time of admission, the majority of patients (86%) had head circumferences that met criteria for macrocephaly. The median time between admission and surgery was 23 days (2-49 days). Overall, 5 patients (13.2%) died, including 2 who did not receive surgical intervention.We found that in our population, pediatric patients with hydrocephalus often present late for treatment with additional significant delays prior to receiving any surgical intervention. Five patients died, of whom 2 had not undergone surgery. Our study reinforces that targeted investments in clinical services are needed to enable access to care, improve surgical capacity, and alleviate the burden of neurosurgical disease from pediatric hydrocephalus in sub-Saharan Africa.

Hydroxyurea (hydroxycarbamide) is an effective treatment for sickle cell anaemia (SCA), but clinical responses depend primarily upon the degree of fetal haemoglobin (HbF) induction and the heterogeneity of HbF expression across erythrocytes. The number and characteristics of HbF-containing cells (F-cells) are not assessed by traditional HbF measurements. Conventional hydroxyurea dosing (e.g. fixed doses or low starting doses with stepwise escalation) produces a moderate heterocellular HbF induction, but haemolysis and clinical complications continue. Robust, pancellular HbF induction is needed to minimise or fully inhibit polymerisation of sickle haemoglobin. We treated children with hydroxyurea using an individualised, pharmacokinetics-guided regimen starting at predicted maximum tolerated dose (MTD). We observed sustained HbF induction (mean >30%) for up to 6 years, which was not dependent on genetic determinants of HbF expression. Nearly 70% of patients had ≥80% F-cells (near-pancellular), and almost half had ≥90% F-cells (pancellular). The mean HbF/F-cell content was ~12 pg. Earlier age of initiation and better medication adherence were associated with high F-cell responses. In summary, early initiation of hydroxyurea using pharmacokinetics-guided starting doses at predicted MTD can achieve sustained near-pancellular or pancellular HbF expression and should be considered an achievable goal for children with SCA treated with hydroxyurea at optimal doses. Clinical trial registration number: NCT02286154 (clinicaltrials.gov).

We conducted a pilot study to determine the effectiveness of a linkage to care intervention with social workers to improve 12-month post-hospital mortality for children in Tanzania with sickle cell disease. Comparison was done with a historical cohort. Mortality was 6.7% in the interventional cohort compared with 19.2% (adjusted Hazard Ratio, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.08-0.83).

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an important, hidden cause of childhood mortality worldwide. It is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa where national newborn screening programs remain unavailable and most children in rural areas are never diagnosed. We conducted a study at a rural district hospital in northern Tanzania to determine the birth prevalence and community awareness of SCD and to determine the feasibility of using point-of-care testing to enroll newborns in a new SCD clinic for ongoing treatment. DESIGN/METHODS: We screened infants at Shirati KMT hospital for SCD using HemoTypeSC, an inexpensive point-of-care test. Infants who screened positive were enrolled in the SCD clinic and instructed to return at 6–12 weeks for confirmatory testing, counseling, and preventive care. RESULTS: A total of 999 newborns were screened from February to September 2019. Among these, 31.6% (315/999) had sickle cell trait and 3.9% (39/999) had SCD. No hemoglobin C was detected. Very few parents knew their own sickle cell status (0.3%). At 5 months after completion, 12 infants from the screening study and 30 additional children had been seen at the SCD clinic for ongoing counseling and care. CONCLUSIONS: Birth prevalence of SCD in rural Tanzania is extremely high and community awareness is low. Newborn point-of-care testing enhances case finding and enables early enrollment in preventive care for SCD, even in rural sub-Saharan Africa with minimal laboratory capacity. SCD-specific clinical services implemented at the district hospital level could expand access to many children and significantly reduce early SCD morbidity and mortality.

To determine the regional- and district-level newborn prevalence of sickle cell trait and disease, and the prevalence of haemoglobin variants and genetic modifiers of sickle cell disease, in the nine regions of north-western United Republic of Tanzania.We repurposed dried blood spot samples from children (aged 0-24 months) born to mothers living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), collected as part of the HIV Early Infant Diagnosis programme, for sickle cell diagnosis. We performed isoelectric focusing to determine whether samples had normal haemoglobin, sickle cell trait, sickle cell disease or a rare haemoglobin variant. We shipped samples diagnosed as disease or variant to Cincinnati Children's Hospital in the United States of America for deoxyribonucleic-acid-based analyses to determine the prevalence of α-thalassaemia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency or fetal haemoglobin genetic modifiers.We analysed a total of 17 200 specimens during February 2017-May 2018. We observed a prevalence of sickle cell trait and disease of 20.3% (3492/17 200) and 1.2% (210/17 200), respectively. District-level trait varied from 8.6% (5/58) to 28.1% (77/274). Among confirmed sickle cell disease specimens, we noted 42.7% (61/143) had 1-gene deletion and 14.7% (21/143) had 2-gene deletion α-thalassaemia trait. We documented G6PD AOur calculated prevalence is twice as high as previously reported and reinforces the need for enhanced sickle cell diagnostic services. Our district-level data will inform public health policy, allowing screening and disease-modifying hydroxyurea therapy to be focused on high-prevalence areas, until universal newborn screening is available.Déterminer la prévalence de la drépanocytose et du trait drépanocytaire chez les nouveau-nés, ainsi que la prévalence de variants d'hémoglobine et de modificateurs génétiques de la drépanocytose dans les neuf régions du nord-ouest de la République-Unie de Tanzanie.Nous avons réutilisé des échantillons de gouttes de sang séché provenant d'enfants (âgés de 0 à 24 mois) nés de mères atteintes du virus de l'immunodéficience humaine (VIH), prélevés dans le cadre du programme de diagnostic précoce de l'infection à VIH chez le nourrisson pour détecter une éventuelle drépanocytose. Nous avons procédé à une focalisation isoélectrique pour savoir si les échantillons présentaient une hémoglobine normale, un trait drépanocytaire, une drépanocytose ou un variant d'hémoglobine rare. Ensuite, nous avons envoyé les échantillons identifiés comme porteurs de la maladie ou d'un variant à l'hôpital pour enfants de Cincinnati, aux États-Unis, afin d'analyser l'acide désoxyribonucléique et de mesurer la prévalence d'une α-thalassémie, d'un déficit en glucose-6-phosphate déshydrogénase (G6PD) ou de modificateurs génétiques de l'hémoglobine fœtale.Nous avons étudié 17 200 spécimens au total entre février 2017 et mai 2018. Nous avons observé une prévalence de 20,3% (3492/17 200) pour la drépanocytose, et de 1,2% (210/17 200) pour le trait drépanocytaire. D'un district à l'autre, la présence du trait variait de 8,6% (5/58) à 28,1% (77/274). Nous avons constaté que 42,7% (61/143) des spécimens chez qui une drépanocytose avait été confirmée étaient privés d'un gène, et 14,7% (21/143) de deux gènes du trait α-thalassémique. Enfin, nous avons répertorié un déficit en G6PD ALa prévalence que nous avons calculée est deux fois supérieure aux chiffres mentionnés précédemment, et souligne la nécessité d'instaurer de meilleurs services de diagnostic de la drépanocytose. Nos données réparties par district fourniront des informations en matière de politique de santé publique, afin que le dépistage et le traitement modificateur de la maladie, à base d'hydroxyurée, se concentrent sur les zones de forte prévalence jusqu'à ce qu'un dépistage universel des nouveau-nés soit disponible.Determinar la prevalencia de la enfermedad y del rasgo de las células falciformes en los recién nacidos a nivel regional y de distrito, y la prevalencia de las variantes de hemoglobina y de los modificadores genéticos de la drepanocitosis en las nueve regiones del noroeste de la República Unida de Tanzania.Se reutilizaron las muestras de las manchas de sangre seca de los niños (de 0 a 24 meses de edad) nacidos de madres que padecían el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH); estas muestras se obtuvieron a través del programa de Diagnóstico precoz del VIH en niños para diagnosticar las células falciformes. Se aplicó la técnica del enfoque isoeléctrico para determinar si las muestras tenían hemoglobina, rasgos de células falciformes, drepanocitosis normales o una variante de hemoglobina poco frecuente. Se enviaron muestras diagnosticadas como enfermedad o variante al Hospital Infantil de Cincinnati (Cincinnati Children's Hospital) en los Estados Unidos de América para analizarlas a base de ácido desoxirribonucleico y así determinar la prevalencia de talasemia α, de deficiencia de glucosa-6-fosfato deshidrogenasa (G6PD, por sus siglas en inglés) o de modificadores genéticos de hemoglobina fetal.Se analizaron un total de 17 200 muestras entre febrero de 2017 y mayo de 2018. Se observó una prevalencia del rasgo de las células falciformes y de la drepanocitosis del 20,3 % (3492/17 200) y del 1,2 % (210/17 200), respectivamente. El rasgo a nivel de distrito varió del 8,6 % (5/58) al 28,1 % (77/274). Se observó que en las muestras de drepanocitosis confirmadas, el 42,7 % (61/143) presentaba la eliminación de un gen y el 14,7 % (21/143) la eliminación de dos genes en el rasgo de talasemia α. Se registró una deficiencia de G6PD A- en el 19,2 % (14/73) de los varones.La prevalencia que se calcula aquí es el doble de la que se notificó anteriormente y refuerza la necesidad de mejorar los servicios para el diagnóstico de la drepanocitosis. Estos datos a nivel de distrito contribuirán a la política de salud pública, ya que permitirán que los cribados y la terapia con hidroxicarbamida que modifica la enfermedad se centren en las zonas de alta prevalencia, hasta que se disponga de un cribado universal de los recién nacidos.الغرض تحديد معدل انتشار سمات ومرض الخلايا المنجلية لدى حديثي الولادة على مستوى الأقاليم والمناطق، وانتشار متغيرات الهيموجلوبين والمعدلات الجينية لمرض فقر الدم المنجلي، في المناطق التسع الواقعة شمال غرب جمهورية تنزانيا المتحدة. الطريقة قمنا بإعادة استخدام عينات بقع الدم المجففة من الأطفال (من حديثي الولادة إلى 24 شهرًا) المولودين لأمهات مصابات بفيروس نقص المناعة البشرية (HIV)، والتي تم جمعها كجزء من برنامج التشخيص المبكر لفيروس نقص المناعة البشرية للرضع، لتشخيص مرض الخلايا المنجلية. أجرينا تركيزًا متساوي الجهد الكهربائي لتحديد ما إذا كانت العينات تحتوي على هيموجلوبين طبيعي، أو سمة للخلايا المنجلية، أو مرض الخلايا المنجلية، أو أحد المتغيرات النادرة للهيموجلوبين. كما قمنا بشحن عينات تم تشخيصها على أنها مصابة بالمرض أو أحد المتغيرات، إلى مستشفى سينسيناتي للأطفال في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، لإجراء تحليلات باستخدام حمض الديوكسي ريبونيوكليك لتحديد مدى انتشار كل من ثلاسيميا ألفا، أو النقص في نازع هيدروجين الجلوكوز 6 فوسفات (G6PD)، أو المعدلات الوراثية للهيموجلوبين الجنيني. النتائج قمنا بتحليل إجمالي 17200 عينة خلال الفترة من فبراير/شباط 2017 إلى مايو/أيار 2018. ولاحظنا انتشار سمة ومرض الخلايا المنجلية بنسبة 20.3% (3492/17200)، و1.2% (210/17200)، على الترتيب. تنوعت السمات على مستوى المناطق من 8.6% (5/58) إلى 28.1% (77/274). ولاحظنا من بين عينات مرض الخلايا المنجلية المؤكد، أن 42.7% (61/143) قد عانت من حذف جين واحد، و14.7% (21/143) عانت من حذف جينين من سمة ألفا ثلاسيميا. وكما بتوثيق النقص في G6PD A في 19.2% (14/73) من الذكور. الاستنتاج إن معدل الانتشار الذي قمنا باحتسابه هو ضعف ما تم الإبلاغ عنه سابقًا، ويعزز الحاجة إلى خدمات محسنة لتشخيص مرض الخلايا المنجلية. ستؤدي البيانات على مستوى المقاطعات لدينا إلى توجيه سياسة الصحة العامة، مما يسمح لكل من الفحص والمعالجة باستخدام هيدروكسي اليوريا المعدل للأمراض، بالتركيز على المناطق ذات الانتشار المرتفع، حتى يتوفر فحص شامل لحديثي الولادة.确定坦桑尼亚联合共和国西北九个地区，新生儿镰状细胞性状和镰状细胞疾病的患病率，以及血红蛋白变体和镰状细胞疾病遗传修饰因子的患病率。.作为 HIV 早期婴儿诊断计划的一部分，我们将携带人类免疫缺陷病毒 (HIV) 的母亲所生婴儿（0-24 个月）的干血斑样本重新用于诊断镰状细胞。我们对其实施等电聚焦，以确定样本的血红蛋白是否正常、是否具有镰状细胞性状、镰状细胞疾病或罕见的血红蛋白变体。我们将诊断出患有疾病或变异的样本运送到美国辛辛那提儿童医院，进行脱氧核糖核酸分析，以确定α地中海贫血、6-磷酸葡萄糖脱氢酶 (G6PD) 缺失症或胎儿血红蛋白遗传修饰因子的患病率。.我们在 2017 年 2 月至 2018 年 5 月期间共分析了 17200 个样本。我们观察到镰状细胞性状和镰状细胞疾病的患病率分别为 20.3％ (3492/17 200) 和 1.2％ (210/17 200)。区级镰状细胞性状患病率则从 8.6% (5/58) 到 28.1% (77/274) 不等。在确诊的镰状细胞疾病样本中，我们发现 42.7% (61/143) 具有 1 基因缺失型 α 地中海贫血性状，14.7% (21/143) 具有 2 基因缺失型 α 地中海贫血性状。我们注意到 19.2% (14/73) 的男婴患有 G6PD A–缺乏症。.我们计算得出的患病率是先前报道的两倍，这凸显了加强镰状细胞诊断服务的必要性。我们的区级数据将为公共卫生政策提供信息，从而确保在新生儿普查之前，对高发地区集中展开筛查和疾病修饰羟基脲疗法。.Определить на национальном уровне и на уровне районов распространенность среди новорожденных носительства признака серповидно-клеточной анемии и самого этого заболевания, а также распространенность вариантов гемоглобина и генетических модификаторов серповидно-клеточной анемии в девяти регионах на северо-западе Объединенной Республики Танзания.Для диагностики серповидно-клеточной анемии авторы использовали взятые методом высушивания пятна образцы крови детей в возрасте от 0 до 24 месяцев, чьи матери живут с вирусом иммунодефицита человека (ВИЧ); эти образцы были собраны в рамках программы ранней диагностики ВИЧ у детей. Для определения наличия в образцах нормального гемоглобина, носительства признака серповидно-клеточной анемии, собственно серповидно-клеточной анемии или редкого варианта гемоглобина использовался метод изоэлектрической фокусировки. Образцы, которые были диагностированы как соответствующие проявлениям заболевания или как содержащие вариантный гемоглобин, были направлены в Детскую больницу Цинциннати, США, для проведения ДНК-анализа с целью определения распространенности в них α-талассемии, дефицита глюкозо-6-фосфат-дегидрогеназы (Г6ФД) или наличия генетических модификаторов фетального гемоглобина.Авторы проанализировали 17 200 образцов в период с февраля 2017 г. по май 2018 г. Носительство признака серповидно-клеточной анемии было обнаружено в 20,3% случаев (3492 из 17 200 образцов), а серповидно-клеточная анемия — в 1,2% (210 из 17 200 образцов). Наличие признака в разных районах варьировалось от 8,6% (5 из 58 образцов) до 28,1% (77 из 274 образцов). Среди образцов с подтвержденным диагнозом серповидно-клеточной анемии в 42,7% случаев (61 из 143) наблюдался признак α-талассемии с делецией 1 гена и в 14,7% (21 из 143) — с делецией 2 генов. Дефицит Г6ФД был зафиксирован у 19,2% (14 из 73) мальчиков.Рассчитанная авторами распространенность заболевания вдвое превышает опубликованные ранее значения и еще раз указывает на необходимость укрепления и расширения услуг по диагностике СКА. Полученные данные по районам станут основой для выработки политики в области общественного здравоохранения, которая бы позволяла сосредоточить скрининговое обследование и лечение гидроксимочевиной (изменяющее течение заболевания) в областях с высоким распространением заболевания до тех пор, пока не станет возможным всеобщее скрининговое обследование новорожденных.

BackgroundAfrica has the highest rates of child mortality. Little is known about outcomes after hospitalization for children with very severe anemia.ObjectiveTo determine one year mortality and predictors of mortality in Tanzanian children hospitalized with very severe anemia.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study enrolling children 2-12 years hospitalized from August 2014 to November 2014 at two public hospitals in northwestern Tanzania. Children were screened for anemia and followed until 12 months after discharge. The primary outcome measured was mortality. Predictors of mortality were determined using Cox regression analysis.ResultsOf the 505 children, 90 (17.8%) had very severe anemia and 415 (82.1%) did not. Mortality was higher for children with very severe anemia compared to children without over a one year period from admission, 27/90 (30.0%) vs. 59/415 (14.2%) respectively (Hazard Ratio (HR) 2.42, 95% Cl 1.53–3.83). In-hospital mortality was 11/90 (12.2%) and post-hospital mortality was 16/79 (20.2%) for children with very severe anemia. The strongest predictors of mortality were age (HR 1.01, 95% Cl 1.00–1.03) and decreased urine output (HR 4.30, 95% Cl 1.04 – 17.7).ConclusionsChildren up to 12 years of age with very severe anemia have nearly a 30% chance of mortality following admission over a one year period, with over 50% of mortality occurring after discharge. Post-hospital interventions are urgently needed to reduce mortality in children with very severe anemia, and should include older children.

Malaria remains common in sub-Saharan Africa, but it is frequently over-diagnosed and over-treated in hospitalized children. HIV is prevalent in many malaria endemic areas and may delay parasite clearance and increase mortality among children with malaria. This prospective cohort study enrolled children with suspected malaria between 3 months and 12 years of age hospitalized at two referral hospitals in Tanzania. Both a thick blood smear (BS) and a malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT) were performed. If discordant results were obtained, PCR was performed for Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria was confirmed if two out of three tests were positive. Malaria parasite densities were determined for two consecutive days after diagnosis and treatment of malaria. All participants were tested for HIV. Among 1492 hospitalized children, 400 (26.8%) were enrolled with suspected malaria infection. There were 196/400 (49.0%) males, and the median age was 18 [9-36] months. BS was positive in 95/400 (23.8%), and mRDT was positive in 70/400 (17.5%), with moderate agreement (Kappa=0.598). Concordant results excluded malaria in 291/400 (72.8%) and confirmed malaria in 56/400 (14.0%). PCR performed on 53 discordant results confirmed malaria in 1/39 of the BS-positive/mRDT-negative cases, and 6/14 of the BS-negative/mRDT-positive cases. The prevalence of confirmed malaria was 63/400 (15.8%). In multivariable logistic regression, malaria was associated with HIV (OR 3.45 [1.65-7.20], p=0.001). Current breastfeeding (OR 0.25 [0.11-0.56], p=0.001) and higher hemoglobin (OR 0.70 [0.60-0.81], p

Background Worldwide Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) treatment is of great challenge due to increased antibiotic resistance. The burden of H. pylori antibiotic resistance in Africa is high with unclear information regarding the real magnitude. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the magnitude of H.pylori antibiotic resistance in Africa to gain insight of the extent of the problem among H.pylori naïve treatment patients. Method The search was performed in the academic databases, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science and Africa Wide Information. ProQuest Dissertation and Theses, Scopus, Ethos, Africa Index Medicus (WHO), BioMed Central Proceedings, BASE, British Library, Open grey, Library of Congress and the New York Academy of Grey Literature Report were additionally searched for grey literature. Published articles from Africa on H.pylori antibiotic resistance between 1986 and June 2017 were systematically reviewed to estimate the H. pylori extent of resistance to macrolides, quinolones, amoxicillin, tetracycline and metronidazole. Results In 26 articles a total of 2085 isolates were tested for metronidazole, 1530 for amoxicillin, 1277 for tetracycline, 1752 for clarithromycin and 823 for quinolones.The overall pooled proportion of H.pylori resistance to quinolones, clarithromycin, tetracycline, metronidazole and amoxicillin were: (17.4%, 95%CI 12.8 - 21.9), (29.2%, 95%CI:26.7-31.8), (48.7%, 95%CI: 44.5-52.9), (75.8%, 95% CI: 74.1-.77.4) and (72.6%, 95% CI: 68.6-76.6), respectively. The commonest mutation detected were A2143G (49/97) for clarithromycin, RdxA (41/56) for metronidazole and D87I (16/40) for quinolones. Conclusion Prevalence of metronidazole, clarithromycin, and amoxicillin resistance is high in developing world including Africa. This could impair the first line triple therapy of the H.pylori infection. There is a need of conducting surveillance of H.pylori susceptibility pattern in Africa for dual and triple resistance which can be used for the empirical treatment. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12879-018-3099-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The vast majority of the world's population of children and adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) are born in low-resource settings, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and India. As a result numerous well-established, cost-effective, and evidence-based strategies for managing SCD such as newborn screening, early education, vaccinations, screening for stroke prevention, and treatments with safe transfusions and hydroxyurea are often unavailable, leading to substantial morbidity and increased mortality. Collaborations between high-income countries and these low-resource settings (North-South partnerships) have been advocated, with the goal of improving clinical care. Based on directives promulgated by the World Health Organization, we have developed a strategy of developing prospective research programs that focus on training, capacity building, and local data collection. This strategy involves consideration of important guiding principles, full partnerships, proper planning, and financial issues before program launch, after which rigorous program management is required for full effect and long-term sustainability. Ultimately these collaborative research programs should help create national guidelines and lead to improved clinical care for all children and adults with SCD.

Tanzania has the third highest birth rate of sickle cell anaemia (SCA) in Africa, but few studies describe severity of complications or available treatments, especially in Northwest Tanzania around Lake Victoria where the sickle gene is most prevalent. This is a report of the spectrum of clinical disease and range of interventions available at Bugando Medical Centre (Bugando) in Northwest Tanzania in Africa.A cross-sectional study was carried out in Bugando between 1 August 2012 and 30 September 2012. Children (15 years old) with SCA attending Bugando were sequentially enrolled. A trained research assistant completed a Swahili questionnaire with the parent or guardian of each participant concerning demographic information, clinical features of disease, and treatments received.Among the 124 participants enrolled, the median age was 6 years (interquartile range [IQR] 4-8.5), and only 13 (10.5%) were3 years old. Almost all participants (97.6%) had a prior history of a vaso-occlusive episode, 83 (66.9%) had prior acute chest syndrome, and 21 (16.9%) had prior stroke. In the preceding 12 months, 120 (96.8%) had been hospitalized, and a vaso-occlusive episode was the most common reason for hospitalization (35.5%). Prescriptions for folic acid (92.7%) and malaria prophylaxis (84.7%) were common, but only one had received a pneumococcal vaccine, and none had received hydroxyurea or prophylactic penicillin.Children with SCA receiving care in Tanzania are diagnosed late, hospitalized frequently, and have severe complications. Opportunities exist to improve care through wider access to screening and diagnosis as well as better coordination of comprehensive care.

Background Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates of child mortality worldwide. Little is known about post-hospital outcomes after an index hospitalization for older children. We determined 12-month post-hospital mortality rate and identified factors associated with higher mortality. Methods In this prospective cohort study, we enrolled children 2–12 years of age admitted to the pediatric wards of two public hospitals in northwestern Tanzania. Participants or proxies were contacted at 3, 6 and 12 months post-hospitalization. The primary outcome measured was mortality. Factors associated with mortality were determined using Cox regression analysis. Results A total of 506 participants were enrolled. In-hospital mortality rate was 7.7% (39/506). Of the 467 participants discharged, the post-hospital mortality rate was 10.1% (47/467). Sickle cell disease (Hazard Ratio (HR) 3.32, 95% CI 1.44–7.68), severe malnutrition (HR 3.19, 95% CI 1.18–8.57), neurologic diseases (HR 3.51, 95% CI 1.35–9.11), heart disease (HR 7.11, 95% CI, 2.89–17.51), cancer (HR 11.79, 95% CI 4.95–28.03), and septic shock (HR 4.64, 95% CI 1.42–15.08) had higher association with mortality compared to other diagnoses. The risk factors significantly associated with mortality included older age (HR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00–1.08), lower hemoglobin level (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.76–0.90), lower Glasgow Coma Scale (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.59–0.74), history of decreased urine output (HR 2.87, 95% CI 1.49–5.53), higher respiratory rate (HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.03), estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 ml/min/1.73m2 (binary) (HR 1.84, 95% CI 1.10–3.10), and lower oxygen saturation (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.92–0.99). Conclusions Post-hospital mortality is disturbingly high among children 2–12 years of age in Tanzania. Post-hospital interventions are urgently needed especially for older children with chronic illnesses.

Parvovirus B19 (B19) can cause transient aplastic crisis and lead to acute severe anemia. This study investigated the relationship between B19 and anemia among children

Both anemia and sickle cell disease (SCD) are highly prevalent across sub-Saharan Africa, and limited resources exist to diagnose these conditions quickly and accurately. The development of simple, inexpensive, and accurate point-of-care (POC) assays represents an important advance for global hematology, one that could facilitate timely and life-saving medical interventions. In this prospective study, Robust Assays for Point-of-care Identification of Disease (RAPID), we simultaneously evaluated a POC immunoassay (Sickle SCAN™) to diagnose SCD and a first-generation POC color-based assay to detect anemia. Performed at Bugando Medical Center in Mwanza, Tanzania, RAPID tested 752 participants (age 1 day to 20 years) in four busy clinical locations. With minimally trained medical staff, the SCD POC assay diagnosed SCD with 98.1% sensitivity and 91.1% specificity. The hemoglobin POC assay had 83.2% sensitivity and 74.5% specificity for detection of severe anemia (Hb ≤ 7 g/dL). Interobserver agreement was excellent for both POC assays (r = 0.95–0.96). Results for the hemoglobin POC assay have informed the second-generation assay design to be more suitable for low-resource settings. RAPID provides practical feasibility data regarding two novel POC assays for the diagnosis of anemia and SCD in real-world field evaluations and documents the utility and potential impact of these POC assays for sub-Saharan Africa.

Introduction Little is known about hepatotoxicity in patients with schistosome and HIV co-infections. Several studies have reported increased liver enzymes and bilirubin levels associated with schistosome infection. We investigated whether HIV-infected adults on antiretroviral therapy who had S. mansoni co-infection had a higher prevalence of hepatotoxicity than those without. Methodology/Principal findings We determined the presence and grade of hepatotoxicity among 305 HIV-infected outpatients who had been on medium-term (3–6 months) and long-term (>36 months) antiretroviral therapy in a region of northwest Tanzania where S. mansoni is hyperendemic. We used the AIDS Clinical Trial Group definition to define mild to moderate hepatotoxicity as alanine aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and/or bilirubin elevations of grade 1 or 2, and severe hepatotoxicity as any elevation of grade 3 or 4. We determined schistosome infection status using the serum circulating cathodic antigen rapid test and used logistic regression to determine factors associated with hepatotoxicity. The prevalence of mild-moderate and severe hepatotoxicity was 29.6% (45/152) and 2.0% (3/152) in patients on medium-term antiretroviral therapy and 19.6% (30/153) and 3.3% (5/153) in the patients on long-term antiretroviral therapy. S. mansoni infection was significantly associated with hepatotoxicity on univariable analysis and after controlling for other factors associated with hepatotoxicity including hepatitis B or C and anti-tuberculosis medication use (adjusted odds ratio = 3.0 [1.6–5.8], p = 0.001). Conclusions/Significance Our work demonstrates a strong association between S. mansoni infection and hepatotoxicity among HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy. Our study highlights the importance of schistosome screening and treatment for patients starting antiretroviral therapy in schistosome-endemic settings. Additional studies to determine the effects of schistosome-HIV co-infections are warranted., Author summary Schistosoma sp. are parasitic worms that infect at least 218 million people worldwide. Over 90% of these individuals live in Africa, where HIV infection is also endemic. Schistosome worms lay eggs that damage the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts, causing extensive morbidity and mortality. Patients who have HIV and Schistosoma mansoni co-infections are at risk for damage to the liver due to both the effects of the schistosome parasite and the side-effects of antiretroviral therapy. However, little is known about the additional liver effects of schistosome infection in patients already taking antiretroviral therapy. Therefore, we conducted a study in northwest Tanzania, where our prior work has shown that approximately one-third of HIV-infected patients also have schistosome infections, to investigate the effect of co-infection with Schistosoma mansoni on liver damage in patients taking antiretroviral therapy. We studied 305 HIV-infected outpatients on medium and long-term antiretroviral therapy and determined both liver damage and S.mansoni infection in those patients. We found that among patients on antiretroviral therapy, those with HIV-schistosome co-infection were 3 times more likely to have liver damage than those with HIV infection alone. Our work shows the importance of screening and treating for Schistosoma mansoni to decrease the risk of liver damage in patients infected with HIV.

Background Worldwide, hemoglobinopathies affect millions of children. Identification of hemoglobin disorders in most sub-Saharan African countries is delayed until clinical signs of the disease are present. Limited studies have been conducted to understand their prevalence and clinical presentation among newborns in resource-limited settings. Methodology This was a prospective cohort study. Newborns (aged 0–7 days) at two hospitals in Northwestern Tanzania were enrolled and followed prospectively for 6 months. Clinical and laboratory information were collected at baseline. Participants were screened for hemoglobinopathies using high-performance liquid chromatography. Clinical and laboratory follow-up was performed at 3 and 6 months for those with hemoglobinopathies as well as a comparison group of participants without hemoglobinopathies. Results A total of 919 newborns were enrolled. Among these, 1.4% (13/919) had sickle cell anemia or Hb S/β0-thalassemia (Hb FS), and 19.7% (181/919) had sickle cell trait or Hb S/β+ thalassemia (Hb FAS). Furthermore, 0.2% (two of 919) had β+-thalassemia. Red cell indices compared between Hb FS, Hb FAS, and Hb FA were similar at baseline, but hemoglobin was lower and red cell distribution width was higher in children with Hb FS at 3- and 6-month follow-up. Febrile episodes were more common for children with Hb FS at 3- and 6-month follow-up. Conclusion The prevalence of sickle cell disease among neonates born in Northwestern Tanzania is one of the highest in the world. Newborn screening is needed early in life to identify neonates with hemoglobinopathies so that clinical management may commence and morbidity and mortality related to hemoglobinopathies be reduced.

Background Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Prospective TBI data from sub-Saharan Africa are sparse. This study examines epidemiology and explores management of patients with severe TBI and adherence to Brain Trauma Foundation Guidelines at a tertiary care referral hospital in Tanzania. Methods Patients with severe TBI hospitalized at Bugando Medical Centre were recorded in a prospective registry including epidemiologic, clinical, treatment, and outcome data. Results Between September 2013 and October 2015, 371 patients with TBI were admitted; 33% (115/371) had severe TBI. Mean age was 32.0 years ± 20.1, and most patients were male (80.0%). Vehicular injuries were the most common cause of injury (65.2%). Approximately half of the patients (47.8%) were hospitalized on the day of injury. Computed tomography of the brain was performed in 49.6% of patients, and 58.3% were admitted to the intensive care unit. Continuous arterial blood pressure monitoring and intracranial pressure monitoring were not performed in any patient. Of patients with severe TBI, 38.3% received hyperosmolar therapy, and 35.7% underwent craniotomy. The 2-week mortality was 34.8%. Conclusions Mortality of patients with severe TBI at Bugando Medical Centre, Tanzania, is approximately twice that in high-income countries. Intensive care unit care, computed tomography imaging, and continuous arterial blood pressure and intracranial pressure monitoring are underused or unavailable in the tertiary referral hospital setting. Improving outcomes after severe TBI will require concerted investment in prehospital care and improvement in availability of intensive care unit resources, computed tomography, and expertise in multidisciplinary care.

The global burden of kidney disease is increasing, and several etiologies first begin in childhood. Risk factors for pediatric kidney disease are common in Africa, but data regarding its prevalence are lacking. We completed a systematic review of community-based studies describing the prevalence of proteinuria, hematuria, abnormal imaging, or kidney dysfunction among children in sub-Saharan Africa. Medline and Embase were searched. Five hundred twenty-three references were reviewed. Thirty-two references from 9 countries in sub-Saharan Africa were included in the qualitative synthesis. The degree of kidney damage and abnormal imaging varied widely: proteinuria 32.5% (2.2%-56.0%); hematuria 31.1% (0.6%-67.0%); hydronephrosis 11.3% (0.0%-38.0%), hydroureter 7.5% (0.0%-26.4%), major kidney abnormalities 0.1% (0.0%-0.8%). Serum creatinine was reported in four studies with insufficient detail to identify the prevalence renal dysfunction. A majority of the studies were performed in Schistosoma haematobium endemic areas. A lower prevalence of kidney disease was observed in the few studies from non-endemic areas. Published data on pediatric kidney disease in sub-Saharan Africa is highly variable and dependent on S. haematobium prevalence. More community-based studies are needed to describe the burden of pediatric kidney disease, particularly in regions where S. haematobium infection is non-endemic.

Aims Diabetes increases the risk of tuberculosis and the prevalence of diabetes is rising in tuberculosis-endemic regions such as sub-Saharan Africa. Resource-appropriate strategies for tuberculosis case finding among African adults with diabetes are needed. The aims of this study were to determine prevalence of tuberculosis and evaluate one screening strategy among adult Tanzanians with diabetes. Methods In this prospective cohort study, we evaluated a ‘cough-triggered’ strategy for tuberculosis case finding among adults with diabetes at our zonal hospital in Tanzania. All adults with diabetes and cough underwent further tuberculosis symptom assessment, and those with productive cough had sputum collected for microscopy and Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture. Results Between September 2011 and March 2012, 700 adults with diabetes attended our hospital. A total of 693 were enrolled, 121/693 (17.5%) had cough and 32/693 (4.6%) had at least two of the classic symptoms of tuberculosis. Of note, 87/121 (71.9%) of patients with cough could not produce sputum spontaneously. Nine patients were diagnosed with tuberculosis for a prevalence of 1299/100 000 (1.3%), sevenfold greater than the national average. Conclusions Tuberculosis is common among Tanzanian adults with diabetes, but tuberculosis case finding is challenging because of the high prevalence of non-productive cough. This low-cost, ‘cough-triggered’ tuberculosis case-finding strategy may serve as a reasonable first step for improving tuberculosis screening among adults with diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa.

Hypertension is believed to be an increasingly common driver of the epidemic of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in sub-Saharan Africa, but prospective data are scarce. The objective of this prospective study was to determine the contribution of hypertension to deaths, admissions, and hospital days at a Tanzanian zonal hospital.Between 2009 and 2011, diagnoses were recorded for all medical admissions together with age, sex, length of hospitalization and in-hospital mortality.Among 11045 consecutive admissions, NCDs accounted for nearly half of all deaths, admissions, and hospital days. Among NCDs, hypertension-related diseases were the most common and accounted for 314 (33.9%) of the total NCD deaths, 1611 (29.9%) of the NCD admissions, and 12837 (27.8%) NCD hospital days. Stroke (167 deaths) was the leading cause of hypertension-related death. Hypertension was the leading cause of death in patients over the age of 50 years and 57% of hypertension-related deaths occurred in patients less than 65 years old.NCDs account for half of all deaths, admissions and hospital days at our Tanzanian hospital and hypertension-related diseases were the most common NCD. Hypertension accounted for 34% of NCD deaths and 15% of all deaths. Hypertension was the second most common cause of death overall and the leading cause of death in patients more than 50 years old. More than half of hypertension-related deaths occurred before retirement age. These findings have important implications for public health and medical education in sub-Saharan Africa, wherein hypertension and related diseases have not traditionally been given a high priority.

Background The number of adults with diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide, particularly in Asia and Africa. In sub-Saharan Africa, renal complications of diabetes may go unrecognized due to limited diagnostic resources. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among adult diabetics in sub-Saharan Africa has not been well described. Methods This study was conducted at the diabetes mellitus clinic of Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania. A total 369 consecutive adult diabetic patients were enrolled and interviewed. Each patient provided a urine sample for microalbuminuria and proteinuria and a blood sample for serum creatinine level. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Cockroft-Gault equation. CKD was staged according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes system. Results A total of 309 (83.7%) study participants had CKD; 295 (80.0%) had significant albuminuria and 91 (24.7%) had eGFR

OBJECTIVE: To compare short-term and long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk scores and prevalence of metabolic syndrome in HIV-infected adults receiving and not receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) to HIV-negative controls. METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 151 HIV-infected, ART-naive, 150 HIV-infected on ART and 153 HIV-negative adults. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors were determined by standard investigations. The primary outcome was American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) Risk Estimator lifetime CVD risk score. Secondary outcomes were ASCVD 10-year risk, Framingham risk scores, statin indication and metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: Compared with HIV-negative controls, more HIV-infected adults on ART were classified as high lifetime CVD risk (34.7% vs 17.0%, p CONCLUSIONS: HIV-infected ART-treated individuals have high lifetime cardiovascular risk, and this risk seems to develop rapidly in the first 3-4 years of ART as does the development of clusters of metabolic syndrome criteria. These data identify a new subgroup of low short-term/high-lifetime risk HIV-infected individuals on ART who do not currently meet criteria for CVD risk factor modification but require further study.

Jennifer Downs and colleagues describe a low-tech performance improvement project to improve newborn HIV testing turnaround times.

Hypertension control rates are low in sub-Saharan Africa. Population-specific determinants of blood pressure (BP) control have not been adequately described. The authors measured BP and conducted interviews to determine factors associated with BP control among adults attending a hypertension clinic in Tanzania. Three hundred adults were enrolled. BP was controlled in 47.7% of patients at the study visit but only 28.3% over three consecutive visits. Demographic and socioeconomic factors were not associated with control. Obesity and higher medication cost were associated with decreased control. Their effect was mediated through adherence. Good knowledge of (odds ratio [OR], 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-6.1; P=.047), attitudes towards (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.0-7.1; P=.04), and practices concerning (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 2.3-13.0; P

IntroductionMillions of HIV-infected Africans are living longer due to long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART), yet little is known about glucose metabolism disorders in this group. We aimed to compare the prevalence of glucose metabolism disorders among HIV-infected adults on long-term ART to ART-naïve adults and HIV-negative controls, hypothesizing that the odds of glucose metabolism disorders would be 2-fold greater even after adjusting for possible confounders.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study conducted between October 2012 and April 2013, consecutive adults (>18 years) attending an HIV clinic in Tanzania were enrolled in 3 groups: 153 HIV-negative controls, 151 HIV-infected, ART-naïve, and 150 HIV-infected on ART for ≥ 2 years. The primary outcome was the prevalence of glucose metabolism disorders as determined by oral glucose tolerance testing. We compared glucose metabolism disorder prevalence between each HIV group vs. the control group by Fisher's exact test and used multivariable logistic regression to determine factors associated with glucose metabolism disorders.ResultsHIV-infected adults on ART had a higher prevalence of glucose metabolism disorders (49/150 (32.7%) vs.11/153 (7.2%), pConclusionsHIV-infected adults on long-term ART had 5-fold greater odds of glucose metabolism disorders than HIV-negative controls but were rarely aware of their diagnosis. Intensive glucose metabolism disorder screening and education are needed in HIV clinics in sub-Saharan Africa. Further research should determine how glucose metabolism disorders might be related to immune reconstitution.

Hypertension is increasingly common in sub-Saharan Africa, and rates of hypertension control are low. Use of traditional herbal medicines (THM) is common among adults in sub-Saharan Africa and may affect hypertension therapy. We searched Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, and Web of Knowledge in June 2013 to find studies about THM use among hypertensive patients living in sub-Saharan Africa. Two independent reviewers evaluated titles and abstracts. Qualifying references were reviewed in full text. Data were extracted using a standardized questionnaire. Four hundred and eighty-one references were retrieved, and four articles from two countries met criteria for inclusion. The prevalence of THM use was 25–65 % (average 38.6 %). THM was the most common type of complementary and alternative medicines used by patients (86.7–96.6 %). Among THM users, 47.5 % concomitantly used both allopathic medicine and THM. Increased age (p

BACKGROUND: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a common cause of hospital admissions worldwide. Aetiologies vary by sociodemographics and geography. Retrospective studies of endoscopies in much of Africa have documented oesophageal varices as a leading cause of UGIB. Prospective studies describing outcomes and associations with clinical factors are lacking. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study at a referral hospital in Mwanza, Tanzania where schistosomiasis is endemic. Adults admitted with haematemesis underwent laboratory workup, schistosomiasis antigen testing and elective endoscopy, and were followed for two months for death or re-bleeding. We assessed predictors of endoscopic findings using logistic regression models, and determined prediction rules that maximised sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV). RESULTS: Of 124 enrolled patients, 13 died within two months (10%); active schistosomiasis prevalence was 48%. 64/91(70%) patients had oesophageal varices. We found strong associations between varices and numerous demographic or clinical findings, permitting construction of simple, high-fidelity prediction rules for oesophageal varices applicable even in rural settings. Portal vein diameter ≥ 13 mm or water sourced from the lake yielded sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV >90% for oesophageal varices; presence of splenomegaly or water sourced from the lake maintained sensitivity and PPV >90%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results guide identification of patients, via ultrasound and clinical examination, likely to have varices for whom referral for endoscopy may be life-saving. Furthermore, they support empiric anti-schistosome treatment for patients with UGIB in schistosome-endemic regions. These interventions have potential to reduce UGIB-related morbidity and mortality in Africa.

Setting Clinical trials have shown that early initiation of antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients with tuberculosis saves lives, but models for implementation of this new strategy have been under-studied in real-world settings. Objective To identify the barriers and possible solutions for implementing concurrent early treatment with antiretroviral and anti-tuberculosis therapy in a large East African referral hospital where the prevalence of both infections is high. Design In-depth interviews among hospital administrators, laboratory technicians, nurses, pharmacists, and physicians. Results Twenty-six hospital staff identified six key barriers and corresponding solutions to promote rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected inpatients with tuberculosis. These include revising systems of medication delivery, integrating care between inpatient and outpatient systems, training hospital nurses to counsel and initiate medications in inpatients, and cultivating a team approach to consistent guideline implementation. Conclusion Most barriers identified by hospital staff were easily surmountable with reorganization, training, and policy changes at minimal cost. Efforts to reduce mortality for HIV and tuberculosis co-infected patients in accordance with new World Health Organization guidelines are currently hampered by implementation barriers in real-world settings. Our findings suggest that these can be overcome with strategic enactment of simple, realistic interventions to promote early dual treatment for HIV/tuberculosis co-infected patients.

Background Schistosomiasis and HIV are both associated with kidney disease. Prevalence and factors associated with abnormal renal function among HIV-infected children in Africa compared to uninfected controls have not been well described in a schistosomiasis endemic area. Methodology/Principal Findings This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Sekou Toure Regional Hospital HIV clinic in Mwanza, Tanzania. A total of 122 HIV-infected children and 122 HIV-uninfected siblings were consecutively enrolled. Fresh urine was obtained for measurement of albuminuria and Schistosoma circulating cathodic antigen. Blood was collected for measurement of serum creatinine. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the modified Schwartz equation. Renal dysfunction was defined operationally as eGFR20mg/L in a single sample. Among 122 HIV-infected children, 61/122 (50.0%) met our criteria for renal dysfunction: 54/122 (44.3%) had albuminuria>20mg/L and 9/122 (7.4%) had eGFR20mg/L and 6/122 (4.9%) had eGFR, Author Summary Ninety percent of schistosomiasis occurs in sub-Saharan Africa, where 91% of HIV-infected children reside. Both schistosomiasis and HIV affect the kidney, but their respective effects on kidney disease in children are not well described. Our prior work in HIV-infected adults demonstrated a high prevalence of kidney disease, possibly worsened by schistosomiasis, but adults are less commonly and less heavily infected with schistosomiasis than children. Therefore, we sought to describe the prevalence and factors associated with renal dysfunction (defined operationally as eGFR 20mg/L in a single urine test) among HIV-infected children and their uninfected siblings living in a schistosomiasis endemic area. We found that half of HIV-infected children and more than one third of HIV-uninfected children had renal dysfunction. Schistosomiasis was the only factor significantly associated with renal dysfunction, increasing odds of renal dysfunction by 2.5-fold. Nearly 50% of the renal dysfunction we observed in both groups could be explained by schistosomiasis. The strong association between schistosomiasis and renal dysfunction among both HIV-infected and uninfected children should remind clinicians to screen for schistosomiasis. It also ought to spur further prospective research to assess for causality and outcomes in the relationship between S. mansoni and kidney disease in children.

Background Despite the increased availability of anti-retroviral therapy, in-hospital HIV mortality remains high in sub-Saharan Africa. Reports from Senegal, Malawi, and Tanzania show rates of in-hospital, HIV-related mortality ranging from 24.2% to 44%. This mixed methods review explored the potential causes of preventable in-hospital mortality associated with HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa in the anti-retroviral era. Results Based on our experience as healthcare providers in Africa and a review of the literature we identified 5 health systems failures which may cause preventable in-hospital mortality, including: 1) late presentation of HIV cases, 2) low rates of in-hospital HIV testing, 3) poor laboratory capacity which limits CD4 T-cell testing and the diagnosis of opportunistic infections, 4) delay in initiation of anti-retroviral therapy in-hospital, and 5) problems associated with loss to follow-up upon discharge from hospital. Conclusion Our findings, together with the current available literature, should be used to develop practical interventions that can be implemented to reduce in-hospital mortality.

BACKGROUND: Among African-Americans adults, arterial hypertension is both more prevalent and associated with more complications than among white adults. Hypertension is also epidemic among black adults in sub-Saharan Africa. The treatment of hypertension among black adults may be complicated by lesser response to certain classes of anti-hypertensive agents. METHODS: We systematically searched literature for clinical trials of ACE-inhibitors among hypertensive adults comparing blood pressure response between whites and blacks. Meta-analysis was performed to determine the difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure response. Further analysis including meta-regressions, funnel plots, and one-study-removed analyses were performed to investigate possible sources of heterogeneity or bias. RESULTS: In a meta-analysis of 13 trials providing 17 different patient groups for evaluation, black race was associated with a lesser reduction in systolic (mean difference: 4.6 mmHg (95% CI 3.5-5.7)) and diastolic (mean difference: 2.8 mmHg (95% CI 2.2-3.5)) blood pressure response to ACE-inhibitors, with little heterogeneity. Meta-regression revealed only ACE-inhibitor dosage as a significant source of heterogeneity. There was little evidence of publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: Black race is consistently associated with a clinically significant lesser reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure to ACE-inhibitor therapy in clinical trials in the USA and Europe. In black adults requiring monotherapy for uncomplicated hypertension, drugs other than ACE-inhibitors may be preferred, though the proven benefits of ACE-inhibitors in some sub-groups and the large overlap of response between blacks and whites must be remembered. These data are particularly important for interpretation of clinical drug trials for hypertensive black adults in sub-Saharan Africa and for the development of treatment recommendations in this population.