Browsing by Author "Chauwa A"

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A systematic review and meta-analysis of antibiotic resistance of foodborne pathogenic bacteria.
(2025-Apr-15) Mebrahtu AR; Likulunga LE; Chauwa A; Zulu M; Malama S; Enteric Disease and Vaccine Research Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Biosciences and Biotechnology Department, School of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia. sydneymalama1971@gmail.com.; Departmrnt of Pathology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Biosciences and Biotechnology Department, School of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
Antimicrobial drugs are used to treat bacterial pathogens that cause infections in humans and animals. Despite their importance, antimicrobial drugs exhibit inefficiency in treating infections if used irrationally without adherence to standard guidelines. Currently there is a lack of review literatures concerning antimicrobial resistance status in the southern sub Saharan African countries, hence the study is designed for and provides valuable insights into the status and comparison of antimicrobial resistance among foodborne bacteria in Zambia relative to other regions of the world, using systematic literature review and meta-analysis. For meta-analysis of bacterial and AMR prevalence and, generation of forest plots, functions from R packages were used and meta-regression analysis using the random effect model with the R functions "escalc" and "rma" from R "metafor" package was used to determine sample size on bacterial prevalence. A total of 434 articles were identified and downloaded after a systematic research. The study has implicated that the most common foodborne bacteria in the last five years in Zambia are salmonella spp., E. coli., and L. monocytogens. Based on the random effect model, the prevalence of bacterial pathogens across all studies in food samples was observed to be 11% and in human samples was 14%. The study found a significant increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) burden among foodborne pathogens in Zambia compared to other regions of the world over the past five years. This rise is attributed to the bacteria's ability to develop resistance mechanisms and easily spread between humans, animals, and the environment. Ineffective surveillance, inadequate management by stakeholders, and public unawareness have further exacerbated the problem, requiring effective policy implementations in the health sector.
Characterization of Rotavirus Strains Responsible for Breakthrough Diarrheal Diseases among Zambian Children Using Whole Genome Sequencing.
(2023-Nov-26) Mwape I; Laban NM; Chibesa K; Moono A; Silwamba S; Malisheni MM; Chisenga C; Chauwa A; Simusika P; Phiri M; Simuyandi M; Chilengi R; De Beer C; Ojok D; Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK.; Institute of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Lusaka 10101, Zambia.; Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, P.O. Box 241, Cape Town 8000, South Africa.; Influenza Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706-13380, USA.; University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka 10101, Zambia.; Enteric Disease and Vaccine Research Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 34681, Zambia.; Division of Medical Virology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein P.O. Box 339, South Africa.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
The occurrence of rotavirus (RV) infection among vaccinated children in high-burden settings poses a threat to further disease burden reduction. Genetically altered viruses have the potential to evade both natural infection and vaccine-induced immune responses, leading to diarrheal diseases among vaccinated children. Studies characterizing RV strains responsible for breakthrough infections in resource-limited countries where RV-associated diarrheal diseases are endemic are limited. We aimed to characterize RV strains detected in fully vaccinated children residing in Zambia using next-generation sequencing. We conducted whole genome sequencing on Illumina MiSeq. Whole genome assembly was performed using Geneious Prime 2023.1.2. A total of 76 diarrheal stool specimens were screened for RV, and 4/76 (5.2%) were RV-positive. Whole genome analysis revealed RVA/Human-wt/ZMB/CIDRZ-RV2088/2020/
Evaluation of ROTARIX
(2023-Feb-03) Laban NM; Bosomprah S; Simuyandi M; Chibuye M; Chauwa A; Chirwa-Chobe M; Sukwa N; Chipeta C; Velu R; Njekwa K; Mubanga C; Mwape I; Goodier MR; Chilengi R; Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK.; Department of Global Health, Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development (AIGHD), Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Paasheuvelweg 25, 1105 BP Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Stellenbosch University & National Health Laboratory Service, Tygerberg Hospital Francie van Zijl Drive, Tygerberg, P.O. Box 241, Cape Town 8000, South Africa.; Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra P.O. Box LG13, Ghana.; Flow Cytometry and Immunology Facility, Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, Banjul P.O. Box 273, The Gambia.; Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 50110, Zambia.; Enteric Disease and Vaccine Research Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 34681, Zambia.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
Oral rotavirus vaccines show diminished immunogenicity in low-resource settings where rotavirus burden is highest. This study assessed the safety and immune boosting effect of a third dose of oral ROTARIX
Knowledge and awareness of bovine tuberculosis associated with raw milk and under-cooked meat contamination among cattle farmers in selected parts of zambia.
(2025-Apr) Phiri A; Likulunga E; Chauwa A; Zulu M; Kankhuni B; Monde N; Malama S; Department of Pathology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Enteric Disease and Vaccine Research Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Department of Clinical Medicine, Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia.; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tropical Disease Research Centre, Ndola, Zambia.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
BACKGROUND: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a disease of cattle that is transmitted through direct contact with an infected animal or ingestion of contaminated food. METHODS: A mixed-methods study was conducted in two districts of Zambia, Lundazi and Monze, from December 2021 to June 2022. A cross-sectional survey with 280 respondents, five focus group discussions, and five key informant interviews were conducted. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data using R software, while qualitative data was analyzed using Nvivo and content analysis. RESULTS: Social and cultural practices were reported to significantly contribute to bTB transmission with risky behaviors including the consumption of undercooked meat and unpasteurized milk, and inadequate protective measures during cattle slaughtering. Overall, 75.3% of male and 70.3% of female respondents expressed a poor level of awareness of bTB transmission. Among cattle farmers, 85.7% lacked formal education, resulting in low knowledge levels, with 99.5% expressing poor awareness. Additionally, findings revealed that 99.5% of cattle farmers had poor awareness of bTB, human doctors/clinicians, and veterinary/para-veterinarians had 100% excellent knowledge. Abattoir workers had good knowledge at 78.3% and cattle businessmen had a fair knowledge level at 96.4%. Overall, bTB awareness varied across occupations, with human and animal healthcare professionals being the most knowledgeable. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found low levels of awareness and misperception about bTB among cattle farmers. Awareness varied across professionals with educated individuals being more knowledgeable. The consumption of undercooked meat and raw milk highlighted these knowledge gaps. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct public health campaigns to raise awareness about bTB causes, sources of infection, and control measures.
Maternal and Infant Histo-Blood Group Antigen (HBGA) Profiles and Their Influence on Oral Rotavirus Vaccine (Rotarix
(2023-Jul-31) Chauwa A; Bosomprah S; Laban NM; Phiri B; Chibuye M; Chilyabanyama ON; Munsaka S; Simuyandi M; Mwape I; Mubanga C; Chobe MC; Chisenga C; Chilengi R; Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK.; Department of Global Health, Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development (AIGHD), Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, 1012 WP Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra P.O. Box LG13, Ghana.; Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 50110, Zambia.; Enteric Disease and Vaccine Research Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 34681, Zambia.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
Live-attenuated, oral rotavirus vaccines have significantly reduced rotavirus-associated diarrhoea morbidity and infant mortality. However, vaccine immunogenicity is diminished in low-income countries. We investigated whether maternal and infant intrinsic susceptibility to rotavirus infection via histo-blood group antigen (HBGA) profiles influenced rotavirus (ROTARIX