Browsing by Author "Chilongola, Jaffu"

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Detection of Rift Valley Fever Virus Interepidemic Activity in Lower Moshi area of Kilimanjaro Region, North Eastern Tanzania: A Community Survey
(Research Square, 2021-01-22) Chilongola, Jaffu; Kumalija, Medard; Budodo, Rule; Horumpende, Pius; Mkumbaye, Sixbert; Vianney, John-Mary; Mwakapuja, Richard; Mmmbaga, Blandina
Background: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic arbovirus of public health impact infecting livestock, wildlife, and humans mainly in Africa and other parts of the world. Despite its public health importance, mechanisms of RVFV maintenance during inter-epidemic (IEPS) periods and potentially spread to new areas remain unclear.We aimed to comparatively examine exposure to RVFV and RVFV infection among humans, goats and mosquitoes in an agro-pastoral community in Lower Moshi area of Moshi rural district. Results:Results show that the male gender was related to RVFV seropositivity (χ2 = 5.351; p=0.030). Being 50 years and above was related to seropositivity (χ2=14.430; p=0.006) whereas bed net use, larger numbers of persons living in the same house (>7 persons) and RVFV seropositivity in goats were related to higher seropositivity to RVFV among humans (χ2=6.003; p=0.021, χ2=23.213; p=0.000 and 27.053; p=0.000), respectively.RVFV antibody concentrations were only marginally higher in humans without statistically significant difference [t (112) =0.526; p=0.60)]. By the use of RT-qPCR, goats exhibited the highest RVFV infection rate of 4.1%, followed by humans (2.6%), Aedes spp(2.3%), and Culex spp(1.5%). Conclusions: In the absence of RVFV infection data in areas nearby the study site, our findings suggest Lower Moshi area as a potential hotspot for RVF, posing the danger of being a source of RVFV spread to other areas. Goats had the highest infection rate, suggesting goats as important hosts in the virus maintenance during IEPs. We recommend the design and implementation of strategies that will warrant effective active surveillance of RVF through the identification of RVF hotspots for targeted control of RVF.
Expression analysis of p16 and TOP2A protein biomarkers in cervical cancer lesions and their correlation with clinico-histopathological characteristics in a referral hospital, Tanzania
(PLOS ONE, 2021-10-27) Zuberi, Zavuga; Mremi, Alex; Chilongola, Jaffu; Semango, George; Sauli, Elingarami
Introduction Biomarkers yield important information for early diagnosis of cervical cancer. However, they are rarely applied for prognosis of cervical cancer in Tanzania, where visual inspection assay with acetic acid or Lugol’s iodine and Pap test are being used as the standard screening/ diagnostic methods. Methods This was a retrospective hospital-based cross-sectional study that was conducted to assess cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (p16) and topoisomerase II-alpha (TOP2A) proteins expression among women seeking cervical cancer care at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Tanzania between May 1, 2017 and May 10, 2018. Immunohistochemistry technique was used to detect the expressions of p16 and TOP2A proteins from the retrieved formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) cervical biopsies. Results A total of 145 patients, with a mean age of 52.1 ± 12.9 years, were included in this study. Upon immunohistochemistry staining, 103 (71.0%) and 90 (62.1%) were p16 and TOP2A positive respectively. There was a strong association between histopathological class and p16/TOP2A expression levels (Fisher’s exact test, p<0.001). Moreover, there was a strong positive correlation between p16/TOP2A and cancerous cervical lesions (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients = 0.833 and 0.687, p = 0.006 and 0.005, respectively). The ageadjusted odds ratio for predicting cervical cancer lesions were independently significant for p16/TOP2A biomarkers in FFPE cervical tissues [p16: OR = 1.142 (95% CI: 1.059–1.232, p<0.001) and TOP2A: OR = 1.046 (95% CI: 1.008–1.085, p = 0.015)]. Importantly, thediagnostic performance of p16 was higher than that of TOP2A in the diagnosis of cancerous lesions from non-cancerous cervical lesions (sensitivity: 97.2% versus 77.6%, accuracy: 92.8% versus 87.8%, respectively). Conclusion Our study has highlighted that over-expression of TOP2A is related to the grade of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia but does not predict prognosis in cervical cancer. Similarly, expression of p16 is related to degree of histological dysplasia and malignancy, suggesting its prognostic and predictive value in the management of cervical cancers. Further bigger studies are needed to validate their applications in the early diagnosis of cervical cancer.
Mechanisms for salmonella infection and potential management options in chicken
(The Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 2020-03-02) Mkangara, Mwanaisha; Mwakapuja, R.; Chilongola, Jaffu; Ndakidemi, Patrick; Mbega, Ernest; Chacha, Musa
Salmonella enterica is the largest species in genus Salmonella with its serovars responsible for infection in chickens and other warm-blooded hosts. After oral ingestion, Salmonella penetrates the mucosal layer of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). It then provokes gastroenteritis and systemic infection to chickens of all ages depending on the serovar involved. The paper explains about Salmonella infection via Type Three Secretion System (TTSS) encoded Pathogenicity Islands (PIs) and how the bacterium survives the acidic environment of GIT. It also explains the roles of TTSS-1 and TTSS-2 in translocation of effectors that interfere with host proteins and later internalisation of Salmonella in Salmonella- containing vacuole (SCV). Other virulence factors such as plasmid, biofilm and lipopolysaccharides are highlighted, and their importance in inducing pathogenicity to host was also included in the paper. Therefore, several factors are geared toward survival, infection, and replication of Salmonella in the host cells. Hence, this article explains the mechanisms of Salmonella infection in chicken, its persistence in different environments and the approaches in controlling chicken salmonellosis.