We investigated host-derived biomarkers that were previously identified in QuantiFERON supernatants, in a large pan-African study. We recruited individuals presenting with symptoms of pulmonary TB at seven peripheral healthcare facilities in six African countries, prior to assessment for TB disease. We then evaluated the concentrations of 12 biomarkers in stored QuantiFERON supernatants using the Luminex platform. Based on laboratory, clinical and radiological findings and a pre-established algorithm, participants were classified as TB disease or other respiratory diseases(ORD). Of the 514 individuals included in the study, 179(34.8%) had TB disease, 274(51.5%) had ORD and 61(11.5%) had an uncertain diagnosis. A biosignature comprising unstimulated IFN-γ, MIP-1β, TGF-α and antigen-specific levels of TGF-α and VEGF, identified on a training sample set (n = 311), validated by diagnosing TB disease in the test set (n = 134) with an AUC of 0.81(95% CI, 0.76–0.86), corresponding to a sensitivity of 64.2%(95% CI, 49.7–76.5%) and specificity of 82.7%(95% CI, 72.4–89.9%). Host biomarkers detected in QuantiFERON supernatants can contribute to the diagnosis of active TB disease amongst people presenting with symptoms requiring investigation for TB disease, regardless of HIV status or ethnicity in Africa.

Background: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Mother-To-Child-Transmission (MTCT) can primarily occur during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding. However, there is limited recent evidence from large-scale study on MTCT of HIV in Ethiopia. Thus, this study was aimed to determine the prevalence, trend and associated risk factors of MTCT among HIV-exposed infants. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 5,679 infants whose specimen referred to Ethiopian Public Health Institute HIV referral laboratory from January 01, 2016 to December 31, 2020. Required information was obtained from Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) database. Frequencies and percent were used to describe the distribution of the infants. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with HIV infection. The level of significance was set at 5%. Results: The mean age of the infants was 12.64 (±14.62) weeks with 4 to 72 weeks range. Half of the infants (51.4%) were female. Prevalence of HIV infection over the course of five years among HIV-exposed infants (HEI) was 2.6%. The prevalence of MTCT decreased from 2.9% in 2016 to 0.9% in 2020. After adjusting for covariates; infant testing after six weeks (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.8–4.0, )) p-value <0.001, absence of Prevention of Mother-To-Child-Transmission (PMTCT) service (AOR = 4.6; 95% CI: (2.9–7.4)) p-values =0.001, mother being on daily prophylaxis at birth (AOR = 2.0; 95% CI: (1.3–3.2)) p-value <0.001, and mother HIV status before date of delivery (AOR =11; 95% CI: (5.5–22.1)) p-value <0.001 were significantly associated with MTCT of HIV. Conclusion: The prevalence of MTCT of HIV is considerable. However, the prevalence was declining during the study period. Tested after six weeks for EID, unavailability of PMTCT service were the factors associated with HIV infection among HEI. Strengthen PMTCT service and early HIV screening of pregnant women are critical to reduce HIV infection among HEI.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of heat inactivation and chemical bulklysis on SARS-CoV-2 detection. Results About 6.2% (5/80) of samples were changed to negative results in heat inactivation at 60°C and about 8.7% (7/80) of samples were changed to negative in heat inactivation at 100°C. The Ct values of heat-inactivated samples (at 60°C, at 100°C, and bulk lysis) were significantly different from the temperature at 56°C. The effect of heat on Ct value should be considered when interpreting diagnostic PCR results from clinical samples which could have an initial low virus concentration. The efficacy of heat-inactivation varies greatly depending on temperature and duration. Local validation of heat-inactivation and its effects is therefore essential for molecular testing.

Background The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Mother-To-Child-Transmission (MTCT) can primarily occur during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding. However, there is limited recent evidence from large-scale study on MTCT of HIV in Ethiopia. Thus, this study was aimed to determine the prevalence, trend and associated risk factors of MTCT among HIV-exposed infants. Methodology : A cross-sectional study was conducted on 5,679 infants whose specimen referred to Ethiopian Public Health Institute HIV referral laboratory from January 01, 2016 to December 31, 2020. Required information was obtained from Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) database. Frequencies and percent were used to describe the distribution of the infants. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with HIV infection. The level of significance was set at 5%. Results The mean age of the infants was 12.64 (± 14.62) weeks with 4 to 72 weeks range. Half of the infants (51.4%) were female. Prevalence of HIV infection over the course of five years among HIV-exposed infants (HEI) was 2.6%. The prevalence of MTCT decreased from 2.9% in 2016 to 0.9% in 2020. After adjusting for covariates; infant testing after six weeks (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.8–4.0, )) p-value < 0.001, absence of Prevention of Mother-To-Child-Transmission (PMTCT) service (AOR = 4.6; 95% CI: (2.9–7.4)) p-values = 0.001, lack of obtaining nevirapine prophylaxis (AOR = 2.0; 95% CI: (1.3–3.2)) p-value < 0.001, and mother HIV status before date of delivery (AOR = 11; 95% CI: (5.5–22.1)) p-value < 0.001 were significantly associated with MTCT of HIV. Conclusion The prevalence of MTCT of HIV is considerable. However, the prevalence was declining during the study period. Tested after six weeks for EID, unavailability of PMTCT service were the factors associated with HIV infection among HEI. Strengthen PMTCT service and early HIV screening of pregnant women are critical to reduce HIV infection among HEI.