A study was conducted on the circulation of potentially diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in two groups of children, both under the age of seven. The first group (548 children) suffered from mild diarrhea and attended the Xipamanine Health Center of Maputo, in Mozambique. The second group (380 children) included randomly chosen, asymptomatic, children from the same population. A total of 503 E. coli strains were isolated from the two groups of children (n=375 and 128, respectively). All E. coli strains were genotypically and phenotypically screened. The presence of virulence-associated genes was assessed by a set of multiplex PCR specific for st and lt genes of enterotoxic Escherichia coli (ETEC), eae and bfpA genes of enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), stx(1) and stx(2) of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), ial of enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) and the species-specific gene uidA. Adhesion and citotoxicity of isolated E. coli were evaluated in vitro on different cell cultures. A total of 37 isolates harbored virulence-associated genes: 18 were classified as ETEC, (15 from symptomatic, and three from asymptomatic children), 16 as EPEC (respectively, 13 and 3) and three EIEC in the symptomatic group. No stx(1) or stx(2) genes, associated with enterohemorrhagic E. coli were found. On the basis of the adhesion pattern on HeLa cells, 167 E. coli were classified as diffusely adhering, (125 in patients and 42 in controls) and 67 as enteroaggregative, (50 and 17, respectively). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature on the circulation of potentially diarrheagenic E. coli in Mozambique.

A countrywide prospective study aimed at establishing the prevalence of the haemoglobinopathy genes in the Portuguese population was carried out by screening 15 208 randomly selected blood samples from young males. This male based survey provided the opportunity of assessing simultaneously the prevalence of the red cell enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, thus giving a picture of these important hereditary anaemias in Portugal.The results showed a low average frequency of a thalassaemia (0-45%) and haemoglobin S (0-32%) carriers as well as G6PD deficiency (0-51%). However, these disorders are unevenly distributed throughout the country with a higher prevalence in some areas, mainly in the south. The relationship of this pattern of haemoglobinopathies to the known haplotypes linked to fi thalassaemia and sickle cell disease, relevant historical events, and local selective pressure was investigated. Hb D and Hb J are the commonest other structural variants. The implemented programme for control of these hereditary anaemias is described. (J Med Genet 1993;30:235- ResultsThe findings are summarised in the table. Among the 15 208 blood samples analysed for Hb disorders 045% showed I thalassaemia trait (95% confidence limits 045 ± 0011) and 0-32% showed sickle cell trait (95% confidence limits 032 ± 0089). The geographical distribution by administrative districts is shown in figs 1 and 2. The prevalence of both increases from the north (total prevalence less than 0 I %) towards the south (total prevalence more than 2% in three districts).Less common structural variants of haemoglobin were also found, the most frequent being Hb D (n=9) and Hb J (n= 13). Their 235 on 1 September 2018 by guest. Protected by copyright.

The low prevalence of STI and HIV may be related in part to the high level of awareness registered in the group.

, et al.. Comparison of the performance of rapid HIV tests using samples collected for surveillance in Mozambique.

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