Introduction: This study was designed to compare the detection of malaria parasites in peripheral blood smears using the Cyscope malaria rapid fluorescent microscopic technique and light microscopy of Giemsa-stained smears. Methodology: A total of 295 blood smears were collected from patients of all age groups presenting with clinical signs and symptoms of malaria to 10 City Health Clinics in Harare. For each patient two blood films were prepared. Microscopic examination was done independently in two laboratories, with one performing the Giemsa stain and the other the Cyscope method. After the tests were completed, the results were then matched and recorded without any alterations. Results: An equal number of men and women were malaria positive and their ages ranged from five to 66 years. Concordance in the detection of parasites (positive or negative) was 98.6% (291/295). In all four cases of discordance, malaria parasites were detected using the Cyscope but not with conventional microscopy. The Cyscope gave a 100% sensitivity and a specificity of 98.6%. Conclusion: The Cyscope may be a valuable addition to diagnostics of malaria in resource-limited settings such as Zimbabwe.

Background Blood services need to undertake research to improve their strategic goals, operational effectiveness and promote evidence-based policies. NBSZ has a long history of active research and undertook a systematic review of its research capacity to guide its new research strategy. In the absence of a published approach for research capacity assessment for national blood services, a framework to assess research capacity in African universities was used.Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 85 NBSZ internal and external stakeholders. The interview topics were based on eight areas covered by the framework used to assess universities' research systems. Information was verified through triangulation, and recommended actions emerging from the review were validated at a national stakeholder workshop. The appropriateness of the framework for use in the setting of blood services was also evaluated.Results Synthesis of information from the multiperspective interviews highlighted key areas of NBSZ's research capacity for improvement, in particular better dissemination of NBSZ's research priorities and closer ties with academics and their institutions for preparing research proposals and jointly undertaking research projects. With minor adaptations, the framework was found to be applicable to NBSZ, and no aspects of research capacity were identified which were not covered by the framework. DiscussionOur results indicate that it is feasible and useful to apply a structured process to review the research capacity of blood services. However, the framework needs to be tested in blood services and other non-university setting to assess its usefulness and transferability.

Background: Low level of transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs) is an indicator of a well-performing blood donor program. Aim: The study was designed to estimate the prevalence of TTIs and to evaluate the demographic characteristics of reactive and non-reactive blood donors in Zimbabwe in 2018. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using routinely available data from January to December 2018 in five branches of National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ). After initial screening for high-risk behavior with a questionnaire, weight, blood pressure and hemoglobin level, eligible donors were invited for blood donation. The following laboratory tests for TTIs were done: antibodies and antigen tests for human immunodeficiency virus 1 and 2 (HIV 1/2), tests for the surface antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBV), testing for hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody and antibodies for treponema pallidum. Information on age, gender, NBSZ branch, marital status, occupation, donor type (first time/repeat) and TTIs test results were extracted from the NBSZ electronic database (e-Delphyn blood bank software). Results: Out of a sample of 1586 blood donors, thirteen (0.81%) were reactive to at least one TTI marker; five (0.32%) were reactive for human immunodeficiency virus, seven (0.44%) for hepatitis B and one (0.06%) for syphilis. There were no samples with co-infection and hepatitis C virus markers. The prevalence of TTIs was highest in the 31-45 years age group (2.3%) and among first-time blood donors (4.7%). The prevalence of all TTI was low with the highest prevalence of 0.

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