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Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death in women in sub-Saharan Africa. It is estimated that more than 200 million females older than 15 years are at risk in this region. This paper highlights the current burden of cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa, reviews the latest clinical data on primary prevention, outlines challenges in the region, and offers potential solutions to these barriers. Based on these factors, clinical recommendations for the prevention of cervical cancer from the sub-Saharan African Cervical Cancer Working Group expert panel are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Lactic acid bacteria isolated by screening method from traditional food products of African countries were tested for their ability to produce bacteriocin an antimicrobial substances acting against other bacteria. Some of these bacteriocins allow the inhibition of Lisreria monocytogenes, a food-borne pathogen responsible for human listeriosis. However, food ingredients caused an inefficient action of bacteriocins produced by several lactic acid bacteria against Listeria monocytogenes achieving the phenomenon of Listeria growth rebound in bacteriocin-supplemented food models. Recently, new starter cultures of lactic acid bacteria with an industrially important functionality are being developed. The latter can contribute to inhibit the rebounding phenomenon of Listeria and offer one or more organoleptic, technological, nutritional, or health advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overexpression of HPV-oncoproteins E6 and E7 is necessary for HPV-driven cervical carcinogenesis. Hence, these oncoproteins are promising disease-specific biomarkers. We assessed the technical and operational characteristics of the 8-HPV-type OncoE6/E7 Cervical Test in different laboratories using cervical samples from HPV-positive women living with (WLWH) and without HIV. The 8-HPV-type OncoE6/E7 Test (for short: "OncoE6/E7 test") was performed in 2833 HIV-negative women and 241 WLWH attending multicentric studies in Latin America (ESTAMPA study), and in Africa (CESTA study). Oncoprotein positivity were evaluated at each testing site, according to HIV status as well as type-specific agreement with HPV-DNA results. A feedback questionnaire was given to the operators performing the oncoprotein test to evaluate their impression and acceptability regarding the test. The OncoE6/E7 test revealed a high positivity rate heterogeneity across all testing sites (I 2 : 95.8%, p < .01) with significant lower positivity in WLWH compared to HIV-negative women (12% vs 25%, p < .01). A similar HPV-type distribution was found between HPV DNA genotyping and oncoprotein testing except for HPV31 and 33 (moderate agreement, k = 0.57). Twenty-one laboratory technicians were trained on oncoprotein testing. Despite operators' concerns about the time-consuming procedure and perceived need for moderate laboratory experience, they reported the OncoE6/E7 test as easy to perform and user-friendly for deployment in resource-limited settings. The high positivity rate variability found across studies and subjectivity in test outcome interpretation could potentially results in oncoprotein false positive/negative, and thus the need for further refinements before implementation of the oncoprotein testing in screen-triage-and-treat approaches is warranted., (© 2024 The Authors. International Journal of Cancer published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of UICC.)

Introduction: Although the burden of cervical cancer in Africa is highest, HPV vaccination coverage remains alarmingly low in this region. Providers' knowledge and recommendation are key drivers of HPV vaccination uptake. Yet, evidence about providers' knowledge and recommendation practices about the HPV vaccine against a backdrop of emerging vaccine hesitancy fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic is lacking in Africa., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021-2022 among healthcare providers involved in cervical cancer prevention activities in Africa. They were invited to report prior training, the availability of the HPV vaccine in their practice, whether they recommended the HPV vaccine, and, if not, the reasons for not recommending it. Their knowledge about the HPV vaccine was assessed through self-reporting (perceived knowledge) and with three pre-tested knowledge questions (measured knowledge)., Results: Of the 153 providers from 23 African countries who responded to the survey (mean age: 38.5 years, SD: 10.1), 75 (54.0%) were female and 97 (63.4%) were based In countries with national HPV immunization programs. Overall, 57 (43.8%) reported having received prior training on HPV vaccine education/counseling, and 40 (37.4%) indicated that the HPV vaccine was available at the facility where they work. Most respondents (109, 83.2%) reported recommending the HPV vaccine in their practice. Vaccine unavailability (57.1%), lack of effective communication tools and informational material (28.6%), and need for adequate training (28.6%) were the most commonly reported reasons for not recommending the HPV vaccine. While 63 providers (52.9%) reported that their knowledge about HPV vaccination was adequate for their practice, only 9.9% responded correctly to the 3 knowledge questions., Conclusion: To increase HPV vaccination coverage and counter misinformation about this vaccine in Africa, adequate training of providers and culturally appropriate educational materials are needed to improve their knowledge of the HPV vaccine and to facilitate effective communication with their patients and the community., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Fokom Domgue, Dille, Kapambwe, Yu, Gnangnon, Chinula, Murenzi, Mbatani, Pande, Sidibe, Kamgno, Traore, El Fazazi, Diop, Tebeu, Diomande, Lecuru, Adewole, Plante, Basu, Dangou and Shete.)

The role of climate in the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission appears to be controversial, as reported in earlier studies. In Africa, the subject is poorly documented. In this study, over the period from January 1st, 2020 to September 31, 2022, the daily variations in cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19 for each African country (54 countries) are modelled through time-series-based approaches and using meteorological factors as covariates. It is suggested from the findings that climate plays a role in COVID-19 transmission since at least one meteorological factor is found to be significant in 32 countries. In decreasing order, the most often occurring meteorological factors are dewpoint temperature, relative and absolute humidity, average temperature and solar radiation. Most of these factors show a lagged effect with confirmed cases (between 0 and 28 days). Also, some meteorological factors exhibit contrasting effects on COVID-19 transmission, resulting in both positive and negative association with cumulative cases, therefore highlighting the complex nature of the interplay between climate and COVID-19 transmission., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Competing Interests: We declare no competing interests.

Investment in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences that have been generated and used to track the pandemic on the continent, a number that now exceeds 100,000 genomes. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries that are able to sequence domestically and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround times and more-regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and illuminate the distinct dispersal dynamics of variants of concern-particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron-on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve while the continent faces many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century.

The progression of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in Africa has so far been heterogeneous, and the full impact is not yet well understood. In this study, we describe the genomic epidemiology using a dataset of 8746 genomes from 33 African countries and two overseas territories. We show that the epidemics in most countries were initiated by importations predominantly from Europe, which diminished after the early introduction of international travel restrictions. As the pandemic progressed, ongoing transmission in many countries and increasing mobility led to the emergence and spread within the continent of many variants of concern and interest, such as B.1.351, B.1.525, A.23.1, and C.1.1. Although distorted by low sampling numbers and blind spots, the findings highlight that Africa must not be left behind in the global pandemic response, otherwise it could become a source for new variants.

Genetic diversity of surface exposed and stage specific Plasmodium falciparum immunogenic proteins pose a major roadblock to developing an effective malaria vaccine with broad and long-lasting immunity. We conducted a prospective genetic analysis of candidate antigens (msp1, ama1, rh5, eba175, glurp, celtos, csp, lsa3, Pfsea, trap, conserved chrom3, hyp9, hyp10, phistb, surfin8.2, and surfin14.1) for malaria vaccine development on 2375 P. falciparum sequences from 16 African countries. We described signatures of balancing selection inferred from positive values of Tajima's D for all antigens across all populations except for glurp. This could be as a result of immune selection on these antigens as positive Tajima's D values mapped to regions with putative immune epitopes. A less diverse phistb antigen was characterised with a transmembrane domain, glycophosphatidyl anchors between the N and C- terminals, and surface epitopes that could be targets of immune recognition. This study demonstrates the value of population genetic and immunoinformatic analysis for identifying and characterising new putative vaccine candidates towards improving strain transcending immunity, and vaccine efficacy across all endemic populations., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), an arbovirus belonging to the Phlebovirus genus of the Phenuiviridae family, causes the zoonotic and mosquito-borne RVF. The virus, which primarily affects livestock (ruminants and camels) and humans, is at the origin of recent major outbreaks across the African continent (Mauritania, Libya, Sudan), and in the South-Western Indian Ocean (SWIO) islands (Mayotte). In order to be better prepared for upcoming outbreaks, to predict its introduction in RVFV unscathed countries, and to run efficient surveillance programmes, the priority is harmonising and improving the diagnostic capacity of endemic countries and/or countries considered to be at risk of RVF. A serological inter-laboratory proficiency test (PT) was implemented to assess the capacity of veterinary laboratories to detect antibodies against RVFV. A total of 18 laboratories in 13 countries in the Middle East, North Africa, South Africa, and the Indian Ocean participated in the initiative. Two commercial kits and two in-house serological assays for the detection of RVFV specific IgG antibodies were tested. Sixteen of the 18 participating laboratories (88.9%) used commercial kits, the analytical performance of test sensitivity and specificity based on the seroneutralisation test considered as the reference was 100%. The results obtained by the laboratories which used the in-house assay were correct in only one of the two criteria (either sensitivity or specificity). In conclusion, most of the laboratories performed well in detecting RVFV specific IgG antibodies and can therefore be considered to be prepared. Three laboratories in three countries need to improve their detection capacities. Our study demonstrates the importance of conducting regular proficiency tests to evaluate the level of preparedness of countries and of building a network of competent laboratories in terms of laboratory diagnosis to better face future emerging diseases in emergency conditions., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Rinderpest is an acute and highly contagious viral disease of ruminants, often resulting in greater than 90% mortality. We previously reported the development of first- and second-generation recombinant vaccinia virus vaccines which provide complete protection against rinderpest virus (RPV) and peste-des-petits ruminants virus (PPRV). These vaccines are safe even for immunodeficient mice and macaques with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. We developed a third-generation recombinant vaccinia virus vaccine (v2RVFH) that expresses the fusion and haemagglutinin genes of RPV under strong synthetic vaccinia virus promoters. Cattle vaccinated intramuscularly with as little as 10(3) plaque-forming units (PFU) of v2RVFH were completely protected from rinderpest. Vaccinated animals did not develop pock lesions or transmit v2RVFH to contact animals. Cattle vaccinated with a standard dose of 10(8) PFU of v2RVFH developed long-term, sterilizing immunity against rinderpest. Thus, v2RVFH is safe, efficacious, heat stable, inexpensive, easily administered, and allows serological differentiation between vaccinated and infected animals. To aid in diagnosis and differentiation of vaccinated from infected animals, we developed indirect ELISAs (iELISAs) that use baculovirus-expressed RPV or PPRV nucleoprotein as coating antigens. A single larva contains enough viral antigen to test more than 10,000 serum samples, in duplicate. African scientists trained at the ILMB successfully transferred the iELISA kit technology to more than 30 countries in Africa, providing a model for technology transfer among developing countries. Vaccination with v2RVFH, in conjunction with the iELISA kits, greatly enhances the prospects for global eradication of rinderpest, as developing nations achieve independence in control efforts.