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The role of environmental enteric dysfunction in the pathogenesis of Schistosoma mansoni-associated morbidity in school-aged children. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010837. [PMID: 36197916 PMCID: PMC9576041 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Studies have implicated schistosomiasis as a cause of intestinal barrier disruption, a salient feature of environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), as eggs translocate from the sterile bloodstream through the gut wall. We examined the longitudinal impact of praziquantel (PZQ) treatment on a) EED biomarkers and b) Insulin growth factor I (IGF-1), a key driver of childhood linear growth, since EED has been implicated in linear growth stunting. Methodology 290 children infected with S. mansoni in Brazil were treated with PZQ at baseline. EED biomarkers lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and intestinal fatty acid binding-protein (I-FABP) were measured, as well as IGF-1 at baseline, 6 and 12-months. Multivariate regression analysis was applied to assess associations between S. mansoni intensity and plasma biomarkers (LPS, I-FABP, and IGF-1), controlling for potential confounding variables. Principal findings At baseline, S. mansoni infection intensities were 27.2% light, 46.9% moderate, and 25.9% heavy. LPS concentrations were significantly reduced at the 12-month visit compared to baseline (p = 0.0002). No longitudinal changes were observed for I-FABP or IGF-1 in the 6- or 12-month periods following baseline treatment. After 6-months, I-FABP concentration was significantly higher in high vs low intensity (p = 0.0017). IGF-1 concentrations were significantly lower among children with high and moderate vs low intensity infections at each study visit. Conclusions/significance We report that S. mansoni infection impacts LPS, I-FABP and IGF-1. These findings suggest a mechanistic role for EED in schistosomiasis-related morbidities, particularly linear growth. Schistosoma mansoni is a tropical parasitic infection that causes intestinal schistosomiasis. In infected humans, the parasite worms shed eggs that migrate across the gut barrier, which damages intestinal structure and function. In children, intestinal schistosomiasis leads to anemia, undernutrition, and linear growth stunting. The mechanistic pathways between schistosomiasis and stunting are not fully understood, but this research explores the role of environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) in schistosomiasis-related morbidity. EED is an intestinal condition that affects children living in areas of poor water, sanitation, and hygiene and also leads to impaired growth and stunting. In a longitudinal cohort of Brazilian children infected with S. mansoni, we measured blood biomarkers of EED and linear growth at three time points over 12 months. All of the children were treated for schistosomiasis at baseline, and after 12 months, we observed a significant decrease in a marker of EED, suggesting improvement in gut integrity. We also found that children who had higher parasite egg burden at the baseline visit had lower levels of insulin-like growth factor-1, a hormone that drives growth in children. Our findings suggest that EED may play a role in schistosomiasis-related stunting and furthers our understanding for S. mansoni pathogenesis in children.
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Sinkala E, Ahmed HY, Sibomana JP, Lee MH, Kassa B, Kumar R, Mazimba S, Binegdie AB, Mpisa S, Wamundila K, Graham BB, Hilton JF. Rationale and design of a screening study to detect schistosomiasis-associated pulmonary hypertension in Ethiopia and Zambia. Pulm Circ 2022; 12:e12072. [PMID: 35514775 PMCID: PMC9063961 DOI: 10.1002/pul2.12072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a major cause of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) worldwide, but the prevalence and risk factors for schistosomiasis-associated PAH (SchPAH) development are not well understood. Schistosomiasis-associated hepatosplenic disease (SchHSD) is thought to be a major risk factor for PAH development. Herein, we describe our plans for prospectively screening SchHSD subjects for clinical evidence of PAH at two major academic medical centers and national referral hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Lusaka, Zambia. The screening study will primarily be conducted by echocardiography, in addition to clinical assessments. Plasma samples will be drawn and banked for subsequent analysis based on preclinical animal model rationale. If successful, this study will demonstrate feasibility of conducting prospective cohort studies of SchPAH screening in schistosomiasis-endemic regions of Africa, and provide initial data on clinic-based disease prevalence and potential mechanistic biomarkers underlying disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edford Sinkala
- Hepatology Clinic, Department of MedicineUniversity of Zambia Teaching HospitalLusakaZambia
| | - Hanan Yusuf Ahmed
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, College of Health SciencesUniversity of Addis AbabaAddis AbabaEthiopia
| | - Jean Pierre Sibomana
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, College of Health SciencesUniversity of Addis AbabaAddis AbabaEthiopia
- Department of Medicine, Butare University Teaching HospitalUniversity of RwandaButareRwanda
| | - Michael H. Lee
- Department of MedicineUniversity of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Biruk Kassa
- Department of MedicineUniversity of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Rahul Kumar
- Department of MedicineUniversity of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sula Mazimba
- Department of Medicine, Division of CardiologyUniversity of Virginia School of MedicineCharlottesvilleVirginiaUSA
| | - Amsalu B. Binegdie
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, College of Health SciencesUniversity of Addis AbabaAddis AbabaEthiopia
| | - Sydney Mpisa
- Hepatology Clinic, Department of MedicineUniversity of Zambia Teaching HospitalLusakaZambia
| | - Kawana Wamundila
- Hepatology Clinic, Department of MedicineUniversity of Zambia Teaching HospitalLusakaZambia
| | - Brian B. Graham
- Department of MedicineUniversity of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Joan F. Hilton
- Department of Epidemiology and BiostatisticsUniversity of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
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Rhoades NS, Hendrickson SM, Prongay K, Haertel A, Gill L, Edwards RA, Garzel L, Slifka MK, Messaoudi I. Growth faltering regardless of chronic diarrhea is associated with mucosal immune dysfunction and microbial dysbiosis in the gut lumen. Mucosal Immunol 2021; 14:1113-1126. [PMID: 34158595 PMCID: PMC8379072 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-021-00418-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite the impact of childhood diarrhea on morbidity and mortality, our understanding of its sequelae has been significantly hampered by the lack of studies that examine samples across the entire intestinal tract. Infant rhesus macaques are naturally susceptible to human enteric pathogens and recapitulate the hallmarks of diarrheal disease such as intestinal inflammation and growth faltering. Here, we examined intestinal biopsies, lamina propria leukocytes, luminal contents, and fecal samples from healthy infants and those experiencing growth faltering with distant acute or chronic active diarrhea. We show that growth faltering in the presence or absence of active diarrhea is associated with a heightened systemic and mucosal pro-inflammatory state centered in the colon. Moreover, polyclonal stimulation of colonic lamina propria leukocytes resulted in a dampened cytokine response, indicative of immune exhaustion. We also detected a functional and taxonomic shift in the luminal microbiome across multiple gut sites including the migration of Streptococcus and Prevotella species between the small and large intestine, suggesting a decompartmentalization of gut microbial communities. Our studies provide valuable insight into the outcomes of diarrheal diseases and growth faltering not attainable in humans and lays the groundwork to test interventions in a controlled and reproducible setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas S Rhoades
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Sara M Hendrickson
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Kamm Prongay
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University West Campus, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Andrew Haertel
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University West Campus, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Leanne Gill
- California National Primate Research Center, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Robert A Edwards
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Laura Garzel
- California National Primate Research Center, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Mark K Slifka
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Ilhem Messaoudi
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
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Gene expression profiles compared in environmental and malnutrition enteropathy in Zambian children and adults. EBioMedicine 2021; 70:103509. [PMID: 34333236 PMCID: PMC8346547 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental enteropathy (EE) contributes to growth failure in millions of children worldwide, but its relationship to clinical malnutrition has not been elucidated. We used RNA sequencing to compare duodenal biopsies from adults and children with EE, and from children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM), to define key features of these malnutrition-related enteropathies. METHODS RNA was extracted and sequenced from biopsies of children with SAM in hospital (n=27), children with non-responsive stunting in the community (n=30), and adults living in the same community (n=37) using an identical sequencing and analysis pipeline. Two biopsies each were profiled and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were computed from the comparisons of the three groups. DEG lists from these comparisons were then subjected to analysis with CompBio software to assemble a holistic view of the biological landscape and IPA software to interrogate canonical pathways. FINDINGS Dysregulation was identified in goblet cell/mucin production and xenobiotic metabolism/detoxification for both cohorts of children, versus adults. Within the SAM cohort, substantially greater induction of immune response and barrier function, including NADPH oxidases was noted, concordant with broadly reduced expression of genes associated with the brush border and intestinal structure/transport/absorption. Interestingly, down regulation of genes associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis was selectively observed within the cohort of children with stunting. INTERPRETATION Gene expression profiles in environmental enteropathy and severe acute malnutrition have similarities, but SAM has several distinct transcriptional features. The intestinal capacity to metabolise drugs and toxins in malnourished children requires further study. FUNDING Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (OPP1066118).
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Chabala FW, Siew ED, Mutale W, Mulenga L, Mweemba A, Goma F, Banda N, Kaonga P, Wester WC, Heimburger DC, Aliyu MH, Munkombwe D. Prognostic model for nephrotoxicity among HIV-positive Zambian adults receiving tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-based antiretroviral therapy. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252768. [PMID: 34252117 PMCID: PMC8274919 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Persons living with HIV (PLWH) receiving tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) risk suffering TDF-associated nephrotoxicity (TDFAN). TDFAN can result in short- and long-term morbidity, including permanent loss of kidney function, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) requiring dialysis. Currently, there is no model to predict this risk or discern which patients to initiate TDF-based therapy. Consequently, some patients suffer TDFAN within the first few months of initiating therapy before switching to another suitable antiretroviral or a lower dose of TDF. In a prospective observational cohort study of adult Zambian PLWH, we modelled the risk for TDFAN before initiating therapy to identify individuals at high risk for experiencing AKI after initiating TDF-based therapy. We enrolled 205 HIV-positive, ART-naïve adults initiating TDF-based therapy followed for a median of 3.4 months for TDFAN at the Adult Infectious Disease Research Centre (AIDC) in Lusaka, Zambia. We defined TDFAN as meeting any of these acute kidney disease (AKD) criteria: 1) An episode of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)< 60ml/ min/1.73m2 within 3 months, 2) reduced eGFR by> 35% within 3 months or 3) increased serum creatinine by> 50% within 3 months. A total of 45 participants (22%) developed acute kidney disease (AKD) after TDF-based therapy. The development of AKD within the first 3 months of commencing TDF-based therapy was associated with an increase in baseline serum creatinine, age, baseline eGFR and female sex. We concluded that baseline characteristics and baseline renal function biomarkers predicted the risk for AKD within the first 3-months of TDF-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freeman W. Chabala
- Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Institute of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, Lusaka, Zambia
- The University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Edward D. Siew
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt O’Brien Center for Kidney Disease, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Tennessee Valley Health Systems (TVHS), Veterans Affairs, Nashville, TN, United States of America
| | - Wilbroad Mutale
- The University of Zambia, School of Public Health, Lusaka, Zambia
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States of America
| | - Lloyd Mulenga
- The University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt O’Brien Center for Kidney Disease, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States of America
| | - Aggrey Mweemba
- The University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
- The University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Fastone Goma
- The University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Patrick Kaonga
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt O’Brien Center for Kidney Disease, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - William C. Wester
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt O’Brien Center for Kidney Disease, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- The University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Douglas C. Heimburger
- The University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt O’Brien Center for Kidney Disease, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States of America
| | - Muktar H. Aliyu
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt O’Brien Center for Kidney Disease, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States of America
- Meharry Medical College School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, United States of America
| | - Derick Munkombwe
- The University of Zambia, School of Health Sciences, Lusaka, Zambia
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Simwaka J, Seheri M, Mulundu G, Kaonga P, Mwenda JM, Chilengi R, Mpabalwani E, Munsaka S. Rotavirus breakthrough infections responsible for gastroenteritis in vaccinated infants who presented with acute diarrhoea at University Teaching Hospitals, Children's Hospital in 2016, in Lusaka Zambia. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246025. [PMID: 33539399 PMCID: PMC7861525 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In Zambia, before rotavirus vaccine introduction, the virus accounted for about 10 million episodes of diarrhoea, 63 000 hospitalisations and 15 000 deaths in 2015, making diarrhoea the third leading cause of death after pneumonia and malaria. In Zambia, despite the introduction of the vaccine acute diarrhoea due to rotaviruses has continued to affect children aged five years and below. This study aimed to characterise the rotavirus genotypes which were responsible for diarrhoeal infections in vaccinated infants aged 2 to 12 months and to determine the relationship between rotavirus strains and the severity of diarrhoea in 2016. Methods Stool samples from infants aged 2 to 12 months who presented to the hospital with acute diarrhoea of three or more episodes in 24 hours were tested for group A rotavirus. All positive specimens that had enough sample were genotyped using reverse transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). A 20-point Vesikari clinical score between 1–5 was considered as mild, 6–10 as moderate and greater or equal to 11 as severe. Results A total of 424 stool specimens were tested of which 153 (36%, 95% CI 31.5% to 40.9%) were positive for VP6 rotavirus antigen. The age-specific rotavirus infections decreased significantly (p = 0.041) from 2–4 months, 32.0% (49/118) followed by a 38.8% (70/181) infection rate in the 5–8 months’ category and subsequently dropped in the infants aged 9–12 months with a positivity rate of 27.2%. 38.5% of infants who received a single dose, 34.5% of those who received a complete dose and 45.2% (19/42) of the unvaccinated tested positive for rotavirus. The predominant rotavirus genotypes included G2P[6] 36%, G1P[8] 32%, mixed infections 19%, G2P[4] 6%, G1P[6] 4% and G9P[6] 3%. Discussion and conclusion Results suggest breakthrough infection of heterotypic strains (G2P[6] (36%), homotypic, G1P[8] (32%) and mixed infections (19%) raises concerns about the effects of the vaccination on the rotavirus diversity, considering the selective pressure that rotavirus vaccines could exert on viral populations. This data indicates that the rotavirus vaccine has generally reduced the severity of diarrhoea despite the detection of the virus strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Simwaka
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- * E-mail:
| | - Mapaseka Seheri
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO/AFRO), Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Gina Mulundu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Patrick Kaonga
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Teaching Hospital, Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition Group, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Jason M. Mwenda
- Department of Virology, Diarrhoea Pathogens Research Unit and WHO AFRO Rotavirus Regional Reference Laboratory, South African Medical Research Council, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Roma Chilengi
- Center for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Evans Mpabalwani
- Department of Paediatric and Child Health, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Sody Munsaka
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
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Mufwambi W, Stingl J, Masimirembwa C, Manasa J, Nhachi C, Stadler N, Mwila C, Kalungia AC, Mukosha M, Mutiti CS, Kamoto A, Kaonga P, Godman B, Munkombwe D. Healthcare Professionals' Knowledge of Pharmacogenetics and Attitudes Towards Antimicrobial Utilization in Zambia: Implications for a Precision Medicine Approach to Reducing Antimicrobial Resistance. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:551522. [PMID: 33510634 PMCID: PMC7835886 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.551522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Sub-Saharan Africa and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have the highest rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) driven by high rates of antimicrobial utilization. This is a concern as AMR appreciably increases morbidity, mortality and costs. Pharmacogenetics (PGx) and precision medicine are emerging approaches to combat AMR. Consequently, as a first step there is a need to assess AMR knowledge and attitudes, and knowledge of PGx, among healthcare professionals and use the findings to guide future interventions. Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 304 healthcare professionals at tertiary hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyze relationships among latent variables. Results: Overall correctness of answers concerning AMR among healthcare professionals was 60.4% (7/11). Knowledge of pharmacogenetics was low (38%). SEM showed that high AMR knowledge score correlated with a positive attitude toward combating AMR (p < 0.001). Pharmacists had relatively higher AMR knowledge scores (mean = 7.67, SD = 1.1), whereas nurses had lower scores (mean = 5.57, SD = 1.9). A minority of respondents [31.5% (n = 95)] indicated that poor access to local antibiogram data promoted AMR, with the majority [56.5% (n = 190)] responding that poor adherence to prescribed antimicrobials can lead to AMR. Pharmacists had the highest scores for attitude (mean = 5.60, SD = 1.6) whereas nurses had the lowest scores (mean = 4.02, SD = 1.4). Conclusion: AMR knowledge and attitudes, as well as knowledge on PGx among healthcare professionals in Zambia, is sub-optimal and has the potential to affect the uptake of precision medicine approaches to reduce AMR rates. Educational and positive behavioral change interventions are required to address this and in future, we will be seeking to introduce these to improve the use of antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Webrod Mufwambi
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- African Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology, Harare, Zimbabwe
- University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Julia Stingl
- RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Justen Manasa
- African Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology, Harare, Zimbabwe
- University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Charles Nhachi
- University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Nadina Stadler
- Research Division, Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, Bonn, Germany
| | - Chiluba Mwila
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Moses Mukosha
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Chenai S. Mutiti
- African Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology, Harare, Zimbabwe
- University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Alfred Kamoto
- African Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology, Harare, Zimbabwe
- University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Patrick Kaonga
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition Group, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Brian Godman
- Division of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Rankuwa, South Africa
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Derick Munkombwe
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
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8
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Amadi B, Zyambo K, Chandwe K, Besa E, Mulenga C, Mwakamui S, Siyumbwa S, Croft S, Banda R, Chipunza M, Chifunda K, Kazhila L, VanBuskirk K, Kelly P. Adaptation of the small intestine to microbial enteropathogens in Zambian children with stunting. Nat Microbiol 2021; 6:445-454. [PMID: 33589804 PMCID: PMC8007472 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-020-00849-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Environmental enteropathy is a major contributor to growth faltering in millions of children in Africa and South Asia. We carried out a longitudinal, observational and interventional study in Lusaka, Zambia, of 297 children with stunting (aged 2-17 months at recruitment) and 46 control children who had good growth (aged 1-5 months at recruitment). Control children contributed data only at baseline. Children were provided with nutritional supplementation of daily cornmeal-soy blend, an egg and a micronutrient sprinkle, and were followed up to 24 months of age. Children whose growth did not improve over 4-6 months of nutritional supplementation were classified as having non-responsive stunting. We monitored microbial translocation from the gut lumen to the bloodstream in the cohort with non-responsive stunting (n = 108) by measuring circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS-binding protein and soluble CD14 at baseline and when non-response was declared. We found that microbial translocation decreased with increasing age, such that LPS declined in 81 (75%) of 108 children with non-responsive stunting, despite sustained pathogen pressure and ongoing intestinal epithelial damage. We used confocal laser endomicroscopy and found that mucosal leakiness also declined with age. However, expression of brush border enzyme, nutrient transporter and mucosal barrier genes in intestinal biopsies did not change with age or correlate with biomarkers of microbial translocation. We propose that environmental enteropathy arises through adaptation to pathogen-mediated epithelial damage. Although environmental enteropathy reduces microbial translocation, it does so at the cost of impaired growth. The reduced epithelial surface area imposed by villus blunting may explain these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Amadi
- grid.12984.360000 0000 8914 5257Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition Group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Kanekwa Zyambo
- grid.12984.360000 0000 8914 5257Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition Group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Kanta Chandwe
- grid.12984.360000 0000 8914 5257Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition Group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Ellen Besa
- grid.12984.360000 0000 8914 5257Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition Group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Chola Mulenga
- grid.12984.360000 0000 8914 5257Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition Group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Simutanyi Mwakamui
- grid.12984.360000 0000 8914 5257Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition Group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Stepfanie Siyumbwa
- grid.12984.360000 0000 8914 5257Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition Group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Sophie Croft
- grid.4868.20000 0001 2171 1133Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Rose Banda
- grid.12984.360000 0000 8914 5257Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition Group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Miyoba Chipunza
- grid.12984.360000 0000 8914 5257Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition Group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Kapula Chifunda
- grid.12984.360000 0000 8914 5257Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition Group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Lydia Kazhila
- grid.12984.360000 0000 8914 5257Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition Group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Kelley VanBuskirk
- grid.12984.360000 0000 8914 5257Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition Group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Paul Kelly
- grid.12984.360000 0000 8914 5257Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition Group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia ,grid.4868.20000 0001 2171 1133Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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Klemperer KM, Reust MJ, Lee MH, Corstjens PLAM, van Dam GJ, Mazigo HD, Dupnik KM, Downs JA. Plasma Endotoxin Levels Are Not Increased in Schistosoma mansoni-Infected Women without Signs or Symptoms of Hepatosplenic Disease. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 102:1382-1385. [PMID: 32124718 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Elevated circulating endotoxin levels in the plasma of patients with advanced hepatosplenic schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mansoni have been reported, possibly caused by parasite egg-induced intestinal mucosal breaches facilitating bacterial access to the bloodstream. Neither endotoxin levels in people with S. mansoni but without hepatosplenic disease nor the impact of treatment on endotoxin levels have been described. We used a methodically optimized Limulus amebocyte lysate assay to measure plasma endotoxin in community-dwelling women from an S. mansoni-endemic area without clinical hepatosplenic disease. We found no difference in baseline mean plasma endotoxin levels between those with (n = 22) and without (n = 31) infection (1.001 versus 0.949 EU/mL, P = 0.61). Endotoxin levels did not change in schistosome-infected women after successful treatment (1.001 versus 1.093 EU/mL, P = 0.45) and were not correlated with circulating anodic antigen or stool egg burden. Our findings do not support the hypothesis that translocating eggs in S. mansoni infection introduce bacterial sources of endotoxin to the circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M Klemperer
- St John's College, Cambridge University, Cambridge, United Kingdom.,Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | | | - Myung Hee Lee
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Paul L A M Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Govert J van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Humphrey D Mazigo
- Department of Parasitology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Kathryn M Dupnik
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Jennifer A Downs
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York.,Department of Medicine, Bugando Medical Center, Mwanza, Tanzania
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Marie C, Ali A, Chandwe K, Petri WA, Kelly P. Pathophysiology of environmental enteric dysfunction and its impact on oral vaccine efficacy. Mucosal Immunol 2018; 11:1290-1298. [PMID: 29988114 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-018-0036-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) refers to a subclinical disorder of intestinal function common in tropical countries and in settings of poverty and economic disadvantage. The enteropathy that underlies this syndrome is characterized by mucosal inflammation and villus blunting mediated by T cell activation. Epithelial cell disruption and microbial translocation drive systemic inflammation. EED in young children is associated geographically with growth failure, malnutrition, and greatly impaired responses to oral vaccines, notably rotavirus and poliovirus vaccines. In this review, we describe the pathophysiology of EED and examine the evidence linking EED and oral vaccine failure. This evidence is far from conclusive. Although our understanding of EED is still sketchy, there is limited evidence of disturbed innate immunity, B cell disturbances including aggregation into lymphoid follicles, and autoantibody generation. Pathways of T cell activation and the possibility of dendritic cell anergy, which could help explain oral vaccine failure, require further work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea Marie
- The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Asad Ali
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Kanta Chandwe
- Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Paul Kelly
- Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia. .,Barts & The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4AT, UK.
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