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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1979

[Symptoms of rabies in pets and domestic animals in South Africa and South West Africa (author's transl)].

The most obvious symptoms of rabies in farm animals and pets in South Africa and South-West Africa are discussed in the light of information obtained during routine examination of specimens for the 10-year-period 1967--1976. More than 55% of the cases encountered were cattle in which the most obvious symptoms were salivation (92%), bellowing (69%), aggressiveness (47%), paresis or paralysis (30%) and straining (12%). Unlike cattle, the most obvious symptom in goats was aggressiveness (83%). Salivation was observed in ony 29% of goats but, like bellowing in cattle, bleating was very obvious in 72% of cases. Sheep were usually quiet, but 67% were aggressive. Salivation was observed in 30%, while 27% showed an abnormal sexual desire. The second highest incidence of rabies was recorded in dogs (20%). Aggressiveness was the most obvious symptom (71%) followed by salivation (48%), paresis and paralysis (28%) and barking (11%). With the exception of salivation and paresis, which were rarely encountered, aggressiveness was the only symptom observed in cats. Several cats were encountered with rabies-like symptoms due to organic phosphate poisoning. The most obvious symptoms in horses and donkeys were aggressiveness (77%), paresis or paralysis 33%), the chewing of foreign matter (33%) and salivation 22%). It is obvious that other conditions can easily be confused with rabies. Therefore every possible cause for rabies-like behaviour must be considered and eliminated to avoid unnecessary destruction of animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

A survey of obstetric anaesthesia in the Republic of South Africa and South West Africa.

In this report we analyse the results of a questionaire sent to 341 hospitals throughout the Republic and South West Africa, asking for details of their caesarean section rate and obstetric anesthetic techniques used. Non-specialist practitioners provided 90% of anaesthetic services in the 131 (38,4%) hospitals from which replies were received. General anaesthesia was used in preference to regional anaesthesia in 90% of these hospitals. Of the institutions surveyed, 24% used neither stomach emptying nor antacid therapy pre-operatively. These and other results pertaining to their choice of anaesthetic agents and techniques are presented and discussed.

Anesthesia, Conduction↗
PubMed1979

The role played by wildlife in the epizootiology of rabies in South Africa and South-West Africa.

The role played by wildlife in the perpetuation of rabies is discussed in the light of information obtained during a routine examination of specimens at the Veterinary Research Institute, Onderstepoort, during the 10-year period, 1967-1976. In the course of the investigation, 9 additional hosts of rabies were confirmed and 4 rabies areas identified. The chief disseminators in 2 of these areas were found to be the dog (Canis familiaris) and the black-backed jackal (C. mesomelas); in the third area, the yellow mongoose (Cynictis penicillata), and in the fourth Genetta and Felis spp., including the domestic cat (Felis catis). It was noted that the domestic cat is of less importance in those areas where dogs and jackals are the chief disseminators.

Animal Population Groups↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Tuberculosis in tropical Africa. Tuberculosis primary infection: some clinical aspects in tropical Africa].

A review of 140 cases of tuberculous patent primary infections from the hospital of Abidjan University and from an antituberculous unit. The disease begins slowly, general condition is rapidly altered, ventilation troubles are very frequent and so are complications as meningitis and miliary dissemination. In 11,4 p. cent of the cases, measles occurred before the primo-infection. In 38 p. cent of the cases the source of contamination could be identified and in one out of two cases, the mother proved to be responsible for it.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Geographical distribution of HBs Ag in Africa.

The incidence of HBs Ag carrier is high in Africa. The HBs Ag subtypes vary in 5 mean areas of the Africa continent. The subtype ayw4(a3) is the most characteristic African subtype, being found with a striking frequency in West Africa (88.8%). In North Africa ayw2(a21) is predominant as in other mediterranean countries. In Saharan area mixed types of HBs Ag are found, intermediary between North and West Africa. In Central Africa y is predominantly associated with w2(a21) or with w4(a3). In east and South Africa ad is largely predominant and the most widespread subtype is adw2(a21). No adr, nor adw4 were found in Africa.

Africa↗
PubMed2026

MERS-CoV in the Middle East and Africa: from surveillance gaps in humans and dromedary camels to One Health frameworks for spillover, prevention, research and response preparedness.

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) remains a low-incidence but high-consequence zoonotic coronavirus threat. Since its identification in Saudi Arabia in 2012, more than 2600 laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported from 27 countries, most from the Arabian Peninsula; the reported case fatality ratio is high but probably overestimates infection fatality because mild and asymptomatic infections are under-detected. Dromedary camels across the Middle East, North Africa, East Africa, the Horn of Africa, and parts of the Sahel show extensive evidence of MERS-CoV infection or exposure, yet PCR-confirmed human disease has rarely been reported from Africa. This "Africa paradox" is one of the most important unresolved issues in MERS-CoV epidemiology. We propose a dromedary camel-centered One Health framework for the connected Middle East-Africa dromedary belt. The framework is organized around two linked barriers: an upstream barrier that detects and reduces zoonotic spillover at the camel-human interface, and a downstream healthcare barrier that prevents amplification after human infection occurs. Preparedness should include sentinel surveillance for severe acute respiratory infection and atypical pneumonia in camel-exposed populations, linked animal-human genomic surveillance, culturally respectful and occupationally practical risk reduction, rapid diagnostic pathways, healthcare infection prevention and control, mass-gathering and travel preparedness, and preapproved research platforms. A Middle East-Africa preparedness compact aligned with the International Health Regulations, One Health governance, and equitable pathogen access and benefit sharing could transform fragmented surveillance into a standing transregional system for early detection, prevention, and research-ready response.

Africa paradox↗
PubMed1978

Cystic fibrosis in Southern Africa. Including the preparation of a register of carriers and potential carriers.

Little has been published on cystic fibrosis (CF) in Whites in southern Africa, and no figures as to incidence exist. A register of CF patients, their parents (obligatory carriers), siblings, uncles, aunts and first cousins (potential carriers) has been compiled for southern Africa. The degree of co-operation shown by colleagues and by families whose addresses have been provided by them, and possible reasons for non-co-operation are discussed. From the numbers and birth dates of patients a rough estimate of the incidence in the Republic of South Africa, South West Africa and Rhodesia has been made. In all three regions, but especially in South Africa, incidence is likely to have been underestimated. Details available from the register include the number of CF patients alive and dead, those who presented with meconium ileus, the number of affected patients per family, consanguinity among the parents or grandparents, the frequency with which identical surnames were encountered, and the sibship sizes of all those on the register. Towns and districts with a population rich in the CF gene are mentioned. The number of potential carriers has been determined, so that they can be screened when a practicable detection test is devised. The register has answered a number of questions about CF in southern Africa. It has focused attention on the disease in the region and played a major catalytic role in the formation of the Southern African Cystic Fibrosis Association.

Child↗
PubMed2022

Genetic structure correlates with ethnolinguistic diversity in eastern and southern Africa.

African populations are the most diverse in the world yet are sorely underrepresented in medical genetics research. Here, we examine the structure of African populations using genetic and comprehensive multi-generational ethnolinguistic data from the Neuropsychiatric Genetics of African Populations-Psychosis study (NeuroGAP-Psychosis) consisting of 900 individuals from Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda. We find that self-reported language classifications meaningfully tag underlying genetic variation that would be missed with consideration of geography alone, highlighting the importance of culture in shaping genetic diversity. Leveraging our uniquely rich multi-generational ethnolinguistic metadata, we track language transmission through the pedigree, observing the disappearance of several languages in our cohort as well as notable shifts in frequency over three generations. We find suggestive evidence for the rate of language transmission in matrilineal groups having been higher than that for patrilineal ones. We highlight both the diversity of variation within Africa as well as how within-Africa variation can be informative for broader variant interpretation; many variants that are rare elsewhere are common in parts of Africa. The work presented here improves the understanding of the spectrum of genetic variation in African populations and highlights the enormous and complex genetic and ethnolinguistic diversity across Africa.

Africa, Southern↗
PubMed2025

Identifying genomic surveillance gaps in Africa for the global public health response to West Nile virus: a systematic review.

West Nile virus (WNV) is a priority pathogen that poses a high risk for public health emergencies of global concern. Although WNV is endemic to Africa, only few (n=63) whole genomic sequences are available from the continent. In this Review, we examined the status of the molecular testing and genomic sequencing of WNV across Africa and mapped its global spatiotemporal spread. WNV has been detected in 39 African countries, the Canary Islands, and Réunion Island. Although publications, including those with molecular data, originated from 24 of these countries, genomic sequences were available from only 16 countries. Our analysis identified regions with detected viral circulation but without molecular surveillance. The current literature has substantial knowledge gaps in terms of the disease burden, molecular epidemiology, and distribution of WNV in Africa. Addressing these gaps requires an integrated One Health surveillance approach, which is challenging to establish. We propose three key surveillance needs that could improve the current understanding of the WNV disease burden in Africa, to strengthen the global public health response to this vector-borne disease.

West Nile Fever↗
PubMed2026

Spatiotemporal patterns of Rift Valley fever virus in Africa: a retrospective genomic epidemiology and phylodynamic modelling study.

BACKGROUND: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic pathogen causing outbreaks in humans and ruminants across Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Originally restricted to the Great Rift Valley, RVFV has expanded geographically, prompting its classification by WHO as a pathogen of pandemic potential. We investigated the evolutionary and spatial dynamics of RVFV across Africa. METHODS: We used genomic data generated at the International Livestock Research Institute Nairobi genomic laboratory (BioProject PRJNA1106221) and combined with publicly available datasets retrieved from the National Center for Biotechnology (NCBI) GenBank nucleotide database. In retrieving RVFV genome sequences from the NCBI GenBank, we applied the search terms "Rift Valley fever virus segment L AND 6404[SLEN]", "Rift Valley fever virus segment M AND 3885[SLEN]", and "Rift Valley fever virus segment S AND 1520:1690[SLEN]" for L (Large), M (Medium), and S (Small) segments, respectively. For sequences without additional spatiotemporal information, we searched PubMed to extract the associated sequence metadata. We performed molecular clock analysis, phylogenetic inference, phylodynamic modelling (continuous phylogeographic reconstruction), and landscape phylogeography on the three RVFV genome segments (L, M, and S). We aimed to assess evolutionary rates, dispersal patterns, and environmental drivers. Focus was placed on lineage C, the most widely distributed variant. FINDINGS: The global dataset used in this study consisted of large (n=236), medium (n=237), and small (n=247), which were further filtered to exclude potential reassortants and vaccine strains. Genome sequences retrieved from NCBI GenBank database comprised large (n=180), medium (n=184), and small (n=202). The genome sequences from retrospective human and livestock isolates comprised large (n=56), medium (n=53), and small (n=45) collected in Burundi (2018), Kenya (2007, 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022), and Rwanda (2018 and 2022). Our dataset revealed that RVFV exhibited low overall genetic diversity. Lineage C, however, showed evidence of active evolution, with substitution rates ranging from 3·58 × 10-4 to 9·76 × 10-4 substitutions per site per year. This lineage probably originated in Zimbabwe in the mid-1970s and has since expanded across eastern and southern Africa. Phylogeographic reconstructions revealed rapid spread, with diffusion coefficients exceeding 50 000 km2 per year. INTERPRETATION: Lineage C appears capable of establishing endemic transmission in new regions, with ongoing diversification observed during interepidemic periods. These observations reinforce the value of continuous genomic surveillance, particularly during cryptic transmission phases when adaptive mutations might emerge. Although further evidence is needed, observed trends in climate variability and land-use change point to the potential benefit of targeted surveillance in settings that could be at increased risk, including urban centres and wetlands. FUNDING: This work was supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Rift Valley fever virus↗
PubMed1979

[Epidemiologic features of pneumococcal meningitis in Africa. Clinical and serotypical aspects (author's transl)].

Pneumococcal meningitis, because of their frequency and their severity, are regarded as an important problem of Public Health in Africa. In a great number of African countries, particularly Equatorial and Central Africa, the pneumococcus is the first agent of bacterial meningitis. The annual prevalence is estimated as about 14/100 000 persons. The case fatality rate (on 1 600 cases) is 49,5% ; the annual mortality reaches about 7/100 000 (28 000 annual deaths in Africa). The babies and the old persons are more exposed to the risk, with an annual prevalence of 28,5/100 000 before five years old, and of 16,1/100 000 after sixty years old. The risk is small between five and forty five years old. The risk is very high in patients homozygous for sickle-cell disease. The spread of all detected serotypes, by descending frequency is : 1, 5, 6, 3, 23, 12, 2, 14, 9, 18, 19, 4, 8, 29, 40, others (Danish system of nomenclature). The distribution according to age is indicated by the authors. A vaccine with only 8 serotypes (1, 5, 6, 3, 23, 12, 2, 14) could cover 80% of serotypes in Dakar. For the babies, addition to pneumococcal vaccine with polyribose phosphate of Haemophilus influenzae b, could be useful, because high prevalence of meningitis with this germ before five years old in Africa.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Prevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies in Southern Africa.

An indirect fluorescent antibody survey of the prevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies was carried out on sera from 4 regions of Southern Africa (Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and South West Africa and Botswana). The overall prevalence of seropositivity at a titre of 1/16 or higher was 20% (of 3379 sera tested), the highest prevalence occurring in Blacks (34%) and Indians (33%) of Natal, and the lowest in San (Bushmen) (9%) and Whites (12%) of South West Africa and Botswana. Differences in prevalence in these areas, and between different ethnic groups, are discussed and compared with previous studies in Southern Africa. Climatic factors affecting prevalence and transmission are compared in relation to cyst and oöcyst survival. The marked differences in prevalence between the San (9%) and the Negroid Dama (27%), both inhabiting the arid Kalahari Desert, are discussed with reference to the lifestyles of these groups.

Antibodies↗
PubMed2026

Two domesticated species of rice shaped the population structure of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae in Africa.

African rice (Oryza glaberrima) was independently domesticated in West Africa around 3000 years ago, and has long been intertwined in the history of the region. Asian rice (Oryza sativa), which was introduced in Africa when European settlers arrived, gradually replaced African rice and has since dominated rice cultivation in the continent. Domesticated rice species are affected by bacterial leaf blight (BLB), which is caused by the pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). Here we show that the bacterial leaf blight pathogen in Africa (AfXoo) belongs to a distinct phylogroup from the one circulating in Asia (AsXoo), and has a different evolutionary history. Analysis of 87 AfXoo genomes identified five main populations, including highly clonal ones, and a more diverse and recombinant population. Tip-dating analysis revealed that the AfXoo population went through a period of expansion, then decline and more recent recovery. We hypothesize this followed the rise and fall of African rice, and that the introduction of O. sativa served as a bottleneck leading to the emergence of current AfXoo populations. We show that AfXoo has a highly conserved repertoire of type III effectors (T3E), but that nonetheless there is variation especially between populations. In the case of transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs), variation can arise quickly through rearrangements, and we hypothesize that the TALE repertoire of AfXoo has been selected to allow the bacteria to colonize both species of cultivated rice found in the continent. Our research provides an attempt to decipher the genetic history of bacterial blight in West Africa, and its past and present impact on rice cultivation in the region.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2026

Anthropometric and cardio-metabolic trait variation and genetic associations in sub-Saharan Africa.

The genetics of complex traits in Africa has been historically understudied, which can contribute to healthcare inequalities. Here, we present observations of 27 anthropometric, cardiovascular, and blood biomarker measurements across 2,124 individuals from sub-Saharan Africa for whom we also have dense genotype data. First, we identified trait values that differ significantly across populations and subsistence lifestyles (e.g., hemoglobin levels and height). We then identified traits with high degrees of sexual dimorphism (e.g., weight and grip strength). ADMIXTURE analyses revealed substantial population structure in our dataset, and many of the phenotypes studied here are correlated with genetic ancestry components, particularly skin color and body size traits. A variance partitioning approach further revealed traits in which much of the SNP heritability is due to polymorphisms that also contribute to differences between ancestry components. Following genomic imputation, we performed genome-wide association studies (GWASs) for all 27 traits and identified >100 independent autosomal SNPs with genome-wide significant associations for at least one trait (p < 5 &#xd7; 10-8). Many of these trait-associated variants are rare outside of Africa (minor-allele frequency [MAF] < 1%). We found that 100 kb windows surrounding the top GWAS hits from our African-ancestry cohort were enriched for trait associations in an identically sized European cohort and vice versa. We performed a more detailed analysis of height prediction from genetic data, finding that genome-wide admixture proportions predict height in Africans better than polygenic predictors based on large-scale European height GWASs.

Female↗
PubMed1977

Rheumatoid arthritis in a tribal Xhosa population in the Transkei, Southern Africa.

An epidemiological survey of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was undertaken in a tribal Xhosa community in the Transkei of Southern Africa. 577 respondents aged 18 and over were examined clinically and of these, 549 were investigated radiologically and 482 serologically. The presence of RA was then assessed by means of a modification of the Rome criteria, as used in previous comparable surveys. The prevalence of 'definite' RA in the adults aged 18 and over in this population was 0-68% and of 'probable' RA, 1-6%. The combined 'definite' and 'probable' prevalence was 2-2%. The relatively low prevalence of RA in this population is consistent with the results of other surveys in unsophisticated African Negro populations in West Africa and South Africa, and contrasts with the higher prevalence encountered in an urbanized South African Negro community and in populations in Europe and the USA.

Adolescent↗