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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1977

Intensive fattening of beef cattle by stall feeding on the Lilongwe Plain, Malawi. III. Comparative productivity of Malawi zebu and Friesian X Malawi zebu steers.

Beef fattening experiments were undertaken on the Lilonge Plain with Malawi zebu (Mz) and Friesian X Malawi zebu (F X Mz) steers. Animals were fattened under various dietary regimes based on either green forage crops or crop residues supplemented with concentrate rations of local origin. Mz steers consumed less feed and liveweight gain was approximately 75 per cent that of the F X Mz. Measurement of the efficiency parameters of feed conversion, gain and carcass yield per unit of liveweight revealed no significant differences between the two breed types. Slaughter observations indicated better fat distribution in the F X Mz and a significantly higher proportion of hindquarter. The significance of the results is discussed.

Animal Feed↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Infectious causes of infertility/abortion of cattle in Malawi.

A survey to demonstrate the presence or absence in Malawi of Vibriosis, Brucellosis, Trichomoniasis and Rift Valley Fever was carried out during 1974-1976. 4,876 serum samples were collected from Zebu cattle from 231 dip tanks throughout the country and 145 serum samples were taken from exotic cattle at 14 estates. Sheath washings were collected from 295 bulls representing indigenous Zebus and 54 bulls representing exotic cattle from all parts of Malawi. 245 vaginal mucus samples were taken from exotic breeds and 106 from Malawi Zebus. Vibriosis was found in 34 indigenous bulls and in 6 exotic bulls, 11,5 pct. and 11.1 pct. respectively. 33 vaginal mucus samples from exotic cattle of 13.4 of the samples examined were positive, corresponding to 53.8 pct. of the herds examined. From Malawi Zebus 16 vaginal samples or 15.1 pct. of the samples examined were positive. 5 of the Malawi Zebus tested for Brucellosis using S.A.T. contained a minimum of 100 IU/ml.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed2026

Genomic epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance profile of Shigella isolated from diarrhoea diseases in under-five children in Blantyre, Malawi.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Shigella is rising globally, complicating shigellosis management. Whole-genome sequence analysis (WGSA) has advanced our understanding of AMR and transmission dynamics, yet contemporary whole-genome sequencing data from Shigella in sub-Saharan Africa remain scarce. In this study, we applied WGSA to 27 Shigella isolates collected from children presenting with diarrhoea at Ndirande Health Centre in Malawi (2022-2023), as part of the Enterics for Global Health Shigella surveillance study. Serotyping, AMR profiling and phylogenetic analysis revealed Shigella sonnei as the dominant serogroup, with distinct genetic clustering relative to global reference strains among S. sonnei, Shigella flexneri and Shigella boydii. We identified 16 AMR genes linked to ten antimicrobial classes with qnrS1 and qnrB19 genes conferring resistance to fluoroquinolone, alongside IncFIB(K) and IncFII plasmid replicon markers. Importantly, no azithromycin resistance determinants were detected both genotypically and phenotypically, providing baseline evidence that warrants continued surveillance of current first-line treatment. However, the detection of fluoroquinolone resistance genes with plasmid replicon markers in the absence of phenotypic resistance might indicate a silent reservoir with epidemic potential. This is the first contemporary Shigella data from a large-scale diarrhoea disease surveillance study in Malawi, providing essential baseline information for guiding antibiotic treatment and future vaccine development efforts, contributing to the efforts to combat shigellosis in Malawi and other similar regions.

Humans↗
PubMed1979

The epidemiology of fascioliasis in Malawi: I. The epidemiology in the intermediate host.

Fasciola gigantica Cobbold was studied in the intermediate host snail. On snail survey Lymnaea natalensis Krauss was the species found responsible for the transmission of Fasciola gigantica in Malawi. The ecology of this snail was studied at 5 different habitats spread throughout Malawi. The snail population was recorded high from April to October. The epidemiological cycle of Fasciola gigantica in the snail was determined and it was shown that snail infection was high in April and May and thus more metacercariae are released in August to October following such an infection. To complete the epidemiological picture studies reported separately were done involving the definitive host.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Intensive fattening of beef cattle by stall feeding on the Lilongwe Plain, Malawi. I. Type of forage and level and type of supplementation.

Experiments were undertaken with Malawi zebu steers over three wet seasons to investigate the effects of feeding improved forages (zero grazed) and supplements on animal performance. The forages fed were Guinea grass and pearl millet and the supplements maize: madeya (maize bran) or maize: madeya: cottonweed cake. The daily allowance of supplement was, on a DM basis, liveweight equivalent to 0-6, 1-1 or 1-5 per cent of cattle (1973, 1974). In 1975 the supplementation treatments were nil, maize: madeya or leucaena fed at 0-6 per cent liveweight. Daily gains of steers were similar with both forages except in 1975 when those fed on pearl millet grew 19 per cent faster than those on Guinea grass. The performance of steers was increased with supplementation only where forage quality declined. The significance of the results are discussed.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1977

Incidence and causes of blindness among the under 5 age group in Malawi.

The expected incidence of blindness among children under 5 years of age in Malawi is 34 cases per 100 000 children. Direct ocular infections were responsible for the blindness in 32% of the cases (bacterial infections 20% and measles 12%). The instillation of traditional medicine in these cases worsened the ocular condition and induced in all of the cases a "hopeless" situation of total melting of the cornea and protrusion of the uvea. Congenital factors (excluding retinoblastomas) were responsible for 30-8% of the blind cases. Among these, 11 cases of congenital cataracts were successfully treated and will not appear as blind in future. A high incidence (9-3%) of cortical blindness was recorded. Trauma was implicated in 5-3%, while retinoblastoma was found in 8%. It is believed that adequate preventive measures should be able to lower the incidence of blindness among this age group to 5 cases instead of 34 per 100 000 children.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1979

Solar keratosis, pterygium, and squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva in Malawi.

The histological features of 234 conjunctival biopsies from Africans in Malawi have been re-examined. The appearances of solar keratosis, pinguecula, and pterygium are presented as part of a continuous spectrum of the same pathological process and aetiology, which may lead to carcinomatous change. The results are discussed with regard to the specific geographical distribution of such lesions found by other workers, with particular emphasis on ultraviolet radiation as the main aetiological factor.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed2025

Diversity of Salmonella enterica isolates from urban river and sewage water in Blantyre, Malawi.

BACKGROUND: Salmonella enterica encompasses over 2,600 serovars, including several commonly associated with severe infection in humans. Salmonella is a major cause of sepsis in Africa; however, diagnosis requires clinical microbiology facilities. Environmental surveillance has the potential to play a role in Salmonella surveillance. METHODS: We undertook water-based environmental surveillance in Blantyre, Malawi, from 2018-2020, taking samples from rivers (87.9%), a sewage plant (8.85%) and other water sources (3.24%), isolating and storing 1,042 non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) isolates in this period. Of these, 341 NTS isolates were whole genome sequenced, genome quality was checked, duplicate genomes from any given sample were removed and core genome phylogeny was reconstructed. AMRFinder, PathogenWatch and SISTR were used to further investigate serovar, sequence type and antimicrobial resistance determinants. RESULTS: After quality checks, and removal of duplicate genomes, 270 NTS genomes remained for further analysis. Multiple Salmonella serovars associated with human infection were detected, of which S. Typhimurium (55/270 isolates) was the most common, including 44 of Sequence Type (ST) 313, a serovar commonly associated with severe invasive disease (iNTS). Six lineage 2 ST313 genomes possessed AMR genes predicting multidrug resistance (MDR), while 29 lineage 3 isolates contained no AMR predictive genes. PCR based detection of staG has been proposed as a diagnostic marker of S. Typhi; however, all eight genomes that contained staG identified as Salmonella enterica serovar Orion, raising concerns about the specificity of this marker as a monoplex for environmental surveillance of S. Typhi. DISCUSSION: The study identified diverse Salmonella serovars in the environment, including those reported to cause invasive disease, emphasizing the complex but potentially valuable contribution of implementing environmental surveillance for Salmonella in high burden areas lacking diagnostic microbiology capacity.

Sewage↗
PubMed1977

Primary carcinoma of the liver. A histological study of 27 cases of primary carcinoma of the liver from Malawi.

Liver biopsies from 27 Bantu patients with primary carcinoma of the liver from Malawi were examined histologically. All the biopsies showed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Structurally the tumours consisted of trabeculae or groups of such, separated by a variable amount of connective tissue which in a few cases was so pronounced that the tumour had a scirrhous character. Evaluation of the grade of differentiation showed 3 cases to be of grade I, 10 of grade II, 5 of grade III, and 8 of grade IV. The grade could bary in tumour tissue from the same patient, but never extremely so. The histological structure did not differ significantly from that found in other African and Caucasian series. The reticulin structure of tumour tissue was found distinctly different from that of benign tissue and thus an important tool in the differential diagnosis between HCC grade I and normal or cirrhotic liver tissue. Out of 15 patients 12 had cirrhosis which was of the postnecrotic type.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Primary carcinoma of the liver in Malawi: a review of 24 cases.

A consecutive series of 24 cases of primary carcinoma of the liver in Malawi has been investigated. Histologically, all were hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). All patients were African Bantus, the average age was 42.7, and the sex ratio was men 3.5:women 1. The duration of symptoms attributable to HCC was about 5 months previous to admission to hospital and was in no case preceded by clinically manifest cirrhosis. The clinical picture was rather uniform with pain in the region of the liver, emaciation and nodular hepatomegaly as the most important features. One of the patients had repeated attacks of hypoglycaemic coma. Sera from 11 out of 13 patients contained alpha-feto-protein. Hepatitis-associated antigen and antibody in the serum were found in 7 and 6 out of 16 and 14 cases respectively. Serum B12 and serum unsaturated B12 binding capacity were moderately raised in most patients. The prognosis was poor, the average time of survival was 4.8 weeks after admission. The cause of death was most frequently hepatic coma. HCC in the African Bantu shows some different features from the same disease in the Western Hemisphere: The incidence is much higher; the patients are younger. The neoplasm commonly develops in a clinically latent cirrhosis. The latter is not caused by alcohol, but is presumably a sequel of hepatitis. It is possible that aflatoxin is the carcinogenic factor, acting more readily in a cirrhotic than in a normal liver.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of bovine subclinical mastitis in Malawi.

A survey comprising 934 cows of a total of 1180 from 22 dairy herds and the examination of bulk milk samples from 273 small-holders was carried out. At the time of sampling all known dairy herds and small-holders in Malawi were examined. Since relative few infections other than Staph. aureus and Str. agalactiae were revealed in the first 12 herds where quartermilk samples were taken composite milk samples (all four quarters into one sample) were taken in the remainder of the herds. The results of the survey are shown in Tables I a, b, c and II a and b. The major problems were infections caused by Str. agalactiae and Staph. aureus. The amount of pathological secretion was low compared to countries with a developed dairy industry such as Denmark.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

The nutritional status of children ages 0-5 years in Nkhotakota, Malawi.

A nutritional status survey of children aged 0-5 years was carried out in a lake shore district in Malawi. Anthropometric and clinical studies indicated a high overall prevalence (14%) of Protein-Calorie Malnutrition (PCM), particularly among the 1- to 1 1/2-year-olds. Few signs of vitamin deficiencies were seen but iron deficient anaemia was common at all ages, 68% being below the acceptable haemoglobin level. Sixty percent of children had malaria parasitaemia and 25% conjunctivitis. Under-five mortality was estimated to lie between 31 and 44%. Muslim children had a higher mortality and prevalence of PCM and fewer of their fathers had been to school. It is suspected that many cases of undernutrition go unrecognized because of uniform stunting occurs and ages are not known. It is recommended therefore that medical units use a local calendar, similar to that evolved for the survey, in order to estimate ages more accurately.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Kaposi's sarcoma: histopathological study of 159 cases from Malawi.

The histological features of 168 lesions of Kaposi's sarcoma from 159 patients in Malawi, where the disease is commoner than elsewhere, were characteristic. All showed well-developed areas of tumour and could be grouped fairly readily into those with a mixed pattern, a predominantly spindle cell pattern, and an anaplastic group, though intermediate patterns were seen. Hyaline bodies were present in nearly all tumours of skin. The cell of origin of Kaposi's sarcoma is uncertain and possibly has multipotential capabilities. Differential diagnosis may be difficult. Clinically the lesion may be confused with granuloma pyogenicum and may also be like it histologically. The presence of hyaline bodies and deposits of haemosiderin indicate Kaposi's sarcoma. The spindle cell predominant type may be confused with leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma, or fibrosarcoma. The presence of hyaline bodies and the formation of vascular channels between spindle cells point to a diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma.

Child↗
PubMed1978

Stocking rate and the productivity of Rhodes grass pastures on the Lilongwe Plain, Malawi.

An experiment was undertaken over three wet (summer) seasons to investigate the effects of different set stocking rates on animal performance from fertilised Rhodes grass pastures. The three set stocking rates were 2.5, 5 and 7.5 livestock-units/ha (1 livestock unit=342 kg liveweight). Pasture productivity was related to stocking intensity. Animal gain per hectare was directly related to stocking rate. Gain per animal, gain per livestock unit and number of grazing days were all inversely proportional to stocking rate. Animals on the low stocking rate were carried through almost to the end of the dry (winter) season with only small changes in liveweight. The practical significance of the results is discussed.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1977

Intensive fattening of beef cattle by stall feeding on the Lilongwe Plain, Malawi. II. Utilisation of crop residues, crop by-products and leucaena.

Experiments were conducted over three dry seasons to investigate the value for fattening beef cattle, of crop residues (maize stover, groundnut haulm) and madeya (maize bran) with varying levels of dried leucaena leaf or cottonseed cake. The inclusion of groundnut haulm in the roughage increased animal performance when madeya was restricted. Increasing the protein content of the madeya supplement but restricting the quantity of madeya fed did not influence liveweight gain although the efficiency of concentrate conversion was enhanced. Restricting the amount of maize stover and feeding madeya to appetite had no significant effect on liveweight gain, but the inclusion of leucaena up to a level of 12 per cent crude protein improved animal performance. There were no differences between cottonseed cake or leucaena when fed with madeya at the same levels of crude protein.

Animal Feed↗