Article
Infectious Diseases
Darlinda F. Jiba, Sulaiman Lakoh, Shuchao Wang, Wei Sun, Umu Barrie, Matilda N. Kamara, Abdulai Tejan Jalloh, Francis K. Tamba, George A. Yendewa, Jin-Wen Song, Guang Yang
Summary: There is a high prevalence of syphilis among people living with HIV in Sierra Leone, with older age and widowed population having higher syphilis seropositivity. Older age is an independent predictor of syphilis positivity. Therefore, we call for the integration of syphilis screening, treatment, and prevention in HIV services.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Quraish Sserwanja, Ivan Mufumba, Kassim Kamara, Milton W. Musaba
Summary: Understanding the specific factors related to skilled birth attendance (SBA) in rural and urban contexts is important for designing relevant strategies and programs. In Sierra Leone, SBA was higher in urban areas, with factors such as education level, exposure to mass media, and distance to the nearest health facility associated with higher odds of SBA. In rural areas, women living in the Southern, Northern, and Eastern regions, with higher education, exposure to mass media, and no difficulties with distance to the nearest health facility had higher odds of SBA.
Article
Immunology
Peterlyn E. Cummings, Sulaiman Lakoh, Sahr A. Yendewa, Samuel P. E. Massaquoi, Peter B. James, Foday Sahr, Gibrilla F. Deen, Robert A. Salata, Pelema Gevao, George A. Yendewa
Summary: This study investigated attitudes and hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccines among people with HIV in Sierra Leone. The majority of participants expressed vaccine hesitancy, with the most common reasons being a preference for natural immunity and concerns about profiteering. The study also found that being a Muslim and living in urban areas were associated with greater hesitancy, while getting tested for COVID-19 was associated with reduced hesitancy. These findings highlight the importance of addressing vaccine hesitancy to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake among people with HIV.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lauren E. Parmley, Kieran Hartsough, Oliver Eleeza, Akopon Bertin, Bockarie Sesay, Amon Njenga, Mame Toure, Ginika Egesimba, Haja Bah, Alex Bayoh, Abdulraheem Yakubu, Ellen A. B. Morrison, Susan Michaels-Strasser
Summary: Sierra Leone is facing the COVID-19 pandemic with a fragile health system after years of civil war and the Ebola outbreak, highlighting the importance of preparedness and continuity of care for vulnerable populations, including people living with HIV. Assessments conducted in Freetown revealed gaps in COVID-19 preparedness measures at healthcare facilities and community service points, indicating a need for improved training and supervision, especially in the context of expanding differentiated service delivery for HIV services.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Eva Vernooij, Francess Koker, Alice Street
Summary: This paper examines the coordination of patient care in a public referral hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and shows that coordination work relies on frequent small interventions and improvisations by multiple individuals. The study argues that individualized responsibility for 'making the system work' is essential for temporary repair and care of the health system. Understanding how responsibility for system repair is distributed and valued is crucial for developing sustainable repair systems.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Frieder Schaumburg, Jonathan Vas Nunes, Giulia Moennink, Abdul-Mac Falama, James Bangura, Hanna Matheron, Amara Conteh, Maxwell Sesay, Aminata Sesay, Martin P. Grobusch
Summary: Based on a microbiological study on chronic wound infections in Sierra Leone, high antimicrobial resistance rates were found in bacteria, suggesting that empirical systemic antibiotic therapy should not be used unless patients show signs of systemic infections, supporting the strategy of local wound care.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Leah A. Owens, Barbara Colitti, Ismail Hirji, Andrea Pizarro, Jenny E. Jaffe, Sophie Moittie, Kimberly A. Bishop-Lilly, Luis A. Estrella, Logan J. Voegtly, Jens H. Kuhn, Garret Suen, Courtney L. Deblois, Christopher D. Dunn, Carles Juan-Salles, Tony L. Goldberg
Summary: Infections with bacteria of the genus Sarcina are associated with gastric diseases of unclear etiology. Owens et al. show that infection with a distinct Sarcina species, Candidatus Sarcina troglodytae, is strongly associated with a lethal disease that affects sanctuary chimpanzees in Sierra Leone. Further research is needed to understand the potential role of Ca. S. troglodytae in the etiology of ENGS.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Isaac Bonuedi, Lukas Kornher, Nicolas Gerber
Summary: Seasonal variations in agriculture significantly impact household dietary diversity and food security, particularly during lean seasons. Access to local food markets plays a crucial role in ensuring households can consume diverse diets and maintain food security throughout the year.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
George A. Yendewa, Sulaiman Lakoh, Sahr A. Yendewa, Khadijah Bangura, Andres Tabernilla, Lucia Patino, Darlinda F. Jiba, Alren O. Vandy, Samuel P. Massaquoi, Nuno S. Osorio, Gibrilla F. Deen, Foday Sahr, Robert A. Salata, Eva Poveda
Summary: In Sierra Leone, HIV-1 subtype CRF02_AG is predominant with common resistance-associated mutations. Children, adolescents, and pregnant women show low susceptibility to the preferred first-line treatment regimens, indicating a need for better HIV drug resistance surveillance and access to improved ART options.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ning Zhao, Ishaq Sesay, Hong Tu, Frederick Yamba, Liang Lu, Yuhong Guo, Xiuping Song, Jun Wang, Xiaobo Liu, Yujuan Yue, Haixia Wu, Qiyong Liu
Summary: The study identified An. gambiae as the dominant Anopheles species in Freetown, Sierra Leone, with An. gambiae s.s. being the predominant species within the An. gambiae complex. Surveillance of seasonal fluctuation and high P. falciparum infection rates in Anopheles suggest that June to July and October to November are crucial periods for malaria control and prevention. The high frequency of kdr allele mutations in An. gambiae calls for close monitoring of vector susceptibility to insecticides and tracking of resistance mechanisms to develop more effective vector control measures and strategies.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Silvia Exenberger, Andreas Steidl, Aruna Kamara, Alexandra Huber
Summary: The study found that in addition to personal growth, there is also a collective growth dimension in the Sierra Leonean population, indicating societal changes along with individual transformations in response to stressful events. This suggests that a broader definition of posttraumatic growth is needed to incorporate different cultural and collective elements.
JOURNAL OF HAPPINESS STUDIES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
George A. Yendewa, Sulaiman Lakoh, Darlinda F. Jiba, Sahr A. Yendewa, Umu Barrie, Gibrilla F. Deen, Mohamed Samai, Jeffrey M. Jacobson, Foday Sahr, Robert A. Salata
Summary: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are a growing concern in low- and middle-income countries, particularly among people living with HIV. This study examined the association between NCDs and co-infections such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and tuberculosis (TB) in newly diagnosed individuals with HIV in Sierra Leone. The findings showed that liver fibrosis/cirrhosis was strongly associated with HBV and diabetes/prediabetes, while TB predicted diabetes/prediabetes and renal impairment was associated with proteinuria and hypertension. These results highlight the need for HIV programs that address NCDs and comorbidities.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
George A. Yendewa, Edmond J. Sellu, Rashid A. Kpaka, Peter B. James, Sahr A. Yendewa, Peterlyn E. Cummings, Lawrence M. Babawo, Samuel P. Massaquoi, Manal Ghazawi, Ponsiano Ocama, Sulaiman Lakoh, Lawrence S. S. Babawo, Robert A. Salata
Summary: This study developed a concise instrument to measure perceived HBV-related stigma in Sierra Leone. The 10-item HBV Stigma Scale demonstrated good internal consistency and validity, suitable for screening HBV-related stigma in Sierra Leone.
JOURNAL OF VIRAL HEPATITIS
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
George A. Yendewa, Gi-Ming Wang, Peter B. James, Samuel P. E. Massaquoi, Sahr A. Yendewa, Manal Ghazawi, Lawrence S. Babawo, Ponsiano Ocama, James B. W. Russell, Gibrilla F. Deen, Foday Sahr, Mustapha Kabba, Curtis Tatsuoka, Sulaiman Lakoh, Robert A. Salata
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the national prevalence of chronic HBV infection in Sierra Leone. Through a systematic review, it was found that the pooled prevalence of chronic HBV infection was 13.0%, with variations in different time periods.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Lucy Breakwell, Dennis Marke, Reinhard Kaiser, Alexandra Tejada-Strop, Matthew D. Pauly, Sonnia Jabbi, Sahr Yambasu, Hyacinte J. Kabore, Brock Stewart, Tom Sesay, Thomas T. Samba, Tonya Hayden, Saleem Kamili, Amara Jambai, Jan Drobeniuc, Tushar Singh, Rania A. Tohme, Annemarie Wasley
Summary: Sierra Leone has a high incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and the existing three-dose hepatitis B vaccine (HepB3) schedule has been shown to reduce the burden of HBV. However, the study suggests that the addition of a birth dose (HepB-BD) may further prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) and chronic HBV infection.
Letter
Rheumatology
Sindhu R. Johnson, Martin Aringer
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Biology
Ramon C. Hermida, Artemio Mojon, Jose R. Fernandez, Ramon G. Hermida-Ayala, Juan J. Crespo, Maria T. Rios, Manuel Dominguez-Sardina, Alfonso Otero, Michael H. Smolensky
Summary: Elevated asleep blood pressure and blunted sleep-time relative systolic blood pressure decline are significant prognostic markers of cardiovascular disease risk. Current hypertension guidelines overlook the importance of asleep blood pressure and recommend diagnosis based on office blood pressure measurements. Studies have shown that taking blood pressure-lowering medications at bedtime results in greater reduction of blood pressure and improved cardiovascular outcomes compared to morning intake.
CHRONOBIOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Antonio Aguilera, Ana Fuentes, Maria Cea, Raquel Carracedo, Laura Vinuela, Patricia Ordonez, Fatima Lopez-Fabal, Elena Saez, Ruben Cebrian, Alfredo Perez-Revilla, Sara Pereira, Adolfo De Salazar, Federico Garcia
Summary: This study tested a real-life sample pooling screening strategy to increase the diagnostic capacity of clinical laboratories and expand access to massive screening of hepatitis C.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Javier Crespo, Joaquin Cabezas, Antonio Aguilera, Marina Berenguer, Maria Buti, Xavier Forns, Federico Garcia, Javier Garcia-Samaniego, Manuel Hernandez-Guerra, Francisco Jorquera, Jeffrey Lazarus, Sabela Lens, Elisa Martro, Juan Antonio Pineda, Martin Prieto, Francisco Rodriguez-Frias, Manuel Rodriguez, Miguel Angel Serra, Juan Turnes, Raquel Dominguez-Hernandez, Miguel Angel Casado, Jose Luis Calleja
Summary: The Spanish Society of Digestive Pathology (SEPD), the Spanish Association for the Study of the Liver (AEEH), the Spanish Society of Infections and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC) and its Viral Hepatitis Study Group (GEHEP), with the endorsement of the Alliance for the Elimination of Viral Hepatitis in Spain (AEHVE), have developed a document for comprehensive diagnosis of viral hepatitis (B, C, and D) from a single blood sample. They propose an algorithm to analyze the rest of the viruses, including viral load, when a positive result for viral hepatitis or HIV is found in the blood sample. They also recommend ruling out previous hepatitis A virus infection and determining the HIV serology. Automated alerts and epidemiological monitoring should be initiated in case of a positive result for any of the viruses.
GASTROENTEROLOGIA Y HEPATOLOGIA
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Alexandre Perez-Gonzalez, Raquel Carballo, Alejandro Araujo-Ameijeiras, Raquel Abad, Carmen Navarro, Antonio Ocampo, Eva Poveda, Carmen Potel
Summary: This study aimed to characterize the carriage rate and risk factors of Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) among men who have sex with men (MSM) attending a sexual health unit. The results showed that the oropharyngeal carriage rate of Nm among MSM was 29%, similar in both HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals. Vaccination with MenACWY was associated with a low Nm carriage, suggesting routine vaccination of all MSM should be encouraged.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
George A. Yendewa, Gi-Ming Wang, Peter B. James, Samuel P. E. Massaquoi, Sahr A. Yendewa, Manal Ghazawi, Lawrence S. Babawo, Ponsiano Ocama, James B. W. Russell, Gibrilla F. Deen, Foday Sahr, Mustapha Kabba, Curtis Tatsuoka, Sulaiman Lakoh, Robert A. Salata
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the national prevalence of chronic HBV infection in Sierra Leone. Through a systematic review, it was found that the pooled prevalence of chronic HBV infection was 13.0%, with variations in different time periods.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Eva Poveda, Wendy Fitzgerald, Cristina Reglero, Alexandre Perez-Gonzalez, Ana Marino, Hortensia Alvarez, Nieves Valcarce, Josep Maria Llibre, Santiago Moreno Guillen, Maria Angeles Munoz Fernandez, Ezequiel Ruiz-Mateos, Leonid Margolis, Michael M. Lederman, Michael L. Freeman
Summary: Elite controllers (EC) had higher levels of plasma extracellular vesicle (EV)-associated cytokines compared to other people with HIV, and persistent controllers (PC) had higher levels than transient controllers (TC). EV-associated IL-18 could distinguish EC from ART-treated individuals, while EV-associated IL-3 and TRAIL could distinguish PC from TC. Further investigation is needed to understand the role of EV-cytokines in intercellular communication and endogenous control of HIV expression.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
George A. Yendewa, Edmond J. Sellu, Rashid A. Kpaka, Peter B. James, Sahr A. Yendewa, Peterlyn E. Cummings, Lawrence M. Babawo, Samuel P. Massaquoi, Manal Ghazawi, Ponsiano Ocama, Sulaiman Lakoh, Lawrence S. S. Babawo, Robert A. Salata
Summary: This study developed a concise instrument to measure perceived HBV-related stigma in Sierra Leone. The 10-item HBV Stigma Scale demonstrated good internal consistency and validity, suitable for screening HBV-related stigma in Sierra Leone.
JOURNAL OF VIRAL HEPATITIS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Anant Mishra, Tonderai Mabuto, Kate Shearer, Antonio Trujillo, Jonathan E. Golub, Christopher J. Hoffmann
Summary: Despite advances in HIV service delivery, challenges remain in translating evidence-based interventions into routine practice. Behavioural economics can help understand when and how behaviour deviates from traditional decision-making models. Clinical policies and implementation strategies that incorporate behavioural economics can improve the delivery of evidence-based interventions and health outcomes.
JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL AIDS SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Willington Amutuhaire, Frank Mulindwa, Barbara Castelnuovo, Nele Brusselaers, Jean-Marc Schwarz, Mutebi Edrisa, Simon Dujanga, Robert A. Salata, George A. Yendewa
Summary: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in adult Ugandan people with HIV initiating antiretroviral therapy. The findings showed that cardiometabolic risk factors were common in this population, highlighting the need for surveillance and management of comorbidities in Uganda and similar settings.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Hortensia Alvarez, Alicia Gutierrez-Valencia, Ana Marino, Abraham Saborido-Alconchel, Beatriz Calderon-Cruz, Alexandre Perez-Gonzalez, Jacobo Alonso-Dominguez, Ines Martinez-Barros, Maria Gallego-Rodriguez, Santiago Moreno, Teresa Aldamiz, Marta Montero-Alonso, Enrique Bernal, Carlos Galera, Josep M. Llibre, Eva Poveda, CoRIS Study Grp
Summary: This study assessed the dynamics of IP-10 and MIG levels in HIV-1 patients after initiating antiretroviral treatment (ART). The results showed a significant decline in IP-10 and MIG plasma levels following ART initiation, with greater declines in MIG levels in INSTI-based regimens. These findings suggest that HIV-1 viremia has a strong impact on IP-10 and MIG levels.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Javier Martinez-Sanz, Jorge Diaz-alvarez, Marta Rosas, Raquel Ron, Jose Antonio Iribarren, Enrique Bernal, Felix Gutierrez, Andres Ruiz Sancho, Noemi Cabello, Julian Olalla, Santiago Moreno, Sergio Serrano-Villar
Summary: The study suggests that a low CD4/CD8 ratio during HIV treatment is associated with immunosenescence. Data analysis shows that patients with a CD4/CD8 ratio less than 0.3 in the second year of ART have an increased risk of developing SNAEs in the next five years.
Article
Immunology
Peterlyn E. Cummings, Sulaiman Lakoh, Sahr A. Yendewa, Samuel P. E. Massaquoi, Peter B. James, Foday Sahr, Gibrilla F. Deen, Robert A. Salata, Pelema Gevao, George A. Yendewa
Summary: This study investigated attitudes and hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccines among people with HIV in Sierra Leone. The majority of participants expressed vaccine hesitancy, with the most common reasons being a preference for natural immunity and concerns about profiteering. The study also found that being a Muslim and living in urban areas were associated with greater hesitancy, while getting tested for COVID-19 was associated with reduced hesitancy. These findings highlight the importance of addressing vaccine hesitancy to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake among people with HIV.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Javier Crespo, Joaquin Cabezas, Antonio Aguilera, Agustin Albillos, Maria Buti, Jose Luis Calleja, Jorge Calvo Montes, Marta Casado Martin, Moises Diago, Conrado M. Fernandez Rodriguez, Inmaculada Fernandez Vazquez, Xavier Forns, Federico Garcia, Javier Garcia-Samaniego, Manuel Hernandez-Guerra de Aguilar, Francisco Jorquera, Jeffrey Lazarus, Sabela Lens, Elisa Martro, Jose Maria Molero Garcia, Maria Jose Pena Lopez, Juan Antonio Pineda, Manuel Rodriguez, Manuel Romero-Gomez, Gloria Sanchez Antolin, Miguel A. Serra Desfilis, Juan Turnes
REVISTA ESPANOLA DE ENFERMEDADES DIGESTIVAS
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Manal Ghazzawi, Sahr A. Yendewa, Peter B. James, Samuel P. Massaquoi, Lawrence S. Babawo, Foday Sahr, Gibrilla F. Deen, Mustapha Kabba, Ponsiano Ocama, Sulaiman Lakoh, Robert A. Salata, George A. Yendewa
Summary: This study found that poor knowledge and stigma are hindering HBV control efforts in sub-Saharan Africa. Education and stigma reduction can contribute to the elimination of HBV in this region.
