Trends and Determinants of Full Immunisation among Children Aged 12-23 Months: Analysis of Pooled Data from Mozambican Household Surveys between 1997 and 2015.

The 1974 Expanded Program on Immunisation has saved millions of children worldwide by promoting full immunisation coverage (FIC). However, forty years later, many sub-Saharan African countries remain well below its target of 90% FIC. This study analysed the level, trends and determinants of FIC in 4322 Mozambican children aged 12-23 months from pooled data from four national surveys between 1997 and 2015. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models were performed to analyse the factors associated with full immunisation coverage. Overall, the coverage of fully immunised children increased from 47.9% in 1997 to 66.5% in 2015, corresponding to a 1.8% yearly increase. The needed FIC growth rate post-2015 was 4.3 times higher. Increased maternal education and a higher household wealth index were associated with higher odds of FIS. Furthermore, attending antenatal care (ANC) visits, institutional delivery and living in southern provinces were also associated with increased odds of FIS. Between 1997 and 2015, FIC among 12-23-month-old children made modest annual gains but remained well below international targets. Factors related to access to healthcare, educational level, socioeconomic status and geographical location were associated with improved FIC. Targeted interventions to expand these factors will improve immunisation coverage among Mozambican children.

Enterovirus detection in stool samples from Mozambican children with acute gastroenteritis.

Enteroviruses (EV) are predominantly enteric viruses, present in all parts of the world causing disease in humans with a broad spectrum of clinical presentations. The purpose of this study was to identify non-polio enteroviruses (NPEV) in stool samples collected from children with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) symptoms of unknown etiology in four provinces (Maputo, Nampula, Sofala and Zambézia) of Mozambique. From June 2014 to March 2018, 327 stool samples were collected from children hospitalized with AGE in health care units. NPEVs were detected in 52 samples (52/327; 15.9%) and were more frequent in children under 5 years of age. The age group from 12 to 23 months was the most affected and showed more severity of disease. We also identified 26 different EV-types with the following detection pattern EV-B>EV-C>EV-A. The major EV-types were EV-A119 (9/52; 17.3%) and EV-C99 (8/52; 15.4%), accounting for 32.7% of the total. In addition to EV-A119, other uncommon EV-types were also identified, such as EV-B75, EV-B97 and EV-C113. The current study shows a high heterogeneity of EV types circulating in children with AGE in Mozambique as well as the identification of rarely described enteroviruses.

Immunogenicity of Reduced-Dose Monovalent Type 2 Oral Poliovirus Vaccine in Mocuba, Mozambique

The global polio eradication initiative (gpei) has made steady progress toward the eradication target since its inception in 1988 [1]. the number of paralytic cases due to wild poliovirus has declined worldwide by >99.9%, and 2 of the 3 wild poliovirus serotypes have been declared eradicated by an independent global certification commission: serotype 2 in 2015 and serotype 3 in 2019 [2, 3]. the gpei has implemented the endgame strategic plan 2013­2018 to accelerate the eradication of wild poliovirus type 1 from its last endemic zones in pakistan and afghanistan. [4]. in addition, the plan called for the sequential removal of the sabin strains from the oral poliovirus vaccine (opv) and the concomitant addition of ≥1 dose of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (ipv) in routine national immunization programs. the removal was needed because the continuing use of live viral vaccines is incompatible with eradication, since these viruses can mutate and recombine, thus reacquiring the neurovirulence and transmission characteristics of wild poliovirus [5]. the burden of paralytic disease caused by vaccine-related polioviruses would not be accepted as the world approaches eradication of wild poliovirus. for example, sabin type 2 was responsible for approximately 40% of the vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis burden and caused 91% of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cvdpv) cases between 2000 and 2016...

Molecular characterization of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli isolates from children with diarrhea: A cross-sectional study in four provinces of Mozambique: Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in Mozambique

Objectives: Analyze the frequency of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) pathotypes and their antimicrobial resistance profiles among children aged <15 years with diarrhea in four Mozambican provinces. Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based surveillance program of diarrhea was implemented in Maputo, Sofala, Zambézia, and Nampula. A single stool sample was collected from each child from May 2014 to May 2017. Culture methods and biochemical characterization were performed to detect E. coli strains. DEC pathotypes were determined by conventional polymerase chain reaction targeting specific virulence genes. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed by the Kirby-Bauer method. Results: From 723 specimens analyzed by culture, 262 were positive for E. coli. A total of 208 samples were tested by polymerase chain reaction for DEC identification, of which 101 (48.6%) were positive for a DEC pathotype. The predominant pathotypes were enteroaggregative (66.3%, 67/101), enteropathogenic (15.8%, 16/101), enterotoxigenic (13.9%, 14/101), and enteroinvasive E. coli (4.0%, 4/101). No Shiga toxin-producing E. coli was identified. Regardless of the province, the most frequent pathotype was enteroaggregative E. coli. Isolated DEC presented high frequency of resistance to ampicillin (97.8%), tetracycline (68.3%), chloramphenicol (28.4%), nalidixic acid (19.5%), and gentamicin (14.4%). Conclusion: Children with diarrhea in Mozambique had DEC and higher resistance to ampicillin and tetracycline.

Molecular characterization of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli isolates from children with diarrhea: A cross-sectional study in four provinces of Mozambique: Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in Mozambique.

OBJECTIVES: Analyze the frequency of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) pathotypes and their antimicrobial resistance profiles among children aged <15 years with diarrhea in four Mozambican provinces. METHODS: A cross-sectional hospital-based surveillance program of diarrhea was implemented in Maputo, Sofala, Zambézia, and Nampula. A single stool sample was collected from each child from May 2014 to May 2017. Culture methods and biochemical characterization were performed to detect E. coli strains. DEC pathotypes were determined by conventional polymerase chain reaction targeting specific virulence genes. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed by the Kirby-Bauer method. RESULTS: From 723 specimens analyzed by culture, 262 were positive for E. coli. A total of 208 samples were tested by polymerase chain reaction for DEC identification, of which 101 (48.6%) were positive for a DEC pathotype. The predominant pathotypes were enteroaggregative (66.3%, 67/101), enteropathogenic (15.8%, 16/101), enterotoxigenic (13.9%, 14/101), and enteroinvasive E. coli (4.0%, 4/101). No Shiga toxin-producing E. coli was identified. Regardless of the province, the most frequent pathotype was enteroaggregative E. coli. Isolated DEC presented high frequency of resistance to ampicillin (97.8%), tetracycline (68.3%), chloramphenicol (28.4%), nalidixic acid (19.5%), and gentamicin (14.4%). CONCLUSION: Children with diarrhea in Mozambique had DEC and higher resistance to ampicillin and tetracycline.

Characterizing Undernourished Children Under-Five Years Old with Diarrhoea in Mozambique: A Hospital Based Cross-Sectional Study, 2015-2019.

Diarrhoea is associated with undernutrition and this association is related to increased morbidity and mortality in children under-five. In this analysis we aimed to assess the frequency and associated factors of undernutrition in children under-five with diarrhoea. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2015 to December 2019 through a surveillance system in five sentinel hospitals in Mozambique. Sociodemographic and clinical information was collected, including anthropometry. A total of 963 children were analysed. The overall undernutrition frequency was 54.1% (95% CI: 50.9−57.2), with 32.5% (95% CI: 29.6−35.5) stunting, 26.6% (95% CI: 23.9−29.6) wasting and 24.7% (95% CI: 22.1−27.5) underweight. Children from Nampula province had 4.7 (p = 0.016) higher odds for stunting compared with children from Maputo. Children whose caregiver was illiterate had higher odds of being underweight 5.24 (p < 0.001), and the wet season was associated with higher odds 1.70 (p = 0.012) of being wasted. Children born under 2500 g of weight had 2.8 (p = 0.001), 2.7 (p < 0.001) and 2.6 (p = 0.010) higher odds for being underweighted, wasted and stunted, respectively. The HIV positive status of the children was associated with higher odds of being underweight 2.6 (p = 0.006), and stunted 3.4 (p = 0.004). The province, caregiver education level, wet season, child's birthweight and HIV status were factors associated with undernutrition in children with diarrhoea. These findings emphasise the need for additional caregiver's education on the child's nutrition and associated infectious diseases. More studies are needed to better understand the social context in which a child with diarrhoea and undernutrition is inserted.

Characterizing Undernourished Children Under-Five Years Old with Diarrhoea in Mozambique: A Hospital Based Cross-Sectional Study, 2015­2019

Diarrhoea is associated with undernutrition and this association is related to increased morbidity and mortality in children under-five. In this analysis we aimed to assess the frequency and associated factors of undernutrition in children under-five with diarrhoea. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2015 to December 2019 through a surveillance system in five sentinel hospitals in Mozambique. Sociodemographic and clinical information was collected, including anthropometry. A total of 963 children were analysed. The overall undernutrition frequency was 54.1% (95% CI: 50.9­57.2), with 32.5% (95% CI: 29.6­35.5) stunting, 26.6% (95% CI: 23.9­29.6) wasting and 24.7% (95% CI: 22.1­27.5) underweight. Children from Nampula province had 4.7 (p = 0.016) higher odds for stunting compared with children from Maputo. Children whose caregiver was illiterate had higher odds of being underweight 5.24 (p < 0.001), and the wet season was associated with higher odds 1.70 (p = 0.012) of being wasted. Children born under 2500 g of weight had 2.8 (p = 0.001), 2.9 (p < 0.001) and 2.6 (p = 0.010) higher odds for being underweighted, wasted and stunted, respectively. The HIV positive status of the children was associated with higher odds of being underweight 2.6 (p = 0.006), and stunted 3.4 (p = 0.004). The province, caregiver education level, wet season, child's birthweight and HIV status were factors associated with undernutrition in children with diarrhoea. These findings emphasise the need for additional caregiver's education on the child's nutrition and associated infectious diseases. More studies are needed to better understand the social context in which a child with diarrhoea and undernutrition is inserted...

High Frequency of Cryptosporidium hominis Infecting Infants Points to A Potential Anthroponotic Transmission in Maputo, Mozambique

Cryptosporidium is one of the most important causes of diarrhea in children less than 2 years of age. In this study, we report the frequency, risk factors and species of Cryptosporidium detected by molecular diagnostic methods in children admitted to two public hospitals in Maputo City, Mozambique. We studied 319 patients under the age of five years who were admitted due to diarrhea between April 2015 and February 2016. Single stool samples were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts, microscopically by using a Modified Ziehl-Neelsen (mZN) staining method and by using Polymerase Chain Reaction and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique using 18S ribosomal RNA gene as a target. Overall, 57.7% (184/319) were males, the median age (Interquartile range, IQR) was 11.0 (7-15) months. Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were detected in 11.0% (35/319) by microscopy and in 35.4% (68/192) using PCR-RFLP. The most affected age group were children older than two years, [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 5.861; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.532-22.417; p-value < 0.05]. Children with illiterate caregivers had higher risk of infection (aOR: 1.688; 95% CI: 1.001-2.845; p-value < 0.05). An anthroponotic species C. hominis was found in 93.0% (27/29) of samples. Our findings demonstrated that cryptosporidiosis in children with diarrhea might be caused by anthroponomic transmission.

Enterovirus detection in stool samples from Mozambican children with acute gastroenteritis

Enteroviruses (EV) are predominantly enteric viruses, present in all parts of the world causing disease in humans with a broad spectrum of clinical presentations. The purpose of this study was to identify non-polio enteroviruses (NPEV) in stool samples collected from children with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) symptoms of unknown etiology in four provinces (Maputo, Nampula, Sofala and Zambézia) of Mozambique. From June 2014 to March 2018, 327 stool samples were collected from children hospitalized with AGE in health care units. NPEVs were detected in 52 samples (52/327; 15.9%) and were more frequent in children under 5 years of age. The age group from 12 to 23 months was the most affected and showed more severity of disease. We also identified 26 different EV-types with the following detection pattern EV-B>EV-C>EV-A. The major EV-types were EV-A119 (9/52; 17.3%) and EV-C99 (8/52; 15.4%), accounting for 32.7% of the total. In addition to EV-A119, other uncommon EV-types were also identified, such as EV-B75, EV-B97 and EV-C113. The current study shows a high heterogeneity of EV types circulating in children with AGE in Mozambique as well as the identification of rarely described enteroviruses.

Immunogenicity of Reduced-Dose Monovalent Type 2 Oral Poliovirus Vaccine in Mocuba, Mozambique.

BACKGROUND: The monovalent type 2 oral poliovirus vaccine (mOPV2) stockpile is low. One potential strategy to stretch the existing mOPV2 supply is to administer a reduced dose: 1 drop instead of 2. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, controlled, open-label, noninferiority trial (10% margin) to compared immunogenicity after administration of 1 versus 2 drops of mOPV2. We enrolled 9-22-month-old infants from Mocuba district of Mozambique. Poliovirus neutralizing antibodies were measured in serum samples collected before and 1 month after mOPV2 administration. Immune response was defined as seroconversion from seronegative (<1:8) at baseline to seropositive (≥1:8) after vaccination or boosting titers by ≥4-fold for those with titers between 1:8 and 1:362 at baseline. The trial was registered at anzctr.org.au (no. ACTRN12619000184178p). RESULTS: We enrolled 378 children, and 262 (69%) completed per-protocol requirements. The immune response of mOPV2 was 53.6% (95% confidence interval, 44.9%-62.1%) and 60.6% (52.2%-68.4%) in 1-drop and 2-drop recipients, respectively. The noninferiority margin of the 10% was not reached (difference, 7.0%; 95% confidence interval, -5.0% to 19.0%). CONCLUSION: A small loss of immunogenicity of reduced mOPV2 was observed. Although the noninferiority target was not achieved, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization recommended the 1-drop strategy as a dose-sparing measure if mOPV2 supplies deteriorate further.

Characterizing Undernourished Children Under-Five Years Old with Diarrhoea in Mozambique: A Hospital Based Cross-Sectional Study, 2015­2019

Diarrhoea is associated with undernutrition and this association is related to increased morbidity and mortality in children under-five. In this analysis we aimed to assess the frequency and associated factors of undernutrition in children under-five with diarrhoea. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2015 to December 2019 through a surveillance system in five sentinel hospitals in Mozambique. Sociodemographic and clinical information was collected, including anthropometry. A total of 963 children were analysed. The overall undernutrition frequency was 54.1% (95% CI: 50.9­57.2), with 32.5% (95% CI: 29.6­35.5) stunting, 26.6% (95% CI: 23.9­29.6) wasting and 24.7% (95% CI: 22.1­27.5) underweight. Children from Nampula province had 4.7 (p = 0.016) higher odds for stunting compared with children from Maputo. Children whose caregiver was illiterate had higher odds of being underweight 5.24 (p < 0.001), and the wet season was associated with higher odds 1.70 (p = 0.012) of being wasted. Children born under 2500 g of weight had 2.8 (p = 0.001), 2.9 (p < 0.001) and 2.6 (p = 0.010) higher odds for being underweighted, wasted and stunted, respectively. The HIV positive status of the children was associated with higher odds of being underweight 2.6 (p = 0.006), and stunted 3.4 (p = 0.004). The province, caregiver education level, wet season, child's birthweight and HIV status were factors associated with undernutrition in children with diarrhoea. These findings emphasise the need for additional caregiver's education on the child's nutrition and associated infectious diseases. More studies are needed to better understand the social context in which a child with diarrhoea and undernutrition is inserted.

Molecular characterization of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli isolates from children with diarrhea: A cross-sectional study in four provinces of Mozambique: Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in Mozambique

Analyze the frequency of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) pathotypes and their antimicrobial resistance profiles among children aged <15 years with diarrhea in four Mozambican provinces. Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based surveillance program of diarrhea was implemented in Maputo, Sofala, Zambézia, and Nampula. A single stool sample was collected from each child from May 2014 to May 2017. Culture methods and biochemical characterization were performed to detect E. coli strains. DEC pathotypes were determined by conventional polymerase chain reaction targeting specific virulence genes. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed by the Kirby­Bauer method. Results: From 723 specimens analyzed by culture, 262 were positive for E. coli. A total of 208 samples were tested by polymerase chain reaction for DEC identification, of which 101 (48.6%) were positive for a DEC pathotype. The predominant pathotypes were enteroaggregative (66.3%, 67/101), enteropathogenic (15.8%, 16/101), enterotoxigenic (13.9%, 14/101), and enteroinvasive E. coli (4.0%, 4/101). No Shiga toxin­ producing E. coli was identified. Regardless of the province, the most frequent pathotype was enteroaggregative E. coli. Isolated DEC presented high frequency of resistance to ampicillin (97.8%), tetracycline (68.3%), chloramphenicol (28.4%), nalidixic acid (19.5%), and gentamicin (14.4%). Conclusion: Children with diarrhea in Mozambique had DEC and higher resistance to ampicillin and tetracycline.

Rotavirus A infection in pre- and post-vaccine period: Risk factors, genotypes distribution by vaccination status and age of children in Nampula Province, Northern Mozambique (2015-2019).

Mozambique introduced the monovalent rotavirus vaccine (Rotarix®, GSK Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium) in September 2015. Previous analysis, showed that Nampula province continues reporting a high frequency of Rotavirus A (RVA) infection and the emergence of G9P[6], G9P[4] and G3P[4] genotypes. This analysis aimed to determine the RVA frequency; risk factors; genotype distribution by vaccination status and age between pre- and post-vaccine periods in children under-five years old with diarrhea in Nampula. A cross-sectional, hospital-based surveillance study was conducted in the Hospital Central de Nampula in Mozambique. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected to assess factors related to RVA infection in both periods. Stool specimens were screened to detect RVA by ELISA, and positive samples were genotyped. Between 2015 (pre-vaccine period) and 2016-2019 (post-vaccine period), 614 stool specimens were collected and tested for RVA in which 34.9% (67/192) were positive in pre-vaccine period and 21.8% (92/422) in post-vaccine (p = 0.001). In the post-vaccine period, age, year, and contact with different animal species (chicken, duck, or multiple animals) were associated with RVA infection. RVA infection was higher in children partially vaccinated (40.7%, 11/27) followed by the fully vaccinated (29.3%, 56/191) and the unvaccinated (15.3%, 21/137) (p = 0.002). G1P[8] and G9P[4] were common in vaccinated children less than 12 months. The present analysis showed that RVA infection reduced slightly in the post-vaccine period, with a high proportion of infection and genotype diversity in children, under 12 months of age, vaccinated. Further research on factors associated with RVA infection on vaccinated compared to unvaccinated children and vaccination optimization should be done.

High Frequency of Cryptosporidium hominis Infecting Infants Points to A Potential Anthroponotic Transmission in Maputo, Mozambique.

Cryptosporidium is one of the most important causes of diarrhea in children less than 2 years of age. In this study, we report the frequency, risk factors and species of Cryptosporidium detected by molecular diagnostic methods in children admitted to two public hospitals in Maputo City, Mozambique. We studied 319 patients under the age of five years who were admitted due to diarrhea between April 2015 and February 2016. Single stool samples were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts, microscopically by using a Modified Ziehl-Neelsen (mZN) staining method and by using Polymerase Chain Reaction and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique using 18S ribosomal RNA gene as a target. Overall, 57.7% (184/319) were males, the median age (Interquartile range, IQR) was 11.0 (7-15) months. Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were detected in 11.0% (35/319) by microscopy and in 35.4% (68/192) using PCR-RFLP. The most affected age group were children older than two years, [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 5.861; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.532-22.417; p-value < 0.05]. Children with illiterate caregivers had higher risk of infection (aOR: 1.688; 95% CI: 1.001-2.845; p-value < 0.05). An anthroponotic species C. hominis was found in 93.0% (27/29) of samples. Our findings demonstrated that cryptosporidiosis in children with diarrhea might be caused by anthroponomic transmission.

Intestinal protozoa in hospitalized under-five children with diarrhoea in Nampula - a cross-sectional analysis in a low-income setting in northern Mozambique.

BACKGROUND: In Mozambique, infection by intestinal parasites is reported all over the country. However, infection in children with diarrhoea is mostly focused in the southern region of Mozambique. This work aims to determine the frequency and potential risk factors for infection by Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia lamblia, and Entamoeba histolytica in children under-five years hospitalized with diarrhoea in Hospital Central de Nampula, northern Mozambique. METHODS: A cross-sectional hospital-based surveillance was conducted between March 2015 and January 2018 in children admitted with diarrhoea in Hospital Central de Nampula. Sociodemographic information was obtained through semi-structured interviews applied to the children's caregivers. A single stool sample was collected from each child to detect antigens from Cryptosporidium spp., G. lamblia, and E. histolytica using an immune-enzymatic technique. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (with 95% Confidence Intervals) were obtained by logistic regression models to identify factors associated with infection by Cryptosporidium spp. and G. lamblia. RESULTS: The median age and interquartile intervals of our sample population was 12 months (8-20). Intestinal protozoa were detected in 21.4% (59/276). Cryptosporidium spp. was the most common protozoa (13.9% - 38/274), followed by G. lamblia (9.1% - 25/274) and E. histolytica (0.4% - 1/275). Children with illiterate caregiver's (p-value = 0.042) and undernourished (p-value = 0.011) were more likely to be infected by Cryptosporidium spp. G. lamblia was more common in children living in households with more than four members (p-value = 0.039). E. histolytica was detected in an eleven month's child, co-infected with Cryptosporidium spp. and undernourished. CONCLUSION: Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia lamblia were the most common pathogenic intestinal protozoa detected in children with diarrhoea hospitalized in the Hospital Central de Nampula. Our findings obtained highlight the importance of exploring the caregiver's education level, children's nutritional status for infections with Cryptosporidium spp., and living conditions, namely crowded households for infections with G. lamblia in children younger than five years.

Intestinal protozoa in hospitalized under-five children with diarrhoea in Nampula ­ a cross-sectional analysis in a low-income setting in northern Mozambique

Background: In Mozambique, infection by intestinal parasites is reported all over the country. However, infection in children with diarrhoea is mostly focused in the southern region of Mozambique. This work aims to determine the frequency and potential risk factors for infection by Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia lamblia, and Entamoeba histolytica in children under-five years hospitalized with diarrhoea in Hospital Central de Nampula, northern Mozambique. Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based surveillance was conducted between March 2015 and January 2018 in children admitted with diarrhoea in Hospital Central de Nampula. Sociodemographic information was obtained through semi-structured interviews applied to the children's caregivers. A single stool sample was collected from each child to detect antigens from Cryptosporidium spp., G. lamblia, and E. histolytica using an immune-enzymatic technique. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (with 95% Confidence Intervals) were obtained by logistic regression models to identify factors associated with infection by Cryptosporidium spp. and G. lamblia. Results: The median age and interquartile intervals of our sample population was 12 months (8-20). Intestinal protozoa were detected in 21.4% (59/276). Cryptosporidium spp. was the most common protozoa (13.9% - 38/274), followed by G. lamblia (9.1% - 25/274) and E. histolytica (0.4% - 1/275). Children with illiterate caregiver's (p-value = 0.042) and undernourished (p-value = 0.011) were more likely to be infected by Cryptosporidium spp. G. lamblia was more common in children living in households with more than four members (p-value = 0.039). E. histolytica was detected in an eleven month's child, co-infected with Cryptosporidium spp. and undernourished. Conclusion: Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia lamblia were the most common pathogenic intestinal protozoa detected in children with diarrhoea hospitalized in the Hospital Central de Nampula. Our findings obtained highlight the importance of exploring the caregiver's education level, children's nutritional status for infections with Cryptosporidium spp., and living conditions, namely crowded households for infections with G. lamblia in children younger than five years.

Intestinal protozoa in hospitalized under-five children with diarrhoea in Nampula - a cross-sectional analysis in a low-income setting in northern Mozambique

In Mozambique, infection by intestinal parasites is reported all over the country. However, infection in children with diarrhoea is mostly focused in the southern region of Mozambique. This work aims to determine the frequency and potential risk factors for infection by Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia lamblia, and Entamoeba histolytica in children under-five years hospitalized with diarrhoea in Hospital Central de Nampula, northern Mozambique....

Rotavirus A infection in children under five years old with a double health problem: undernutrition and diarrhoea - a cross-sectional study in four provinces of Mozambique.

BACKGROUND: Mozambique has a high burden of group A rotavirus (RVA) infection and chronic undernutrition. This study aimed to determine the frequency and potential risk factors for RVA infection in undernourished children under 5 years old with diarrhoea in Mozambique. METHODS: The analysis was conducted using data from March 2015 to December 2017, regarding children under 5 years old with at least one type of undernutrition. Anthropometric measures were used to calculate indices of weight-for-age, weight-for-height and height-for-age through the Z-Scores. RVA results were extracted from the National Diarrhoea Surveillance database. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test was used for qualitative variables and organized in contingency tables and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were considered for the calculation of RVA infection proportion and in the multiple logistic regression models to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (AOR). RESULTS: Of the 842 undernourished children included in the analysis, 27.2% (95% CI: 24.3-30.3%) were positive for RVA. The rate of RVA infection was 42.7% (95% CI: 38.0-47.5%) in the pre-vaccine period, with great reduction to 12.2% (95% CI: 9.4-15.6%) in the post-vaccine period. Most of the RVA undernourished children had severe wasting (33.3%) and severe stunting (32.0%). The risk of infection was significantly high in children from 0 to 11 months (p-value < 0.001) when compared to the age group of 24-59 months. A higher proportion of RVA infection was detected in households with five or more members (p-value = 0.029). Similar proportions of RVA were observed in children fed only by breast milk (34.9%) and breast milk with formula (35.6%). A higher proportion of undernourished HIV-positive children co-infected with RVA (7.4%) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of RVA infection in undernourished children declined following the introduction of the vaccine in Mozambique. Beyond the temporal variation, Maputo province, age and crowded households were also associated to RVA infection. A high proportion of RVA infection was observed in children with severe wasting and a triple burden of disease: undernutrition, RVA and HIV, highlighting the need to conduct follow-up studies to understand the long-term impact of these conditions on children's development.

Rotavirus A infection in children under five years old with a double health problem: undernutrition and diarrhoea - a cross-sectional study in four provinces of Mozambique

Mozambique has a high burden of group A rotavirus (RVA) infection and chronic undernutrition. This study aimed to determine the frequency and potential risk factors for RVA infection in undernourished children under 5 years old with diarrhoea in Mozambique...

Whole Genome Characterization and Evolutionary Analysis of G1P[8] Rotavirus A Strains during the Pre- and Post-Vaccine Periods in Mozambique (2012-2017).

Mozambique introduced the Rotarix® vaccine (GSK Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium) into the National Immunization Program in September 2015. Although G1P[8] was one of the most prevalent genotypes between 2012 and 2017 in Mozambique, no complete genomes had been sequenced to date. Here we report whole genome sequence analysis for 36 G1P[8] strains using an Illumina MiSeq platform. All strains exhibited a Wa-like genetic backbone (G1-P[8]-I1-R1-C1-M1-A1-N1-T1-E1-H1). Phylogenetic analysis showed that most of the Mozambican strains clustered closely together in a conserved clade for the entire genome. No distinct clustering for pre- and post-vaccine strains were observed. These findings may suggest no selective pressure by the introduction of the Rotarix® vaccine in 2015. Two strains (HJM1646 and HGM0544) showed varied clustering for the entire genome, suggesting reassortment, whereas a further strain obtained from a rural area (MAN0033) clustered separately for all gene segments. Bayesian analysis for the VP7 and VP4 encoding gene segments supported the phylogenetic analysis and indicated a possible introduction from India around 2011.7 and 2013.0 for the main Mozambican clade. Continued monitoring of rotavirus strains in the post-vaccine period is required to fully understand the impact of vaccine introduction on the diversity and evolution of rotavirus strains.