http://www.repositorio.uem.mz/handle258/75 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:06:30 GMT 2026-04-23T07:06:30Z http://www.repositorio.uem.mz/handle258/1112 Title: A survey of RNA viruses in mosquitoes from Mozambique reveals novel genetic lineages of flaviviruses and phenuiviruses, as well as frequent flavivirus-like viral DNA forms in Mansonia Authors: Abílio, Ana Paula; Silva, Manuel; Kampango, Ayubo; Narciso, Inácio; Gudo, Eduardo Samo; Neves, Luís das; Sidat, Mohsin; Fafetine, José Manuel; Almeida, António Paulo Gouveia de; Parreira, Ricardo Abstract: Background: Mosquito-borne diseases involving arboviruses represent expanding threats to sub-Saharan Africa imposing as considerable burden to human and veterinary public health. In Mozambique over one hundred species of potential arbovirus mosquito vectors have been identified, although their precise role in maintaining such viruses in circulation in the country remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to screen for the presence of flaviviruses, alphaviruses and bunyaviruses in mosquitoes from different regions of Mozambique. Results: Our survey analyzed 14,519 mosquitoes, and the results obtained revealed genetically distinct insect- specific flaviviruses, detected in multiple species of mosquitoes from different genera. In addition, smaller flavivirus- like NS5 sequences, frequently detected in Mansonia seemed to correspond to defective viral sequences, present as viral DNA forms. Furthermore, three lineages of putative members of the Phenuiviridae family were also detected, two of which apparently corresponding to novel viral genetic lineages. Conclusion: This study reports for the first-time novel insect-specific flaviviruses and novel phenuiviruses, as well as frequent flavivirus-like viral DNA forms in several widely known vector species. This unique work represents recent investigation of virus screening conducted in mosquitoes from Mozambique and an important contribution to inform the establishment of a vector control program for arbovirus in the country and in the region. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://www.repositorio.uem.mz/handle258/1112 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z http://www.repositorio.uem.mz/handle258/1111 Title: Strengthening research capacity through the medical education partnership initiative: the Mozambique experience Authors: Noormahomed, Emília; Mocumbi, Ana O.; Prezios, Michael; Damasceno, Albertino; Bickler, Stephen; Smith, David M.; Funzamo, Carlos; Aronoff-Spencer, Eliah; Badaró, Roberto; Mabila, Francisco; Bila, David; Nguenha, Alcido; Rosário, Virgilio do; Benson, Constance A.; Schooley, Robert T.; Patel, Sam; Ferrão, Luis Jorge; Carrilho, Carla Abstract: Background: Since Mozambique’s independence, the major emphasis of its higher educational institutions has been on didactic education. Because of fiscal and human resource constraints, basic and applied research activities have been relatively modest in scope, and priorities have often been set primarily by external collaborators. These factors have compromised the scope and the relevance of locally conducted research and have limited the impact of Mozambique’s universities as major catalysts for national development. Case description: We developed a multi-institutional partnership to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the research environment at Mozambique’s major public universities to identify factors that have served as barriers to the development of a robust research enterprise. Based on this analysis, we developed a multifaceted plan to reduce the impact of these barriers and to enhance research capacity within Mozambique. Interventions: On the basis of our needs assessment, we have implemented a number of major initiatives within participating institutions to facilitate basic and applied research activities. These have included specialized training programmes, a reorganization of the research administration infrastructure, the development of multiple collaborative research projects that have emphasized local research priorities and a substantial investment in bioinformatics. We have established a research support centre that provides grant development and management services to Mozambique’s public universities and have developed an independent Institutional Review Board for the review of research involving human research subjects. Multiple research projects involving both communicable and non-communicable diseases have been developed and substantial external research support has been obtained to undertake these projects. A sizable investment in biomedical informatics has enhanced both connectivity and access to digital reference material. Active engagement with relevant entities within the Government of Mozambique has aligned institutional development with national priorities. Conclusions: Although multiple challenges remain, over the past 3 years significant progress has been made towards establishing conditions within which a broad range of basic, translational and clinical and public health research can be undertaken. Ongoing development of this research enterprise will enhance capacity to address critical locally relevant research questions and will leverage resources to accelerate the development of Mozambique’s national universities. Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.repositorio.uem.mz/handle258/1111 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z http://www.repositorio.uem.mz/handle258/1098 Title: Prioritizing health-sector interventions for noncommunicable diseases and injuries in low- and lower-middle income countries: National NCDI Poverty Commissions Authors: Gupta, Neil; Mocumbi, Ana; Arwal, Said H.; Jain, Yogesh; Haileamlak, Abraham M.; Memirie, Solomon T.; Larco, Nancy C.; Kwan, Gene F.; Amuyunzu-Nyamongo, Mary; Gathecha, Gladwell; Amegashie, Fred; Rakotoarison, Vincent; Masiye, Jones; Wroe, Emily; Koirala, Bhagawan; Karmacharya, Biraj; Condo, Jeanine; Nyemazi, Jean Pierre; Sesay, Santigie; Maogenzi, Sarah; Mayige, Mary; Mutungi, Gerald; Ssinabulya, Isaac; Akiteng, Ann R.; Mudavanhu, Justice; Kapambwe, Sharon; Watkins, David; Norheim, Ole; Makani, Julie; Bukhman, Gene Abstract: Health sector priorities and interventions to prevent and manage noncommunicable diseases and injuries (NCDIs) in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs) have primarily adopted elements of the World Health Organization Global Action Plan for NCDs 2013–2020. However, there have been limited efforts in LLMICs to prioritize among conditions and health-sector inter- ventions for NCDIs based on local epidemiology and contextually relevant risk factors or that incorporate the equitable distribution of health outcomes. The Lancet Commission on Reframing Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries for the Poorest Billion supported national NCDI Poverty Commissions to define local NCDI epidemiology, determine an expanded set of priority NCDI conditions, and recommend cost-effective, equitable health-sector interventions. Fifteen national commissions and 1 state-level com- mission were established from 2016–2019. Six commissions com- pleted the prioritization exercise and selected an average of 25 NCDI conditions; 15 conditions were selected by all commis- sions, including asthma, breast cancer, cervical cancer, diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2, epilepsy, hypertensive heart disease, intra- cerebral hemorrhage, ischemic heart disease, ischemic stroke, ma- jor depressive disorder, motor vehicle road injuries, rheumatic heart disease, sickle cell disorders, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. The commissions prioritized an average of 35 health-sector inter- ventions based on cost-effectiveness, financial risk protection, and equity-enhancing rankings. The prioritized interventions were esti- mated to cost an additional US$4.70–US$13.70 per capita or ap- proximately 9.7%–35.6% of current total health expenditure (0.6%–4.0% of current gross domestic product). Semistructured surveys and qualitative interviews of commission representatives demonstrated positive outcomes in several thematic areas, includ- ing understanding NCDIs of poverty, informing national planning and implementation of NCDI health-sector interventions, and im- proving governance and coordination for NCDIs. Overall, national NCDI Poverty Commissions provided a platform for evidence- based, locally driven determination of priorities within NCDIs. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://www.repositorio.uem.mz/handle258/1098 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z http://www.repositorio.uem.mz/handle258/1053 Title: Need for active cardiovascular screening in HIV-infected children under antiretroviral therapy in Africa Authors: Manafe, Naisa; Ngale, Agito; Biquiza, Neuza; Zimba, Inês; Majid, Nurjah; Mocumbi, Ana O. Abstract: Unacceptably high incidence of pediatric HIV despite worldwide increased access to antiretroviral therapy. The routine management of these children includes provision of antiretroviral therapy, and periodic assessment of its results and complications. However, no systematic assessment of the nutritional status, lipid profile or screening for cardiovascular disease is done. Our study aimed at describing the occurrence of cardiovascular abnormalities in HIV-infected children under antiretroviral therapy, and at determining the vital outcomes 5 years after. A prospective observational study was implemented at a dedicated HIV center in Maputo City, where we gathered detailed socio-demographic data and performed full cardiovascular evaluation, including transthoracic cardiac ultrasound. A total of 47 children were examined (24 male) of which 10 had abnormal cardiac ultrasound: impaired systolic function (5 children); three had congenital heart defects; one had severe rheumatic aortic regurgitation and one had tuberculous pericarditis. Heart failure was present in five children. The study also uncovered the presence of malnutrition (36 patients; 80% had BMI below 18.5 kg/m 2 ) and anemia in a considerable proportion of children. On 5 year follow up there was one death due to malária; three new cases of left ventricular dysfunction occurred among children who had normal ultrasound on recruitment. Our results support systematic cardiovascular risk profiling and disease screening in HIV-infected children on antiretroviral therapy, using cardiac ultrasound wherever possible. Fri, 01 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMT http://www.repositorio.uem.mz/handle258/1053 2019-02-01T00:00:00Z