The development of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) was a great milestone in the management of HIV infection. ARVs suppress viral activity in the host cell, thus minimizing injury to the cells and prolonging life. However, an effective treatment has remained elusive for four decades due to the successful immune evasion mechanisms of the virus. A thorough understanding of the molecular interaction of HIV with the host cell is essential in the development of both preventive and curative therapies for HIV infection. This review highlights several inherent mechanisms of HIV that promote its survival and propagation, such as the targeting of CD4⁺ lymphocytes, the downregulation of MHC class I and II, antigenic variation and an envelope complex that minimizes antibody access, and how they collaboratively render the immune system unable to mount an effective response.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is strongly associated with cervical cancer with almost all cases being associated with the infection. Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in Zambia and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. However, there is limited data on the burden and associated factors of HPV in sub-Saharan Africa. This study therefore aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of HPV infection in the Southern province of Zambia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Livingstone University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) among 4,612 women from different districts of the southern province being screened for HPV infection between September 2021 and August 2022. Demographic and clinical data were collected from an existing laboratory programmatic database. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the factors associated with HPV infection. Results: The study participants had a median age of 39 years [interquartile range (IQR) 30, 47]. The prevalence of HPV infection was 35.56% (95%CI). At multivariable analysis, the factors associated with a positive HPV result were younger age (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.98; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.98–0.99; p. value 0.001), having provider collected sample (AOR 2.15; 95%CI 1.66–2.79; p. value <0.001) and living with HIV (AOR 1.77; 95%CI 1.22–2.55; p. value <0.002). Conclusion: The prevalence of HPV in women in the southern province of Zambia is high, and likely influenced by age and HIV status. Additionally, the outcome of the HPV test is affected by the sample collection method. Therefore, there is a necessity to enhance HPV and cervical cancer screening, especially among people with HIV.

Tuberculosis (TB) mortality remains a significant public health concern globally. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of tuberculosis-related deaths and associated factors among patients at Livingstone University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Chest Clinic, Zambia. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study among 694 individuals (507 adult and 187 children) diagnosed with drug susceptible TB disease between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2022. Demographic and clinical information were collected from medical records using a data collection form. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with TB-related death. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. STATA version 15 was used for all data analysis. The prevalence of TB-related death among adults (above 19 years old) was 18.4% (n = 93) whereas that in children (below 19 years old) was 7.0% (n = 187). Living with HIV (AOR 1.75, 95% CI 1.00–3.08, p = 0.049) was positively associated with TB-related death among the adult patients while being on a family based direct observation therapy (DOT) plan was negatively associated with TB-related death both among adults and among children, (AOR 0.24, 95% CI 0.13–0.45, p <0.001) and (AOR 0.2, 95% CI 0.03–0.99, p = 0.039) respectively. This study found a high TB-related mortality rate, both among adults and children, exceeding the national target of 5% and it was significantly associated with HIV status and DOT plan. There is therefore a need to enhance strategies aimed at reducing TB-related deaths, especially among those living with HIV.

Background: Sweet taste perception and preference play crucial roles in dietary habits and health outcomes. Understanding the genetic basis of taste thresholds and preferences can provide insights into individual differences in dietary behavior and susceptibility to metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In Zambia, there is paucity of data concerning taste perception and preference in relation to genetics among diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the genotype and sweet taste thresholds, among individuals with and without T2DM in Zambia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 89 adults at Livingstone University Teaching Hospital (42 non-diabetic and 47 diabetics). Saliva samples were used to determine the TRPV1 rs4790522, and TAS1R3 rs307355 genotype. We assessed sweet taste threshold and preference using a series of aqueous sucrose solutions. Demographic characteristics, anthropometrics, lifestyle factors, and dietary habits were collected using a structured questionnaire. Results: Sweet taste threshold positively correlated with preferred concentration in both groups (p < 0.05). A higher proportion of PwT2D with elevated preferred sweet concentrations carried one or both homozygous risk alleles (77.8%, TT/AA). When compared to healthy controls, PwT2D had higher BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and pulse rate. They also exhibited higher taste thresholds but lower preferred concentrations, though this group was significantly older, potentially confounding results. Conclusion: These findings suggest taste perception and genetic variation may differ in PwT2D, highlighting the need for further research in Sub-Saharan African populations to inform personalized, cost-effective treatment strategies. However, studies with a larger sample size are required to validate our findings.