Objective We evaluated different dose effects of rIL-25 on acute ulcerative colitis. Materials and methods Mice were fed 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 5 days while infused i.p. with repeated doses of rIL-25 (0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 μg) in PBS or PBS only after every 24 h at the same time as the start of the DSS exposure. Clinical, macroscopical and microscopical assessment of colitis severity with survival study was performed. Colonic IL-25 expression and production of IFN-γ, IL-10 and IL-4 was also analyzed. Results At a dose of 0.2 μg, colitis was aggravated with high mortality, better improvements were observed at a dose of 0.4 μg, and colitis-induced diarrhea was reversed at a dose of 0.8 μg. The expression of IL-25 was found to decrease in severe colitis. Moreover, IL-25 inhibited production of mucosal IFN-γ, induced increase in IL-10 but not IL-4. Conclusion Improvements in DSS-induced colitis in response to IL-25 suggest IL-25's protective role by mechanisms including inhibition of IFN-γ with enhancement of anti-inflammatory release.

Background/Objectives: Despite efforts within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goal to end malnutrition by 2030, malnutrition and soil-transmitted helminth infections persist in sub-Saharan Africa. A significant barrier to success is the inadequate understanding of effective intervention methods. Most research on the gut microbiota’s role in health has been conducted in developed countries, leaving a critical gap in knowledge regarding low-income populations. This study addresses this gap by expanding research on the gut microbiota of underprivileged populations to help tackle these public health challenges. Methods: We employed 16S rDNA sequencing to assess the bacterial gut microbiota composition of 60 children (mean age: 26.63 ± 6.36 months) and their 58 mothers (mean age: 30.03 ± 6.31 years) in Pemba, with a focus on helminth infection and nutritional status. Results: Our differential abundance analysis identified bacterial taxa that were significantly negatively associated with both helminth infections and malnutrition, highlighting the potential for microbiota-directed interventions to address these health issues simultaneously. Notably, we identified Akkermansia, Blautia, Dorea, and Odoribacter as promising probiotic candidates for such interventions. In stunted children, positive co-occurrences were observed between Lactobacillus, Prevotella, and Bacteroides, while Escherichia/Shigella displayed negative co-abundance relationships with short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producers in the gut microbiota. These findings suggest that administering Lactobacillus and SCFA-producing probiotics to children may foster the growth of beneficial bacteria like Prevotella and Bacteroides while reducing the relative abundance of Escherichia/Shigella, potentially enhancing overall health. Conclusions: This study underscores the importance of microbiota-directed interventions in children and women of reproductive age as promising strategies, alongside established approaches, for combating helminth infections and malnutrition in vulnerable populations.

For Tanzania, including Zanzibar, the development of the COVID-19 pandemic has remained unclear since the reporting of cases was suspended during 2020/21. Our study was the first to analyze data on COVID-19 seroprevalence in the Zanzibari population before the Omicron variant wave began in late 2021. During August through October 2021, representative cross-sectional data were collected from randomly selected households in 120 wards of the two main islands, Unguja and Pemba. Participants voluntarily provided blood samples to test their sera for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 using a semiquantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). 58.9% of the 2051 sera analysed were positive, without significant differences between Unguja and Pemba or between rural and urban areas. The results were in agreement with observations from other sub-Saharan African countries. The antibody levels observed were most likely due to previous infections with SARS-CoV-2, since vaccination was generally not available before the survey. Therefore, this study offers the first insights into how many Zanzibari had COVID-19 before the Omicron variant emerged. Furthermore, it provides an appropriate basis for a follow-up survey addressing how this seroprevalence has influenced susceptibility to the Omicron variants, given the use of harmonized methodologies.

Modulating the gut microbiota is recognised as one strategy for preventing and fighting diseases. While the significant impact of diet on the gut microbiota’s composition and function has been extensively researched, there is a notable lack of studies on the interactions between diet, microbiota, and helminth infections. Here, we used a combination of self-reported food intake and a 16S rDNA sequencing approach to analyse the composition of the gut microbiota in women of reproductive age from the two main islands of the Zanzibar archipelago, where helminth infections are endemic. We also applied a Spearman correlation analysis to food/nutrients and gut microbiota. Our results reveal that, despite close ethnic and cultural ties, the participants’ gut microbiota differs depending on their location. A nutrient intake analysis revealed deficiencies in minerals and vitamins, indicating an imbalanced diet. A correlation analysis identified bacterial taxa consistently correlated with specific food or nutrients in healthy women from both locations, and in two types of helminth infections. Escherichia/Shigella abundances, usually associated with Trichuris trichiura infection, consistently correlated with insufficient levels of vitamins B2 and B12. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the increased consumption of specific food like cassava and fish, as well as essential nutrients such as calcium, B vitamins, and vitamin A, may modulate the gut microbiota of populations residing in regions where helminth infections are endemic.

Diabetes type 2 (T2D) had caused the loss of millions of lives all over the world. About 50% of the patients with T2D die because of cardiovascular disease (CVD), primarily myocardial infarction and stroke. Many of the leading risk factors for CVD coexist and act synergistically to increase cardiovascular events. The purpose of this descriptive cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence, patterns, and certain predictive factors in the complications of T2D patients attending diabetic clinics at Mnazi Mmoja hospital. A total of 138 respondents made up of 58 females and 80 males within the age brackets of 30-40, 41-50, 51 – 60, and 61 above were recruited for this study. Data were analysed and interpreted based on certain predictive factors and variables, including smoking, alcohol, excessive salt intake, lipid intake, sedentary lifestyle, family history of diabetes, and hypertension, on how they relate to the development of complications of type 2 diabetes. Pearson Chi-Square test was used to compare the levels of significances. Probability values of less or equal to 0.05 were accepted to be significant. The combination of salt intake, sedentary lifestyle, family history of diabetes, and lipid intake was the commonest risk factor for developing complications of T2D. However, alcohol and cigarette smoking had the most negligible impact on developing complications in T2D. The result also shows the patients between the age bracket of 30 and 40 have more risk factors for developing complications. The result showed no gender difference in the number of risk factors. There was a statistically significant association between some of the risk factors (smoking, alcohol, sedentary lifestyle, and salt intake) and the gender of respondents (p<0.05). Males smoked (43.8%) and consumed alcohol (32.5%) than females, while females were prone to a sedentary lifestyle (63.8%) and consume salt (82.8%) than males. On the other hand, this research showed that the significant complication for both males and females are numbness, pain sensation, and dry skin (diabetic neuropathy). Gender and certain predictive risk factors like salt intake, sedentary lifestyle, and family history of diabetes, and lipid intake are fundamental parameters to be tackled to reduce the complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus. There is a greater need now for awareness of the risk factors through effective health promotion in Zanzibar. Also, secondary prevention through regular screening, early detection, and appropriate treatment of chronic complications could reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by diabetes mellitus.

Objectives For Tanzania including Zanzibar, The development of the COVID-19 pandemic has remained unclear, since reporting cases was suspended during2020/21. The present study provides first data on the COVID-19 seroprevalence among Zanzibari before the omicron variant wave starting in late 2021. Design During August through October 2021 representative cross-sectional data were collected from randomly selected households in 120 wards of the two main islands, Unguja and Pemba. Participants voluntarily provided blood samples to test their sera for antibodies against SARS-CoV2 in a semiquantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). Results 57% of the 2080 sera analysed were positive without significant differences between Unguja and Pemba or between rural and urban areas, similar to observations from other sub-Saharan Africa countries. Conclusions The antibody levels observed are most likely to previous infections with SARS-CoV2, since vaccination was basically not available before the survey. Therefore, this study provides first insight, how many Zanzibari have had COVID-19 before the Omicron variant. Further, it provides the appropriate basis for a follow-up survey addressing how this seroprevalence influenced the susceptibility to the Omicron variants, given harmonised methodologies are used.