Background: The increasing popularity of Artemisia annua tea in Africa as an antimalarial remedy has raised concerns about its potential role in the development of artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum, which could undermine global malaria control efforts. Methods : This literature review analyzed publications sourced from PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and other databases. Studies included clinical trials, laboratory investigations, and surveillance reports focused on Artemisia annua tea consumption and resistance patterns. Results: Data indicate a significant rise in herbal tea use in malaria-endemic regions, particularly where access to standard therapies is limited. Some studies suggest a possible link between non-standardized use of Artemisia annua tea and early markers of artemisinin resistance, though direct causality remains unconfirmed and findings are inconsistent. Conclusions: The uncontrolled consumption of Artemisia annua tea could contribute to artemisinin resistance emergence in Africa, highlighting the need for regulated use, further research, and continuous surveillance to protect the effectiveness of antimalarial treatments.

Background: Endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a chronic restrictive cardiomyopathy prevalent in tropical regions, often underdiagnosed and associated with poor outcomes. Although its etiology remains unclear, parasitic infections such as schistosomiasis, filariasis, and trypanosomiasis have been implicated in its development. This study conducted a systematic review of case reports and case series to assess the correlation between parasitic infections and the development of EMF, identifying clinical patterns, implicated parasites, diagnostic approaches, and clinical outcomes, aiming to improve strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we searched multiple databases for case reports and case series describing patients with confirmed EMF associated with parasitic infections. 12 studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 8 case reports and 4 case series, encompassing a total of 16 patients diagnosed with EMF related to parasitic infections. Results: The pooled analysis demonstrated that parasitic infections were predominantly caused by Schistosoma mansoni (10/16; 62.5%), followed by Schistosoma haematobium (3/16; 18.75%), with rare cases of Trypanosoma cruzi and Wuchereria bancrofti (1/16 each; 6.25%). Common clinical manifestations included signs of fibrosis of the right ventricular endocardium (81%), dilated right atrium (75%), pericardial effusion (75%), edema of both lower limbs (63%), and ascites (63%) and symptoms included abdominal distention (63%) and dyspnea (63%. Diagnosis was primarily established by echocardiography (92%), with additional confirmation by other imaging techniques and histopathology. Treatment mainly consisted of antiparasitic therapy and diuretics, with a survival rate of 50%, while 19% (3/16) of patients died from multi-organ failure and thromboembolic complications. Conclusion: This systematic review suggests a potential association between parasitic infections, particularly Schistosoma mansoni, and the development of endomyocardial fibrosis. Despite the limited sample size, the findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis and antiparasitic treatment. The variability in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches underscores the need for standardized guidelines and prospective studies in endemic areas to enhance clinical recognition and improve patient outcomes.

Introduction: In low-income countries faced by a constraint of resources, pediatric osteomyelitis is a major cause for morbidity, and its true burden in Africa has not been fully characterized. Objectives: To systematically synthesize evidence on the clinical presentation, microbiology, management strategies, outcomes, and novel insights in pediatric osteomyelitis in the last decade within Africa. Methods: The review was conducted using Pubmed, Scopus, Embase and Google Scholar to identify studies addressing pediatric osteomyelitis in Africa. Relevant literature covering osteomyelitis types, diagnostic criteria, pathogen and resistance data, treatment modalities, outcomes, length of stay, and follow-up duration were included. Nine studies were identified and analyzed. Results: Among the identified cases ( n = 284), 83.5% were chronic. The tibia (45.7%) and femur (31.7%) were the most commonly affected sites. Bacterial cultures were available for 130 cases and showed Staphylococcus aureus as the leading pathogen (43.9%). Exclusive surgical care was indicated in 51.85% of the cases, and the procedures included sequestrectomy and reconstructive procedures. Notable novel patterns included higher rates of chronic multifocal disease in rural, malnourished children; variable empiric antibiotic regimens driving antimicrobial resistance; and the use of gentamicin loaded beads and vascularized fibula flaps for post-osteomyelitis reconstruction. Conclusion: Chronic osteomyelitis is the most dominant form in African children. Despite advancements in management in African settings, gaps exist. Future directions include multicenter surveillance of disease burden, surveillance of antimicrobial resistance, community-level interventions for disease monitoring and capacity building for advanced surgical procedures.

Introduction: Giving only breast milk in the first 6 months lowers the chances of childhood diseases and death. Still, it is difficult to promote ideal breastfeeding among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in camps. This research is intended to find out how many mothers are feeding their children under five with only breast milk in IDPs camps in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Methods: Between November 2024 and February 2025, an analytical cross‐sectional study was conducted in five major IDPs camps in Goma. A total of 407 eligible mothers or primary caregivers were recruited and participated in the study using a structured and pre‐tested questionnaire. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics, including maternal age, place of residence, and infant feeding practices. The chi‐square ( χ ² ) test was employed to assess associations between exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and selected explanatory variables, with statistical significance determined at p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of EBF was 20.9%. Significant associations were observed between EBF and maternal age ( χ ² = 18.8 and p < 0.05), educational level ( p < 0.05), marital status ( p < 0.05), presence of both parents ( p < 0.05), prematurity status ( χ ² = 7.64 and p = 0.022), and source of household income ( χ ² = 28.3 and p < 0.001). Higher EBF rates were reported among younger mothers, those with higher education, married women, and households receiving humanitarian aid (51.6%) compared to those relying on trade (16.2%). No significant associations were found between EBF and child's sex ( χ ² = 0.177 and p = 0.674), camp of residence ( χ ² = 0.688 and p = 0.953), or household size ( χ ² = 3.78 and p = 0.052). Conclusion: IDPs camps demonstrate markedly low levels of exclusive breastfeeding, highlighting significant disparities between displaced populations and the general population. These findings underscore the need for targeted, context‐specific interventions, including strengthened maternal education, increased paternal support, and enhanced breastfeeding support programs, to improve infant health outcomes in humanitarian and crisis settings.

Endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a neglected restrictive cardiomyopathy reported predominantly in tropical regions. In Mozambique, the published evidence i