Browsing by Author "Mfinanga, S. G."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2

Clinical implication of novel drug resistance-conferring mutations in resistant tuberculosis
(Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2017) Mnyambwa, N. P.; Kim, J.; Ngadaya, E. S.; Kazwala, R.; Petrucka, P.; Mfinanga, S. G.
Evolving novel and/or unfamiliar mutations are revolutionizing the pathways of antibiotic resistance of clinical tuberculosis. The accumulation and interaction of these poorly characterized mutations augment the complexity of resistant pathogenic strains and raise public health concerns. This article reviews our current understanding of the genetic changes that characterize drug resistance in tuberculosis and highlights the imperative for further investigations focusing on the effects of an individual mutation and interacting mutations with detailed strain epidemiology, particularly as these pertain to technologylimited countries with high tuberculosis incidence rates. Concomitantly, there is a need for the development, testing, and uptake of new tools for studying the effects of these mutations in drug resistance and fitness cost of the pathogen. Such genetic data are critical for effective localized and global tuberculosis control interventions and for accurate epidemiological predictions.
Tribal differences in perception of tuberculosis: A possible role in tuberculosis control in Arusha, Tanzania
(International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease., 2003) Mfinanga, S. G.; Mørkve, O.; Kazwala, R. R.; Cleaveland, S.; Sharp, J. M.; Shirima, G.; Nilsen, R.
SETTING: Arusha, Tanzania. OBJECTIVE: To determine tribal differences in knowledge and practices that might influence tuberculosis control. METHOD: Twenty-seven villages were selected randomly out of 242 villages in four districts. In each village, a general and a livestock keeping group were selected at random. The households were home-visited and 426 family members were interviewed. RESULTS: On average, 40% of respondents practiced habits that might expose them to both bovine and human tuberculosis. The Barabaig tribe had a significantly higher number of respondents (50%, X2(2) = 5.1, P = 0.024) who did not boil milk. Eating uncooked meat or meat products was practised by 17.9% of all respondents. The habit was practised more by Iraqw (21.1%, X2(2) = 6.9, P = 0.008) and Barabaig (31.6%, X2(2) = 5.6, P = 0.016) than other tribes. About 75% of the respondents had a poor knowledge of tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: All tribes had habits and beliefs that might expose them to both bovine and human tuberculosis. The Iraqw and Barabaig tribes practised such habits more than other tribes. Knowledge of tuberculosis was limited in all tribes.