Nithendra Manickchund
A5029152950- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- vaccines and immunoinformatics approaches
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Blood groups and transfusion
- Parvovirus B19 Infection Studies
- Viral-associated cancers and disorders
- Urologic and reproductive health conditions
- Immunotherapy and Immune Responses
- Nematode management and characterization studies
- COVID-19 Impact on Reproduction
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
University of KwaZulu-Natal
2019-2025
Stellenbosch University
2022
King Edward VIII Hospital
2019-2021
Abstract The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 variant concern Omicron (Pango lineage B.1.1.529), first identified in Botswana and South Africa, may compromise vaccine effectiveness lead to re-infections 1 . Here we investigated escape from neutralization by antibodies African individuals vaccinated with Pfizer BNT162b2. We used blood samples taken soon after vaccination who were previously infected or no evidence previous infection. isolated sequence-confirmed live virus an person observed that...
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) BA.4 and BA.5 sub-lineages, first detected in South Africa, have changes relative to BA.1 including substitutions the spike receptor binding domain. Here we isolated live viruses measured BA.4/BA.5 neutralization elicited by infection either absence or presence of previous vaccination as well from without infection. In BA.1-infected unvaccinated individuals, declines 7.6-fold for 7.5-fold BA.5. vaccinated individuals with subsequent infection, decreases...
The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant first emerged as the BA.1 sub-lineage, with extensive escape from neutralizing immunity elicited by previous infection other variants, vaccines, or combinations of both 1,2 . Two new sub-lineages, BA.4 and BA.5, are now emerging in South Africa changes relative to BA.1, including L452R F486V mutations spike receptor binding domain. We isolated live BA.5 viruses tested them against participants who were Omicron/BA.1 infected but unvaccinated (n=24)...
Abstract The extent to which Omicron infection 1–9 , with or without previous vaccination, elicits protection against the previously dominant Delta (B.1.617.2) variant is unclear. Here we measured neutralization capacity variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in 39 individuals South Africa infected sublineage BA.1 starting at a median 6 (interquartile range 3–9) days post symptom onset and continuing until last follow-up sample available, 23 19–27) symptoms allow...
Abstract Omicron BA.2.86 subvariant differs from BA.2 as well recently circulating variants by over 30 mutations in the spike protein alone. Here we report on isolation of live a diagnostic swab collected South Africa which tested for escape neutralizing antibodies and viral replication properties cell culture. We found that does not have significantly more relative to XBB.1.5 immunity elicited either XBB-family infection or residual sera African population. extensive ancestral virus with...
Summary While most people effectively clear SARS-CoV-2, there are several reports of prolonged infection in immunosuppressed individuals. Here we present a case greater than 6 months with shedding high titter SARS-CoV-2 an individual advanced HIV and antiretroviral treatment failure. Through whole genome sequencing at multiple time-points, demonstrate the early emergence E484K substitution associated escape from neutralizing antibodies, followed by other mutations N501Y found variants...
Abstract SARS-CoV-2 clearance requires adaptive immunity but the contribution of neutralizing antibodies and T cells in different immune states is unclear. Here we ask which responses associate with long-term infection HIV-mediated immunosuppression after suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation. We assembled a cohort infected people South Africa ( n = 994) including participants advanced HIV disease characterized by due to cell depletion. Fifty-four percent had prolonged (>1...
Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) infections are rapidly expanding worldwide, often in settings where the Delta (B.1.617.2) was dominant. We investigated whether neutralizing immunity elicited by infection would also neutralize and role of prior vaccination. enrolled 23 South African participants infected with a median 5 days post-symptoms onset (study baseline) last follow-up sample taken onset. Ten were breakthrough cases vaccinated Pfizer BNT162b2 or Johnson Ad26.CoV2.S. In participants,...
Human central nervous system infections due to free-living nematodes, although extremely rare, are usually fatal. Immunodeficiency has not been a feature of most these cases, unlike the situation pertaining disseminated Strongyloides stercoralis infection. An elderly immunocompetent man presented with history tinnitus and otalgia, progressing involvement confusion, weakness other neurological signs. Examination revealed unilateral external auditory canal soft tissue mass, radiological...
Human central nervous system infections due to free-living nematodes, although extremely rare, are usually fatal. Immunodeficiency has not been a feature of most these cases, unlike the situation pertaining disseminated Strongyloides stercoralis infection. An elderly immunocompetent man presented with history tinnitus and otalgia, progressing involvement confusion, weakness, other neurological signs. Examination revealed unilateral external auditory canal soft tissue mass radiological...
Omicron BA.2.86 subvariant differs from BA.2 as well recently circulating variants by over 30 mutations in the spike protein alone. Here we report on first isolation of live a diagnostic swab collected South Africa which tested for escape neutralizing antibodies and viral replication properties cell culture. did not have significantly more than XBB.1.5 immunity elicited infection subvariants ranging BA.1 to XBB, either alone or breakthrough vaccinated individuals. Neutralization was present...
To design effective vaccines and other immune interventions against a pathogen, it is necessary to know which aspect of immunity associates with protection. We investigated whether neutralizing antibodies associate infection clearance in long-term SARS-CoV-2 during HIV-mediated immunosuppression. monitored antibody activity over 1 2 years five participants advanced HIV disease delayed control viremia. These had persistent ranging from 110 289 days was associated low or undetectable...
Abstract Omicron (B.1.1.529) shows extensive escape from vaccine immunity, although vaccination reduces severe disease and death 1 . Boosting with vaccines incorporating variant spike sequences could possibly broaden immunity 2 One approach to choose the may be measure elicited by combined infection. Here we investigated neutralization in people infected Beta (B.1.351) subsequently vaccinated Pfizer BNT162b2. We observed that infection alone poor cross-neutralization, similar what previously...
The ability of a hen egg white bovine colostrum supplement to prevent severe COVID-19 was tested in double-blind randomized control study.
Anaemia is common in patients with retroviral disease. New or worsening anaemia after initiation of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment has a broad differential diagnosis.We describe six who developed transfusion-dependent on first-line therapy (tenofovir, emtricitabine and efavirenz) and, by exclusion, implicated the aetiology anaemia.We conducted retrospective chart review seen at Infectious Diseases specialist clinic King Edward VIII Hospital KwaZulu-Natal between 2014 2016. We focused...
Anemia is common in HIV. Parvo B19 infection a well-recognised cause of red cell aplasia. Other causes persistent pure aplasia (PRCA) include anti-retroviral drugs such as zidovudine and lamivudine. We describe case PRCA that strongly implicates emtricitabine the probable cause.Patient was HIV positive on treatment with fixed drug combination consisting tenofovir, efavirenz for 3 months when she developed severe transfusion dependent anemia. The anemia, attributed to PRCA, about one...