A5079239287- Global Maternal and Child Health
- Child Nutrition and Water Access
- Malaria Research and Control
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Biodiversity
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- vaccines and immunoinformatics approaches
- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
- HIV/AIDS Impact and Responses
- Hepatitis Viruses Studies and Epidemiology
- Cervical Cancer and HPV Research
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Computational Drug Discovery Methods
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Complement system in diseases
- Global Cancer Incidence and Screening
- Genital Health and Disease
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- Hepatitis B Virus Studies
- Ethics in Clinical Research
- Reproductive tract infections research
- Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies Research
- Career Development and Diversity
Uganda Virus Research Institute
2018-2025
International AIDS Vaccine Initiative
2022-2024
Makerere University
2017
Statens Serum Institut
2014-2016
GlaxoSmithKline (United Kingdom)
2011
African Malaria Network Trust
2010-2011
Osaka University
2006
A pivotal phase III study of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria candidate vaccine is ongoing in several research centres across Africa. The development and establishment quality systems was a requirement for trial conduct to meet international regulatory standards, as well providing an important capacity strengthening opportunity centres. Standardized laboratory methods assurance processes were implemented at each centres, facilitated by funding partners. robust protocol determination parasite density...
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused millions of infections and deaths resulted in unprecedented international public health social economic crises. As SARS-CoV-2 spread across the globe its impact became evident, development safe effective vaccines a priority. Outlining processes used to establish support conduct phase 3 randomized clinical trials that led rapid emergency use authorization approval several is major significance for current future response efforts.
ABSTRACT Antibodies to the C terminus of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein, PfMSP-1 19 , may inhibit invasion or block effects inhibitory antibodies. Here, using a competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and antibody binding wild-type mutated recombinant proteins, we show that there are marked variations between individuals in fine specificity naturally acquired anti-MSP-1 Furthermore, although neither prevalence nor concentration total antibodies was associated with...
The Plasmodium falciparum serine repeat antigen (SERA) is one of the blood stage malaria vaccine candidates. genome project has revealed that SERA a member multigene family consisting eight homologues clustered on chromosome 2 and homologue 9. Northern blotting real time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR with five independent parasite strains, including three allelic representative forms gene, have shown all are transcribed most actively at trophozoite schizont stages SERA5 (SERA/SERP)...
Background GMZ2 is a fusion protein of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface 3 (MSP3) and glutamate rich (GLURP) that mediates an immune response against the blood stage parasite. Two previous phase I clinical trials, one in naïve European adults malaria-exposed Gabonese showed was well tolerated immunogenic. Here, we present data on safety immunogenicity to five year old children, target population for future malaria vaccine efficacy trials. Methodology/Principal Findings Thirty children...
Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasitic flatworms of the Schistosoma spp ., and increasingly recognized to alter immune system, potential respond vaccines. The impact endemic infections on protective immunity critical inform vaccination strategies globally. We assessed influence mansoni worm burden multiple host vaccine-related parameters in Ugandan fishing cohort (n = 75) given three doses Hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine at baseline timepoints post-vaccination. observed distinct...
Background The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and seasonal pattern malaria in children South-West Burkina Faso, compare, a randomized trial, characteristics cases detected by active passive surveillance. This also enabled planning vaccine trial. Methods Households with young children, located within 5 kilometers health facility, were one two surveillance methods. In first group, monitored actively. Each child visited twice weekly; tympanic temperature measured, if had fever...
Africa's involvement in clinical trials remains very low. Although the crucial role of training initiatives building trial capacity Africa has been documented, current efforts fall short as they lack alignment with local contexts. This study aimed to design, develop, implement, and evaluate an innovative operations program for Africa. We developed ClinOps, a novel 10-week coordinators enhance their expertise four fundamental areas: designing, conducting, managing, reporting trials. To...
Objective: Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) infection is endemic in fishing communities. We investigated its potential impact on Hepatitis B (Hep B) vaccine responses and role mediating the association between gut microbiome long-term effectiveness of response. Methods: Participants were tested for S. infections at baseline received Hep baseline, month 1, 6. Those with treated. Stool samples collected analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare alpha...
Objective: Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) infection is endemic in Ugandan fishing communities. We investigated its potential impact on Hepatitis B (Hep B) vaccine responses and role mediating the association between gut microbiome long-term effectiveness of vaccine. Methods: Participants were tested for S. infections at baseline received Hep baseline, month 1, 6. Those with treated. Stool samples collected analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare...
Specific anaerobic taxa within the penile microbiome—the Bacteria Associated with Seroconversion, Inflammation and Immune Cells (BASIC) species—enhance HIV-1 susceptibility, in part by recruiting susceptible cells to inner foreskin. However, their effect on epithelial barrier integrity has not been described. Using foreskin tissues swabs from 116 males undergoing voluntary medical male circumcision, we assessed relationship between BASIC species thickness, junction protein expression,...
Plasmodium falciparum serine repeat antigen (SERA5) is a promising asexual blood stage malaria candidate vaccine. However, there paucity of information about natural immune responses to SERA5 in children from malaria-endemic regions. We undertook hospital-based case-control study severe Apac District, Northern Uganda, 6-59 months age. The commonest symptoms observed with (SM) were respiratory distress (53.4%) and prostration (40.4%) followed by circulatory collapse (7.4%), anemia (Hb < 5...
The estimated mortality rate of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic varied greatly around world. In particular, multiple countries in East, Central, and West Africa had significantly lower rates COVID-19 related fatalities than many resource-rich nations with earlier wide-spread access to life-saving vaccines. One possible reason for this could be presence pre-existing cross-reactive immunological responses these areas To explore hypothesis, an exploratory study stored peripheral blood mononuclear cells...
Plasmodium falciparum is the most deadly and leading cause of morbidity mortality in Africa. About 90% all malaria deaths world today occur Sub-Saharan Africa especially children aged < 5 years. In 2018, it was reported that there were 228 million cases resulted 405,000 from 91 countries. Currently, a fully effective long-lasting preventive vaccine still elusive therefore more effort needed to identify better candidates. The aim this study characterize hypothetical proteins as candidates...
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a preventable cause of cervical cancer, the commonest cancer among women in Uganda. The Uganda Ministry Health included HPV vaccine free routine immunization schedule since 2015. Five years after this policy, we assessed uptake and associated socio-demographic factors young living fishing communities Central 2020. We analyzed secondary data from 94 aged 9–25 who were recruited two (Kasenyi landing site Koome Island) primary study that aimed to promote awareness...
fishing communities in Uganda are key populations for HIV, with persistently higher prevalence and incidence than the general population.between March August 2014, a cross sectional survey was conducted 10 of Lake Victoria Uganda. Data collected on socio-behavioural characteristics using interviewer administered questionnaires venous blood HIV testing. Prevalent infections among adolescents young people aged 13 to 24 years estimated factors associated those determined multi variable logistic...
The estimated mortality rate of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic varied greatly around world with multiple countries in East, Central, and West Africa having significantly lower rates COVID-19 related fatalities than many resource-rich nations earlier wide-spread access to life-saving vaccines. One possible reason for this could be presence pre-existing cross-reactive immunological responses these areas world. To explore hypothesis, stored peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from Ugandans...
Mobility is linked to negative HIV care continuum outcomes. We sought understand factors associated with short and long term mobility among women in fishing communities Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda. From 2018 through 2019 we conducted a cross-sectional survey of aged 15 years above, randomly selected from census six villages, around Lake Victoria. Data collected included: demographics, risky sexual behaviour on the most recent trip, travel previous 4 months. was recorded as any overnight trip...
Recruitment and retention of participants in research studies conducted fishing communities remain a challenge because population mobility. Reliable acceptable methods for identifying tracking taking part HIV prevention treatment are needed. The study aims to assess the acceptability, technical feasibility iris scans as biometric identification method communities.
Pigmented leukocytes are reported to be associated with severe malaria (SM). Blood smears from a case-control study of SM conducted in Apac Hospital Northern Uganda were examined for pigmented investigate their association measures disease and clinical immunity children less than 5 years old. leukocytes, predominated by monocytes, significantly greater number comparison uncomplicated (UM). no had elevated hemoglobin, packed cell volumes, titers IgG anti-SERA5 leukocytes. These differences...
Introduction Women in fishing communities have both high HIV prevalence and incidence, hence they are a priority population for prevention treatment interventions. However, their mobility is likely to compromise the effectiveness of We assessed acceptability, feasibility using phones global positioning system (GPS) devices tracking mobility, inform future health research innovations. Methods A mult-site formative qualitative study was conducted six purposively selected Fishing Communities on...
Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) reduces HIV acquisition by at least 60%, but the determinants of susceptibility in foreskin tissues are incompletely understood. Flow cytometry is a powerful tool that helps us understand tissue immune defenses mucosal like inner foreskin, flow has only been validated using fresh samples. This restricts analyses to timepoints immediately after surgical and hinders research this area. We compared analysis with whole cryopreservation later thawing...