A5062627243- Trypanosoma species research and implications
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
- Child Nutrition and Water Access
- Global Maternal and Child Health
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Biochemical and Molecular Research
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Helminth infection and control
- Trace Elements in Health
- Immune Cell Function and Interaction
- Hepatitis Viruses Studies and Epidemiology
- HIV/AIDS drug development and treatment
- Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Biomedical Research
- Reproductive System and Pregnancy
- Plant Pathogenic Bacteria Studies
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Biotechnology and Related Fields
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Complement system in diseases
- Brucella: diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment
- Genomics and Rare Diseases
- Adenosine and Purinergic Signaling
- Global Health and Surgery
Makerere University
2016-2024
National Agricultural Research Institute
2009-2018
University of Bern
2006-2016
Uganda Virus Research Institute
2015-2016
Treatment of many infectious diseases is under threat from drug resistance. Understanding the mechanisms resistance as high a priority development new drugs. We have investigated basis for cross-resistance between diamidine and melaminophenyl arsenical classes drugs in African trypanosomes. induced levels pentamidine line without <i>tbat1</i> gene that encodes P2 transporter previously implicated uptake. isolated independent clones displayed very considerable with melarsen oxide but not...
Background: There is exponential growth in the interest and implementation of genomics research Africa. This has been facilitated by Human Hereditary Health Africa (H3Africa) initiative, which aims to promote a contemporary approach study environmental determinants common diseases African populations.Objective: The purpose this article describe important challenges affecting Africa.Methods: observations, recommendations presented were obtained through discussions scientists at...
Background Control and elimination of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) can be accelerated through the use diagnostic tests that are more accurate easier to deploy. The goal this work was evaluate immuno-reactivity antigens identify candidates considered for development a simple serological test detection Trypanosoma brucei gambiense or T. b. rhodesiense infections, ideally both. Methodology/Principal Findings reactivity 35 independently evaluated by slot blot ELISA against sera from both...
The Hygiene Hypothesis proposes that infection exposure protects against inflammatory conditions. Helminths possess allergen-like molecules and may specifically modulate allergy-related immunological pathways to inhibit responses which protect them. Mass drug administration is recommended for helminth-endemic communities control helminth-induced pathology, but also result in increased rates of inflammation-mediated diseases resource-poor settings. Immunological studies integrated with...
Parasitic helminths are potent immunomodulators and chronic infections may protect against allergy-related disease atopy. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to test the hypothesis that in heavily helminth-exposed fishing villages on Lake Victoria, Uganda, helminth would be inversely associated with conditions.A household was as baseline an anthelminthic intervention trial. Outcomes were reported wheeze last year, atopy assessed both by skin prick (SPT) measurement of allergen-specific IgE...
The prevalence of allergy-related diseases is increasing in low-income countries. Parasitic helminths, common these settings, may be protective. We hypothesized that intensive, community-wide, anthelminthic mass drug administration (MDA) would increase diseases, while reducing helminth-related morbidity.
Background Knowing the prevalence of schistosomiasis is key to informing programmes control and eliminate disease as a public health problem. It also important understand impact infection on child growth development in order allocate appropriate resources effort disease. Methods We conducted survey estimate among school aged children villages along Albert-Nile shore line district Pakwach, North Western Uganda. A total 914 between 10–15 years were screened for Schistosoma mansoni using...
<title>Abstract</title> Background Malaria and schistosomiasis are important parasitic diseases. Coinfections of these have been reported in areas endemic to both parasites. The aim this study was determine the association between <italic>Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni)</italic> <italic>Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum)</italic> infection intensities among school age children living along Albert Nile. Methods A cross sectional 210 aged 10–15 years, conducted selected sites Nile Pakwach...
The development of arsenical and diamidine resistance in Trypanosoma brucei is associated with loss drug uptake by the P2 purine transporter as a result alterations corresponding T. adenosine 1 gene (TbAT1). Previously, specific TbAT1 mutant type alleles linked to melarsoprol treatment failure were significantly more prevalent b. gambiense from relapse patients at Omugo health centre Arua district. Relapse rates up 30% prompted shift eflornithine (alpha-difluoromethylornithine, DFMO)...
Summary Objective To assess the application of allele‐specific PCR (AS‐PCR) as a fast, cheap and reliable method for detecting mutant TbAT1 associated with melarsoprol relapse in Trypanosoma brucei gambiense isolates from northwest Uganda. Methods A total 105 trypanosome were analysed using Sfa N1 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) AS‐PCR, former used gold standard. Sensitivity, specificity, positive negative predictive values AS‐PCR well agreement between tests determined....
Over 290 million people are infected by schistosomes worldwide. Schistosomiasis control efforts focus on mass drug treatment with praziquantel (PZQ), a that kills the adult worm of all Schistosoma species. Nonetheless, re-infections have continued to be detected in endemic areas individuals living same area presenting varying infection intensities. Our objective was characterize transcriptome profiles peripheral blood children between 10–15 years intensities mansoni along Albert Nile Uganda....
Tsetse are vectors of pathogenic trypanosomes, agents human and animal trypanosomiasis in Africa. Components tsetse saliva (sialome) introduced into the mammalian host bite site during blood feeding process important for tsetse’s ability to feed efficiently, but can also influence disease transmission serve as biomarkers exposure. We compared sialome components from four species two subgenera: subgenus Morsitans: Glossina morsitans (Gmm) pallidipes (Gpd), Palpalis: palpalis gambiensis (Gpg)...
Abstract Background Obligate endoparasites often lack particular metabolic pathways as compared to free-living organisms. This phenomenon comprises anabolic well catabolic reactions. Presumably, the corresponding enzymes were lost in adaptation parasitism. Here we compare predicted core graphs of obligate and non-parasites (free living organisms facultative parasites) order analyze how parasites' networks shrunk course evolution. Results Core comprising biochemical reactions present presumed...
Africa is a continent with large burden of both infectious and non-communicable diseases. If we are to move forward as continent, need equip our growing cadre exceptional young scientists the skills needed tackle diseases endemic this continent. For this, immunology among key disciplines. Africans should be empowered study understand that affect them, perform their cutting-edge research in country origin. This requires multifaceted approach, buy-in from funders, overseas partners perhaps,...
Praziquantel mass drug administration (MDA) is recommended in schistosomiasis-endemic areas. Animal models demonstrate Schistosoma parasite resistance to praziquantel after repeated exposure. We conducted a parasitological survey 26 fishing communities Uganda 4 years of quarterly (13 communities) or annual MDA, with infection detected by single-stool-sample Kato-Katz. A test cure was done participants who were positive on both urine circulating cathodic antigen and 3-sample calculated rates...
Background Sleeping sickness caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense is a fatal disease and endemic in Southern Eastern Africa. There an urgent need to develop novel diagnostic control tools achieve elimination of sleeping which might be achieved through better understanding trypanosome gene expression genetics using isolates. Here, we describe transcriptome profiles population structure T . b isolates human blood Malawi. Methodology Blood samples r-HAT cases from Nkhotakota Rumphi foci...
Abstract Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and rhodesiense cause human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), a neglected tropical disease that constitutes an important public health issue in sub-Saharan Africa. In the absence of vaccine, only chemotherapy vector control has been used to combat disease. Environmental factors, such as exposure infected tsetse files, genetic factors variants APOL1 gene have shown contribute risk developing HAT. However, known explain small part trypanosomiasis. We...
<title>Abstract</title> Background Schistosomiasis is a chronic neglected disease that affects millions of people in sub Saharan Africa, with range impacts on both host immune responses and the gut microbiome. The microbiota plays fundamental role host’s nutrition, metabolism, protection against pathogens, modulation immunity. There need to understand microbiome pathophysiology <italic>Schistosoma mansoni</italic> infection how this influences response. Methodology: A cross sectional study...
Abstract Background Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a health burden in most remote areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. Only 2 species the Trypanosome parasites, namely, T. b. rhodesiense and gambiense can establish infection humans whereas other trypanosome parasites are lysed by human serum APOL-1 protein. The mechanism resistance to activity complex involves several parasite factors. On hand, evades lytic intracellular expression Serum Resistance Associated (SRA) gene that binds when...
<title>Abstract</title> <bold>Background</bold> Malaria and schistosomiasis are significant parasitic diseases in Uganda coinfections with the two not uncommon areas endemic to both parasites. The aim of this study was determine effect <italic>P. falciparum</italic> <italic>S. mansoni</italic> coinfection on gene expression peripheral blood school age children aged between 10–15 years.<bold>Methods</bold> A cross sectional years, conducted selected sites along Albert Nile Pakwach District...
<title>Abstract</title> Introduction: Cytokine dysregulation is a key feature of HIV-1 infection with plasma Interleukin 6 (IL-6) largely observed to enhance replication whereas Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) inhibits it. Notably, IL-6 IFN-γ secretion through the STAT3 pathway support survival. High IL-6: ratios may thus be linked persistence. Although these cytokines are often evaluated separately, we assessed ratio as predictor immune state and viral suppression. Methodology: A cross-sectional...