Theresa Smit
A5059526771- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
- HIV Research and Treatment
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- HIV/AIDS Impact and Responses
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations
- Sex work and related issues
- HIV/AIDS drug development and treatment
- COVID-19 diagnosis using AI
- Infectious Diseases and Tuberculosis
- Livestock and Poultry Management
- HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Reproductive tract infections research
- Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia detection and treatment
Africa Health Research Institute
2018-2025
University of KwaZulu-Natal
2023-2025
South African Medical Research Council
2023
Stellenbosch University
2023
The University of Queensland
2023
University of Cape Town
2021
University of Kinshasa
2020
Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute
2008-2014
Westmead Institute
2001-2006
Westmead Hospital
2001-2006
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...
Background Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and bacterial vaginosis (BV) are associated with increased transmission of HIV, poor reproductive sexual health. The burden STIs/BV among young people is unknown in many high HIV prevalence settings. We conducted an acceptability, feasibility, study home-based sampling for men women aged 15–24 years old a health demographic surveillance site (HDSS) rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Methods findings A total 1,342 people, stratified by age...
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...
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...
BackgroundThere has been remarkable progress in the treatment of HIV throughout sub-Saharan Africa, but there are few data on prevalence and overlap other significant causes disease endemic populations. Our aim was to identify infectious non-communicable diseases such a population rural South Africa.MethodsWe did cross-sectional study eligible adolescents adults from Africa Health Research Institute demographic surveillance area uMkhanyakude district KwaZulu-Natal, Africa. The participants,...
The Africa Centre Demographic Information System (ACDIS) cohort in rural KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, was established 2000.In 2017, the expanded and renamed Population Intervention Platform (PIP). Public health priorities have changed over past 20 years, with widespread availability of ART a growing burden non-communicable disease (NCD).AHRI's research programme has shifted to address these new priorities, deliver evaluate interventions. In mid-2018, had approximately 140,000 individuals...
AIDS dementia complex (ADC) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients continues to be a problem the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). A better understanding drug resistance mutation patterns that emerge central nervous system (CNS) during HAART is paramount importance as these differences mutations may explain underlying reasons for poor penetration drugs into CNS and suboptimal concentrations reside brains HIV-infected individuals therapy. Thus, we provide...
Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) bear the brunt of HIV epidemic in South Africa. 'DREAMS' aims to reduce incidence through multi-level combination prevention. We describe uptake sexual reproductive health (SRH) by AGYW KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), prior DREAMS.
Computer-aided digital chest radiograph interpretation (CAD) can facilitate high-throughput screening for tuberculosis (TB), but its use in population-based active case-finding programs has been limited. In an HIV-endemic area rural South Africa, we used a CAD algorithm (CAD4TBv5) to interpret x-rays (CXR) as part of mobile health effort. Participants with TB symptoms or CAD4TBv5 score above the triaging threshold were referred microbiological sputum assessment. During initial pilot phase,...
There are conflicting reports on the effects of HIV COVID-19. Here, we analyzed disease severity and immune cell changes during after SARS-CoV-2 infection in 236 participants from South Africa, which 39% were people living with (PLWH), first second (Beta dominated) waves. The wave had more PLWH requiring supplemental oxygen relative to HIV-negative participants. Higher was associated low CD4 T counts higher neutrophil lymphocyte ratios (NLR). Yet, recovered NLR stabilized clearance 2...
Background Young men are less likely than young women to engage with HIV prevention and care, their HIV-related mortality is higher. We describe incidence uptake of services in 20–29 years(y) rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, before the roll-out DREAMS. Methods used data from a population-based demographic surveillance cohort. was estimated anonymised testing an annual serosurvey. Service assessed 2011 2015, through two self-reported outcomes: 1) past 12 months(m); 2) voluntary medical male...
There is limited understanding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pathogenesis in African populations with a high burden infectious disease comorbidities such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The kinetics, magnitude, and duration virus-specific antibodies B-cell responses people living HIV (PLWH) sub-Saharan Africa have not been fully characterized.
Abstract Background People living with HIV (PLWH) have been reported to a higher risk of more severe COVID-19 disease and death. We assessed the ability Ad26.CoV2.S vaccine elicit neutralizing activity against Delta variant in PLWH relative HIV-negative individuals. also examined effects status suppression on neutralization response SARS-CoV-2—infected unvaccinated participants. Methods enrolled participants who were vaccinated through SISONKE South African clinical trial healthcare workers...
This study investigated the presence of Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) DNA in archived human sputum samples previously collected from residents who reside adjacent to M. bovis-endemic Hluhluwe-iMfolozi wildlife park, South Africa (SA). Sixty-eight were GeneXpert MTB/RIF Ultra-positive for tuberculosis complex (MTBC) but culture negative tuberculosis. Amplification and Sanger sequencing hsp65 rpoB genes extracted stored heat-inactivated confirmed detectable amounts MTBC 20 out 68 samples....
We investigated two peer distribution models of HIV self-testing (HIVST) in prevention demand creation compared with trained young community members (peer navigators).
Background: Accurate diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infected (LTBI) individuals is important in identifying at risk developing active tuberculosis. Current LTBI routinely relies on the detection and measurement immune responses using Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs). However, IGRA, which detects Mycobacterium specific IFN-γ, associated with frequent indeterminate results, particularly immunosuppressed patients. There a need to identify more sensitive point...
<title>Abstract</title> This study aimed to identify the interrelationships between mature BDNF (mBDNF), precursor (proBDNF) trajectories, and cognitive performance in individuals with HIV from sub-Saharan Africa over 96 weeks following antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation. Using data 154 participants ACTG 5199 (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00096824, 2005-06-23) Johannesburg Harare (2006–2009), we measured serum mBDNF proBDNF levels via ELISA assessed neuropsychological tests. Group-based...
Objectives The aim of the study was to estimate rates linkage HIV care and antiretroviral treatment ( ART ) initiation after introduction home‐based counselling testing HBHCT telephone‐facilitated support for in rural South Africa. Methods A population‐based prospective cohort carried out KwaZulu Natal, All residents aged ≥ 15 years were eligible . Those who tested positive not referred at one 11 public‐sector clinics. Individuals did attend clinic within 2 weeks sent a short message service...
Objective: We investigate how risk of sexually acquiring or transmitting HIV in adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) changed following the real-world implementation DREAMS (Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS free, Mentored Safe) prevention programme. Design: A representative population-based prospective cohort study AGYW living rural KwaZulu-Natal. Methods: Between 2017 2019, we interviewed a random sample aged 13–22 years annually. measured exposure to as self-reported receipt an...