A5023021754- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia detection and treatment
- Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
- HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
- HIV-related health complications and treatments
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
- HIV/AIDS drug development and treatment
- Sex work and related issues
- Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- Diabetes Management and Education
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- Diabetes and associated disorders
- Diabetes Management and Research
- Pharmaceutical studies and practices
- Infectious Diseases and Tuberculosis
- HIV/AIDS Impact and Responses
- Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- COVID-19 Digital Contact Tracing
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
National Institute for Medical Research
2017-2025
Mbeya University of Science and Technology
2025
Baylor University
2023
Universidade Federal do Pará
2021
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
2018
Tuberculosis remains a global health concern, and half of cured patients have permanent lung injury. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has shown beneficial antimicrobial, antioxidant, immunomodulatory effects in preclinical tuberculosis models. We examined its on treatment outcomes.
<h2>Abstract</h2><h3>Background</h3> Half the global tuberculosis health burden is due to post-tuberculosis lung disease. Host-directed therapies have been proposed reduce this burden. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) provides conditionally essential amino acid cysteine required for synthesis of glutathione, an antioxidant thiol. We recently reported clinical outcomes a trial adjunctive NAC in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, finding that improved secondary endpoint recovery function. Here we...
Background: There is increasing interest in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) to introduce and scale-up digital health tools like electronic immunization registries (eIR), logistics management information systems (eLMIS) support services. An evaluation of the use these was conducted four inform decisions about their further expansion investments. Methods: Purposive sampling regions, districts, facilities done each country based on predefined criteria. Primary data were collected...
To determine patients' acceptability, satisfaction and adherence to shorter all-oral multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) regimen in Tanzania. A two-phase cross-sectional study with data collected within 6 months of Removed Injectable modified Short-course regimens for EXpert MDR-TB (RISE) implementation the second phase 15 using same reference populations. 18 health facilities across eight regions Rifampicin-resistant TB/MDR-TB patients enrolled RISE study. We assessed an interval...
Objective: To describe challenges posed by COVID-19 on TB commodity supply, care cascade, active case finding, and responses taken healthcare workers (HCWs) community health (CHWs) during the first year of pandemic (March 2020 to February 2021). Design: A qualitative descriptive study involving 25 in-depth interviews 10 focus group discussions conducted in July 2022. Setting: 37 treatment facilities were purposively selected from seven regions due high notifications 2019 their provision...
Linkage to care is the bridge between HIV testing and treatment, support. In Tanzania, mobile aims address historically low rates. was reported at 14% in 2009 28% 2014. The study compares linkage of HIV-positive individuals tested mobile/outreach versus public health facility-based services within first 6 months diagnosis.Rural communities four districts Mbeya Region, Tanzania.A total 1012 newly diagnosed adults from 16 facilities were enrolled into a two-armed cohort followed for August...
Abstract Background The World Health Organization–approved Xpert MTB/XDR test detects Mycobacterium tuberculosis and resistance to isoniazid, fluoroquinolones, ethionamide, injectable drugs directly in specimens. This pragmatic, laboratory-based study assessed the diagnostic accuracy feasibility of a reflex testing approach, where was performed on residual specimens previously processed for MTB/RIF Ultra. Methods Routine respiratory specimens, Ultra, were stored sample reagent buffer at...
Tuberculosis (TB) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV (PLHIV). Current WHO-recommended strategies for diagnosing TB hospitalized PLHIV rely on symptom screening disease severity to assess eligibility urine lipoarabinomannan lateral flow (LF-LAM) molecular testing. Despite these recommendations, autopsy studies show a large burden undiagnosed admitted PLHIV. The EXULTANT trial aims the impact expanded strategy using three specimens (sputum, stool,...
Abstract Background We assessed the impact of point-of-care (PoC) test-and-treat at birth on clinical outcomes and viral suppression among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–positive infants in Mozambique Tanzania. Methods This cluster-randomized trial allocated health facilities to intervention, providing PoC testing antiretroviral treatment (ART) week 4–8, or control, starting these 4–8. The primary outcome was proportions events (mortality, morbidity, retention, virological failure,...
Point-of-care (PoC) systems for early infant diagnosis (EID) may improve timely human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) management. Experiences within African public health settings are limited.We evaluated the accuracy and operational feasibility of Xpert HIV-1 Qual PoC-EID testing, using fresh blood dried spots (DBS) samples at obstetric facilities in Tanzania birth postpartum weeks 1, 2, 3, 6 HIV-exposed infants. Test results were confirmed TaqMan DBS HIV-deoxyribonucleic acid and/or plasma...
Background Early access to diagnosis is crucial for effective management of any disease including tuberculosis (TB). We investigated the barriers and opportunities maximise uptake utilisation molecular diagnostics in routine healthcare settings. Methods Using implementation WHO approved TB diagnostics, Xpert Mycobacterium /rifampicin (MTB/RIF) Line Probe Assay (LPA) as a benchmark, we evaluated how they could be unlocked diagnostics. Results Health officers representing 190...
Background: Infections with Wuchereria bancrofti are associated reduced immunity against concomitant infections. Indeed, our previous study described a 2.3-fold increased HIV incidence among individuals W. infection, as measured by the circulating filarial antigen of adult worm. This new aimed to retrospectively determine microfilariae status participants assess if previously susceptibility was presence MF in same cohort. Methods: CFA positive but negative biobanked human blood samples (n =...
High-risk sexual behaviours (HRSBs) among young adults are a key risk for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), HIV and unplanned pregnancies. The World Health Organization has identified the 15-24 year age-group as high-risk STIs. Students at Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) may be higher because they free of immediate parental supervision, transient migratory population, probably peak years activity. Here, we describe risky preventive practices attending HLIs in Mbeya, Tanzania.
Abstract Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) increases the risk of tuberculosis (TB) and will hamper global TB control due to dramatic rise in type 2 DM TB-endemic settings. In this trial, we examine efficacy safety preventive therapy against development disease people with who have latent infection (LTBI), a 12-week course rifapentine isoniazid (3HP). Methods The ‘Prevention diabetes mellitus’ (PROTID) consortium randomise 3000 HIV-negative eligible adults LTBI, as evidenced by positive...
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Xpert® MTB/RIF Ultra (Ultra) on fresh respiratory samples for diagnosis pulmonary TB (PTB) in children.METHODS: Between July 2017 and December 2019, children with presumed were prospectively enrolled at clinical sites three African countries. Children assessed using history, physical examination chest X-ray. Sputum or gastric aspirate analysed culture. The was calculated against culture as reference standard.RESULTS: In total, 547children...
Like other countries, Tanzania instituted mobile and outreach testing approaches to address low HIV rates at health facilities enhance linkage care. Available evidence from hard-to-reach rural settings of Mbeya region, suggests that clients HIV+ facility-based sites are more likely link care, sooner, than those sites. This paper (1) describes the populations accessing mobile/outreach sites, (2) compares processes dynamics care between these two models same study context. An explanatory...
<ns4:p><ns4:bold>Background</ns4:bold></ns4:p><ns4:p> High-risk sexual behaviors(HRSBs) among young adults are key risk for Sexually Transmitted Infections(STIs), HIV and unplanned pregnancies. WHO has identified the 15-24years age-group as high-risk STIs. Students at Higher Learning Institutions(HLIs) may be higher because they <ns4:italic>free</ns4:italic> of immediate parental-supervision, a transient migratory population, probably peak-years activity. In Tanzania, information is limited...
Introduction Children living with chronic illnesses are offered formulations based on manufacturer and distributor research. The aim of this study is to better understand the perspectives children their caregivers in accepting Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) formulations. Methods 362 participants were recruited from two pediatric HIV/AIDS clinics Mbeya Mwanza, Tanzania, December 2021 May 2022. A translated questionnaire was piloted validated at both clinics, followed by implementation a...
Abstract Introduction Tanzania rolled-out a 12-dose, weekly regimen of isoniazid plus rifapentine (3HP) TB preventive treatment in January, 2024. Although 3HP completion rate is generally ≥ 80%, variations exist depending on type delivery strategy and programmatic setting. Prior to the roll-out, mixed methods study was conducted assess whether family approach involving member support, SMS reminders three health education sessions, acceptable optimized uptake completion. This paper describes...