A5000230449- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- vaccines and immunoinformatics approaches
- Immunodeficiency and Autoimmune Disorders
- Global Health and Surgery
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Biomedical Ethics and Regulation
- T-cell and B-cell Immunology
- Immune Cell Function and Interaction
- CAR-T cell therapy research
- Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis
World Health Organization
2025
University of Cape Town
2018-2021
South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative
2018-2021
Maintenance of long-lasting immunity is thought to depend on stem cell memory T cells (T
Rationale: Current diagnostic tests fail to identify individuals at higher risk of progression tuberculosis disease, such as those with recent Mycobacterium infection, who should be prioritized for targeted preventive treatment. Objectives: To define a blood-based biomarker, measured simple flow cytometry assay, that can stratify different stages infection infer disease. Methods: South African adolescents were serially tested QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QuantiFERON-TB conversion <6 mo) and...
In April 2024, a hybrid meeting organized by the WHO, PAHO, and MPP during World Bank Spring Meetings focused on financing mRNA-based technologies in Low- Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). This sought to engage multilateral development banks (MDBs) stakeholders expansion of vaccine production enhancing pandemic preparedness. The COVID-19 underscored disparities distribution, highlighting need for localized improve global health equity. WHO’s mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, initiated 2021,...
BackgroundRecent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection is associated with a higher risk of progression to disease, compared persistent after remote exposure. However, current immunodiagnostic tools fail distinguish between recent and infection. We aimed characterise the immunobiology acquisition M.tb identify biomarker that can from infection.MethodsHealthy South African adolescents were serially tested QuantiFERON-TB Gold define (QuantiFERON-TB conversion <6 months) (QuantiFERON-TB+...
Reversion of immune sensitization tests for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection, such as interferon-gamma release assays or tuberculin skin test, has been reported in multiple studies. We hypothesized that QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT) reversion is associated with a decline M.tb-specific functional T cell responses, and distinct pattern innate responses compared to persistent QFT+ QFT- individuals. groups healthy adolescents (n=~30 each), defined by four, 6-monthly QFT tests: reverters...
The performance of host blood-based biomarkers for tuberculosis (TB) in HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) has not been fully assessed. We evaluated the immune phenotype and functionality antigen-specific T-cell responses HIV positive (+) participants with TB (n = 12) compared to negative (-) either 9) or latent infection (LTBI) 9). show that cytokine profile Mtb-specific CD4+ T-cells TB, regardless status, was predominantly single IFN-γ dual IFN-γ/ TNFα. Whilst...
Abstract Background Provision of tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT) to individuals with Mycobacterium (M.tb) infection (TBI) is a key strategy reduce the global burden. Tuberculosis risk significantly higher after recent compared remote TBI. We aimed define blood-based biomarker, measured simple flow cytometry assay, stratify different stages TBI infer disease. Methods Healthy adolescents were serially tested QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT) (QFT conversion <6 months) and (persistent QFT+...
The risk of tuberculosis (TB) disease is higher in individuals with recent Mycobacterium (M.tb) infection compared to more remote, established infection. We aimed define blood-based biomarkers distinguish between and remote infection, which would allow targeting recently infected for preventive TB treatment. hypothesized that integration multiple immune measurements outperform the diagnostic performance a single biomarker. Analysis was performed on different components system, including...
Abstract Background Recent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection is associated with a higher risk of progression to disease, compared persistent after remote exposure. However, current immunodiagnostic tools fail distinguish between recent and infection. We aimed characterise the immunobiology acquisition M.tb identify biomarker that can from Methods Healthy South African adolescents were serially tested QuantiFERON-TB Gold define (QuantiFERON-TB conversion <6 months)...
Abstract The risk of tuberculosis (TB) disease is higher in individuals with recent Mycobacterium ( M . tb ) infection compared to more remote, established infection. We aimed define blood-based biomarkers distinguish between and remote infection, which would allow targeting recently infected for preventive TB treatment. hypothesized that integration multiple immune measurements outperform the diagnostic performance a single biomarker. Analysis was performed on different components system,...