A5030235492- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Global Maternal and Child Health
- Child Nutrition and Water Access
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Hepatitis B Virus Studies
- Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
- Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
- Hepatitis C virus research
- Healthcare Systems and Reforms
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Helminth infection and control
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Malaria Research and Control
- Brucella: diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment
- Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Ophthalmology and Visual Health Research
- vaccines and immunoinformatics approaches
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
University of Rwanda
2014-2025
Rwanda Biomedical Center
2020-2022
Ministry of Health
2020-2022
University of Kigali
2019
University of Edinburgh
2011-2014
Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution
2012-2014
Institute of Immunology
2012-2013
Suppressing infections of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) will probably require the rapid identification and isolation individuals infected with virus on an ongoing basis. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests are accurate but costly, which makes regular testing every individual expensive. These costs a challenge for all countries around world, particularly low-to-middle-income countries. Cost reductions can be achieved by pooling (or...
Background Morbidity due to schistosomiasis is currently controlled by treatment of schistosome infected people with the antihelminthic drug praziquantel (PZQ). Children aged up 5 years are excluded from control programmes largely lack PZQ safety data in this age group. This study investigated and efficacy such children. Methods Zimbabwean children 1–5 (n = 104) were treated tablets side effects assessed questionnaire administered their caregivers within 24 hours taking PZQ. Treatment was...
Background. Schistosomiasis elicits cross-regulatory immune responses, but it is unclear how antihelminthic treatment affects this balance. This study integrates data on 13 cytokines elicited by 3 schistosome to examine praziquantel alters polarization and whether post-treatment cytokine profiles influence reinfection status.
<i>Background:</i> The hygiene hypothesis suggests that parasitic infections protect against allergic diseases by modulating the host’s immune responses. Experimental studies indicate this protection depends on intensity of infection, but observation has not been tested in human populations. aim study is to investigate whether <i>Schistosoma haematobium </i>infection related atopic responses and relationship differs between populations with distinct parasite...
The incidence of human brucellosis is not documented in Rwanda despite several reports on the disease cattle. Because has been associated with abortion, aim this study was to investigate prevalence positive serology women presenting abortion and/or stillbirth. done Huye District, Southern Province Rwanda, and patients were recruited from both University Teaching Hospital Butare (CHUB) Kabutare District Hospital. Serum samples collected Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) performed each sample. A...
Abstract COVID-19 transmission rates are often linked to locally circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2. Here we describe 203 SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequences analyzed from in Rwanda May 2020 February 2021. In particular, report a shift variant distribution towards the emerging sub-lineage A.23.1 that is currently dominating. Furthermore, detection first Rwandan cases B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants concern among incoming travelers tested at Kigali International Airport. To assess importance viral...
In animal experimental models, parasitic helminth infections can protect the host from auto-immune diseases. We conducted a population-scale human study investigating relationship between parasitism and auto-reactive antibodies subsequent effect of anti-helminthic treatment on this relationship. Levels antinuclear (ANA) plasma IL-10 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in 613 Zimbabweans (aged 2–86 years) naturally exposed to blood fluke Schistosoma haematobium. ANA levels...
Schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminthiases (STH) are still prevalent in Rwanda. We aimed to identify factors associated with the persistence of infection selected sentinel sites that will be used monitor progress towards elimination. Infection prevalence intensity were assessed using Kato Katz (KK) Circulating Cathodic Antigen (CCA for schistosomiasis). Scooping shedding determine snail distribution infectivity. Risk collected through a structured questionnaire. Overall, STH...
SUMMARY Despite the overlapping distribution of Schistosoma haematobium and Plasmodium falciparum infections, few studies have investigated early immune responses to both parasites in young children resident areas co-endemic for parasites. This study measures infection levels relates them exposure children. Levels IgM, IgE, IgG4 directed against schistosome cercariae, egg adult worm IgG P. schizonts merozoite surface proteins 1 2 together with cytokines IFN- γ , IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 TNF- α were...
Suppressing SARS-CoV-2 will likely require the rapid identification and isolation of infected individuals, on an ongoing basis. RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) tests are accurate but costly, making regular testing every individual expensive. The costs a challenge for all countries particularly developing countries. Cost reductions can be achieved by pooling (or combining) subsamples them in groups. We propose algorithm based geometry hypercube that, at low...
Rwanda has a fast growing pig production sector projected to continue expansion, due rising local and regional demand. We undertook value chain analysis establish the flows of pigs pork in roles various actors involved, understand governance sanitary risks chain. Cross-sectional qualitative data were collected through focus group discussions key informant interviews with farmers, brokers, butchers, abattoir managers, veterinarians. Data on methods inputs, source destination live slaughtered...
Rwanda has made remarkable progress in scaling up HIV testing, treatment, and healthcare services. Recent data show that 95% of people living with (PLWH) were aware their status, 97.5% them are on antiretroviral therapy (ART), 98% those who treatment have achieved viral suppression. Importantly, growing body evidence supports the Undetectable = Untransmittable (U U) concept, affirming PLWH maintain an undetectable load do not transmit to sexual partners. This pivotal breakthrough care...
Undernutrition and severe malaria continue to be major public health concerns worldwide, particularly in African countries. While the association between malnutrition has been widely studied various settings, limited research focused on asymptomatic its link nutritional status Rwanda, leaving a gap understanding this relationship local context. This study aimed investigate possible children's infections. Specifically, assessed prevalence of undernutrition infection relation implemented...
Characterisation of protective helminth acquired immunity in humans or experimental models has focused on effector responses with little work conducted memory responses. Here we show for the first time, that human infection is associated altered proportions CD4+ T cells, an alteration T(H)1 The reduced cell are a significantly lower ratio schistosome-specific IgE/IgG4 (marker resistance to infection/re-infection) uninfected older people. Helminth does not affect CD8+ pool. Furthermore, time...
Background Improved helminth control is required to alleviate the global burden of schistosomiasis and schistosome-associated pathologies. Current efforts rely on anti-helminthic drug praziquantel (PZQ), which enhances immune responses crude schistosome antigens but does not prevent re-infection. An anti-schistosome vaccine based Schistosoma haematobium glutathione-S-transferase (GST) currently in Phase III clinical trials, little known about directed against this antigen humans naturally...
This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasite infections among children less than two years age in Rutsiro, Rwanda.A cross-sectional parasitological survey was conducted Rutsiro June 2016. Fresh stool samples were collected from 353 examined using microscopy detect parasite. A questionnaire administered collect data on hygiene, sanitation, socio-demographic economic characteristics.Approximately one (44.8%) found be infected with at least...
Background Currently there are few studies characterising the nature and aetiology of human schistosome-related inflammatory processes. The aim this study was to determine relationship between Chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1), also known as YKL-40, a molecule associated with processes, schistosome infection, morbidity systemic cytokine levels. Methods Serological levels CHI3L1 panel cytokines (IFN-y, IL-4/5/6/9/10/13 17) were measured in two Zimbabwean populations resident high low infection...
Several field studies have reported an inverse relationship between the prevalence of helminth infections and that allergic sensitisation/atopy. Recent show immune responses induced by parasites are, to extent, comparable sensitisation. However, products induce regulatory capable inhibiting not only antiparasite responses, but also The relative effects this immunomodulation on development protective schistosome-specific in humans has yet be demonstrated at population level, clinical...
Schistosomiasis, due to S. mansoni, is prevalent in Rwanda. However, there a paucity of information related the abundance, species, distribution, and infectivity Schistosoma intermediate host snails.Snails were collected from 71 sites, including lakeshores wetlands. Snails obtained morphologically identified, cercariae shed using standard procedures. Cercariae molecularly characterized PCR. GPS coordinates used generate geospatial maps snail distribution that overlaid with schistosomiasis...
<b><i>Background:</i></b> Protective acquired immunity against helminths and allergic sensitisation are both characterised by high IgE antibody levels. Levels of antibodies naturally tightly regulated several mechanisms including binding the CD23 receptor. Following observations that helminth infections may co-present, current study aims to investigate relationship between soluble (sCD23) receptor, parasite-specific responses in people exposed parasite...
Pneumonia is a public health problem in the tropics, and 7-valent pneumococcal conjugative vaccine (PCV-7) has been introduced an effort to prevent disease therefore reduce childhood mortality. In Rwanda, PCV-7 was 2009, we aimed determine its impact on rate of child hospitalization/mortality due pneumonia. A retrospective survey conducted hospitalization rates pediatric deaths between two periods, that is, before introduction (2007–2009) after (2010–2013) Kabutare District Hospital. There...