Article
Immunology
Nicholas Zehner, Harriet Adrama, Abel Kakuru, Teddy Andra, Richard Kajubi, Melissa Conrad, Felistas Nankya, Tamara D. Clark, Moses Kamya, Isabel Rodriguez-Barraquer, Grant Dorsey, Prasanna Jagannathan
Summary: The study found that infant protection against Plasmodium falciparum malaria varies with age and sickle cell trait (HbAS) is protective against symptomatic malaria but the relationship is influenced by age. Differences in tolerance to high parasite densities were observed between infants with HbAS and HbAA.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Economics
David Holdford, Nicholas Vendetti, Daniel M. Sop, Shirley Johnson, Wally R. Smith
Summary: This study aimed to quantify the indirect costs of sickle cell disease in the United States and found that pain events had a significant negative impact on employment status, productivity, and daily lives of adults with the disorder.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Christelle M. Ngou, Albert N. Bayibeki, Luc Abate, Olesula S. Makinde, Lionel B. Feufack-Donfack, Elangwe M. Sarah-Matio, Aline G. Bouopda-Tuedom, Paul Taconet, Nicolas Moiroux, Parfait H. Awono-Ambene, Arthur Talman, Lawrence S. Ayong, Antoine Berry, Sandrine E. Nsango, Isabelle Morlais
Summary: The impact of sickle cell trait (SCT) on malaria transmission stages and mosquito infection parameters remains unclear, even though SCT offers protection against symptomatic malaria. Understanding the effects of SCT on human to mosquito malaria transmission is crucial for understanding its maintenance in malaria endemic areas.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Melinda Soeung, Luigi Perelli, Ziheng Chen, Eleonora Dondossola, -Lin Ho, Federica Carbone, Li Zhang, Hania Khan, Courtney N. Le, Cihui Zhu, Michael D. Peoples, Ningping Feng, Shan Jiang, Niki Millward Zacharias, Rosalba Minelli, Daniel D. Shapiro, Angela K. Deem, Sisi Gao, Emily H. Cheng, Donatella Lucchetti, Cheryl L. Walker, Alessandro Carugo, Virginia Giuliani, Timothy P. Heffernan, Andrea Viale, Nizar M. Tannir, Giulio F. Draetta, Pavlo Msoue, Giannicola Genovese
Summary: Renal medullary carcinoma (RMC) is a kidney cancer that mainly occurs in individuals with sickle cell trait (SCT) and is characterized by loss of the tumor suppressor SMARCB1. The degradation of SMARCB1 in response to hypoxic stress provides a survival advantage for renal cells under SCT. Our study reveals the connection between SCT-induced renal medullary hypoxia and increased risk of SMARCB1-negative RMC, as well as the resistance of SMARCB1-null renal tumors against angiogenesis inhibition therapies.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Benjamin Plackett
Summary: Sickle-cell disease is prevalent in the Middle East, with 2.6% of the population in some areas affected by this genetic disorder. Adlette Inati, a specialist in clinical haematology at the Lebanese American University, and president of a foundation supporting sickle-cell disease patients in Lebanon, discusses the potential benefits of genetic screening in this region.
Article
Immunology
Mary Lopez-Perez, Firmine Viwami, Zakaria Seidu, Anja T. R. Jensen, Justin Doritchamou, Nicaise Tuikue Ndam, Lars Hviid
Summary: The study found that HbAS does not provide protection against placental malaria infection in pregnant women, and the immune levels to specific PfEMP1 variants were similar in HbAS and HbAA women. Women with placental malaria had lower levels of anti-VAR2CSA specific IgG.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Kabir O. Olaniran, Andrew S. Allegretti, Sophia H. Zhao, Sagar U. Nigwekar, Sahir Kalim
Summary: Sickle cell trait and disease are associated with higher risk of AKI, which leads to accelerated decline in eGFR.
CLINICAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anna Nowogrodzki
Summary: The United States has made progress in reducing child mortality, but adults have been neglected in this regard.
Article
Spectroscopy
Rajesh Srinivasan, V. R. Eugene Christo, Radhika Nambannor Kunnath, Prateek Katare, Aravind Venukumar, Nisanth K. M. Nambison, Sai Siva Gorthi
Summary: People with sickle cell disease suffer from a reduced quality of life, and current detection methods are costly and time-consuming. This study proposes a new low-cost method that can rapidly and accurately screen and diagnose sickle cell disease, potentially revolutionizing the field.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Krupal B. Patel, Kea Turner, Amir Alishahi Tabriz, Brian D. Gonzalez, Laura B. Oswald, Oliver T. Nguyen, Young-Rock Hong, Heather S. L. Jim, Anthony C. Nichols, Xuefeng Wang, Edmondo Robinson, Cristina Naso, Philippe E. Spiess
Summary: Patients with cancer often face greater financial hardships and time costs. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this issue and posed challenges to cancer care. This study evaluated the cost savings in patient travel, time, and expenses associated with telehealth for cancer care delivery. The findings suggest that telehealth can reduce the financial burden on patients with cancer.
Article
Hematology
Berengere Koehl, Livia Claude, Karen Reminy, Vanessa Tarer, Veronique Baccini, Marc Romana, Yves Colin-Aronovicz, Vijaya L. Damaraju, Michael Sawyer, Thierry Peyrard, Maryse Etienne-Julan, Caroline Le Van Kim, Slim Azouzi, Luc Reininger
Summary: This study investigated the expression of erythrocyte ENT1 in adult patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and carriers of sickle cell trait (SCT). The results showed that the expression levels of erythrocyte ENT1 were not significantly different from normal controls in patients with SCD in steady state conditions. However, the expression of erythrocyte ENT1 was significantly decreased in SCD patients during painful vaso-occlusive episodes and in healthy SCT carriers.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Kevin Esoh, Edmond Wonkam-Tingang, Ambroise Wonkam
Summary: Sickle cell disease poses a threat to children and adults in sub-Saharan Africa, where interventions such as neonate screening and comprehensive care are gradually being implemented to reduce mortality rates. International collaborations are playing a key role in improving the outlook of sickle cell disease management in the region by addressing accessibility and affordability of effective therapies such as hydroxyurea and stem-cell transplantation.
LANCET HAEMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Joseph Hulsizer, W. Kyle Resurreccion, Zhuqing Shi, Jun Wei, Skylar Ladson-Gary, S. Lilly Zheng, Brian T. Helfand, Liana Billings, Michael S. Caplan, Jianfeng Xu
Summary: Sickle cell trait is significantly associated with increased risk for diabetes and diabetes-related complications/comorbidities.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Lauren E. Merz, Kavita Mistry, Donna Neuberg, Revital Freedman, Gerda Menard, David M. Dorfman, Hae Soo Park, Katherine Jolley, Maureen O. Achebe
Summary: The study suggests that while SCT may exacerbate morbidity and mortality of SARS-CoV-2 infection, it does not necessarily lead to worse outcomes among black or African American individuals. Patients with SCT did not show increased end organ damage, morbidity, or mortality from the infection, but did exhibit differences in admission creatinine levels and preexisting lung disease compared to those without SCT.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Melissa Graboyes, Judith Meta
Summary: This article presents a case study of the WHO's malaria elimination attempt in Zanzibar and the rebound malaria epidemic that occurred in the decades after the program's conclusion in 1968. The study finds that scientists were aware of the risks of rebound before it happened and recognized the epidemic as it was happening. Many of the challenges faced by Zanzibar in the 1960s still persist today, and ethical questions regarding rebound malaria remain unaddressed.
Article
Immunology
Sophie Uyoga, Perpetual Wanjiku, Jesse C. Rop, Johnstone Makale, Alexander W. Macharia, Gideon M. Nyutu, Mohammed Shebe, Kennedy A. Awuondo, Neema Mturi, Charles J. Woodrow, Arjen M. Dondorp, Kathryn Maitland, Thomas N. Williams
Summary: The clinical severity of Plasmodium falciparum malaria infections is directly related to the total parasite load, with higher parasite counts found in uncomplicated cases. The concentration of PfHRP2 also increases with severity, except in cases of severe malaria with concomitant bacterial infections where it is significantly lower. A quantitative test for plasma concentrations of PfHRP2 may aid in identifying children at the greatest clinical risk and differentiating critically ill children with malaria as a secondary cause.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Sophie Uyoga, Elizabeth C. George, Imelda Bates, Peter Olupot-Olupot, Yami Chimalizeni, Elizabeth M. Molyneux, Kathryn Maitland
Summary: Point-of-care haemoglobin testing is increasingly popular globally, but remains neglected in African health services. Prioritizing the use of POC Hb can lead to more rapid and accurate diagnosis of anemia, saving lives and reducing unnecessary transfusions in Africa.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Kathryn Maitland, Sarah Kiguli, Peter Olupot-Olupot, Robert O. Opoka, Yami Chimalizeni, Florence Alaroker, Sophie Uyoga, Dorothy Kyeyune-Byabazaire, Bridon M'baya, Imelda Bates, Thomas N. Williams, Deogratias Munube, Dora Mbanya, Elizabeth M. Molyneux, Annabelle South, A. Sarah Walker, Diana M. Gibb, Elizabeth C. George
Summary: The TRACT trial found that conservative management of uncomplicated severe anaemia was safe, and that transfusion volume had opposing effects on mortality depending on fever status. A stakeholder meeting in 2020 reviewed the results and additional analyses, leading to the development of a transfusion management algorithm for safe implementation.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
K. Maitland, S. Kiguli, P. Olupot-Olupot, M. Hamaluba, K. Thomas, F. Alaroker, R. O. Opoka, A. Tagoola, V. Bandika, A. Mpoya, H. Mnjella, E. Nabawanuka, W. Okiror, M. Nakuya, D. Aromut, C. Engoru, E. Oguda, T. N. Williams, J. F. Fraser, D. A. Harrison, K. Rowan
Summary: The study conducted a trial on the role of oxygen therapy in severe pneumonia in African children, finding that the use of high-flow nasal therapy may be beneficial, prompting further research to confirm.
INTENSIVE CARE MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
C. Bottomley, M. Otiende, S. Uyoga, K. Gallagher, E. W. Kagucia, A. O. Etyang, D. Mugo, J. Gitonga, H. Karanja, J. Nyagwange, I. M. O. Adetifa, A. Agweyu, D. J. Nokes, G. M. Warimwe, J. A. G. Scott
Summary: The authors propose a model-based alternative to estimating the proportion of the population previously infected with SARS-CoV-2, which accounts for antibody waning and spectrum bias. By comparing the mixture model analysis with the standard threshold analysis using data from several Kenyan serosurveys, it is shown that the estimates of previous infection using the mixture model are often substantially higher than those from the standard threshold analysis.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Angela Dramowski, Alexander M. Aiken, Andrea M. Rehman, Yolandi Snyman, Sandra Reuter, Hajo Grundmann, J. Anthony G. Scott, Marlieke E. A. de Kraker, Andrew Whitelaw
Summary: This study aimed to examine the impact of third-generation cephalosporin (3GC) resistance on clinical outcomes in patients with Enterobacteriaceae bloodstream infections (BSIs) in a hospital in South Africa. The study found that 3GC resistance was associated with non-concordant initial therapy and increased mortality rate.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
James A. Watson, Sophie Uyoga, Perpetual Wanjiku, Johnstone Makale, Gideon M. Nyutu, Neema Mturi, Elizabeth C. George, Charles J. Woodrow, Nicholas P. J. Day, Philip Bejon, Robert O. Opoka, Arjen M. Dondorp, Chandy C. John, Kathryn Maitland, Thomas N. Williams, Nicholas J. White
Summary: Severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is difficult to accurately diagnose in children in high-transmission settings. A combination of platelet count and plasma PfHRP2 concentration can be used to identify severe falciparum malaria in severely ill patients. About one-third of children enrolled in clinical studies of severe malaria in high-transmission settings in Africa had other causes of their severe illness.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
S. Uyoga, J. A. Watson, P. Wanjiku, J. C. Rop, J. Makale, A. W. Macharia, S. N. Kariuki, G. M. Nyutu, M. Shebe, M. Mosobo, N. Mturi, K. A. Rockett, C. J. Woodrow, A. M. Dondorp, K. Maitland, N. J. White, T. N. Williams
Summary: The study found that polymorphisms in four major red cell genes are associated with lower plasma PfHRP2 concentrations, which may help protect the body from parasitized erythrocyte sequestration. On the other hand, a known ATP2B4 polymorphism is associated with higher plasma PfHRP2 concentrations, lower parasite densities, and a higher sequestration index.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Olivia Lucey, Susan Acana, Peter Olupot-Olupot, Rita Muhindo, Ronald Ayikobua, Sophie Uyoga, Dorothy Kyeyune-Byabazaire, Graham Cooke, Kathryn Maitland
Summary: Adequate supplies of donor blood is a major challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Uganda where confirmatory testing for transfusion-transmitted infections is lacking. This study aims to determine the false discovery rate of the Architect anti-HCV screening assay and develop an algorithm for confirmatory testing, in order to reduce unnecessary blood wastage and donor deferral.
Article
Cell Biology
Nuala Calder, Kevin Walsh, Peter Olupot-Olupot, Tonny Ssenyondo, Rita Muhindo, Ayub Mpoya, Jerusa Brignardello, Xuedan Wang, Eleanor McKay, Douglas Morrison, Elaine Holmes, Gary Frost, Kathryn Maitland
Summary: A pilot trial in Uganda compared feeds targeting disordered gastrointestinal function in African children with severe acute malnutrition. There were no significant differences in weight gain, mortality, or edema resolution among different feed groups. Legume-enriched feeds supported aspects of gut function and the microbiome.
CELL REPORTS MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sophie Uyoga, Ifedayo M. O. Adetifa, Henry K. Karanja, James Nyagwange, James Tuju, Perpetual Wanjiku, Rashid Aman, Mercy Mwangangi, Patrick Amoth, Kadondi Kasera, Wangari Ng'ang'a, Charles Rombo, Christine Yegon, Khamisi Kithi, Elizabeth Odhiambo, Thomas Rotich, Irene Orgut, Sammy Kihara, Mark Otiende, Christian Bottomley, Zonia N. Mupe, Eunice W. Kagucia, Katherine E. Gallagher, Anthony Etyang, Shirine Voller, John N. Gitonga, Daisy Mugo, Charles N. Agoti, Edward Otieno, Leonard Ndwiga, Teresa Lambe, Daniel Wright, Edwine Barasa, Benjamin Tsofa, Philip Bejon, Lynette Ochola-Oyier, Ambrose Agweyu, J. Anthony G. Scott, George M. Warimwe
Summary: The prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G among blood donors in Kenya from April to June 2020 was 4.3%, with the highest rates in urban counties like Mombasa, Nairobi, and Kisumu. This suggests that SARS-CoV-2 exposure is more widespread than case-based surveillance indicates.
