Article
Infectious Diseases
Gillian M. Hunt, Mukhlid Yousif, Leon Levin, Johanna Ledwaba, Kim Steegen, Tendesayi Kufa, Hloniphile Zwane, Monalisa Kalimashe, Vibha Kana, Getahun Aynalem, Jaclyn Perlman, Kassahun Ayalew, Gurpreet Kindra, Karidia Diallo, Sergio Carmona, Gayle Sherman, Elliot J. Raizes
Summary: HIV drug resistance is highly prevalent among paediatric patients failing ART in South Africa, with 90% of patients harbouring resistance to NNRTIs and/or NRTIs. Scaling up resistance testing would facilitate access to second- and third-line regimens in South Africa.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Adam Akullian, Alain Vandormael, Joel C. Miller, Anna Bershteyn, Edward Wenger, Diego Cuadros, Dickman Gareta, Till Barnighausen, Kobus Herbst, Frank Tanser
Summary: In a hyper-epidemic region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, the median age of HIV seroconversion increased in both men and women, suggesting a changing demographic of HIV risk with a focus on younger age groups. The decline in HIV incidence was more pronounced in young men and women, while older individuals showed stable or even lagging declines in incidence. These results provide direct epidemiological evidence of the impact of large-scale treatment and prevention interventions on the age distribution of HIV incidence in sub-Saharan Africa.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rifqah Abeeda Roomaney, Brian van Wyk, Annibale Cois, Victoria Pillay-van Wyk
Summary: This study aimed to analyze the prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity in South Africa, where the prevalence of multimorbidity was relatively low but reached up to 20% in the oldest age groups. The largest disease cluster was the combination of diabetes and hypertension, followed by HIV and hypertension.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Ernest Asante-Appiah, Johnny Lai, Hong Wan, Dongmei Yang, Elizabeth Anne Martin, Peter Sklar, Daria Hazuda, Christos J. Petropoulos, Charles Walworth, Jay A. Grobler
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the impact of resistance-associated mutations on the susceptibility of clinical isolates to the NNRTI doravirine, finding that most patients showed high susceptibility to doravirine.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Gloria Aguilar, Hong-Ha M. Truong, Patricia Ovelar, Tania Samudio, Gladys Lopez, Claudia Garcia-Morales, Daniela Tapia-Trejo, Dulce M. Lopez-Sanchez, Santiago Avila-Rios, Amalia Giron, Antonieta R. De Arias, Carlos Rios-Gonzalez, Willi McFarland
Summary: This survey revealed the status of pretreatment drug resistance among HIV patients in Paraguay, with a high prevalence of resistant mutations, especially to nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Additionally, the low prevalence of resistance to tenofovir and emtricitabine emphasizes their importance in ART treatment.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Khangelani Zuma, Leickness Simbayi, Nompumelelo Zungu, Sizulu Moyo, Edmore Marinda, Sean Jooste, Alicia North, Patrick Nadol, Getahun Aynalem, Ehimario Igumbor, Cheryl Dietrich, Salome Sigida, Buyisile Chibi, Lehlogonolo Makola, Lwando Kondlo, Sarah Porter, Shandir Ramlagan
Summary: South Africa has the highest number of people living with HIV worldwide. The fifth HIV prevalence, incidence, and behavior survey conducted in 2017 revealed that the HIV prevalence rate was 14.0%, with an estimated 7.9 million people living with HIV. The survey also highlighted ongoing risky behaviors among young people, such as early sexual debut and multiple sexual partnerships, indicating persistent challenges in behavior change.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Abhimanyu K. Singh, Brent De Wijngaert, Marc Bijnens, Kris Uyttersprot, Hoai Nguyen, Sergio E. Martinez, Dominique Schols, Piet Herdewijn, Christophe Pannecouque, Eddy Arnold, Kalyan Das
Summary: A protocol for rapid structure determination of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) complexes by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has been optimized. Six structures of RT complexes with nonnucleoside inhibitors were determined, revealing important differences in structure and conformation. These differences have implications for understanding drug resistance mechanisms and drug design.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Kimesha Pillay, Lara Lewis, Santhuri Rambaran, Nonhlanhla Yende-Zuma, Derseree Archary, Santhanalakshmi Gengiah, Dhineshree Govender, Razia Hassan-Moosa, Natasha Samsunder, Salim S. Abdool Karim, Lyle R. McKinnon, Nesri Padayatchi, Kogieleum Naidoo, Aida Sivro
Summary: The study suggests that increased risk of TB recurrence in HIV infected individuals on ART is likely associated with HIV mediated translocation of microbial products and resulting chronic immune activation. This indicates that immunological markers play an important role in the risk of TB recurrence.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dorothy C. Nyemba, Emma Kalk, Michael J. Vinikoor, Hlengiwe P. Madlala, Mwangelwa Mubiana-Mbewe, Maureen Mzumara, Carolyn Bolton Moore, Amy L. Slogrove, Andrew Boulle, Mary-Ann Davies, Landon Myer, Kathleen Powis
Summary: Infants born HIV-exposed yet remain uninfected (HEU) are at increased risk of poorer growth and health compared to infants born HIV-unexposed (HU). The effects of maternal antiretroviral treatment (ART) on the growth of HEU infants are not well understood. Differences in risks between high burden HIV settings have not been extensively explored.
Article
Immunology
Yann Ruffieux, Tafadzwa Dhokotera, Mazvita Muchengeti, Lina Bartels, Victor Olago, Julia Bohlius, Elvira Singh, Matthias Egger, Eliane Rohner
Summary: This study examined cancer incidence in adolescents and young adults living with HIV in South Africa from 2004 to 2014. The results showed that infection-related cancers were the most common types of cancer in this population, and their occurrence rates were higher with lower CD4 cell counts.
Article
Immunology
Leigh F. Johnson, Gesine Meyer-Rath, Rob E. Dorrington, Adrian Puren, Thapelo Seathlodi, Khangelani Zuma, Ali Feizzadeh
Summary: This study used a mathematical model to analyze the HIV epidemic in South Africa and found that HIV incidence has significantly declined since 2000. Antiretroviral treatment (ART) and condom promotion have been the most significant factors contributing to this decline.
JAIDS-JOURNAL OF ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROMES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Melanie Plazy, Adama Diallo, Thabile Hlabisa, Nonhlanhla Okesola, Collins Iwuji, Kobus Herbst, Sylvie Boyer, France Lert, Nuala McGrath, Deenan Pillay, Francois Dabis, Joseph Larmarange, Joanna Orne-Gliemann
Summary: This study reports on the implementation and effectiveness of a linkage-to-care intervention in rural South Africa, which involved tracking HIV-positive individuals through phone calls and home visits. The results showed that this intervention was effective in improving the linkage-to-care rate among patients.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sizulu Moyo, Farzana Ismail, Nkateko Mkhondo, Martie van der Walt, Sicelo S. Dlamini, Thuli Mthiyane, Inbarani Naidoo, Khangelani Zuma, Marina Tadolini, Irwin Law, Lindiwe Mvusi
Summary: This study investigates healthcare seeking behavior for TB symptoms in participants of a community-based survey. The results show that many patients do not pay attention to the symptoms or face barriers to seeking care. People with unknown HIV status are less likely to seek care. Strengthening community-based TB awareness and screening programs, as well as self-screening models, can increase awareness of the significance of TB symptoms and improve healthcare seeking.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhipeng Fu, Tao Zhang, Zhongxia Zhou, Dongwei Kang, Lin Sun, Shenghua Gao, Srinivasulu Cherukupalli, Erik De Clercq, Christophe Pannecouque, Xinyong Liu, Peng Zhan
Summary: The newly designed DAPYs compounds demonstrated potent inhibition against HIV-1, with some showing significant activity against the K103N mutant virus. FS2 was identified as the most significant compound, showing superior potency compared to current drugs. Further optimization based on SARs and molecular modeling studies is recommended.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Kim Steegen, Michelle Moorhouse, Annemarie M. J. Wensing, Willem D. F. Venter, Lucia Hans
Summary: A study conducted in South Africa showed that less than 5% of patients initiating ART presented with genotypic doravirine resistance, while most patients experiencing NNRTI-based ART failure had intermediate (41.0%) or high-level (43.8%) resistance to doravirine. Accumulation of NNRTI drug resistance mutations was identified as a significant factor contributing to poor resistance prediction for doravirine.
JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL AIDS SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Kishal Lukhna, Derek J. Hausenloy, Abdelbagi Sidahmed Ali, Abdullah Bajaber, Alistair Calver, Arthur Mutyaba, Awad Abdalla Mohamed, Brian Kiggundu, Chishala Chishala, Ebrahim Variava, Ehab Ali Elmakki, Elijah Ogola, Eltayeb Hamid, Emmy Okello, Isam Gaafar, Keiran Mwazo, Makoali Makotoko, Mergan Naidoo, Mohamed Elhadi Abdelhameed, Motasim Badri, Nasief van der Schyff, Omaima Abozaid, Paul Xafis, Sara Giesz, Trevor Gould, Waldo Welgemoed, Malcolm Walker, Mpiko Ntsekhe, Derek M. Yellon
Summary: Despite evidence of myocardial infarct size reduction in animal studies, remote ischaemic conditioning (RIC) failed to improve clinical outcomes in the large CONDI-2/ERIC-PPCI trial. The RIC-AFRICA trial aims to investigate whether RIC can improve clinical outcomes in higher-risk STEMI patients in environments with limited access to early reperfusion or PPCI.
CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS AND THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Pathology
Mahlatse Mankgele, Ebrahim Variava, Tumelo Moloantoa, Kennedy Otwombe, Khuthadzo Hlongwane, Dineo Disenyane, Meshack Bida, Raylton Chikwati, Tracy Snyman, Neil Martinson, Johnny Mahlangu
Summary: This study compared the diagnostic value of different indicators in iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in HIV-positive hospitalized patients. The study found that sTfR and sTfR-ferritin index had a stronger correlation with bone marrow iron stores, which may be more accurate surrogate markers of IDA.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pathology
Anura David, Margaretha de Vos, Lesley Scott, Pedro da Silva, Andre Trollip, Morten Ruhwald, Samuel Schumacher, Wendy Stevens
Summary: Four moderate-complexity automated nucleic acid amplification tests for tuberculosis diagnosis exhibited performance similar to the Cepheid Xpert MTB/RIF assay. The study assessed the feasibility, ease of use, and operational characteristics of these assays/platforms.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Lara Dominique Noble, Lesley Erica Scott, Riffat Munir, Mignon Du Plessis, Kim Steegen, Lucia Hans, Puleng Marokane, Pedro Da Silva, Wendy Susan Stevens
Summary: The performance of Xpert(X) Xpress SARS-CoV-2 and Xpert(X) Xpress SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV tests was evaluated rapidly. The results showed that both tests performed well in diagnosing and differentiating different viruses, with the exception of a lower NPA than the recommended value.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jocelyn Moyes, Stefano Tempia, Sibongile Walaza, Meredith L. McMorrow, Florette Treurnicht, Nicole Wolter, Anne von Gottberg, Kathleen Kahn, Adam L. Cohen, Halima Dawood, Ebrahim Variava, Cheryl Cohen
Summary: Based on a study in South African children, the burden of RSV-associated illness was estimated, with newborns and infants being the most affected group. Implementing maternal vaccination and monoclonal antibody products for this group can help reduce the disease burden.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Gillian M. Hunt, Mukhlid Yousif, Leon Levin, Johanna Ledwaba, Kim Steegen, Tendesayi Kufa, Hloniphile Zwane, Monalisa Kalimashe, Vibha Kana, Getahun Aynalem, Jaclyn Perlman, Kassahun Ayalew, Gurpreet Kindra, Karidia Diallo, Sergio Carmona, Gayle Sherman, Elliot J. Raizes
Summary: HIV drug resistance is highly prevalent among paediatric patients failing ART in South Africa, with 90% of patients harbouring resistance to NNRTIs and/or NRTIs. Scaling up resistance testing would facilitate access to second- and third-line regimens in South Africa.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Dirk J. Lamprecht, Neil Martinson, Ebrahim Variava
Summary: This study compared inpatient outcomes between people with HIV (PLWH) and those uninfected in a regional hospital in South Africa. The results showed that PLWH had higher mortality rates and died at younger ages, with pneumonia and tuberculosis being the leading causes of death.
SOUTHERN AFRICAN JOURNAL OF HIV MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Riffat Munir, Lesley Erica Scott, Lara Dominique Noble, Kim Steegen, Lucia Hans, Wendy Susan Stevens
Summary: Laboratory diagnosis is crucial in controlling infection transmission and reducing delays in clinical and public health responses. Alternatives to the current standard of care assays for SARS-CoV-2 are important due to global demands and supply shortages. This study evaluated the analytical performance of four molecular assays designed for SARS-CoV-2 detection, and found them to be suitable alternatives to the current standard of care assays.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Nombuyiselo Mofokeng, Tongai G. Maponga, Marije van Schalkwyk, Susan Hugo, Molefi Daniel Morobadi, Sabeehah Vawda, Leane Badenhorst, Cloete van Vuuren, Christo van Rensburg, Wolfgang Preiser, Jantjie Taljaard, Su Wang, Veronica Miller, Dan Wu, Joseph D. Tucker, Janet Seeley, Dominique Goedhals, Philippa C. Matthews
Summary: High profile international goals have been set for the elimination of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection as a public health threat by the year 2030. Developing and expanding equitable, accessible translational HBV research programmes that represent real-world populations are an urgent priority for clinical and academic communities. We present experiences and insights by an expert interdisciplinary group focusing on barriers that impede adults living with HBV infection from participating in clinical studies.
JOURNAL OF VIRUS ERADICATION
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Naseem Cassim, Floyd Olsen, Lynsey Stewart-Isherwood, Manuel Pedro da Silva, Wendy Susan Stevens
Summary: This study aimed to determine the costs and utilization of the SMS printer program in South Africa. The results showed that 4,450,116 results were delivered to printers at 2,232 primary health care facilities, with an average annual cost of $687,727 and a cost per result delivered of $0.1618. However, only 69.5% of the printers were active, indicating the need for migration to an end-to-end electronic interface for improved patient care.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH IN AFRICA
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Naseem Cassim, Lucia Hans, W. D. Francois Venter, Sarang Somayya, Pedro Da Silva, Wendy Susan Stevens
Summary: This study assessed the impact of successive COVID-19 waves on HIV viral load suppression in South Africa and found that COVID-19 has not had a substantial impact on the percentage of samples with virological suppression at the national level.
JAIDS-JOURNAL OF ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROMES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Alexandra R. Lombardo, Joshua Materi, Giorgio Caturegli, Minja Milovanovic, Neil Martinson, Alistair Calver, Bareng A. S. Nonyane, Jonathan Golub, Christopher J. Hoffmann, Ebrahim Variava
Summary: Despite a decrease in HIV-related mortality in South Africa, challenges remain. This study found that there is an increasing proportion of deaths among older individuals and men, while the younger age groups still have a high HIV infection rate. The proportion of HIV patients receiving ART has increased, but there is still a high proportion of premature deaths among those on ART.
JAIDS-JOURNAL OF ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROMES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Lesley Erica Scott, Nei-yuan Hsiao, Graeme Dor, Lucia Hans, Puleng Marokane, Manuel Pedro da Silva, Wolfgang Preiser, Helena Vreede, Jonathan Tsoka, Koleka Mlisana, Wendy Susan Stevens
Summary: The high demand for SARS-CoV-2 tests in South African laboratories during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the implementation of various molecular testing platforms. Monitoring the performance of these systems, especially during the circulation of variants, required new approaches. By collecting and analyzing cycle threshold (Ct) values from commonly used PCR assays, the National Health Laboratory Service identified delays and failures in the detection of specific targets due to different variants. This real-time monitoring helped inform the need for sequencing and emphasized the importance of multiplex molecular diagnostics in patient care.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Lara Dominique Noble, Caitlin Dixon, Alison Moran, Charlotte Trottet, Mohammed Majam, Shameema Ismail, Vanessa Tiyamike Msolomba, Kegomoditswe Mathobela, Arthur Queval, Jaya George, Lesley Erica Scott, Wendy Susan Stevens
Summary: The Onflow Serum Gel is a promising blood collection device that utilizes needle-free technology to collect capillary blood. It is more acceptable and less painful than venepuncture, with successful blood collection in a short time. However, some collected specimens may experience hemolysis.
Article
Pediatrics
Anna Turkova, Ellen White, Adeodata R. Kekitiinwa, Vivian Mumbiro, Elizabeth Kaudha, Afaaf Liberty, Grace Miriam Ahimbisibwe, Tumelo Moloantoa, Ussanee Srirompotong, Nozibusiso Rejoice Mosia, Thanyawee Puthanakit, Robin Kobbe, Claudia Fortuny, Hajira Kataike, Dickson Bbuye, Sathaporn Na-Rajsima, Alexandra Coelho, Abbas Lugemwa, Mutsa F. Bwakura-Dangarembizi, Nigel Klein, Hilda A. Mujuru, Cissy Kityo, Mark F. Cotton, Rashida A. Ferrand, Carlo Giaquinto, Pablo Rojo, Avy Violari, Diana M. Gibb, ODYSSEY Trial Team
Summary: This study evaluated the neuropsychiatric manifestations in children and adolescents treated with dolutegravir-based treatment compared to alternative antiretroviral therapy. Numerically, more participants in the dolutegravir group reported psychiatric events and suicidal ideation than those in the standard-of-care group, but these differences should be interpreted cautiously in an open-label trial.
LANCET CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH
(2023)