Ruby Mcharo1 Tessa Lennemann1,2 John France3 Liseth Torres1 Mercè Garí4 Wilbert Mbuya1,2 Wolfram Mwalongo1 Anifrid Mahenge1 Asli Bauer1,2 Jonathan Mnkai1 Laura Glasmeyer2 Mona Judick2 Matilda Paul1 Nicolas Schroeder5 Bareke Msomba1 Magreth Sembo1 Nhamo Chiwerengo1 Michael Hoelscher2,6 Otto Geisenberger2,6 Ralph J. Lelle7 Elmar Saathoff2,6 Leonard Maboko1 Mkunde Chachage1,2,8 Arne Kroidl2,6† Christof Geldmacher2,6*†
Women living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are at increased risk to develop cervical cancer (CC), which is caused by persistent infection with 13 oncogenic human papilloma viruses (HR-HPVs). It is important to accurately identify and target HIV-positive women at highest risk to develop CC for early therapeutic intervention.
Published at: 2021-11-30
Authors: Wilbert Mbuya1*, Issakwisa Mwakyula2, Willyelimina Olomi1, Peter Agrea1, Francesco Nicoli3, Cecilia Ngatunga4, Leodegard Mujwahuzi2, Paul Mwanyika5 and Mkunde Chachage1,6*
People living with HIV, even under therapy, have a high burden of age-related co-morbidities including an increased risk of dyslipidemia (which often predisposes to cardiovascular diseases) and immune-aging. In this study, lipid profiles and antibody responses to measles and pertussis toxin vaccines were compared between ART experienced HIV+ children (n=64) aged 5-10 years, and their age- and sex-matched HIV- controls (n=47). Prevalence of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and triglyceride-driven dyslipidemia was higher among treated HIV+ children than in controls (51.6% vs 27.7% respectively, p < 0.019). In a multivariate Poisson regression model adjusted for age, sex and BMI, the association between low HDL-c, hypertriglyceridemia and HIV remained significa................
Published at: 2021-11-09
Authors: Wilbert Mbuya1,2*, Kathrin Held2,3, Ruby D. Mcharo1, Antelmo Haule1, Jacklina Mhizde1, Jonathan Mnkai1, Anifrid Mahenge1, Maria Mwakatima1, Margareth Sembo1, Wolfram Mwalongo1, Peter Agrea1, Michael Hoelscher2,3, Leonard Maboko1,4, Elmar Saathoff2,3, Otto Geisenberger2,3, France Rwegoshora5, Liset Torres5, Richard A. Koup6, Arne Kroidl2,3, Mkunde Chachage1,2,7† and Christof Geldmacher2,3*†
Cervical cancer - caused by persistent High Risk Human Papilloma Virus (HR HPV) infections - is the second most common cancer affecting women globally. HIV infection increases the risk for HPV persistence, associated disease progression and malignant cell transformation. We therefore hypothesized that this risk increase is directly linked to HIV infection associated dysfunction or depletion of HPV-oncoprotein-specific T-cell responses.
Published at: 2021-10-25
Authors: Sacha Horn1†, Dennis Borrero-Wolff2,3†, Manuel Ritter2,3†, Kathrin Arndts2,3, Anna Wiszniewsky2,3, Linda Batsa Debrah4,5,6, Alexander Y. Debrah4,6,7, Jubin Osei-Mensah4,6, Mkunde Chachage1,8,9, Achim Hoerauf2,3,10, Inge Kroidl1,11*‡ and Laura E. Layland2,3,10*‡
CD8+ T cells are crucial for the clearance of viral infections, and current research begins to highlight their importance in parasitic diseases too. In-depth research about characteristics of CD8+ T-cell subsets and exhaustion remains uncertain, especially during filariasis, a chronic helminth infection. Lymphatic filariasis, elicited by Wuchereria bancrofti, remains a serious health problem in endemic areas in Ghana, especially in those suffering from morbidity due to lymphedema (LE). In this observational study, the characteristics and profiles of CD8+ T cells were compared between asymptomatic Wuchereria bancrofti-infected individuals, uninfected endemic normals, and those with LE (grades 2–6). Focusing on exha
Published at: 2021-08-11
Authors: Sayoki G Mfinanga a d, Nicholaus P Mnyambwa a, Daniel T Minja b, Nyanda Elias Ntinginya c, Esther Ngadaya a, Julie Makani e, Abel N Makubi
In a World Report about COVID-19 vaccine use in Tanzania,1 local context was not sufficiently considered to fully understand the country's position on the COVID-19 pandemic and its use of COVID-19 vaccines. We maintain that the late President John Magufuli understood the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, which merits joint and coordinated global efforts.
Published at: 2021-04-14