Fred Nakwagala - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Fred Nakwagala

East African medical journal, 2002

OBJECTIVE To compare the frequency of exposure to hepatitis B infection among HIV seropositive an... more OBJECTIVE To compare the frequency of exposure to hepatitis B infection among HIV seropositive and HIV seronegative medical outpatients. DESIGN Case control study. SETTING Mulago hospital medical outpatient clinics. PATIENTS One hundred and twenty nine consecutive HIV seropositive patients and one hundred and twenty nine HIV seronegative control patients. RESULTS The frequency of anti-HBc among the HIV seropositive patients was 65.1% compared to 41.9% in the HIV seronegative patients (95% confidence interval: 1.51-4.45; p-value: 0.0002). Of the 84 HIV positive patients with anti-HBc, 52 (61.9%) had more than five lifetime sexual partners. In comparison, of the 45 HIV positive patients with no anti-HBc, only 18 (40%) had more than five lifetime sexual partners (95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.80; p-value: 0.028). There was no significant difference in the frequency of HBsAg and HBeAg among the HIV seropositives and HIV seronegatives. CONCLUSION The frequency of previous exposure to h...

Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, 2011

diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) are rising globally, and are known to be associated... more diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) are rising globally, and are known to be associated with hypertension. We have assessed the prevalence of, and risk factors for, abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT) among hypertensive patients in Kampala, Uganda. A total of 320 randomly chosen hypertensive patients were studied, demographic and other data collected, and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) carried out. AGT was found in 237 (74%) patents - 50% had IGT and 24% type 2 diabetes. The following factors were significantly associated with AGT: body mass index (BMI) over 28.0 kg/m 2 (p=0.003), family history of dia- betes (p=0.002), physical inactivity (p=0.001), alcohol consumption (p=0.01), and a systolic blood pressure (BP) over 140 mmHg. We conclude that diabetes and IGT are highly prevalent in hypertensive patients and screening for these conditions in such patients should be considered.

Introductionthe majority of diabetic patients in developing nations are type 2, other forms almos... more Introductionthe majority of diabetic patients in developing nations are type 2, other forms almost not known in the developed world, such as chronic tropical pancreatitis occasionally occur. Healthcare systems in developing nations are not able to meet the needs of patients with rare ailments. We present a fatal case of chronic tropical pancreatitis with diabetes and malabsorption syndrome. Our case illustrates the numerous difficulties faced by patients and their healthcare providers when treating such illnesses in resource-limited settings. They include diagnostic mislabelling, inappropriate management plans, poor referral systems, and lack of social support. Dedicated diabetes treatment programmes need to be developed to address these issues. Case report

BackgroundSeveral repurposed drugs such as hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have been investigated for tr... more BackgroundSeveral repurposed drugs such as hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have been investigated for treatment of COVID-19, but none was confirmed to be efficacious. While in vitro studies have demonstrated antiviral properties of HCQ, data from clinical trials were conflicting regarding its benefit for COVID-19 treatment. Drugs that limit viral replication may be beneficial in the earlier course of the disease thus slowing progression to severe and critical illness. DesignWe conducted a randomized open label Phase II clinical trial from October -December 2020.MethodsPatients diagnosed with COVID-19 using RT-PCR were included in the study if they were 18 years and above and had a diagnosis of COVID-19 made in the last 3 days. Patients were randomized in blocks, to receive either HCQ 400mg twice a day for the first day followed by 200mg twice daily for the next 4 days plus standard of care (SOC) treatment or SOC treatment alone. SARS COV-2 viral load using nasal/orapharyngeal swabs was per...

PLOS ONE

Introduction Evidence that supports the use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) for treatment o... more Introduction Evidence that supports the use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) for treatment of COVID-19 is increasingly emerging. However, very few African countries have undertaken the collection and processing of CCP. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of collecting and processing of CCP, in preparation for a randomized clinical trial of CCP for treatment of COVID-19 in Uganda. Methods In a cross-sectional study, persons with documented evidence of recovery from COVID-19 in Uganda were contacted and screened for blood donation via telephone calls. Those found eligible were asked to come to the blood donation centre for further screening and consent. Whole blood collection was undertaken from which plasma was processed. Plasma was tested for transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs) and anti-SARS CoV-2 antibody titers. SARS-CoV-2 testing was also done on nasopharyngeal swabs from the donors. Results 192 participants were contacted of whom 179 (93.2%) were eli...

SSRN Electronic Journal

Background: Our understanding of the potential impact of SARS-CoV-2 and malaria co-infection on h... more Background: Our understanding of the potential impact of SARS-CoV-2 and malaria co-infection on host susceptibility and pathogenesis remains unclear. We determined the prevalence of malaria and describe the consequences of SARS-CoV-2 and malaria co-infection in a high burden malaria setting. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of hospitalized Covid-19 patients in Uganda. Malaria diagnosis was done using rapid diagnostic tests, microcopy and molecular methods. Previous P. falciparum exposure was assessed using serologic responses to a panel of P. falciparum antigens using a multiplex bead assay. Additional evaluations included complete blood count, markers of inflammation and serum biochemistries. Findings: Of 597 PCR confirmed Covid-19 cases enrolled between 16th April and 30th October 2020, 500 (84.1%) were male and median age (1QR) was 36 (28-47) years. Overall prevalence of P. falciparum infection was 11.7% (70/597, 95% CI 9.4 to 14.6), with highest prevalence in the 0- 20 years (21.7%, 5/23, 95% CI 8.7-44.8) and > 60 years (19.6%, 9/46, 95% CI 10.2-34.1) age groups. Confusion [5.7% (4/70) vs. 1.5%, (8/527), p=0.04] and vomiting [5.7% (5/70) vs.1.0%, 5/527), p=0.007] were more frequent among patients with P. falciparum infection. Patients with low previous P. falciparum exposure had a higher frequency of severe/critical Covid-19 cases (30.2%, 16/53, p=0.001), a higher burden of comorbidities [hypertension (30.2%, 16/53, p=0.02) and diabetes (22.6%, 12/53, p=0.003)] and more deaths (3.8%, 2/53, p=0.01). Among patients with no comorbidities, those with low previous exposure still had a higher proportion of severe/critical Covid-19 cases (18.2%, 6/53 vs. 2.0%, 1/56, p=0.01) compared to those with high exposure. Interpretation: Prevalence of P. falciparum infection among Covid-19 patients was relatively high. Though Covid-19 patients with P. falciparum infection had a higher frequency of confusion and vomiting, co-infection with malaria did not seem deleterious. Low previous malaria exposure was associated with severe/critical Covid-19 and adverse outcomes. Funding: Funding: Grant from Malaria Consortium, US Declaration of Interest: HA and FN are members of the Mulago Hospital Research and Ethics but did not participate in decisions pertaining this study. All other authors declare no competing interests. Ethical Approval: The study was approved by the Mulago National Referral Hospital Research and Ethics committee and the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology.

BMJ Open Respiratory Research

RationaleConvalescent plasma (CCP) has been studied as a potential therapy for COVID-19, but data... more RationaleConvalescent plasma (CCP) has been studied as a potential therapy for COVID-19, but data on its efficacy in Africa are limited.ObjectiveIn this trial we set out to determine the efficacy of CCP for treatment of COVID-19 in Uganda.MeasurementsPatients with a positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR test irrespective of disease severity were hospitalised and randomised to receive either COVID-19 CCP plus standard of care (SOC) or SOC alone. The primary outcome was time to viral clearance, defined as having two consecutive RT-PCR-negative tests by day 28. Secondary outcomes included time to symptom resolution, clinical status on the modified WHO Ordinal Clinical Scale (≥1-point increase), progression to severe/critical condition (defined as oxygen saturation <93% or needing oxygen), mortality and safety.Main resultsA total of 136 patients were randomised, 69 to CCP+SOC and 67 to SOC only. The median age was 50 years (IQR: 38.5–62.0), 71.3% were male and the median...

BMJ Open Respiratory Research

RationaleDetailed data on the characteristics and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 in sub-Sahar... more RationaleDetailed data on the characteristics and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa are limited.ObjectiveWe determined the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Uganda.MeasurementsAs of the 16 May 2020, a total of 203 cases had been confirmed. We report on the first 56 patients; 29 received hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and 27 did not. Endpoints included admission to intensive care, mechanical ventilation or death during hospitalisation.Main resultsThe median age was 34.2 years; 67.9% were male; and 14.6% were <18 years. Up 57.1% of the patients were asymptomatic. The most common symptoms were fever (21.4%), cough (19.6%), rhinorrhea (16.1%), headache (12.5%), muscle ache (7.1%) and fatigue (7.1%). Rates of comorbidities were 10.7% (pre-existing hypertension), 10.7% (diabetes) and 7.1% (HIV), Body Mass Index (BMI) of ≥30 36.6%. 37.0% had a blood pressure (BP) of >130/90 mm Hg, and 27.8% had BP of >140/90 mm ...

East African Medical Journal, 2002

African Health …, 2011

Introduction: Early identification of Tuberculosis (TB) treatment failure using cost effective me... more Introduction: Early identification of Tuberculosis (TB) treatment failure using cost effective means is urgently needed in developing nations. The study set out to describe affordable predictors of TB treatment failure in an African setting. Objective: To determine the predictors of treatment failure among patients with sputum smear positive pulmonary TB at Mulago hospital. The study was carried out in the TB clinic of Mulago hospital Kampala, Uganda. This was an unmatched case control study where fifty patients with a diagnosis of TB treatment failure (cases) and 100 patients declared cured after completing anti TB treatment (controls) were recruited into the study. Cases were compared with controls to determine predictors of treatment failure. Results: Significant predictors of treatment failure in this study included a positive sputum smear at 2 months of TB treatment (OR 20.63, 95%CI 5.42-78.41) and poor adherence to anti TB treatment (OR 14.59, 95%CI 3.04-70.15). Conclusion: This study identified a treatment related and a simple laboratory predictor of TB treatment failure in Mulago hospital which may be used in resource limited settings for early recognition of those at risk and early intervention.

AIDS, 2005

This report summarizes the presentations and recommendations from a consultation held in Lausanne... more This report summarizes the presentations and recommendations from a consultation held in Lausanne, Switzerland (26-28 August 2004) organized by the joint World Health Organization (WHO) - United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) HIV Vaccine Initiative. The consultation discussed issues related to gender, ethnicity, and age in HIV vaccine research and clinical trial recruitment. A special focus of the meeting was the participation of women and adolescents in clinical trials. Also discussed were the experiences and lessons from various research programs, trials, and studies in different countries. Implementing the recommendations from this meeting will require prioritization and active participation from the research community, funders of research, local and national governments, non-governmental organizations, and industry, as well as the individuals and communities participating in clinical trials. This report contains the collective views of an international group of experts, and does not necessarily represent the decisions or the stated policy of the WHO. The contribution of the co-chairs (R. Macklin and F. Mhalu) and the rapporteurs (H. Lasher, M. Klein, M. Ackers, N. Barsdorf, A. Smith Rogers, E. Levendal, T. Villafana and M. Warren) during the consultation and in the preparation of this report is much appreciated. S. Labelle and J. Otani are also acknowledged and thanked for their efficient assistance in the preparation of the consultation and the report.

Biopreservation and Biobanking

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 is a fatal disease of global public health concern. Measures to reduce i... more Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 is a fatal disease of global public health concern. Measures to reduce its spread critically depend on timely and accurate diagnosis of virus-infected individuals. Biobanks can have a pivotal role in elucidating disease etiology, translation, and advancing public health. In this article, we show how a biobank has been a critical resource in the rapid response to coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) in Uganda. Materials and Methods: The Integrated Biorepository of H3Africa Uganda established a COVID-19 biobank. Standard Operating Procedures for sample and data collection, sample processing, and storage were developed. An e-questionnaire data tool was used to collect sociodemographic factors. Samples were collected at 7-day intervals from patients, analyzed for key parameters, processed, annotated, characterized, and stored at appropriate temperatures. Results: Stored samples have been used in validation of 17 diagnostic kits, the Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 assay, as well as a sample pooling technique for mass screening and polymerase chain reaction assay validation. Kits that passed validation were deployed for mass screening boosting early detection, isolation, and treatment of COVID-19 cases. Also, 10 applications from researchers and biotech companies have been received and approved and 4 grants have been awarded Conclusion: The CoV-Bank has proven to be an invaluable resource in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda, as samples have been resources in the validation and development of COVID-19 diagnostic tools, which are important in tracing and isolation of infected cases to confront, delay, and stop the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

BMC Medical Education, 2011

Background: Mentoring is a core component of medical education and career success. There is incre... more Background: Mentoring is a core component of medical education and career success. There is increasing global emphasis on mentorship of young scientists in order to train and develop the next leaders in global health. However, mentoring efforts are challenged by the high clinical, research and administrative demands. We evaluated the status and nature of mentoring practices at Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MAKCHS). Methods: Pre-tested, self-administered questionnaires were sent by email to all Fogarty alumni at the MAKCHS (mentors) and each of them was requested to complete and email back the questionnaire. In addition to training level and number of mentors, the questionnaires had open-ended questions covering themes such as; status of mentorship, challenges faced by mentors and strategies to improve and sustain mentorship within MAKCHS. Similarly, open-ended questionnaires were sent and received by email from all graduate students (mentees) registered with the Uganda Society for Health Scientists (USHS). Qualitative data from mentors and mentees was analyzed manually according to the pre-determined themes. Results: Twenty-two out of 100 mentors responded (14 email and 8 hard copy responses). Up to 77% (17/22) of mentors had Master's-level training and only 18% (4/22) had doctorate-level training. About 40% of the mentors had ≥ two mentees while 27% had none. Qualitative results showed that mentors needed support in terms of training in mentoring skills and logistical/financial support to carry out successful mentorship. Junior scientists and students reported that mentorship is not yet institutionalized and it is currently occurring in an adhoc manner. There was lack of awareness of roles of mentors and mentees. The mentors mentioned the limited number of practicing mentors at the college and thus the need for training courses and guidelines for faculty members in regard to mentorship at academic institutions.

East African medical journal, 2002

OBJECTIVE To compare the frequency of exposure to hepatitis B infection among HIV seropositive an... more OBJECTIVE To compare the frequency of exposure to hepatitis B infection among HIV seropositive and HIV seronegative medical outpatients. DESIGN Case control study. SETTING Mulago hospital medical outpatient clinics. PATIENTS One hundred and twenty nine consecutive HIV seropositive patients and one hundred and twenty nine HIV seronegative control patients. RESULTS The frequency of anti-HBc among the HIV seropositive patients was 65.1% compared to 41.9% in the HIV seronegative patients (95% confidence interval: 1.51-4.45; p-value: 0.0002). Of the 84 HIV positive patients with anti-HBc, 52 (61.9%) had more than five lifetime sexual partners. In comparison, of the 45 HIV positive patients with no anti-HBc, only 18 (40%) had more than five lifetime sexual partners (95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.80; p-value: 0.028). There was no significant difference in the frequency of HBsAg and HBeAg among the HIV seropositives and HIV seronegatives. CONCLUSION The frequency of previous exposure to h...

Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, 2011

diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) are rising globally, and are known to be associated... more diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) are rising globally, and are known to be associated with hypertension. We have assessed the prevalence of, and risk factors for, abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT) among hypertensive patients in Kampala, Uganda. A total of 320 randomly chosen hypertensive patients were studied, demographic and other data collected, and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) carried out. AGT was found in 237 (74%) patents - 50% had IGT and 24% type 2 diabetes. The following factors were significantly associated with AGT: body mass index (BMI) over 28.0 kg/m 2 (p=0.003), family history of dia- betes (p=0.002), physical inactivity (p=0.001), alcohol consumption (p=0.01), and a systolic blood pressure (BP) over 140 mmHg. We conclude that diabetes and IGT are highly prevalent in hypertensive patients and screening for these conditions in such patients should be considered.

Introductionthe majority of diabetic patients in developing nations are type 2, other forms almos... more Introductionthe majority of diabetic patients in developing nations are type 2, other forms almost not known in the developed world, such as chronic tropical pancreatitis occasionally occur. Healthcare systems in developing nations are not able to meet the needs of patients with rare ailments. We present a fatal case of chronic tropical pancreatitis with diabetes and malabsorption syndrome. Our case illustrates the numerous difficulties faced by patients and their healthcare providers when treating such illnesses in resource-limited settings. They include diagnostic mislabelling, inappropriate management plans, poor referral systems, and lack of social support. Dedicated diabetes treatment programmes need to be developed to address these issues. Case report

BackgroundSeveral repurposed drugs such as hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have been investigated for tr... more BackgroundSeveral repurposed drugs such as hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have been investigated for treatment of COVID-19, but none was confirmed to be efficacious. While in vitro studies have demonstrated antiviral properties of HCQ, data from clinical trials were conflicting regarding its benefit for COVID-19 treatment. Drugs that limit viral replication may be beneficial in the earlier course of the disease thus slowing progression to severe and critical illness. DesignWe conducted a randomized open label Phase II clinical trial from October -December 2020.MethodsPatients diagnosed with COVID-19 using RT-PCR were included in the study if they were 18 years and above and had a diagnosis of COVID-19 made in the last 3 days. Patients were randomized in blocks, to receive either HCQ 400mg twice a day for the first day followed by 200mg twice daily for the next 4 days plus standard of care (SOC) treatment or SOC treatment alone. SARS COV-2 viral load using nasal/orapharyngeal swabs was per...

PLOS ONE

Introduction Evidence that supports the use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) for treatment o... more Introduction Evidence that supports the use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) for treatment of COVID-19 is increasingly emerging. However, very few African countries have undertaken the collection and processing of CCP. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of collecting and processing of CCP, in preparation for a randomized clinical trial of CCP for treatment of COVID-19 in Uganda. Methods In a cross-sectional study, persons with documented evidence of recovery from COVID-19 in Uganda were contacted and screened for blood donation via telephone calls. Those found eligible were asked to come to the blood donation centre for further screening and consent. Whole blood collection was undertaken from which plasma was processed. Plasma was tested for transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs) and anti-SARS CoV-2 antibody titers. SARS-CoV-2 testing was also done on nasopharyngeal swabs from the donors. Results 192 participants were contacted of whom 179 (93.2%) were eli...

SSRN Electronic Journal

Background: Our understanding of the potential impact of SARS-CoV-2 and malaria co-infection on h... more Background: Our understanding of the potential impact of SARS-CoV-2 and malaria co-infection on host susceptibility and pathogenesis remains unclear. We determined the prevalence of malaria and describe the consequences of SARS-CoV-2 and malaria co-infection in a high burden malaria setting. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of hospitalized Covid-19 patients in Uganda. Malaria diagnosis was done using rapid diagnostic tests, microcopy and molecular methods. Previous P. falciparum exposure was assessed using serologic responses to a panel of P. falciparum antigens using a multiplex bead assay. Additional evaluations included complete blood count, markers of inflammation and serum biochemistries. Findings: Of 597 PCR confirmed Covid-19 cases enrolled between 16th April and 30th October 2020, 500 (84.1%) were male and median age (1QR) was 36 (28-47) years. Overall prevalence of P. falciparum infection was 11.7% (70/597, 95% CI 9.4 to 14.6), with highest prevalence in the 0- 20 years (21.7%, 5/23, 95% CI 8.7-44.8) and > 60 years (19.6%, 9/46, 95% CI 10.2-34.1) age groups. Confusion [5.7% (4/70) vs. 1.5%, (8/527), p=0.04] and vomiting [5.7% (5/70) vs.1.0%, 5/527), p=0.007] were more frequent among patients with P. falciparum infection. Patients with low previous P. falciparum exposure had a higher frequency of severe/critical Covid-19 cases (30.2%, 16/53, p=0.001), a higher burden of comorbidities [hypertension (30.2%, 16/53, p=0.02) and diabetes (22.6%, 12/53, p=0.003)] and more deaths (3.8%, 2/53, p=0.01). Among patients with no comorbidities, those with low previous exposure still had a higher proportion of severe/critical Covid-19 cases (18.2%, 6/53 vs. 2.0%, 1/56, p=0.01) compared to those with high exposure. Interpretation: Prevalence of P. falciparum infection among Covid-19 patients was relatively high. Though Covid-19 patients with P. falciparum infection had a higher frequency of confusion and vomiting, co-infection with malaria did not seem deleterious. Low previous malaria exposure was associated with severe/critical Covid-19 and adverse outcomes. Funding: Funding: Grant from Malaria Consortium, US Declaration of Interest: HA and FN are members of the Mulago Hospital Research and Ethics but did not participate in decisions pertaining this study. All other authors declare no competing interests. Ethical Approval: The study was approved by the Mulago National Referral Hospital Research and Ethics committee and the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology.

BMJ Open Respiratory Research

RationaleConvalescent plasma (CCP) has been studied as a potential therapy for COVID-19, but data... more RationaleConvalescent plasma (CCP) has been studied as a potential therapy for COVID-19, but data on its efficacy in Africa are limited.ObjectiveIn this trial we set out to determine the efficacy of CCP for treatment of COVID-19 in Uganda.MeasurementsPatients with a positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR test irrespective of disease severity were hospitalised and randomised to receive either COVID-19 CCP plus standard of care (SOC) or SOC alone. The primary outcome was time to viral clearance, defined as having two consecutive RT-PCR-negative tests by day 28. Secondary outcomes included time to symptom resolution, clinical status on the modified WHO Ordinal Clinical Scale (≥1-point increase), progression to severe/critical condition (defined as oxygen saturation <93% or needing oxygen), mortality and safety.Main resultsA total of 136 patients were randomised, 69 to CCP+SOC and 67 to SOC only. The median age was 50 years (IQR: 38.5–62.0), 71.3% were male and the median...

BMJ Open Respiratory Research

RationaleDetailed data on the characteristics and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 in sub-Sahar... more RationaleDetailed data on the characteristics and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa are limited.ObjectiveWe determined the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Uganda.MeasurementsAs of the 16 May 2020, a total of 203 cases had been confirmed. We report on the first 56 patients; 29 received hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and 27 did not. Endpoints included admission to intensive care, mechanical ventilation or death during hospitalisation.Main resultsThe median age was 34.2 years; 67.9% were male; and 14.6% were <18 years. Up 57.1% of the patients were asymptomatic. The most common symptoms were fever (21.4%), cough (19.6%), rhinorrhea (16.1%), headache (12.5%), muscle ache (7.1%) and fatigue (7.1%). Rates of comorbidities were 10.7% (pre-existing hypertension), 10.7% (diabetes) and 7.1% (HIV), Body Mass Index (BMI) of ≥30 36.6%. 37.0% had a blood pressure (BP) of >130/90 mm Hg, and 27.8% had BP of >140/90 mm ...

East African Medical Journal, 2002

African Health …, 2011

Introduction: Early identification of Tuberculosis (TB) treatment failure using cost effective me... more Introduction: Early identification of Tuberculosis (TB) treatment failure using cost effective means is urgently needed in developing nations. The study set out to describe affordable predictors of TB treatment failure in an African setting. Objective: To determine the predictors of treatment failure among patients with sputum smear positive pulmonary TB at Mulago hospital. The study was carried out in the TB clinic of Mulago hospital Kampala, Uganda. This was an unmatched case control study where fifty patients with a diagnosis of TB treatment failure (cases) and 100 patients declared cured after completing anti TB treatment (controls) were recruited into the study. Cases were compared with controls to determine predictors of treatment failure. Results: Significant predictors of treatment failure in this study included a positive sputum smear at 2 months of TB treatment (OR 20.63, 95%CI 5.42-78.41) and poor adherence to anti TB treatment (OR 14.59, 95%CI 3.04-70.15). Conclusion: This study identified a treatment related and a simple laboratory predictor of TB treatment failure in Mulago hospital which may be used in resource limited settings for early recognition of those at risk and early intervention.

AIDS, 2005

This report summarizes the presentations and recommendations from a consultation held in Lausanne... more This report summarizes the presentations and recommendations from a consultation held in Lausanne, Switzerland (26-28 August 2004) organized by the joint World Health Organization (WHO) - United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) HIV Vaccine Initiative. The consultation discussed issues related to gender, ethnicity, and age in HIV vaccine research and clinical trial recruitment. A special focus of the meeting was the participation of women and adolescents in clinical trials. Also discussed were the experiences and lessons from various research programs, trials, and studies in different countries. Implementing the recommendations from this meeting will require prioritization and active participation from the research community, funders of research, local and national governments, non-governmental organizations, and industry, as well as the individuals and communities participating in clinical trials. This report contains the collective views of an international group of experts, and does not necessarily represent the decisions or the stated policy of the WHO. The contribution of the co-chairs (R. Macklin and F. Mhalu) and the rapporteurs (H. Lasher, M. Klein, M. Ackers, N. Barsdorf, A. Smith Rogers, E. Levendal, T. Villafana and M. Warren) during the consultation and in the preparation of this report is much appreciated. S. Labelle and J. Otani are also acknowledged and thanked for their efficient assistance in the preparation of the consultation and the report.

Biopreservation and Biobanking

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 is a fatal disease of global public health concern. Measures to reduce i... more Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 is a fatal disease of global public health concern. Measures to reduce its spread critically depend on timely and accurate diagnosis of virus-infected individuals. Biobanks can have a pivotal role in elucidating disease etiology, translation, and advancing public health. In this article, we show how a biobank has been a critical resource in the rapid response to coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) in Uganda. Materials and Methods: The Integrated Biorepository of H3Africa Uganda established a COVID-19 biobank. Standard Operating Procedures for sample and data collection, sample processing, and storage were developed. An e-questionnaire data tool was used to collect sociodemographic factors. Samples were collected at 7-day intervals from patients, analyzed for key parameters, processed, annotated, characterized, and stored at appropriate temperatures. Results: Stored samples have been used in validation of 17 diagnostic kits, the Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 assay, as well as a sample pooling technique for mass screening and polymerase chain reaction assay validation. Kits that passed validation were deployed for mass screening boosting early detection, isolation, and treatment of COVID-19 cases. Also, 10 applications from researchers and biotech companies have been received and approved and 4 grants have been awarded Conclusion: The CoV-Bank has proven to be an invaluable resource in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda, as samples have been resources in the validation and development of COVID-19 diagnostic tools, which are important in tracing and isolation of infected cases to confront, delay, and stop the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

BMC Medical Education, 2011

Background: Mentoring is a core component of medical education and career success. There is incre... more Background: Mentoring is a core component of medical education and career success. There is increasing global emphasis on mentorship of young scientists in order to train and develop the next leaders in global health. However, mentoring efforts are challenged by the high clinical, research and administrative demands. We evaluated the status and nature of mentoring practices at Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MAKCHS). Methods: Pre-tested, self-administered questionnaires were sent by email to all Fogarty alumni at the MAKCHS (mentors) and each of them was requested to complete and email back the questionnaire. In addition to training level and number of mentors, the questionnaires had open-ended questions covering themes such as; status of mentorship, challenges faced by mentors and strategies to improve and sustain mentorship within MAKCHS. Similarly, open-ended questionnaires were sent and received by email from all graduate students (mentees) registered with the Uganda Society for Health Scientists (USHS). Qualitative data from mentors and mentees was analyzed manually according to the pre-determined themes. Results: Twenty-two out of 100 mentors responded (14 email and 8 hard copy responses). Up to 77% (17/22) of mentors had Master's-level training and only 18% (4/22) had doctorate-level training. About 40% of the mentors had ≥ two mentees while 27% had none. Qualitative results showed that mentors needed support in terms of training in mentoring skills and logistical/financial support to carry out successful mentorship. Junior scientists and students reported that mentorship is not yet institutionalized and it is currently occurring in an adhoc manner. There was lack of awareness of roles of mentors and mentees. The mentors mentioned the limited number of practicing mentors at the college and thus the need for training courses and guidelines for faculty members in regard to mentorship at academic institutions.