Prof Ganesh Mohan’s Post

"Over the past decade, South Africa’s molecular diagnostics program has quietly revolutionised healthcare. By focusing on diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and even SARS-CoV-2, this program has averted over 4.3 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs); a measure of lives saved and suffering prevented. Yet, diagnostics often remain the unsung hero of healthcare, overshadowed by treatments and vaccines. This study is a wake-up call: investing in diagnostics isn’t just good science, it’s good economics and great humanity. As we look to the future, let’s champion diagnostics as the cornerstone of resilient healthcare systems. Because behind every test is a life waiting to be saved." Read more here - https://lnkd.in/dG-qV4B2

In a world facing persistent public health threats, our Technical Officer, Alex Asamoah Ankomah, shares how monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are reshaping medicine- bringing hope to the fight against diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and cancer. However, development of and access to these life-saving innovations remains limited, especially in Africa. 👉 Read Dr Alex Asamoah Ankomah's reflections: bit.ly/3Dop5Be 👉 Read our full report, co-written with IAVI: bit.ly/3P33K2N

🔖New in #JEV 🔖 HIV-1 Nef is carried on the surface of extracellular vesicles Extracellular vesicles (EVs) serve as pivotal mediators of intercellular communication in both health and disease, delivering biologically active molecules from vesicle-producing cells to recipient cells. In the context of HIV infection, EVs have been shown to carry the viral protein Nef, a key pathogenic factor associated with HIV-related co-morbidities. Despite this recognition, the specific localisation of Nef within the vesicles has remained elusive. This study addresses this critical knowledge gap by investigating Nef-containing EVs. Less than 1% of the total released Nef was associated with EVs; most Nef existed as free protein released by damaged cells. Nevertheless, activity of EV-associated Nef in downregulating the major cholesterol transporter ABCA1, a critical aspect linked to the pathogenic effects of Nef, was comparable to that of free Nef present in the supernatant. Through a series of biochemical and microscopic assays, these authors demonstrate that the majority of EV-associated Nef molecules are localised on the external surface of the vesicles. This distinctive distribution prompts the consideration of Nef-containing EVs as potential targets for immunotherapeutic interventions aimed at preventing or treating HIV-associated co-morbidities. In conclusion, these results shed light on the localisation and functional activity of Nef within EVs, providing valuable insights for the development of targeted immunotherapies to mitigate the impact of HIV-associated co-morbidities. https://lnkd.in/eEP6E5F2

Inequitable access to vaccines and high-performance screening tools is hampering efforts to effectively reduce the growing burden of cervical cancer in the African region, which accounts for the highest rates of new cases and deaths due to the disease. Despite being preventable and treatable through human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and screening, and curable when detected early, cervical cancer remains the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the African region. Of the more than 76 000 cervical cancer deaths globally in 2022, the most updated data available, nearly a quarter (23%) were in Africa. Read More: https://lnkd.in/dSRw8Yij “The burden of cervical cancer in Africa is a stark illustration of the impacts of global inequities, which exacerbate barriers including scarce resources, lack of prioritization by funders, and ultimately, limited capacity to manage the threat. Affordable and accessible HPV tests and vaccines are critical if we are to accelerate elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem in the region, and narrow the wide gap in health inequality globally,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti , WHO’s Regional Director for Africa. #CervicalCancer #HPV #GlobalHealth #Africa #HealthcareAccess #Prevention #HealthEquity #WHO World Health Organization Duneton Philippe Unitaid

I am thrilled to share my recently published open-access article, "Technological Barriers to Routine Genomic Surveillance for Vaccine Development Against SARS-CoV-2 in Africa: A Systematic Review," which I conducted during my Master in Vaccinology and Drug Development at the University of Siena (Università degli Studi di Siena). This article is available at https://lnkd.in/dC2pauha. Africa was one of the regions with fewer genomic sequences of SARS-CoV-2 uploaded to GISAID during the pandemic, possibly reflecting limited surveillance capacity and systems in place. This article highlights some of the barriers and cost-effective solutions that have been implemented in Africa or LMICs to enhance genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, these barriers and solutions should be considered in the context of other respiratory viruses and endemic diseases such as HIV, malaria, and TB. The lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic will help ensure that we are better prepared and able to implement strategies more quickly in the event of another pandemic.

📃Scientific paper: Clinical, molecular, and histological characteristics of severely necrotic and fatal mpox in HIV-infected patients Abstract: Background This case series of 5 patients with severely necrotic mpox highlights the predominantly necrotic nature of lesions seen in cases of severe mpox as shown by skin and lung biopsy, as well as the extensive dissemination of the infection, as shown by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assessment in different body sites. Case presentations Patients were male, the median age was 37, all lived with HIV (2 previously undiagnosed), the median CD4^+ cell count was 106 cells/mm^3, and 2/5 were not receiving antiretroviral treatment. The most common complication was soft tissue infection. Skin and lung biopsies showed extensive areas of necrosis. Mpox PCR was positive in various sites, including skin, urine, serum, and cerebrospinal fluid. The initiation of antiretroviral treatment, worsened the disease, like that seen in immune reconstitution syndrome. Three patients died due to multiple organ failure, presumably associated with mpox since coinfections and opportunistic pathogens were ruled out. Conclusions Severely necrotic manifestations of mpox in people living with advanced and untreated HIV are related to adverse outcomes. Continued on ES/IODE ➡️ https://etcse.fr/1cNl ------- If you find this interesting, feel free to follow, comment and share. We need your help to enhance our visibility, so that our platform continues to serve you.

Sadar Hospital Seraikela to Get Advanced Antibody Testing Machines https://lnkd.in/gNUGJEdT World AIDS Day Event Highlights New Healthcare Initiatives in District Key Points: • Hospital announces installation of state-of-the-art antibody testing equipment • Local testing will cover HIV, hepatitis, and other diseases • World AIDS Day program focuses on prevention and awareness SERAIKELA – Sadar Hospital Seraikela will soon introduce advanced antibody testing machines, eliminating the need for patients to travel to Jamshedpur. The announcement came during World AIDS Day celebrations. Moreover, Principal District Judge Ramashankar Singh guided the event. The hospital currently sends samples to Jamshedpur for testing. Meanwhile, Civil Surgeon Dr. Ajay Kumar Sinha detailed the new initiative. The facility awaits testing kits from the state government. Furthermore, the machines will test for multiple diseases. “Local testing will reduce expenses significantly,” noted a healthcare expert. The program emphasized AIDS prevention strategies. In addition, medical professionals shared vital information with attendees. The hospital serves approximately 100,000 residents annually. Besides, the new facility will test for eight different diseases. Several doctors addressed the gathering about healthcare improvements. On the other hand, current testing requires significant travel time. The hospital plans to train staff for the new equipment. Furthermore, testing costs will decrease substantially for local residents. “Healthcare accessibility remains our priority,” remarked a hospital official. The post Sadar Hospital Seraikela to Get Advanced Antibody Testing Machines appeared first on Town Post. https://lnkd.in/gk3wzCg5

📃Scientific paper: Novel FujiLAM assay to detect tuberculosis in HIV-positive ambulatory patients in four African countries: a diagnostic accuracy study Abstract: International audience; Background: Development of rapid biomarker-based tests that can diagnose tuberculosis using non-sputum samples is a priority for tuberculosis control. We aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the novel Fujifilm SILVAMP TB LAM (FujiLAM) assay with the WHO-recommended Alere Determine TB-LAM Ag test (AlereLAM) using urine samples from HIV-positive patients.Methods: We did a diagnostic accuracy study at five outpatient public health facilities in Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique, and South Africa. Eligible patients were ambulatory HIV-positive individuals (aged ≥15 years) with symptoms of tuberculosis irrespective of their CD4 T-cell count (group 1), and asymptomatic patients with advanced HIV disease (CD4 count <200 cells per μL, or HIV clinical stage 3 or 4; group 2). All participants underwent clinical examination, chest x-ray, and blood sampling, and were requested to provide a fresh urine sample, and two sputum samples. FujiLAM and AlereLAM urine assays, Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay on sputum or urine, sputum culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and CD4 count were systematically carried out for all patients. Sensitivity and specificity of FujiLAM and AlereLAM were evaluated against microbiological and composite reference standards.Findings: Between Aug 24, 2020 and Sept 21, 2021, 1575 patients (823 [52·3%] women) were included in the study: 1031 patients in group 1 and 544 patients in group 2. Tuberculosis was microbiologically co... Continued on ES/IODE ➡️ https://etcse.fr/s75t ------- If you find this interesting, feel free to follow, comment and share. We need your help to enhance our visibility, so that our platform continues to serve you.

5️⃣ recommended TB news today! ******************************************** 👉 *Stephen Lawn TB-HIV Research Leadership Prize 2024* 👈  London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, U. of London "Established in 2016 to acknowledge emerging researchers conducting promising work focused on reducing the disease burden of TB and HIV/AIDS in Africa. *Nominations open until 1 September 2024* " https://lnkd.in/gun3JbWu ******************************************** 👉 *South Africa TB Conference News | Malnutrition poses major setback in the fight against TB* 👈 SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation) “ *Nutrition is like a vaccine* . I think that nutrition can play a big role in decreasing the incident of TB in our country and if you live in overcrowded housing, if you don’t have enough food to eat you’re more susceptible to contracting and getting TB disease" says Prof Yogan Pillay https://lnkd.in/gfNrUJU6 ******************************************** 👉 *Indian Health Ministry reworks protocol as India’s TB elimination drive plateaus* 👈 The Hindu "ICMR is looking at specifically reworking TB medication and its duration to reboot the TB-free initiative with zero deaths, disease, and poverty resulting from the disease" https://lnkd.in/gDgXb5Nu ******************************************** 👉 *Indian Mines Ministry Signs MoU with National TB Elimination Programme for collaborative action towards ending TB by 2025* 👈 Press Information Bureau (PIB) https://lnkd.in/gADhRE9s ******************************************** 👉 *In case you missed it! Watch the Webinar on targeted Next-Generation Sequencing (tNGS)* 👈 Stop TB Partnership and FIND https://lnkd.in/gDyJqk7n

📃Scientific paper: Association of gut microbiota with the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in people living with HIV Abstract: Background People living with HIV (PLWH) with chronic inflammation may have an increasing risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity; however, the impact of their gut microbiota on COVID-19 is not fully elucidated. Here, we analyzed the temporal changes in the gut microbiota composition of hospitalized severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected PLWH (PLWH-CoV) and their correlation with COVID-19 severity. Result The 16S rRNA analysis results using stool samples (along the timeline from disease onset) from 12 hospitalized PLWH-CoV, whose median CD4 + T cell count was 671 cells/µl, were compared to those of 19 healthy people and 25 PLWH. Bacterial diversity in PLWH-CoV is not significantly different from that of healthy people and SARS-CoV-2 non-infected PLWH, but a significant difference in the microbiota diversity was observed in the classification according to the disease severity. Immediately after the disease onset, remarkable changes were observed in the gut microbiota of PLWH-CoV, and the changing with a decrease in some short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria and an increase in colitis-related pathobiont. In the second week after disease onset, relative amounts of specific bacteria distinguished between disease severity. One month after the disease onset, dysbiosis of the gut microbiota persisted, and the number of Enterobacteriaceae, mainly Escherichia-Shigella , which is potentially pathogenic, increased and were enriche... Continued on ES/IODE ➡️ https://etcse.fr/DxotZ ------- If you find this interesting, feel free to follow, comment and share. We need your help to enhance our visibility, so that our platform continues to serve you.