Browsing by Author "Ntege, Edward."

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    PublicationOpen Access
    Continuing Intense Malaria Transmission in Northern Uganda
    (The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2011-05-05) Proietti, Carla.; Pettinato, Davide D.; Kanoi, Bernard N.; Ntege, Edward.; Crisanti, Andrea.; Riley, Eleanor M.; Egwang, Thomas G.; Drakeley, Chris.; Bousema, Teun.
    Recent reports of reductions in malaria transmission in several African countries have resulted in optimism that malaria can be eliminated in parts of Africa where it is currently endemic. It is not known whether these trends are global or whether they are also present in areas where political instability has hindered effective malaria control. We determined malaria parasite carriage and age-dependent antibody responses to Plasmodium falciparum antigens in cross-sectional surveys in Apac, northern Uganda that was affected by political unrest. Under-five parasite prevalence was 55.8% (115/206) by microscopy and 71.9% (41/57) by polymerase chain reaction. Plasmodium ovale alone, or as a co-infection, was detected in 8.6% (12/139) and Plasmodium malariae in 4.3% (6/139) of the infections. Age seroprevalence curves gave no indication of recent changes in malaria transmission intensity. Malaria control remains a tremendous challenge in areas that have not benefited from large-scale interventions, illustrated here by the district of Apac.
  • Thumbnail Image
    PublicationOpen Access
    Hematological and Biochemical Data Obtained in Rural Northern Uganda
    (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2014-05-06) Palacpac, Nirianne M. Q.; Ntege, Edward.; Balikagala, Betty.; Yeka, Adoke.; Shirai, Hiroki.; Suzuki, Nahoko.; Nsereko, Christopher.; Kanoi, Bernard N.; Okada, Takuya.; Egwang, Thomas G.
    Reference intervals for common hematological and clinical chemistry parameters constitute an important basis for health care. Moreover, with increasing priority in drug and vaccine development for infectious diseases in Africa, the first priority is the safety evaluation and tolerability of the candidate interventions in healthy populations. To accurately assess health status and address adverse events, clinical reference intervals in the target population are necessary. We report on hematological and biochemical indices from healthy volunteers who participated in a clinical trial in Lira, northern Uganda. Median and nonparametric 95% percentiles on five hematology and 15 biochemistry analytes are shown. Although most hematological analytes conformed to reported reference intervals and trends in Africa, literature review from different African countries highlight the need for a region-specific children reference interval that can be appropriate for the population.
  • Thumbnail Image
    PublicationOpen Access
    The development of the BK-SE36 malaria vaccine candidate
    (Malaria Journal, 2014-09-22) Palacpac, Nirianne MQ.; Yagi, Masanori.; Ntege, Edward.; Balikagala, Betty.; Yeka, Adoke.; Shirai, Hiroki.; Suzuki, Nahoko.; Okada, Takuya.; Kanoi, Bernard.; Nobuko, Arisue.
    Complex and widespread with about 90% of the global burden in sub-Saharan Africa, malaria remains a significant health problem. Malaria vaccines have the chance to make significant inroads, with RTS,S vaccine candidate as the most advanced candidate. However, the need for a highly efficacious, long-lasting vaccine is still unmet. Continued support for a repertoire of tools for Plasmodium falciparum is needed. A blood-stage vaccine is desirable to deal with morbidity and mortality secondary to P. falciparum infection, and thus would be a valuable strategy in the fight against malaria. The P. falciparum serine repeat antigen-5 formulated with aluminum hydroxyl gel (BK-SE36) is a blood-stage malaria vaccine candidate. The processing of SERA5 is believed to mediate parasite egress from the infected red blood cell. Field studies show good correlations of anti-SERA antibodies to malaria protection against blood parasitemia, malaria symptoms and severe disease. A Phase 1a trial demonstrated its safety and immunogenicity in malaria naïve Japanese adults. A Phase 1b trial was conducted in the malaria endemic area of Northern Uganda to assess the vaccine’s safety and immunogenicity. BK-SE36 had an acceptable safety and immunogenicity profile. Post-trial, Stage 2 subjects were age-matched to 50 control individuals to compare malaria episodes 130–365 days post-second vaccination. Log-rank test reveal significant differences in BK-SE36 vaccinees vs control group in time-to-first episodes with parasitemias ≥5,000/μL and those with ≥5,000/μL + fever (protective efficacy for the latter is 72%, P < 0.01). BK-SE36 vaccinees have fewer multiple malaria episodes with high parasitemia. We also observed that the antibody titers against SE36 were boosted after episodes of natural infection. Above results show that BK-SE36 could provide some protection against natural P. falciparum infection until 1 year post-second vaccination.