Browsing by Author "Nanteza, Mary Bridget"

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    Environmental surveillance detects circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 that was undetected by acute flaccid paralysis surveillance in 2021 in Uganda
    (Archives of Virology, 2021) Tushabe, Phionah; Bwogi, Josephine; Eliku, James Peter; Aine, Francis; Birungi, Molly; Gaizi, Joseph; Nakabazzi, Lucy; Kabaliisa, Theopista; Turyahabwe, Irene; Namuwulya, Prossy; Nanteza, Mary Bridget; Bukenya, Henry; Kanyesigye, Christopher; Katushabe, Edson; Ampeire, Immaculate; Kisakye, Annet; Bakamutumaho, Barnabas
    The success of the global polio eradication initiative is threatened by the genetic instability of the oral polio vaccine, which can result in the emergence of pathogenic vaccine-derived polioviruses following prolonged replication in the guts of individuals with primary immune deficiencies or in communities with low vaccination coverage. Through environmental surveillance, circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 was detected in Uganda in the absence of detection by acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance. This underscores the sensitivity of environmental surveillance and emphasizes its usefulness in supplementing AFP surveillance for poliovirus infections in the race towards global polio eradication.
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    Evaluation of HIV-1 Rapid Tests and Identification of alternative Testing Algorithms for Use in Uganda
    (BMC Infectious Diseases, 2018) Kaleebu, Pontiano; Kitandwe, Paul Kato; Lutalo, Tom; Kigozi, Aminah; Watera, Christine; Nanteza, Mary Bridget; Musinguzi, Joshua; Opio, Alex; Downing, Robert; Mbidde, Edward Katongole
    The World Health Organization recommends that countries conduct two phase evaluations of HIV rapid tests (RTs) in order to come up with the best algorithms. In this report, we present the first ever such evaluation in Uganda, involving both blood and oral based RTs. The role of weak positive (WP) bands on the accuracy of the individual RT and on the algorithms was also investigated.
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    The detection of 3 ambiguous type 2 vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPV2s) in Uganda
    (Virology Journal, 2018) Nanteza, Mary Bridget; Bakamutumaho, Barnabas; Kisakye, Annet; Namuwulya, Prossy; Bukenya, Henry; Katushabe, Edson; Bwogi, Josephine; Byabamazima, Charles Rutebarika; Raffaella, Williams; Gumede, Nicksy
    Background The Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV or Sabin) is genetically unstable and may mutate to form vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPVs). Methods In 2014, two VDPVs type 2 were identified during routine surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases. Consequently, a retrospective VDPV survey was conducted to ensure that there was no circulating VDPV in the country. All Sabin poliovirus isolates identified in Uganda 6 months before and 6 months after were re-screened; Sabin 1 and 3 polioviruses were re-screened for Sabin 2 and Sabin 2 polioviruses were re-screened for VDPVs type 2. The Poliovirus rRT-PCR ITD/VDPV 4.0 assay and sequencing were used respectively. Results The first two VDPVs type2 were identified in Eastern Uganda and the third was identified during the survey from South-western Uganda. These regions had low OPV coverage and poor AFP surveillance indicators. Conclusion The retrospective VDPV survey was a useful strategy to screen for VDPVs more exhaustively. Supplementary surveillance methods need to be encouraged.