Browsing by Author "Nsamba, Peninah"

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    Identification of Peste des Petits Ruminants Transmission Hotspots in the Karamoja Subregion of Uganda for Targeting of Eradication Interventions
    (Frontiers in veterinary science, 2019) Nkamwesiga, Joseph; Coffin-Schmitt, Jeanne; Ochwo, Sylvester; Mwiine, Frank Norbert; Palopoli, Annabella; Ndekezi, Christian; Isingoma, Emmanuel; Nantima, Noelina; Nsamba, Peninah; Adiba, Rogers; Hendrickx, Saskia; Mariner, Jeffrey C.
    This paper describes an assessment of the patterns of peste des petits ruminants virus circulation in the Karamoja subregion of Uganda conducted to identify the communities that maintain the virus and inform the development of a targeted vaccination strategy. Participatory epidemiological methods were used to develop an operational hypothesis for the patterns of PPR in Karamoja that was subsequently validated through outbreak investigation and genomics. The participatory epidemiological assessment included risk mapping with livestock owners, community animal health workers and veterinarians and indicated there were two critical foci of virus transmission on the Uganda-Kenya border. One was located in two adjacent subcounties of Kotido and Kaabong Districts in northern Karamoja and the other in Loroo subcounty of Amudat District in southern Karamoja. Participants reported that these were locations where outbreaks were usually first observed in Karamoja and subsequently spread to other areas. Following the participatory assessment, surveillance activities were implemented across the Karamoja subregion in 2018. Three outbreak were detected, investigated and sampled. Two outbreaks were located in the northern and one on the southern focus of transmission. No Outbreaks were diagnosed in Karamoja outside of these foci during 2018. Genomics indicated different clusters of viruses were associated with the northern and southern foci that were more closely related to other East African isolates than to each other. This indicates these are two separate systems of virus circulation which should be explicitly addressed in eradication as separate cross-border systems that require integrated cross-border interventions.
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    Measurement and Sampling Error in Mixed-Methods Research for the Control of Peste Des Petits Ruminants in the Karamoja Subregion of Northeastern Uganda: A Cautionary Tale
    (Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2021) Coffin-Schmitt, Jeanne L.; Moore, Emily V.; McKune, Sarah L.; Nkamwesiga, Joseph; Isingoma, Emmanuel; Nantima, Noelina; Adiba, Rogers; Mwiine, Frank Norbert; Nsamba, Peninah; Hendrickx, Saskia; Mariner, Jeffrey C.
    A team of interdisciplinary researchers undertook a mixed methods, participatory epidemiology (PE) based study as part of a pilot project for localized control of Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), a small ruminant disease of high socio-economic impact. Mixed methods research combines qualitative and quantitative methods, allowing iterative comparison of results to arrive at a more comprehensive and informed outcome. In this study, the use of PE and a household survey (HHS) resulted in contradictory results. However, the mixed methods approach also facilitated the detection and the explanation of bias in the HHS, which may have gone undetected and unexplored had only one method been used. Results show that logistical constraints leading to a failure to apply key aspects of the sampling strategy led to problematic gender/ethnic composition of the HHS sample population. Additionally, while PE findings on local disease and terminology were integrated during HHS development and training, there is apparent measurement error related to enumerator bias in HHS results, possibly due to insufficient respondent understanding or a lack of analytic clarity. The extensive nature of the PE, surveillance methodologies used in the initial site assessment, and formative research for the HHS allowed for a critical analysis and interpretation of HHS results as well as reflection on the research process. The findings of this paper underscore the (1) flexibility and utility of participatory methods, (2) the importance of mixed methods research in designing health interventions, and (3) the necessity of tight integration of study design with team planning for implementation of research in environments such as Karamoja, Uganda. If all three are to be achieved not only researchers but funders must provide these space and structure beginning in the study design phase. These findings are relevant in many places, but have particular importance for international, interdisciplinary teams working from various on-and-off-site locations with traditional or indigenous knowledge systems.
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    Viruses associated with measles-like illnesses in Uganda
    (Journal of Infection, 2024) Namuwulya, Prossy; Shirin, Ashraf; Marc, Niebel; Ssekagiri, Alfred; Tushabe, Phionah; Kakooza, Proscovia; Lily, Tong; Bukenya, Henry; Hanna, Jerome; Chris, Davis; Birungi, Molly; Turyahabwe, Irene; Mugaga, Arnold; Eliku, James Peter; Aine, Francis; Nakabazzi, Lucy; Nsubuga, Fred; Katushabe, Edson; Kisakye, Annet; Ampeire, Immaculate; Nanteza, Ann; Kaleebu, Pontiano; Bakamutumaho, Barnabas; Nsamba, Peninah; Kazibwe, Anne; Ana, da Silva Filipe; Tweyongyere, Robert; Bwogi, Josephine; Thomson, Emma C.
    Objectives In this study, we investigated the causes of measles-like illnesses (MLI) in the Uganda national surveillance program in order to inform diagnostic assay selection and vaccination strategies. Methods We used metagenomic next-generation sequencing (M-NGS) on the Illumina platform to identify viruses associated with MLI (defined as fever and rash in the presence of either cough, coryza or conjunctivitis) in patient samples that had tested IgM negative for measles between 2010 and 2019. Results Viral genomes were identified in 87/271 (32%) of samples, of which 44/271 (16%) contained 12 known viral pathogens. Expected viruses included rubella, human parvovirus B19, Epstein Barr virus, human herpesvirus 6B, human cytomegalovirus, varicella zoster virus and measles virus (detected within the seronegative window-period of infection) and the blood-borne hepatitis B virus. We also detected Saffold virus, human parvovirus type 4, the human adenovirus C2 and vaccine-associated poliovirus type 1. Conclusions The study highlights the presence of undiagnosed viruses causing MLI in Uganda, including vaccine-preventable illnesses. NGS can be used to monitor common viral infections at a population level, especially in regions where such infections are prevalent, including low and middle income countries to guide vaccination policy and optimize diagnostic assays.