Lucy Mupfumi

Student Awarded

l will be travelling to the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative between May and July 2019 to analyse data for the immune markers of treatment response aspect of my PhD.  Samples were collected from newly diagnosed adult TB patients  (n=43; 29 HIV positive) prior to and at 2 months post – treatment initiation.  The primary aim of the analysis will be to detect memory (CCR7, CD27, CD45RA), activation (CD38, HLADR) and differentiation (KLRG1) profiles that correlate with time on treatment.  Our results will identify a combination of markers predictive of treatment response in HIV-infected patients with TB. Specifically, HLADR and CD38 expression on CD4 T-cells will be higher at baseline than 2 months post treatment and significantly higher in HIV-infected and patients with a longer time to sputum culture positivity. The analysis of the data under the guidance of experts in imunology will provide training and mentorship currently not available in Botswana and will equip me with skills to assist with planned immunology studies at BHP thus allowing for South-South collaboration.

Report Back – Skills Gained

Visit to Professor Thomas Scriba, South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative, Cape Town, South Africa

• Multi-color flow cytometry
• Panel design
• Intracellular cytokine staining
• Data analysis using Prism and R

Output: Manuscript titled “Immune phenotype and functionality of Mtb-specific T-cells in HIV/TB co-infected patients on antiretroviral treatment” under review for publication in Pathogens journal

African Supervisor

The Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership was established in 2001 in response to the growing HIV epidemic which caused an alarming loss of life in the country with just over 2 million inhabitants. Since then, BHP has grown to become a leader in HIV clinical trials and maternal and infant clinical epidemiological studies and is a recognised trial site for IMPAACT, ACTG and HPTN trials supported by a SADCAS-accredited clinical trials laboratory. The research laboratory focuses on basic science, with an established niche in genomic work characterizing drug resistant HIV and host genetic studies. In addition, BHP trains masters and PhD students in collaboration with the University of Botswana. In recent years, the work of the laboratory has expanded to include viral hepatitis, HPV and TB genomic epidemiology and immunology. Dr Simani Gaseitsiwe, the Laboratory Director and supervisor for this project is passionate about training the next generation of scientists and is one of the principal investigators on the sub-Saharan African Network for TB and HIV Research Excellence (SANTHE) grant that is training over 50 masters and PhD students across 5 countries.

International Supervisor

The South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative is located within the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Established in 2001 to address unanswered questions around BCG, SATVI has become a global leader in the development of new and effective vaccination strategies.  SATVI has a strong academic focus and trains multiple masters  and PhD students, conducting cutting edge science.  Professor Thomas Scriba, who will be hosting Lucy during this period, is the Deputy Director of Immunology and Laboratories. He is a recognised authority in the field of TB immunology and will provide a stimulating environment for Lucy to complete her analysis and produce a publication-worthy report by the end of her trip.