Infectious Diseases Institute

The next generation of maternal vaccines: scientific advances, regulatory readiness, and strategic planning in Europe

With the recent approval of maternal RSV vaccines and late-phase trials underway for a GBS vaccine, Europe is entering a new era of maternal immunisation. Yet scientific progress is outpacing pregnancy-specific evidence and preparedness for equitable implementation. Pregnant wome...

Conversational themes and interaction patterns in peer support for adolescents and young people living with HIV: scoping review protocol

Peer support for adolescents and young people living with HIV (AYPLHIV) has demonstrated effectiveness in improving clinical and psychosocial outcomes. However, the specific conversational content and interaction patterns that underpin successful peer support remain poorly charac...

Multi country training to strengthen leadership among administrative staff of research ethics committees and national regulatory bodies in the East African Community

Clinical research in the East African Community (EAC) has expanded significantly in response to epidemics, increasing the complexity and workload. Research ethics committee (REC) and National research regulatory (NRA) members involved in leadership and administrative work play a...

Early insights into predicted efficacy of Ebola monoclonal antibodies for the 2026 Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak

The 2026 Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak in the DRC and Uganda raises urgent questions about the efficacy of existing Ebola virus (EBOV) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Bundibugyo virus (BDBV). Here, we perform genomic and structural analyses of 44 BDBV sequences, in...

Caspase-11–mediated hyperinflammation impairs CD8+ T cell immunity and viral clearance in severe SARS-CoV-2 infection

Severe SARS-CoV-2 infection is characterized by lung hyperinflammation, impaired IFN responses, and defective T cell activation, yet the molecular drivers of these immune dysregulations remain incompletely understood. Caspase-11 (CASP11), a key effector of the noncanonical inflam...

The enduring role of sulfasalazine in the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a retrospective cohort study on safety and effectiveness

Abstract Background Sulfasalazine (SSZ) is a commonly used disease-modifying antirheumatic drug for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) that is primarily recommended within the group of juvenile spondyloarthropathies. Current treatment guidelines increasingly limit its role in th...

Empiric tuberculosis treatment and 12-month mortality among sputum GeneXpert-negative adults living with HIV in Uganda in the era of widespread antiretroviral therapy: A prospective cohort study

Abstract Background In sub-Saharan Africa where both tuberculosis (TB) and HIV are prevalent, empiric TB treatment in people living with HIV (PLHIV) persists due to limited sensitivity of sputum-based TB tests. We evaluated mortality among molecular test-negative presumptive TB a...

Continued high mortality following diagnosis of HIV-associated Kaposi sarcoma in East Africa in the “Treat All” antiretroviral therapy era ― 2021-2024

Abstract Background Stage at time of diagnosis and survival after diagnosis are critical parameters regarding control of any cancer in any geographical setting. In earlier research focusing on the initial years of the “Treat All” era (2016-2019), we found that HIV-associated Kapo...

One Health and antimicrobial stewardship: a call to multi-sectoral collaboration to prevent the emerging epidemic of antimicrobial resistance

A common misconception is that Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) stems solely from poor treatment management in hospitals and weak health systems. AMR is, however, driven by a multitude of factors, including environmental stressors such as contamination from industrial, agricultural...