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This episode pits man’s best friend against one of man’s deadliest foes—rabies doesn’t play fetch nor does it leave many unscathed. Ruan speaks to one health champion and ID friend to many, Professor Lucille Blumberg, and they talk about the virus that turns loyal companions into lethal threats. How to diagnose it, how it's managed and most importantly how to prevent it.
About our Guest:
Professor Lucille Blumberg, MB BCH MMed (Clin Micro) ID (SA) FFTM (RCP Glasgow, travel medicine) DTM&H DOH DCH D.Sc. (Med) honoris.
She is a highly respected infectious diseases specialist and medical microbiologist, hailing from Johannesburg, who sits on many national and international expert groups. Her contribution to keeping the public safe from infectious disease has been hailed as the epitome of sustainable, groundbreaking research. She has honorary appointments at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the Universities of Stellenbosch (Medical Microbiology) and University of Pretoria (Faculty of Veterinary Sciences), South Africa. Her focus is on outbreak prevention and response, emerging diseases, travel-related infections, the viral haemorrhagic fevers, malaria and zoonosis, especially rabies.
She is the current chair of the Strategic Advisory Group for Infectious Hazards for the WHO Emergencies Programme and a member of the scientific advisory group for the WHO Neglected Tropical Diseases programme. She is a longstanding member of the National Rabies Advisory Group in South Africa and is the former chair of the South African Malaria Elimination Committee (SAMEC). Prof Blumberg has been involved in the prevention, detection and response to several communicable disease outbreaks, including cholera, typhoid, rabies, the Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers (Lujo, Rift Valley fever, Ebola), influenza (pandemic A H1N1, and Avian Influenza A H5N2) and diphtheria.
Her special interests are malaria, rabies, other zoonoses, East African Trypanosomiasis, travel and tropical medicine and border health issues. She has worked with Right to Care as a Technical Scientific Advisor since 2021. She has recently been appointed to the editorial board of the Southern African Journal of Infectious Diseases. Other editorial positions include being African Advisor for the International Journal of Travel Medicine since 2018, and one of three editors for the International Journal of Infectious Diseases since 2017. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she established DATCOV, a national surveillance system for patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalised.
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Dans un monde où une piqûre de moustique peut encore être mortelle, il est réconfortant de savoir que notre mentalité s'oriente désormais vers la prévention et l'élimination. Dans cet épisode, Miriam s'entretient avec le Dr Abdouramane Camara, un lauréat de la Bourse d'accélération de carrière en Afrique et pionnier en immunologie, au sujet des vaccins antipaludiques.
À propos de notre invité:
Le Dr Abdouramane Camara est chercheur postdoctoral au West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), à l'Université du Ghana. Après plus de dix ans passés dans plusieurs institutions européennes, il a su forger une solide expertise, le Dr Camara est revenu en Afrique pour contribuer à son avancement scientifique en développant un nouveau test clinique permettant d'évaluer l'efficacité des vaccins à un stade précoce et de prédire la protection à long terme.
Ses travaux de recherche visent à élucider les mécanismes impliqués dans la génération des plasmocytes à longue durée de vie et des cellules productrices d’anticorps, ainsi qu’à explorer leur capacité à prédire précocement l’efficacité d’une vaccination. Il s'intéresse particulièrement au paludisme, une maladie endémique dans de nombreux pays africains, et à l'efficacité des nouveaux vaccins antipaludiques. Au-delà du paludisme, il étudie également les vaccins procurant une immunité à long terme, voire à vie, afin de contribuer à l'amélioration de la conception et des stratégies de mise en œuvre des vaccins.
Malaria life cycle: Reproduced from PATH's Malaria Vaccines website at www.malariavaccine.org, 2024
Global Malaria programme
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In a world where a mosquito bite can still be deadly, it is comforting to know that our mindset has shifted towards prevention and elimination. In this episode, Ruan speaks to a fellow recipient of the African Career Acceleration Fellowship, Dr Abdouramane Camara who is a pioneer in immunology, about malarial vaccines.
About our Guest:
Dr Abdouramane Camara is a postdoc research fellow at the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana. After spending over a decade in various institutions across Europe, gathering immense expertise, Dr Camara has returned to Africa to contribute to its scientific advancement by developing a new clinical test to evaluate the efficacy of vaccines at an early stage and predict long-term protection.
His research focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying the generation of long-lived plasma cells, antibody-secreting cells and their potential to be early predictors of vaccination success. He is particularly interested in malaria, a disease endemic to many African countries, and the efficacy of newly introduced malaria vaccines. Beyond malaria, he is also investigating vaccines that provide long-term or lifelong immunity, aiming to contribute to improved vaccine design and implementation strategies.
Malaria life cycle: Reproduced from PATH's Malaria Vaccines website at www.malariavaccine.org, 2024
Global Malaria programme
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Antimicrobial resistance has become one of healthcare's biggest challenges, and in the fight against AMR getting the right drug, the right dose, right indication and the right route is everything. In this episode, we’re exploring the critical role clinical pharmacists play in antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). Join Nonks, the latest microbe messenger to take the mic, as she talks to seasoned clinical pharmacist Ama Annor.
About our Guest:
Ama Sakoa Annor, is a committed and proactive pharmacist who is trained in comprehensive pharmaceutical care for paediatric patients. She holds an MSc (Med) in Clinical Pharmacy and a DPharm Candidate with six publications.
She is currently working at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital as a ward pharmacist, stationed in the paediatric medical and surgical departments. She is a member of the hospital’s Pharmacy and Therapeutics, AMS, ADR Committee and other sub-committees.
She is also affiliated as a mentor with the Clinical Pharmacy Division of the School of Pharmacy of the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University.
She has a passion for rational antimicrobial use and is privileged to be one of the mentees in the Ohio State University/Nationwide Children's Hospital - South Africa Train-the-Trainer program in the Neonatal Antimicrobial Stewardship Program in 2019. Two of the end products are the recent publications:
“Prospective antimicrobial stewardship interventions by multidisciplinary teams to reduce neonatal antibiotic use in South Africa: the Neonatal Antimicrobial Stewardship (NeoAMS) study”. International Journal of Infectious Diseases 2024-06 | Journal article. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107158
“Defining and responding to the contextual drivers for implementation of antimicrobial stewardship in 14 neonatal units in South Africa”; JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance 2025 Vol. 7 Issue 1
https://doi.org/10.1093/jacamr/dlae222
Facebook: Ama Sakoa Annor
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Also listen to this: Episode 6: A is for antimicrobial stewardship
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Vaccinations play an important role in both our individual and community health. They help to prevent serious and sometimes deadly diseases by strengthening our immune system. But in recent years this cost effective method of disease prevention has come under the spot light, drawing attention to some myths and misconceptions.
In this episode, Dr Anne von Gottberg dives into the importance of vaccinations, how to handle missed vaccines, vaccine dos and don'ts and recent changes in the Extended Programme onIimmunzation(EPI) in South Africa.
About our Guest:
Dr Anne von Gottberg is currently the laboratory lead at the Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa; and Associate Professor within the School of Pathology, Faculty of the Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg; and Honorary Professor, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town. She leads a laboratory team responsible for reference diagnostics for respiratory and meningitis pathogens nationally and regionally. The laboratory is the regional reference laboratory for the World Health Organization (WHO) Vaccine-preventable Invasive Bacterial Diseases (VP-IBD) Coordinated Global Surveillance Network for the southern African region; a National Influenza Centre (NIC); and a global WHO RSV and regional SARS-CoV-2 reference laboratory. She is currently a member of several committees and technical advisory groups for AFRO, Africa CDC and WHO. Her main interests include surveillance for meningitis and respiratory pathogens, assessing vaccine effectiveness where relevant. She has authored or co-authored more than 200 articles in peer-reviewed journals. In addition, she supervises a number of Masters and PhD students. Dr von Gottberg obtained her MBBCh and PhD at the University of the Witwatersrand, and trained for her specialisation in clinical microbiology (FC Path[SA] MICRO) at the National Health Laboratory Service (former South African Institute for Medical Research) and at the University of the Witwatersrand.
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This episode gives a nod to the show's history while also hinting at the variety of topics discussed. A Journey Through the Microscopic World – Highlights from some memorable episodes
Episodes featured in this recap:
EP 49: No spleen, how mean! - Asplenia_ Antibiotic prophylaxisEP 59: What's all the buzz about_ Malaria diagnosticsEP 33: Would you rather, the antibiotics version_ Empiric therapy for community acquired meningitisEP 50: HIV in the USA _ Diagnosing HIV in the USAEP 58: Findings from FIDSSA part 2_ Rabies update and outbreak response EP 44: Highlights from the PathRed Congress 2023 - Part 1_Emerging viral infectionsEP 62: Myco-moments: Interviews from the 4th AIDS-related Mycoses Workshop: The immunology of Oral candidiasisEP 61: "Prescription Ice cream" Book review and interview: Advice to young medical doctors and studentsEP 53 : Appropriate use of β-lactam - β-lactamase inhibitor combinations _ Rapid genetic testing, know your syndromic antibiograms, and diagnostic stewardshipWE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE –
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In this episode Vin talks to experienced microbiologist Dr Jennifer Coetzee about an increasingly urgent issue: multidrug-resistant infections. With resistance to common antibiotics on the rise, the need for novel treatment agents has never been more pressing.
Dr. Coetzee shares her insights on the latest treatments making headway in the fight against multidrug-resistant infections.
About our Guest:
Jennifer Coetzee is a qualified as a Clinical Microbiologist from University of Witwatersrand and spent time working as a Consultant at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Currently working as a Consultant Microbiologist in the Clinical Microbiology and Molecular biology departments of Ampath’s National Reference Laboratory in Centurion, Gauteng. A member of South African Society of Clinical Microbiology (SASCM) as well as European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID).Research interests include documenting the emergence of carbapenemases in South Africa, and the epidemiology of invasive fungal infections.
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Who knew that the Duke's criteria could be further modified? In Part 2, Vin and Ruan continue discussing infective endocarditis with the help of skilled cardiologist, Dr Raaesah Bhorat, this time discussing treatment: empiric, targeted and surgical therapy.
About our Guest:
Dr Raeesa Bhorat is a cardiologist at Sunninghill hospital, working as an interventional fellow under Professor Hellig. She completed her cardiology training at Groote Schuur hospital in 2024; and her interests include structural intervention and research in the application of artificial intelligence to cardiology, particularly the electrocardiogram. She completed her fellowship in internal medicine in 2019 and received her MBChB degree in 2013, cum laude.
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Who knew that the Duke's criteria could be further modified? In this episode, Vin and Ruan explore this update to the criterion and other critical aspects of diagnosing and managing infective endocarditis with the help of skilled cardiologist, Dr Raeesa Bhorat.
About our Guest:
Dr Raaesah Bhorat is a cardiologist at Sunninghill hospital, working as an interventional fellow under Professor Hellig. She completed her cardiology training at Groote Schuur hospital in 2024; and her interests include structural intervention and research in the application of artificial intelligence to cardiology, particularly the electrocardiogram. She completed her fellowship in internal medicine in 2019 and received her MBChB degree in 2013, cum laude
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In July, Ruan braved the AIDS-related Mycoses workshop held in Cape Town as the lone Microbe messenger. He attended sessions where speakers discussed novel findings in the epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis and therapy for some of the deadliest fungal infections globally. In this episode he and Vin take through some of the brief discussions he had with some of the enlightening researchers.
Meet our Guests:
Dr Juan Louis Rodriguez Tudela MD, PhDDr Michail Lionakis, M.D., Sc.D.Dr Felix Bongomin, M.D., MScProf Alessandro Pasqualotto, Professor of Infectious Diseases, with special interest in medical mycology and Fellow of the European Confederation of Medical Mycology. Dr Trevor Mnguni, MBChB, FCP(SA), Cert Pulm(SA)Prof Joseph Jarvis, Consultant Physician and Epidemiologist at Botswana-UPenn Partnership and Honorary Senior Lecturer, LSHTMWE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE –
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This week, we sit down with author, Dr Alastair McAlpine, to discuss his compelling book. In this thought provoking reflection, he shares insights into the unique challenges faced by doctors working in the public sector in South Africa. From systematic shortcomings to personal struggles, he takes us back to what inspired it all.
About our Guest:
Dr Alastair McAlpine is a paediatric infectious diseases physician who was born and raised in Johannesburg. His passions include preventing infections in kids, listening to noisy bands and encouraging his colleagues to prescribe ice cream more frequently. His new book Prescription: Ice Cream – A Doctor’s Journey to Discover What Matters is his engaging memoir about the highs and lows of working as a medical doctor in South Africa and how, with a little help from metal music and ice cream, he was able to struggle on, find meaning in the chaos and inspire others.
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Microbe mail turns 3 on the 14th of September, and we wanted to keep things light for this time of the year. In this special episode we flip the script, literally, and swop our usual expert interviews for some team banter as Esther grills the team over a bunsen burner. We promise it’s more fun than a Petri dish!
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In a world of emerging and eradicated pathogens, how has Malaria remained such a successful infection? Since its earliest description as "bad air", this mosquito-driven hazard has remained lethal in some populations and regions. This episode addresses significant updates in its epidemiology, tips on diagnostics, some commentary on the vaccine and a lot more.
About our Guest:
Dr. Jaishree Raman is a molecular biologist by training with a strong interest in malaria and public health. Jaishree currently heads the Laboratory for Antimalarial Resistance Monitoring and Malaria Operational Research (ARMMOR) at the NICD. The core focus of ARMMOR is to improve malaria diagnostic and treatment options and to assist South Africa and Africa eliminate malaria. To this end, ARMMOR hosts the South African National Surveillance Programme for Antimalarial Drug and Diagnostic Resistance Monitoring. As the chair of the case management sub-committee of the South African Malaria Elimination Committee, Jaishree has developed and delivered training courses aimed at capacitating the malaria programme staff on case management protocols and practices. She is a member of several regional networks, such as the Elimination 8 and Pathogen Diversity Network Africa, that are aiming to strengthen malaria genomic and bioinformatics capacity across Africa. She co-developed a leadership and management course for malaria elimination targeting malaria programme staff currently being delivered by GIBBS and the University of Pretoria and is also a mentor on the recently launched Pan-African Malaria Control Association (PAMCA) LiftHerUp initiative, which is focussing on increasing African women leaders in science, with a major focus on vector-borne diseases.
Some resources from this episode:
R21/Matrix-M vaccine: Phase 3 trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38310910/RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine: first results https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22007715/ RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine: final results https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60721-8WE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE –
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Earlier this year, some of the Microbe messengers attended the 10th FIDSSA Congress held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Besides being presenters themselves, they met and interviewed medical researchers in various infectious disease related fields.
This joint biennial congress hosted by the Federation of Infectious Diseases Societies of Southern Africa (FIDSSA) brings together healthcare professionals from its various societies, where members share research experiences and outcomes.
Let's hope this acts as a catalyst for collaborative work, culminating in comprehensive guidance in the management of infectious diseases.
To learn more about FIDSSA and its member societies visit: https://www.fidssa.co.za/
This episode includes discussions with:
Professor David LewisProfessor Robin PatelProfessor Lucille BlumbergProfessor Angela DramowskiDr Tholang KhumaloProfessor Eric DecloedtSome resources from this episode:
Southern African HIV Clinicians Society 2022 guideline for the management of sexually transmitted infections: Moving towards best practice: http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajhivmed.v23i1.1450 Tanapox, South Africa: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37022936/NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE SURVEILLANCE IN GAUTENG PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICAWE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE –
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Earlier this year, some of the Microbe messengers attended the 10th FIDSSA Congress held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Besides being presenters themselves, they met and interviewed medical researchers in various infectious disease related fields.
This joint biennial congress hosted by the Federation of Infectious Diseases Societies of Southern Africa (FIDSSA) brings together healthcare professionals from its various societies, where members share research experiences and outcomes. Let's hope this acts as a catalyst for collaborative work, culminating in all-encompassing guidance in the management of infectious diseases.
To learn more about FIDSSA and its member societies visit: https://www.fidssa.co.za/
This episode includes discussions with:
Dr Nicollete du PlessisDr Jeremy NelProfessor James Seddon (@Jamesseddon10 on X)Dr Lyle MurrayProfessor Akebe Luther King AbiaDr Ribkha BerhanuWE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE –
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It's that time of the year again, and most of us have already experience our fair share of the snuffles, so why not discuss it? In this episode Vin and Ruan speak to Associate Professor Diana Hardie about when respiratory infections go viral.... and not in a good way.
About our Guest:
Diana Hardie is a clinical virologist and head of the diagnostic virology laboratory at Groote Schuur Hospital. Her research interests center around viral infections in immuno-compromised patients and the immuno-pathogenesis of viral infections. She has also contributed to the development of various diagnostic assays for viral infections.
She has had many years of experience teaching medical virology and immunology to medical students, honours and post graduate students.
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Ever wondered what Microbiologists get up to in the laboratory? Is it all about waiting for organisms to grow, "doomsday prophecies" regarding antimicrobial resistance, and asking for a clinical correlation? The feild of Microbiology is vast, and Vin speaks to some well seasoned experts to get their take on a career in Microbiology.
About our Guests:
Crystal Viljoen, B.Tech Biomedical Technology: Crystal has more than 20 years of laboratory experience, and is currently working as the laboratory manager at the Infection Control Laboratory Services in Johannesburg. She is also an executive member of Legionella Action Group (LAG); and has a wealth of experience with quality management systems, including proficiency testing schemes, laboratory safety procedures and the process of laboratory accreditation, gained at the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD)
Andrea Prinzi, Ph.D., MPH, SM(ASCP): Dr Andrea Prinzi is currently a field medical director of US medical affairs at BioMérieux (pronounced bee oh merry you). Prior to her work in industry, Andrea was a clinical microbiologist with over 12 years of hands-on bench experience in a pediatric hospital laboratory. In 2014, she obtained her master’s in public health from the Colorado School of public health with a focus in epidemiology. In 2021, she completed a PhD in clinical and translational science from the University of Colorado. As a PhD in Clinical and Translational science, her interests include antimicrobial and diagnostic stewardship (with an emphasis on pneumonia diagnostics and management), development of effective teaching methods for clinicians and the fusion of public health, clinical science and medicine to improve patient outcomes, quality improvement, infectious disease epidemiology, science communication, and implementation science. Dr. Prinzi’s PhD work was clinical and translational, and focused on bridging the gap between the clinical microbiology laboratory and clinical practice. She combined clinical diagnostics, public health, clinical research and science communication to improve the way we think about and use diagnostic tests and antimicrobials. Dr. Prinzi is the clinical and public health community leader for the American Society for Microbiology’s Council on Microbial sciences, as well as a regular blog writer for ASM. She is a reviewing editor for the ASM journal Spectrum, as well as an editorial advisory board member for Open Forum Infectious Diseases. She also enjoys volunteering time to help co-host the Let’s Talk Micro antimicrobial resistance sub-series with her friend, Luis Plaza.
Dr Keeren Lutchminarain: Dr Keeren Lutchminarain is a clinical microbiologist based at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital. Her primary role in the NHLS is to oversee the KZN reference Tb laboratory where she is involved in interpreting routine diagnostic tests; verification of new instruments; teaching and training within the province and TB related research.YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE –
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We're back with another game of 'Would you rather?' Where we pose a scenario, and our guests give us their views. This episode really challenges the basis of some of the beliefs and practices regarding antimicrobials. Some of the questions are so tricky, who knows if there even is a correct answer. What we do know is... it depends.
About our Guest:
Prof. Andrew Whitelaw worked as a consultant pathologist in clinical microbiology at Groote Schuur Hospital from 2003 – 2012. In December 2012 took up the post of Head of Department of Medical Microbiology at the University of Stellenbosch / Tygerberg Hospital. His early research revolved around molecular characterization of ESBLs in members of the Enterobacteriaceae, and he has been involved in a number of studies and activities related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and infection control over the last decade, both for community as well as hospital acquired pathogens. Most relevant among these would be his involvement in the South African Antibiotic Stewardship Programme (SAASP), The Infection Control Society of Southern Africa, and the SA Ministerial Advisory Committee on AMR.
Ongoing research interests focus on antimicrobial resistance in Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus aureus, including molecular epidemiology and mechanisms of resistance as well as clinical impact and control of AMR. He is also involved in studies describing the human microbiota and in particular the effect of antimicrobials on the microbiota.
Resources from this episode:
SASCM C. difficile infection guidelines
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Don't forget to also have a listen to these featured episodes:
Episode 43: Communicating antimicrobial therapy to patients
Episode 38: Would you rather?: The mycology version
Episode 35: Would you rather?: The virology version
Episode 33: Would you rather?:The Bacterial version
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The rampant emergence of antimicrobial resistance, particularly amongst Gram negative organisms, has called for both the discovery of novel agents but also for a review of therapeutics thought to have been long lost in this battle. Enter, the "BLBLIs or BLICs'. In this episode Vin and Ruan speak with the 1st author of the publication "Appropriate use of the new β-lactam - β-lactamase inhibitor combination agents: Ceftazidime-avibactam and Ceftolozane-tazobactam in South Africa", Professor Adrian Brink, and receive a welcomed masterclass on this interesting group of antimicrobials.
About our Guest:
Professor Adrian Brink is Head of the Division: Medical Microbiology, and member of the Institute of Infectious Disease & Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town and the National Health Laboratory Services, Groote Schuur hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.
Prof Brink was founding President of the Federation of Infectious Diseases Societies of Southern Africa and is the founder and currently co-chairs the South African Antibiotic Stewardship Program (SAASP). Prof Brink currently serves on the South African Minister of Health’s Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) on Antimicrobial Resistance and representing Africa, is a member of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases International Affairs Subcommittee.
His is main research interests are the clinical and molecular epidemiology of antibiotic-resistant infections, the mechanisms of resistance as a confounder in antibiotic stewardship, the design and implementation of large-scale antibiotic stewardship, diagnostic stewardship and infection prevention and control interventions in low- and middle-income countries. His interests also include the protective, metabolic and immune functions of the gastrointestinal and vaginal biome including the resistome and metabolome.
Resources from this episode
Best practices: Appropriate use of Beta-lactam/Beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations Ceftazidime-Avibactam and Ceftolozane-Tazobactam)
WHO Priority Pathogens List
Table 1: Data on inhibitor classes, inhibitory mechanisms, and current clinical trial status, Kar D et al., 2023.
Table 6: β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor (BL/BLI) combinations in clinical trials or submitted for regulatory approval, Butler et al., 2023
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Professor Francois Venter is back in Part 3 of our HIV series in which he continues to address South Africa's battles against HIV. Here he discusses his experience on how and when to initiate antiretroviral therapy, prophylaxis against opportunistic infection, routine monitoring and what the future of HIV management looks like in South Africa.
About our Guest:
Professor WD Francois Venter, MD, FCP, PhD is Executive Director of Wits Ezintsha at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, where he received most of his training. His work involves health systems research and clinical trials, most recently involving the antiretrovirals dolutegravir, tenofovir alafenamide, cabotegravir, and doravirine. He leads multiple antiretroviral treatment optimisation studies and is currently working on new access programmes through private pharmacies within South Africa, patient linkage-to-care interventions, self-testing projects, as well as most recently on new large-scale primary care delivery platforms addressing hypertension, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidaemia and HIV. He has led large PEPFAR-funded HIV programmes in South Africa, focusing on men, women, children, young people, truckers, sex workers, and LGBTI communities. For over 20 years he has been an advisor to bodies such as the South African government, UNAIDS, and WHO, contributing to international, regional, and national HIV guidelines, and recently served as a member of the Ministerial Advisory Committee for COVID-19. He has an active interest in medical ethics and has been involved in several HIV-related human rights cases within the southern African region. He supervises Masters and PhD students and has over 200 publications, including first-author articles in major journals.
Resources:
SA HIV Clinicians society
ADVANCE STUDY
Southern African HIV Clinicians Society guidelines for antiretroviral therapy in adults:2023 update
Liverpool HIV Drug Interactions Checker
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