South Africa

Abstract

The aim of the project is to create an international platform for the participating universities to exchange case-driven experiences and proven solutions at two levels: 1. train FM/PHC professionals in the competencies of interprofessional team working in the participating countries by exchanging working experiences via an interactive web-based platform and 2. increase knowledge, skills and expertise about early recognition and self-management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) ) through interprofessional learning at community health centres (CHCs) and private clinics in urban and rural areas.

Though the focus of the case-based experiences will be on T2DM early detection and self-management, the main purpose of this project will be on exchanging needs and experiences for working interprofessionally by the participating academic centres via a web-based platform. There will be a yearly live meeting and regular (bimonthly) webinars or digital meetings (zoom, skype, …) of the leading teams in the different countries, and monthly meetings of the national network of (urban, rural, remote,…) participating CHCs and private clinics within each country.

Funding(s)

Researcher(s)

• Johan Wens
• Minh Tam Nguyen

Period

01/01/2020 - 31/12/2021

Abstract

The overall research objective of the SPICES project is to implement and evaluate a comprehensive CVD prevention and control program in five settings: a rural & semi-urban community in a low-income country (Uganda), middle income (South Africa) and vulnerable groups in three high-income countries (Belgium, France and United Kingdom) as well as to identify and compare the barriers and facilitators across study contexts. The project will be evaluated using a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods. At the beginning of the project, we will conduct baseline assessments including literature reviews, formative studies, household surveys (where feasible) and learn lessons from other projects to understand healthcare and lifestyle practices, barriers, and facilitators. A costeffectiveness and cost benefit analysis will be included. In addition, the teams will conduct site exchanges visits to learn from each other and organise policy dialogues to ensure sustainability and maximise impact of the interventions.

Funding(s)

Researcher(s)

• Principal investigator: Bastiaens Hilde
• Co-principal investigator: Anthierens Sibyl
• Co-principal investigator: Van geertruyden Jean-Pierre
• Co-principal investigator: Van Royen Paul

Research team(s)

Primary and interdisciplinary care Antwerp (ELIZA)

Period

01/01/2017 -31/12/2021

Website

www.spicesproject.eu

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a global problem, with > 9 million cases annually and rising numbers of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB). In the 1990's, IS6110 DNA fingerprinting revolutionized the study of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Using this technique, I performed groundbreaking studies that proved exogenous reinfection, challenged the dogma that most TB cases are due to re-activation of latent infection, opposed the belief that most MDR-TB is acquired, and demonstrated mixed infection (NEJM 1999, JID 1999, Lancet 2000, AJCCRM 2005). The recent development of high-throughput, relatively low-cost whole genome sequencing (WGS) raises again the promise of significant gains in molecular epidemiology of MTB. Arriving at new paradigms however demands that inferences of WGS data on phylogeny, transmissibility, virulence and resistance are contextualized and integrated with clinical and demographic meta-data in large-scale studies to test the hypotheses generated by small-scale studies on isolates collected in low TB burden countries. As a clinical and molecular epidemiologist, I propose to establish and direct a multidisciplinary Centre for WGS studies of MTB at the University of Antwerp. The Centre will embed itself in the molecular microbiology laboratory of Prof Herman Goossens, who has substantial expertise in WGS research of pathogens other than MTB. The Centre will work in close collaboration with Prof Robin Warren of the South African Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research (CEBTR), Stellenbosch University. Access to the ~50,000 MTB strains in the CEBTR biobank will provide a unique opportunity for the Centre to perform molecular epidemiological MTB studies that address ground-breaking basic science and molecular epidemiological questions. To maximize the public health gains of WGS, we will focus on studies of MTB transmission dynamics in a high TB burden setting, the role of epistatis in emergence of drug resistance, MTB adaptation to drug pressure, and within-host MTB diversity.

Funding(s)

FWO

Researcher(s)

Principal investigator: Van Rie Annelies

Period

01/10/2016 - 30/09/2021