Browsing by Author "Kasaro MP"

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Bacterial vaginosis and the risk of trichomonas vaginalis acquisition among HIV-1-negative women.
(2014-Feb) Balkus JE; Richardson BA; Rabe LK; Taha TE; Mgodi N; Kasaro MP; Ramjee G; Hoffman IF; Abdool Karim SS; From the *Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington;Departments of †Global Health and ‡Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; §Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; ∥Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland; ¶Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology College of Health Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe;**Center for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia; ††HIV Prevention Research Unit, South Africa Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa; ‡‡Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; §§Centre for the AIDS Program of Research in South Africa, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Congella, South Africa; and ∥∥Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
BACKGROUND: The vaginal microbiota may play a role in mediating susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections, including Trichomonas vaginalis (TV). METHODS: Data were analyzed from HIV-1-seronegative women participating in HIV Prevention Trials Network Protocol 035. At quarterly visits for up to 30 months, participants completed structured interviews and specimens were collected for genital tract infection testing. T. vaginalis was detected by saline microscopy. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) was characterized by Gram stain using the Nugent score (BV = 7-10; intermediate = 4-6; normal = 0-3 [reference group]). Cox proportional hazards models stratified by study site were used to assess the association between Nugent score category at the prior quarterly visit and TV acquisition. RESULTS: In this secondary analysis, 2920 participants from Malawi, South Africa, United States, Zambia, and Zimbabwe contributed 16,259 follow-up visits. Bacterial vaginosis was detected at 5680 (35%) visits, and TV was detected at 400 (2.5%) visits. Adjusting for age, marital status, hormonal contraceptive use, unprotected sex in the last week and TV at baseline, intermediate Nugent score, and BV at the prior visit were associated with an increased risk of TV (intermediate score: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-2.19; BV: aHR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.92-3.00). Sensitivity analyses excluding 211 participants with TV at baseline were similar to those from the full study population (intermediate score: aHR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.10-2.14; BV: aHR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.75-2.84). CONCLUSIONS: Women with a Nugent score higher than 3 were at an increased risk for acquiring TV. If this relationship is causal, interventions that improve the vaginal microbiota could contribute to reductions in TV incidence.
Diagnostic yield of urine lipoarabinomannan and sputum tuberculosis tests in people living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data.
(2023-Jun) Broger T; Koeppel L; Huerga H; Miller P; Gupta-Wright A; Blanc FX; Esmail A; Reeve BWP; Floridia M; Kerkhoff AD; Ciccacci F; Kasaro MP; Thit SS; Bastard M; Ferlazzo G; Yoon C; Van Hoving DJ; Sossen B; García JI; Cummings MJ; Wake RM; Hanson J; Cattamanchi A; Meintjes G; Maartens G; Wood R; Theron G; Dheda K; Olaru ID; Denkinger CM; Population Health Program, Tuberculosis Group, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA.; National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.; Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA; Trauma Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Center for Tuberculosis, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.; Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Division of Emergency Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.; The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.; Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity, Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine and UCT Lung Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; South African MRC Centre for the Study of Antimicrobial Resistance, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.; Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.; Division of Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.; New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research, Auckland, New Zealand.; Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.; Center for Tuberculosis, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.; Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.; UniCamillus, International University of Health and Medical Science, Rome, Italy; Community of Sant'Egidio, DREAM programme, Rome, Italy.; Field Epidemiology Department, Epicentre, Paris, France.; Department of Medicine, Médecins Sans Frontières, Paris, France.; Division of Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.; Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity, Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine and UCT Lung Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; South African MRC Centre for the Study of Antimicrobial Resistance, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia; UNC Global Projects, LLC Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK; Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.; Centre for Healthcare-Associated Infections, Antimicrobial Resistance and Mycoses, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa; Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK.; Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA; Center for Tuberculosis, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.; Department of Medicine, University of Medicine 2, Yangon, Myanmar.; Service de Pneumologie, l'institut du thorax, Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France.; Division of Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, partner site, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany. Electronic address: claudia.denkinger@uni-heidelberg.de.; DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
BACKGROUND: Sputum is the most widely used sample to diagnose active tuberculosis, but many people living with HIV are unable to produce sputum. Urine, in contrast, is readily available. We hypothesised that sample availability influences the diagnostic yield of various tuberculosis tests. METHODS: In this systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data, we compared the diagnostic yield of point-of-care urine-based lipoarabinomannan tests with that of sputum-based nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and sputum smear microscopy (SSM). We used microbiologically confirmed tuberculosis based on positive culture or NAAT from any body site as the denominator and accounted for sample provision. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, African Journals Online, and clinicaltrials.gov from database inception to Feb 24, 2022 for randomised controlled trials, cross-sectional studies, and cohort studies that assessed urine lipoarabinomannan point-of-care tests and sputum NAATs for active tuberculosis detection in participants irrespective of tuberculosis symptoms, HIV status, CD4 cell count, or study setting. We excluded studies in which recruitment was not consecutive, systematic, or random; provision of sputum or urine was an inclusion criterion; less than 30 participants were diagnosed with tuberculosis; early research assays without clearly defined cutoffs were tested; and humans were not studied. We extracted study-level data, and authors of eligible studies were invited to contribute deidentified individual participant data. The main outcomes were the tuberculosis diagnostic yields of urine lipoarabinomannan tests, sputum NAATs, and SSM. Diagnostic yields were predicted using Bayesian random-effects and mixed-effects meta-analyses. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42021230337. FINDINGS: We identified 844 records, from which 20 datasets and 10 202 participants (4561 [45%] male participants and 5641 [55%] female participants) were included in the meta-analysis. All studies assessed sputum Xpert (MTB/RIF or Ultra, Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) and urine Alere Determine TB LAM (AlereLAM, Abbott, Chicago, IL, USA) in people living with HIV aged 15 years or older. Nearly all (9957 [98%] of 10 202) participants provided urine, and 82% (8360 of 10 202) provided sputum within 2 days. In studies that enrolled unselected inpatients irrespective of tuberculosis symptoms, only 54% (1084 of 1993) of participants provided sputum, whereas 99% (1966 of 1993) provided urine. Diagnostic yield was 41% (95% credible interval [CrI] 15-66) for AlereLAM, 61% (95% Crl 25-88) for Xpert, and 32% (95% Crl 10-55) for SSM. Heterogeneity existed across studies in the diagnostic yield, influenced by CD4 cell count, tuberculosis symptoms, and clinical setting. In predefined subgroup analyses, all tests had higher yields in symptomatic participants, and AlereLAM yield was higher in those with low CD4 counts and inpatients. AlereLAM and Xpert yields were similar among inpatients in studies enrolling unselected participants who were not assessed for tuberculosis symptoms (51% vs 47%). AlereLAM and Xpert together had a yield of 71% in unselected inpatients, supporting the implementation of combined testing strategies. INTERPRETATION: AlereLAM, with its rapid turnaround time and simplicity, should be prioritised to inform tuberculosis therapy among inpatients who are HIV-positive, regardless of symptoms or CD4 cell count. The yield of sputum-based tuberculosis tests is undermined by people living with HIV who cannot produce sputum, whereas nearly all participants are able to provide urine. The strengths of this meta-analysis are its large size, the carefully harmonised denominator, and the use of Bayesian random-effects and mixed-effects models to predict yields; however, data were geographically restricted, clinically diagnosed tuberculosis was not considered in the denominator, and little information exists on strategies for obtaining sputum samples. FUNDING: FIND, the Global Alliance for Diagnostics.
Field performance evaluation of dual rapid HIV and syphilis tests in three antenatal care clinics in Zambia.
(2019-Mar) Kasaro MP; Bosomprah S; Taylor MM; Sindano N; Phiri C; Tambatamba B; Malumo S; Freeman B; Chibwe B; Laverty M; Owiredu MN; Newman L; Sikazwe I; 4 Division of STD Prevention, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.; 7 World Health Organization, Intercountry Support Team for East and Southern Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe.; 1 Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; 6 World Health Organization Country Office, Lusaka, Zambia.; 5 Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health, Lusaka, Zambia.; 8 Division of Global HIV & TB, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.; 2 Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.; 3 Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
This cross-sectional study of 3212 pregnant women assessed the field performance, acceptability, and feasibility of two dual HIV/syphilis rapid diagnostic tests, the Chembio DPP HIV-syphilis Assay and the SD Bioline HIV/syphilis Duo in antenatal clinics. Sensitivity and specificity for HIV and syphilis were calculated compared to the rapid Determine HIV-1/2 with Uni-Gold to confirm positive results for HIV and the Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay for syphilis. RPR titers ≥1:4 were used to define active syphilis detection. Acceptability and feasibility were assessed using self-reported questionnaires. For Chembio, the HIV sensitivity was 90.6% (95%CI = 87.4, 93.0) and specificity was 97.2% (95%CI = 96.2, 97.8); syphilis sensitivity was 68.6% (95%CI = 61.9, 74.6) and specificity was 98.5% (95%CI = 97.8, 98.9). For SD Bioline, HIV sensitivity was 89.4% (95%CI = 86.1, 92.0) and specificity was 96.3% (95%CI = 95.3, 97.1); syphilis sensitivity was 66.2% (95%CI = 59.4, 72.4) and specificity was 97.2% (95%CI = 96.4, 97.9). Using the reference for active syphilis, syphilis sensitivity was 84.7% (95%CI = 76.1, 90.6) for Chembio and 81.6% (95%CI = 72.7, 88.1) for SD Bioline. Both rapid diagnostic tests were assessed as highly acceptable and feasible. In a field setting, the performance of both rapid diagnostic tests was comparable to other published field evaluations and each was rated highly acceptable and feasible. These findings can be used to guide further research and proposed scale up in antenatal clinic settings.
Impact of targeted counseling on reported vaginal hygiene practices and bacterial vaginosis: the HIV Prevention Trials Network 035 study.
(2017-Apr) Kasaro MP; Husnik MJ; Chi BH; Reid C; Magure T; Makanani B; Tembo T; Ramjee G; Maslankowski L; Rabe L; Brad Guffey M; 4 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Health Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.; 9 Magee-Women's Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.; 3 Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Statistical Center for HIV/AIDS Research & Prevention, Seattle, WA, USA.; 1 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.; 8 University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.; 5 College of Medicine-John Hopkins University Research Project, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi.; 7 HIV Prevention Research Unit 1, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa.; 2 Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; 1 0Family Legacy, Lusaka, Zambia.; 6 UNC Project-Malawi, Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe, Malawi.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
The objective of this study was to describe the impact of intense counseling to reduce vaginal hygiene practices and its effect on bacterial vaginosis. A secondary data analysis of the HIV Prevention Trials Network 035 study was undertaken, focusing on HIV-negative, nonpregnant women who were at least 18 years old, in seven African sites and one US site. At enrollment and during follow-up quarterly visits, vaginal hygiene practices were determined by face-to-face administration of a behavioral assessment questionnaire. Vaginal hygiene practices were categorized as insertion into the vagina of (1) nothing, (2) water only, and (3) other substances with or without water. Each practice was quantified by frequency and type/combination of inserted substances. At quarterly visits, diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis was made using the Nugent score. Trends for vaginal hygiene practices and bacterial vaginosis were evaluated using generalized estimating equation models. A total of 3087 participants from the HIV Prevention Trials Network 035 study were eligible for this analysis. At enrollment, 1859 (60%) reported recent vaginal hygiene practices. By one year, this figure had decreased to 1019 (33%) with counseling. However, bacterial vaginosis prevalence remained consistent across the study observation period, with 36%-38% of women testing positive for the condition ( p for trend = 0.27). Overall, those who reported douching with water only (AOR = 1.03, 95%CI: 0.94-1.13) and those who reported inserting other substances (AOR= 0.98, 95%CI: 0.88-1.09) in the past quarter were not more likely to have bacterial vaginosis compared to those who reported no insertions. However, in South Africa, an increase in bacterial vaginosis was seen among those who reported inserting other substances (AOR: 1.48, 95%CI: 1.17, 1.88). In conclusion, targeted counseling against vaginal hygiene practices resulted in change in self-reported behavior but did not have an impact on bacterial vaginosis diagnosis in all but one site.
Patient engagement in HIV care and treatment in Zambia, 2004-2014.
(2017-Mar) Chung NC; Bolton-Moore C; Chilengi R; Kasaro MP; Stringer JS; Chi BH; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
OBJECTIVE: To describe engagement along the HIV continuum of care using a large network of clinics in Zambia. METHODS: We employed a practical framework to describe retention along the HIV treatment cascade, using routinely collected clinical data available in resource-constrained settings. We included health facilities in four Zambian provinces with more than 300 enrolled patients over the age of 5 years. We described attrition at each step, from HIV enrolment to 720 days after ART initiation. The population was further stratified by year of enrolment to describe temporal trends in patient engagement. RESULTS: From January 2004 to December 2014, 444 439 individuals over the age of 5 years sought HIV care at 75 eligible health facilities. Among those enrolled into HIV care, 82.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 79.4-84.5%) were fully assessed for ART eligibility within 180 days of enrolment and 63.6% (95% CI: 61.7-65.3) were found to be eligible for ART based on the HIV treatment guidelines at the time. Of those patients eligible for ART, 81.1% (95% CI: 79.5-82.7%) initiated ART within 180 days. Patient retention in ART programme was 81.2% (95% CI: 80.4-81.9%) at 90 days, 70.0% (95% CI: 68.7-71.2%) at 360 days and 61.6% (95% CI: 60.0-63.2%) at 720 days. We noted a steady decline in proportions assessed for ART eligibility and deemed eligible for ART in the time frame. Proportions that started ART and remained in care remained relatively consistent. CONCLUSION: We describe a simple approach for assessing patient engagement after enrolment into HIV care. Using limited types of data routinely available, we demonstrate an important and replicable approach to monitoring programmes in resource-constrained settings.
Performance of Xpert
(2020-Dec-21) Kasaro MP; Chilyabanyama ON; Shah NS; Muluka B; Kapata N; Krüüner A; Mwaba I; Kaunda K; Coggin WL; Wen XJ; Henostroza G; Reid S; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.; Ministry of Health Zambia National TB Programme, Lusaka, Zambia.; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
SETTING: Peri-urban health facilities providing HIV and TB care in Zambia. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate 1) the impact of Xpert DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study design with the first cohort evaluated per standard-of-care (SOC; first sputum tested using smear microscopy) and the second cohort per an algorithm using Xpert as initial test (intervention phase; IP). Xpert testing was provided onsite in Chongwe District, while samples were transported 5-10 km in Kafue District. TB was confirmed using mycobacterial culture. RESULTS: Among 1350 PLHIV enrolled, 156 (15.4%) had confirmed TB. Time from TB evaluation to diagnosis ( CONCLUSION: Xpert improved time to diagnosis and treatment initiation, but there was no difference in all-cause mortality. High sensitivity of Determine TB-LAM Ag at lower CD4 count supports increased use in settings providing care to PLHIV, particularly with advanced HIV disease.
Temporal Trends and Predictors of Modern Contraceptive Use in Lusaka, Zambia, 2004-2011.
(2015) Hancock NL; Chibwesha CJ; Stoner MC; Vwalika B; Rathod SD; Kasaro MP; Stringer EM; Stringer JS; Chi BH; Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E7HT, UK.; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 3009 Old Clinic Building, Campus Box 7570, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7570, USA; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, 5032 Great North Road, P.O. Box 34681, 10101 Lusaka, Zambia.; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 3009 Old Clinic Building, Campus Box 7570, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7570, USA.; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Teaching Hospital, P.O. Box 50110, Lusaka, Zambia.; Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina School of Public Health, 2101 McGavran-Greenberg Hall, CB No. 7435, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7435, USA.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
INTRODUCTION: Although increasing access to family planning has been an important part of the global development agenda, millions of women continue to face unmet need for contraception. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed data from a repeated cross-sectional community survey conducted in Lusaka, Zambia, over an eight-year period. We described prevalence of modern contraceptive use, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), among female heads of household aged 16-50 years. We also identified predictors of LARC versus short-term contraceptive use among women using modern methods. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Twelve survey rounds were completed between November 2004 and September 2011. Among 29,476 eligible respondents, 17,605 (60%) reported using modern contraception. Oral contraceptive pills remained the most popular method over time, but use of LARC increased significantly, from less than 1% in 2004 to 9% by 2011 (p < 0.001). Younger women (OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.34, 0.61) and women with lower levels of education (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.89) were less likely to report LARC use compared to women using short-term modern methods. CONCLUSIONS: Population-based assessments of contraceptive use over time can guide programs and policies. To achieve reproductive health equity and reduce unmet contraceptive need, future efforts to increase LARC use should focus on young women and those with less education.