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Dr Gyaviira Nkurunungi

Call EDCTP-AREF Preparatory Fellowships (PF)
Programme EDCTP2
Start Date 2021-01-01
End Date 2021-12-31
Project Code TMA2019PF-2707
Status Active

Title

How does exposure to helminths alter vaccine responses: employing cytometry by time-of-flight (CyToF) technology for high-resolution immunophenotyping of cellular pathways underpinning helminth-induced immunomodulation

Host Organisation

Institution Country

Current Organisation

MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit

Current Job Title

Postdoctoral research fellow

Students Supervised

Type Name Title University Start Date End Date

Memberships

Role Committee/board Start Date End Date

Education

Institution Degree Year
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom PhD 2019-08-19

Areas Of Specialisation

Neglected Infectious Diseases (NID)

Grants

Publications

Life-course of atopy and allergy-related disease events in tropical sub-Saharan Africa: a birth cohort study
Authors:
Swaib A. Lule , author
Harriet Mpairwe , author
Margaret Nampijja , author
Florence Akello , author
Joyce Kabagenyi , author
Benigna Namara , author
Gyaviira Nkurunungi , author
Dennison Kizito , author
Joseph Kahwa , author
Lawrence Muhangi , author
Stephen Nash , author
Moses Muwanga , author
Emily L. Webb , author
Alison M. Elliott , author
Date:
2017-03-01
Journal:
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
Content:
Determining Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection among BCG-Immunised Ugandan Children by T-SPOT.TB and Tuberculin Skin Testing
Authors:
Gyaviira Nkurunungi , author
Jimreeves E. Lutangira , author
Swaib A. Lule , author
Hellen Akurut , author
Robert Kizindo , author
Joseph R. Fitchett , author
Dennison Kizito , author
Ismail Sebina , author
Lawrence Muhangi , author
Emily L. Webb , author
Stephen Cose , author
Alison M. Elliott , author
Madhukar Pai , editor
Date:
2012-10-01
Journal:
PLoS ONE
Content:
Maternal BCG scar is associated with increased infant proinflammatory immune responses
Authors:
Patrice Akusa Mawa , author
Emily L. Webb , author
Abdelali Filali-Mouhim , author
Gyaviira Nkurunungi , author
Rafick-Pierre Sekaly , author
Swaib Abubaker Lule , author
Sarah Prentice , author
Stephen Nash , author
Hazel M. Dockrell , author
Alison M. Elliott , author
Stephen Cose , author
Date:
2017-01-01
Journal:
Vaccine
Content:
Risk assessment for the implementation of controlled human Schistosoma mansoni infection trials in Uganda
Authors:
Jan Pieter Koopman , author
Moses Egesa , author
Anne Wajja , author
Moses Adriko , author
Jacent Nassuuna , author
Gyaviira Nkurunungi , author
Emmanuella Driciru , author
Gijsbert van Willigen , author
Stephen Cose , author
Maria Yazdanbakhsh , author
Pontiano Kaleebu , author
Narcis Kabatereine , author
Edridah Tukahebwa , author
Meta Roestenberg , author
Alison M. Elliott , author
Date:
2019-08-01
Journal:
AAS Open Research
Content:
The Lake Victoria island intervention study on worms and allergy-related diseases (LaVIISWA): Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors:
Nampijja, M.
Webb, E.L.
Kaweesa, J.
Kizindo, R.
Namutebi, M.
Nakazibwe, E.
Oduru, G.
Kabuubi, P.
Kabagenyi, J.
Kizito, D.
Muhangi, L.
Akello, M.
Verweij, J.J.
Nerima, B.
Tukahebwa, E.
Elliott, A.M.
Sanya, R.
Mirembe, B.
Okello, J.
Levin, J.
Zziwa, C.
Tumusiime, J.
Sewankambo, M.
Nsubuga, D.
Niwagaba, E.
Kabwami, G.
Abayo, E.
Nkurunungi, G.
Muwonge, F.
Abiriga, D.
Nannozi, V.
Date:
2015-01-01
Journal:
Trials
Content:
Effect of intensive treatment for schistosomiasis on immune responses to vaccines among rural Ugandan island adolescents: randomised controlled trial protocol A for the ‘POPulation differences in VACcine responses’ (POPVAC) programme
Authors:
Gyaviira Nkurunungi , author
Ludoviko Zirimenya , author
Jacent Nassuuna , author
Agnes Natukunda , author
Prossy N Kabuubi , author
Emmanuel Niwagaba , author
Gloria Oduru , author
Grace Kabami , author
Rebecca Amongin , author
Alex Mutebe , author
Milly Namutebi , author
Christopher Zziwa , author
Susan Amongi , author
Caroline Ninsiima , author
Caroline Onen , author
Florence Akello , author
Moses Sewankambo , author
Samuel Kiwanuka , author
Robert Kizindo , author
James Kaweesa , author
Stephen Cose , author
Emily Webb , author
Alison M Elliott , author
Date:
2021-02-01
Journal:
BMJ Open
Content:
A life without worms
Authors:
Richard E. Sanya , author
Gyaviira Nkurunungi , author
Irene Andia Biraro , author
Harriet Mpairwe , author
Alison M. Elliott , author
Date:
2017-03-01
Journal:
Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Content:
Do helminth infections underpin urban-rural differences in risk factors for allergy-related outcomes?
Authors:
Gyaviira Nkurunungi , author
Lawrence Lubyayi , author
Serge A Versteeg , author
Richard E Sanya , author
Jacent Nassuuna , author
Joyce Kabagenyi , author
Prossy N Kabuubi , author
Josephine Tumusiime , author
Christopher Zziwa , author
Robert Kizindo , author
Emmanuel Niwagaba , author
Carol Nanyunja , author
Margaret Nampijja , author
Harriet Mpairwe , author
Maria Yazdanbakhsh , author
Ronald van Ree , author
Emily L Webb , author
Alison M Elliott , author
Date:
2019-01-11
Journal:
Clinical & Experimental Allergy
Content:
Schistosoma mansoni-specific immune responses and allergy in Uganda
Authors:
Gyaviira Nkurunungi , author
Joyce Kabagenyi , author
Margaret Nampijja , author
Richard E Sanya , author
Bridgious Walusimbi , author
Jacent Nassuuna , author
Emily L Webb , author
Alison M Elliott , author
The LaVIISWA study team , author
Date:
2017-11-01
Journal:
Parasite Immunology
Content:
Effects of treating helminths during pregnancy and early childhood on risk of allergy-related outcomes: follow up of a randomized controlled trial
Authors:
Benigna Namara , author
Stephen Nash , author
Swaib A Lule , author
Hellen Akurut , author
Harriet Mpairwe , author
Florence Akello , author
Josephine Tumusiime , author
Moses Kizza , author
Joyce Kabagenyi , author
Gyaviira Nkurunungi , author
Lawrence Muhangi , author
Emily L. Webb , author
Moses Muwanga , author
Alison M. Elliott , author
Date:
2017-09-11
Journal:
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
Content:
Microarray assessment of N-glycan-specific IgE and IgG profiles associated with Schistosoma mansoni infection in rural and urban Uganda
Authors:
Gyaviira Nkurunungi , author
Angela van Diepen , author
Jacent Nassuuna , author
Richard E. Sanya , author
Margaret Nampijja , author
Irene Nambuya , author
Joyce Kabagenyi , author
Sonia Serna , author
Niels-Christian Reichardt , author
Ronald van Ree , author
Emily L. Webb , author
Alison M. Elliott , author
Maria Yazdanbakhsh , author
Cornelis H. Hokke , author
Date:
2019-12-01
Journal:
Scientific Reports
Content:
Risk assessment for the implementation of controlled human Schistosoma mansoni infection trials in Uganda
Authors:
Jan Pieter Koopman , author
Moses Egesa , author
Anne Wajja , author
Moses Adriko , author
Jacent Nassuuna , author
Gyaviira Nkurunungi , author
Emmanuella Driciru , author
Gijsbert van Willigen , author
Stephen Cose , author
Maria Yazdanbakhsh , author
Pontiano Kaleebu , author
Narcis Kabatereine , author
Edridah Tukahebwa , author
Meta Roestenberg , author
Alison M. Elliott , author
Date:
2019-06-03
Journal:
AAS Open Research
Content:
Schistosoma mansoni and HIV infection in a Ugandan population with high HIV and helminth prevalence
Authors:
Sanya, R.E.
Muhangi, L.
Nampijja, M.
Nannozi, V.
Nakawungu, P.K.
Abayo, E.
Webb, E.L.
Elliott, A.M.
Sanya, R.
Nerima, B.
Webb, E.
Muhangi, L.
Mirembe, B.
Okello, J.
Levin, J.
Namutebi, M.
Zziwa, C.
Nakazibwe, E.
Tumusiime, J.
Ninsiima, C.
Kamukama, G.
Amongin, S.
Akello, M.
Kizindo, R.
Sewankambo, M.
Nsubuga, D.
Nakawungu, P.K.
Niwagaba, E.
Oduru, G.
Kabami, G.
Abayo, E.
Kabagenyi, J.
Nkurunungi, G.
Muwonge, F.
Kizito, D.
Cose, S.
Abiriga, D.
Nannozi, V.
Mbaraga, B.
Musoke, R.
George, W.
Kaweesa, J.
Tukahebwa, E.
Elliott, A.
Date:
2015-01-01
Journal:
Tropical Medicine and International Health
Content:
Risk factors associated with rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis and eczema among schoolchildren in Uganda
Authors:
Harriet Mpairwe , author
Gyaviira Nkurunungi , author
Pius Tumwesige , author
Hellen Akurut , author
Milly Namutebi , author
Irene Nambuya , author
Marble Nnaluwooza , author
Barbara Apule , author
Caroline Onen , author
Tonny Katongole , author
Emmanuel Niwagaba , author
Mike Mukasa , author
Emily L. Webb , author
Alison M. Elliott , author
Neil Pearce , author
Date:
2021-01-08
Journal:
Clinical & Experimental Allergy
Content:
Cross‐reactive carbohydrate determinant‐specific IgE obscures true atopy and exhibits ⍺‐1,3‐fucose epitope‐specific inverse associations with asthma
Authors:
Gyaviira Nkurunungi , author
Harriet Mpairwe , author
Serge A. Versteeg , author
Angela Diepen , author
Jacent Nassuuna , author
Joyce Kabagenyi , author
Irene Nambuya , author
Richard E. Sanya , author
Margaret Nampijja , author
Sonia Serna , author
Niels‐Christian Reichardt , author
Cornelis H. Hokke , author
Emily L. Webb , author
Ronald Ree , author
Maria Yazdanbakhsh , author
Alison M. Elliott , author
Date:
2021-01-08
Journal:
Allergy
Content:
Urban-rural differences in immune responses to mycobacterial and tetanus vaccine antigens in a tropical setting: A role for helminths?
Authors:
Joyce Kabagenyi , author
Agnes Natukunda , author
Jacent Nassuuna , author
Richard E. Sanya , author
Margaret Nampijja , author
Emily L. Webb , author
Alison M. Elliott , author
Gyaviira Nkurunungi , author
Date:
2020-05-01
Journal:
Parasitology International
Content:
Population differences in vaccine responses (POPVAC): scientific rationale and cross-cutting analyses for three linked, randomised controlled trials assessing the role, reversibility and mediators of immunomodulation by chronic infections in the tropics.
Authors:
Date:
2021-02-16
Journal:
BMJ open
Content:

Introduction

Vaccine-specific immune responses vary between populations and are often impaired in low income, rural settings. Drivers of these differences are not fully elucidated, hampering identification of strategies for optimising vaccine effectiveness. We hypothesise that urban-rural (and regional and international) differences in vaccine responses are mediated to an important extent by differential exposure to chronic infections, particularly parasitic infections.

Methods and analysis

Three related trials sharing core elements of study design and procedures (allowing comparison of outcomes across the trials) will test the effects of (1) individually randomised intervention against schistosomiasis (trial A) and malaria (trial B), and (2) Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) revaccination (trial C), on a common set of vaccine responses. We will enrol adolescents from Ugandan schools in rural high-schistosomiasis (trial A) and rural high-malaria (trial B) settings and from an established urban birth cohort (trial C). All participants will receive BCG on day '0'; yellow fever, oral typhoid and human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines at week 4; and HPV and tetanus/diphtheria booster vaccine at week 28. Primary outcomes are BCG-specific IFN-γ responses (8 weeks after BCG) and for other vaccines, antibody responses to key vaccine antigens at 4 weeks after immunisation. Secondary analyses will determine effects of interventions on correlates of protective immunity, vaccine response waning, priming versus boosting immunisations, and parasite infection status and intensity. Overarching analyses will compare outcomes between the three trial settings. Sample archives will offer opportunities for exploratory evaluation of the role of immunological and 'trans-kingdom' mediators in parasite modulation of vaccine-specific responses.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval has been obtained from relevant Ugandan and UK ethics committees. Results will be shared with Uganda Ministry of Health, relevant district councils, community leaders and study participants. Further dissemination will be done through conference proceedings and publications.

Trial registration numbers

ISRCTN60517191, ISRCTN62041885, ISRCTN10482904.
Factors associated with tuberculosis infection, and with anti-mycobacterial immune responses, among five year olds BCG-immunised at birth in Entebbe, Uganda
Authors:
Swaib Abubaker Lule , author
Patrice A. Mawa , author
Gyaviira Nkurunungi , author
Margaret Nampijja , author
Dennison Kizito , author
Florence Akello , author
Lawrence Muhangi , author
Alison M. Elliott , author
Emily L. Webb , author
Date:
2015-02-01
Journal:
Vaccine
Content:
The impact of intensive versus standard anthelminthic treatment on allergy-related outcomes, helminth infection intensity and helminth-related morbidity in Lake Victoria fishing communities, Uganda: results from the LaVIISWA cluster randomised trial
Authors:
Richard E Sanya , author
Gyaviira Nkurunungi , author
Remy Hoek Spaans , author
Margaret Nampijja , author
Geraldine O’Hara , author
Robert Kizindo , author
Gloria Oduru , author
Prossy Kabuubi Nakawungu , author
Emmanuel Niwagaba , author
Elson Abayo , author
Joyce Kabagenyi , author
Christopher Zziwa , author
Esther Nakazibwe , author
Josephine Tumusiime , author
James Kaweesa , author
Fred Muwonge Kakooza , author
Mirriam Akello , author
Lawrence Lubyayi , author
Jaco Verweij , author
Stephen Nash , author
Ronald van Ree , author
Harriet Mpairwe , author
Edridah Tukahebwa , author
Emily L Webb , author
Alison M Elliott , author
LaVIISWA trial team , author
Date:
2018-09-08
Journal:
Clinical Infectious Diseases
Content:
Effect of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine on immune responses to vaccines among rural Ugandan adolescents: randomised controlled trial protocol B for the ‘POPulation differences in VACcine responses’ (POPVAC) programme
Authors:
Agnes Natukunda , author
Gyaviira Nkurunungi , author
Ludoviko Zirimenya , author
Jacent Nassuuna , author
Gloria Oduru , author
Rebecca Amongin , author
Prossy N Kabuubi , author
Alex Mutebe , author
Caroline Onen , author
Susan Amongi , author
Esther Nakazibwe , author
Florence Akello , author
Samuel Kiwanuka , author
Fred Kiwudhu , author
Moses Sewankambo , author
Denis Nsubuga , author
Robert Kizindo , author
Sarah G Staedke , author
Stephen Cose , author
Emily Webb , author
Alison M Elliott , author
Date:
2020-12-01
Journal:
BMJ Open
Content:
Helminths are positively associated with atopy and wheeze in Ugandan fishing communities: results from a cross-sectional survey
Authors:
Emily L. Webb , author
Margaret Nampijja , author
James Kaweesa , author
Robert Kizindo , author
Milly Namutebi , author
Esther Nakazibwe , author
Gloria Oduru , author
Proscovia Kabubi , author
Joyce Kabagenyi , author
Gyaviira Nkurunungi , author
Dennison Kizito , author
Lawrence Muhangi , author
Mirriam Akello , author
Jaco J. Verweij , author
Barbara Nerima , author
Edridah Tukahebwa , author
Alison M. Elliott , author
The LaVIISWA trial team , author
Date:
2016-02-01
Journal:
Allergy
Content:
Allergen skin test reactivity and asthma are inversely associated with ratios of IgG4/IgE and total IgE/allergen‐specific IgE in Ugandan communities
Authors:
Gyaviira Nkurunungi , author
Jacent Nassuuna , author
Harriet Mpairwe , author
Joyce Kabagenyi , author
Margaret Nampijja , author
Richard E. Sanya , author
Emily L. Webb , author
Alison M. Elliott , author
Date:
2021-05-05
Journal:
Clinical & Experimental Allergy
Content:
Risk factors for asthma among schoolchildren who participated in a case-control study in urban Uganda
Authors:
Harriet Mpairwe , author
Milly Namutebi , author
Gyaviira Nkurunungi , author
Pius Tumwesige , author
Irene Nambuya , author
Mike Mukasa , author
Caroline Onen , author
Marble Nnaluwooza , author
Barbara Apule , author
Tonny Katongole , author
Gloria Oduru , author
Joseph Kahwa , author
Emily L Webb , author
Lawrence Lubyayi , author
Neil Pearce , author
Alison M Elliott , author
Date:
2019-11-15
Journal:
eLife
Content:
Infection-exposure in infancy is associated with reduced allergy-related disease in later childhood in a Ugandan cohort
Authors:
Lawrence Lubyayi , author
Harriet Mpairwe , author
Gyaviira Nkurunungi , author
Swaib A Lule , author
Angela Nalwoga , author
Emily L Webb , author
Jonathan Levin , author
Alison M Elliott , author
Date:
2021-09-22
Journal:
eLife
Content:
Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus seropositivity is associated with parasite infections in Ugandan fishing communities on Lake Victoria islands
Authors:
Angela Nalwoga , author
David Joseph Diemert , editor
Emily L. Webb , author
Belinda Chihota , author
Wendell Miley , author
Bridgious Walusimbi , author
Jacent Nassuuna , author
Richard E. Sanya , author
Gyaviira Nkurunungi , author
Nazzarena Labo , author
Alison M. Elliott , author
Stephen Cose , author
Denise Whitby , author
Robert Newton , author
Date:
2019-10-16
Journal:
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Content:
The impact of maternal infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis on the infant response to bacille Calmette-Guerin immunization
Authors:
P. A. Mawa , author
G. Nkurunungi , author
M. Egesa , author
E. L. Webb , author
S. G. Smith , author
R. Kizindo , author
M. Akello , author
S. A. Lule , author
M. Muwanga , author
H. M. Dockrell , author
S. Cose , author
A. M. Elliott , author
Date:
2015-05-11
Journal:
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Content:
Impact of BCG revaccination on the response to unrelated vaccines in a Ugandan adolescent birth cohort: randomised controlled trial protocol C for the 'POPulation differences in VACcine responses' (POPVAC) programme.
Authors:
Date:
2021-02-16
Journal:
BMJ open
Content:

Introduction

There is evidence that BCG immunisation may protect against unrelated infectious illnesses. This has led to the postulation that administering BCG before unrelated vaccines may enhance responses to these vaccines. This might also model effects of BCG on unrelated infections.

Methods and analysis

To test this hypothesis, we have designed a randomised controlled trial of BCG versus no BCG immunisation to determine the effect of BCG on subsequent unrelated vaccines, among 300 adolescents (aged 13-17 years) from a Ugandan birth cohort. Our schedule will comprise three main immunisation days (week 0, week 4 and week 28): BCG (or no BCG) revaccination at week 0; yellow fever (YF-17D), oral typhoid (Ty21a) and human papillomavirus (HPV) prime at week 4; and HPV boost and tetanus/diphtheria (Td) boost at week 28. Primary outcomes are anti-YF-17D neutralising antibody titres, Salmonella typhi lipopolysaccharide-specific IgG concentration, IgG specific for L1-proteins of HPV-16/HPV-18 and tetanus and diphtheria toxoid-specific IgG concentration, all assessed at 4 weeks after immunisation with YF, Ty21a, HPV and Td, respectively. Secondary analyses will determine effects on correlates of protective immunity (where recognised correlates exist), on vaccine response waning and on whether there are differential effects on priming versus boosting immunisations. We will also conduct exploratory immunology assays among subsets of participants to further characterise effects of BCG revaccination on vaccine responses. Further analyses will assess which life course exposures influence vaccine responses in adolescence.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval has been obtained from relevant Ugandan and UK ethics committees. Results will be shared with Uganda Ministry of Health, relevant district councils, community leaders and study participants. Further dissemination will be done through conference proceedings and publications.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN10482904.

Projects

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