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Nanteza MB, Tushabe P, Bukenya H, Namuwulya P, Kabaliisa T, Birungi M, Tibanagwa M, Ampeire I, Kakooza P, Katushabe E, Bwogi J, Bakamutumaho B, Nanyunja M, Byabamazima CR. The road to a polio-free Uganda; contribution of the Expanded Program on Immunization Laboratory (EPI-LAB) at Uganda Virus Research Institute. Afr Health Sci 2023; 23:186-196. [PMID: 38357183 PMCID: PMC10862580 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v23i3.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The control of poliomyelitis in Uganda dates back as far as 1950 and acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance has since been used as a criterion for identifying wild polioviruses. Poliovirus isolation was initially pursued through collaborative research however, in 1993, the Expanded Program on Immunization Laboratory (EPI-LAB) was established as a member of the Global Poliovirus Laboratory Network (GPLN) and spearheaded this activity at Uganda Virus Research Institute. Objectives The aim of this report is to document the progress and impact of the EPI-LAB on poliovirus eradication in Uganda. Methods Poliovirus detection and identification were achieved fundamentally through tissue culture and intra-typic differentiation of the poliovirus based on the real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT PCR). The data obtained was entered into the national AFP database and analysed using EpiInfoTM statistical software. Results Quantitative and qualitative detection of wild and Sabin polioviruses corresponded with the polio campaigns. The WHO target indicators for AFP surveillance were achieved essentially throughout the study period. Conclusion Virological tracking coupled with attaining standard AFP surveillance indicators has been pivotal in achieving and maintaining the national wild polio-free status. Laboratory surveillance remains key in informing the certification process of polio eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary B Nanteza
- Uganda Virus Research Institute, Plot 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, P. O. Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Phionah Tushabe
- Uganda Virus Research Institute, Plot 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, P. O. Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Henry Bukenya
- Uganda Virus Research Institute, Plot 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, P. O. Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Prossy Namuwulya
- Uganda Virus Research Institute, Plot 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, P. O. Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Theopista Kabaliisa
- Uganda Virus Research Institute, Plot 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, P. O. Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Molly Birungi
- Uganda Virus Research Institute, Plot 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, P. O. Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Mayi Tibanagwa
- Uganda Virus Research Institute, Plot 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, P. O. Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Immaculate Ampeire
- Ministry of Health, Government of Uganda, Plot 6, Lourdel Road, Nakasero P. O. Box 7272, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Proscovia Kakooza
- Uganda Virus Research Institute, Plot 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, P. O. Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Edson Katushabe
- World Health Organization Office, Plot 60 Prince Charles Avenue, Kololo, Kampala
| | - Josephine Bwogi
- Uganda Virus Research Institute, Plot 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, P. O. Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Barnabas Bakamutumaho
- Uganda Virus Research Institute, Plot 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, P. O. Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Miriam Nanyunja
- World Health Organization AFRO, East and Southern Africa (ESA), Nairobi, 45335 Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Charles R Byabamazima
- World Health Organization AFRO, East and Southern Africa (ESA), Harare, 82-86 Enterprise Road, Highlands, P. O. Box BE 773, Belvedere, Harare, Zimbabwe
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Tushabe P, Bwogi J, Eliku JP, Aine F, Birungi M, Gaizi J, Nakabazzi L, Kabaliisa T, Turyahabwe I, Namuwulya P, Nanteza MB, Bukenya H, Kanyesigye C, Katushabe E, Ampeire I, Kisakye A, Bakamutumaho B, Byabamazima CR. Environmental surveillance detects circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 that was undetected by acute flaccid paralysis surveillance in 2021 in Uganda. Arch Virol 2023; 168:140. [PMID: 37059887 PMCID: PMC10104764 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-023-05759-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
The success of the global polio eradication initiative is threatened by the genetic instability of the oral polio vaccine, which can result in the emergence of pathogenic vaccine-derived polioviruses following prolonged replication in the guts of individuals with primary immune deficiencies or in communities with low vaccination coverage. Through environmental surveillance, circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 was detected in Uganda in the absence of detection by acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance. This underscores the sensitivity of environmental surveillance and emphasizes its usefulness in supplementing AFP surveillance for poliovirus infections in the race towards global polio eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phionah Tushabe
- Expanded Programme on Immunization Laboratory, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda.
| | - Josephine Bwogi
- Expanded Programme on Immunization Laboratory, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - James Peter Eliku
- Expanded Programme on Immunization Laboratory, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Francis Aine
- Expanded Programme on Immunization Laboratory, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Molly Birungi
- Expanded Programme on Immunization Laboratory, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Joseph Gaizi
- Expanded Programme on Immunization Laboratory, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Lucy Nakabazzi
- Expanded Programme on Immunization Laboratory, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Theopista Kabaliisa
- Expanded Programme on Immunization Laboratory, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Irene Turyahabwe
- Expanded Programme on Immunization Laboratory, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Prossy Namuwulya
- Expanded Programme on Immunization Laboratory, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Mary Bridget Nanteza
- Expanded Programme on Immunization Laboratory, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Henry Bukenya
- Expanded Programme on Immunization Laboratory, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | | | - Edson Katushabe
- World Health Organization, Uganda Country Office, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Annet Kisakye
- World Health Organization, Uganda Country Office, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Barnabas Bakamutumaho
- Expanded Programme on Immunization Laboratory, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Charles R Byabamazima
- WHO Inter-Country Support Team Office for Eastern and Southern Africa (IST/ESA), Harare, Zimbabwe
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Tushabe P, Howard W, Bwogi J, Birungi M, Eliku JP, Kakooza P, Bukenya H, Namuwulya P, Gaizi J, Tibanagwa M, Kabaliisa T, Mulindwa J, Muhanguzi D, Suchard M, Gumede N, Bakamutumaho B. Molecular characterization of non-polio enteroviruses isolated from acute flaccid paralysis patients in Uganda. J Med Virol 2021; 93:4720-4728. [PMID: 33458840 PMCID: PMC9787851 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.26804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Enteroviruses (EVs) are RNA viruses that can cause many clinical syndromes including acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). Within the global polio laboratory network, EVs are categorized either as polioviruses or non-polio enteroviruses (NPEVs). Specific NPEVs have been described in polio-like residual paralytic events in AFP patients. Retrospective analysis of 112 NPEV isolates from AFP patients was performed and thirty one NPEV types were identified of which 91% were Enterovirus B and 9% were Enterovirus A species. The NPEVs were distributed across the country with most patients in the eastern region (41/89; 46.1%). The highest proportion of patients were children less than 5 years (77/89; 86.5%) and male patients were more common (54/89; 60.7%). Echovirus 11 (11/89; 12.4%) was frequently observed and phylogenetic analysis of these sequences revealed high diversity. Coxsackievirus B5 (CV-B5), CV-B6, E21, and EV-B69 were only seen in patients with residual paralysis. Analyses of the EV-A71 sequence indicated a unique genogroup.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wayne Howard
- National Institute for Communicable DiseasesJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | | | - Molly Birungi
- EPI LaboratoryUganda Virus Research InstituteEntebbeUganda
| | - James P. Eliku
- EPI LaboratoryUganda Virus Research InstituteEntebbeUganda
| | | | - Henry Bukenya
- EPI LaboratoryUganda Virus Research InstituteEntebbeUganda
| | | | - Joseph Gaizi
- EPI LaboratoryUganda Virus Research InstituteEntebbeUganda
| | - Mayi Tibanagwa
- EPI LaboratoryUganda Virus Research InstituteEntebbeUganda
| | | | - Julius Mulindwa
- Department of Biochemistry and Sports Sciences, College of Natural SciencesSchool of Biological Sciences, Makerere UniversityKampalaUganda
| | - Dennis Muhanguzi
- Department of Biomolecular Resources and Biolaboratory SciencesCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere UniversityKampalaUganda
| | - Melinda Suchard
- National Institute for Communicable DiseasesJohannesburgSouth Africa,University of WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
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Tushabe P, Bwogi J, Abernathy E, Birungi M, Eliku JP, Seguya R, Bukenya H, Namuwulya P, Kakooza P, Suppiah S, Kabaliisa T, Tibanagwa M, Ampaire I, Kisakye A, Bakainaga A, Byabamazima CR, Icenogle JP, Bakamutumaho B. Descriptive epidemiology of rubella disease and associated virus strains in Uganda. J Med Virol 2020; 92:279-287. [PMID: 31598987 PMCID: PMC7004003 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Rubella virus causes a mild disease; however, infection during the first trimester of pregnancy may lead to congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in over 80% of affected pregnancies. Vaccination is recommended and has been shown to effectively reduce CRS incidence. Uganda plans to introduce routine rubella vaccination in 2019. The World Health Organization recommends assessing the disease burden and obtaining the baseline molecular virological data before vaccine introduction. Sera collected during case-based measles surveillance from January 2005 to July 2018 were tested for rubella immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies. Sera from confirmed rubella outbreaks from January 2012 to August 2017 were screened using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); for positive samples, a region within the E1 glycoprotein coding region was amplified and sequenced. Of the 23 196 suspected measles cases serologically tested in parallel for measles and rubella, 5334 (23%) were rubella IgM-positive of which 2710 (50.8%) cases were females with 2609 (96.3%) below 15 years of age. Rubella IgM-positive cases were distributed throughout the country and the highest number was detected in April, August, and November. Eighteen (18%) of the 100 sera screened were real-time RT-PCR-positive of which eight (44.4%) were successfully sequenced and genotypes 1G and 2B were identified. This study reports on the seroprevalence and molecular epidemiology of rubella. Increased knowledge of former and current rubella viruses circulating in Uganda will enhance efforts to monitor the impact of vaccination as Uganda moves toward control and elimination of rubella and CRS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Emily Abernathy
- Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory DiseasesUnited States Centers for Disease Control and PreventionAtlantaGeorgia
| | - Molly Birungi
- EPI LaboratoryUganda Virus Research InstituteEntebbeUganda
| | - James P. Eliku
- EPI LaboratoryUganda Virus Research InstituteEntebbeUganda
| | | | - Henry Bukenya
- EPI LaboratoryUganda Virus Research InstituteEntebbeUganda
| | | | | | - Suganthi Suppiah
- Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory DiseasesUnited States Centers for Disease Control and PreventionAtlantaGeorgia
| | | | - Mayi Tibanagwa
- EPI LaboratoryUganda Virus Research InstituteEntebbeUganda
| | | | | | | | - Charles R. Byabamazima
- WHO Inter‐Country Support Team Office For Eastern and Southern Africa (IST/ESA)HarareZimbabwe
| | - Joseph P. Icenogle
- Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory DiseasesUnited States Centers for Disease Control and PreventionAtlantaGeorgia
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Namuwulya P, Abernathy E, Bukenya H, Bwogi J, Tushabe P, Birungi M, Seguya R, Kabaliisa T, Alibu VP, Kayondo JK, Rivailler P, Icenogle J, Bakamutumaho B. Phylogenetic analysis of rubella viruses identified in Uganda, 2003-2012. J Med Virol 2014; 86:2107-13. [PMID: 24700073 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.23935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Molecular data on rubella viruses are limited in Uganda despite the importance of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Routine rubella vaccination, while not administered currently in Uganda, is expected to begin by 2015. The World Health Organization recommends that countries without rubella vaccination programs assess the burden of rubella and CRS before starting a routine vaccination program. Uganda is already involved in integrated case-based surveillance, including laboratory testing to confirm measles and rubella, but molecular epidemiologic aspects of rubella circulation have so far not been documented in Uganda. Twenty throat swab or oral fluid samples collected from 12 districts during routine rash and fever surveillance between 2003 and 2012 were identified as rubella virus RNA positive and PCR products encompassing the region used for genotyping were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of the 20 sequences identified 19 genotype 1G viruses and 1 genotype 1E virus. Genotype-specific trees showed that the Uganda viruses belonged to specific clusters for both genotypes 1G and 1E and grouped with similar sequences from neighboring countries. Genotype 1G was predominant in Uganda. More epidemiological and molecular epidemiological data are required to determine if genotype 1E is also endemic in Uganda. The information obtained in this study will assist the immunization program in monitoring changes in circulating genotypes.
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Baliraine FN, Bwogi J, Bukenya H, Seguya R, Kabaliisa T, Kisakye A, Mbabazi WB, Smit SB. Possible interruption of measles virus transmission, Uganda, 2006-2009. Emerg Infect Dis 2011; 17:110-3. [PMID: 21192868 PMCID: PMC3204633 DOI: 10.3201/eid1701.100753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
To determine what measles virus genotype(s) circulated in Uganda after strategic interventions aimed at controlling/eliminating measles, we examined samples obtained during 2006-2009 and found only genotype B3.1, which had not been previously detected. Kenya was the likely source, but other countries cannot be excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick N Baliraine
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143-0811, USA.
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