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Conference Presentations and Publications – 2025

Conference presentations 

  1. TB Science moderated E-Poster: E-poster presentation: Diagnostic accuracy of a novel high sensitivity urine LAM assay Presented by Dr. Alfred Andama on Wednesday 19th November, 2025
  2. Symposium: Accelerating the introduction of new sample types and near point of care platforms to close gaps in TB diagnosis: Oral Presentation: Performance of tools in the pipeline using oral swabs for TB detection Presented by Alfred Andama on Friday 21 November, 2025
  3. Satellite Session: Transforming TB detection through tongue swab-based molecular testing: Oral presentation: Diagnostics yield of tongue swab compared to sputum based molecular testing for tuberculosis in four high burden countries Presented by Dr. Adithya Cattamanchi on Wednesday 19th November, 2025

 

Research Publications

  1. Judith Owokuhaisa1, Matthew O Wiens 2 3, Pius Musinguzi 4, Godfrey Zari Rukundo 5 Transition from Hospital to Home-Based Care for Older Adults in Southwestern Uganda: Informal Caregiver’s Experiences; J Multidiscip Healthc. 2025 Mar 12:18:1461-1472. doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S495851. eCollection 2025.
  2. Anneka Hooft1, Christian Umuhoza 2 3, Jessica Trawin 4, Cynthia Mfuranziza 5, Emmanuel Uwiragiye 6, Cherri Zhang 4, Vuong Nguyen 4, Aaron Kornblith 1, Nathan Kenya Mugisha 7, J Mark Ansermino 4, Matthew O Wiens 4 7 8 Validation of a risk-prediction model for pediatric post-discharge mortality after hospital admission for infection in Rwanda: A prospective cohort study; PLOS Glob Public Health. 2025 Jul 1;5(7):e0004606. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0004606. eCollection 2025.
  3. Ahmad Asdo1 2, Alishah Mawji 1 2, Isaac Omara 3, Ivan Aine Aye Ishebukara 4, Clare Komugisha 4, Stefanie K Novakowski 1 2, Yashodani Pillay 1 2, Matthew O Wiens 1 2 4, Samuel Akech 5, Florence Oyella 3, Abner Tagoola 6, Niranjan Kissoon 2 7, John Mark Ansermino 1 2, Dustin Dunsmuir 1 2 Repeatability of RRate measurements in children during triage in two Ugandan hospitals; PLOS Glob Public Health. 2025 Jan 7;5(1):e0003097. doi:10.1371/journal.pgph.0003097. eCollection 2025.
  4. Jessica Duby1, Olive Kabajaasi 2, Fahima Khan 3, Matthew O Wiens 2 4, Nathan Kenya Mugisha 2, Harriet Nambuya 5 Studying the Effectiveness of Video-Assisted Education in Teaching Ugandan Mothers to Monitor Their Hospitalised Infant; Acta Paediatr. 2025 Oct;114(10):2558-2564. doi:1111/apa.70136. Epub 2025 May 14.
  5. Charly Huxford1 2, Bella Hwang 2, Dustin Dunsmuir 1 2, Yashodani Pillay 1 2, Fredson Tusingwire 3, Florence Oyella Otim 4, Beatrice Akello 4, Aine Ivan Aye Ishebukara 3, Stefanie K Novakowski 1 2, Bernard Opar Toliva 3, Nathan Kenya-Mugisha 3, Abner Tagoola 5, Matthew O Wiens 1 2 3, Niranjan Kissoon 2 6, J Mark Ansermino 1 2 Exploring two-way text messages for post-discharge follow-up and quality improvement in rural Uganda; PLoS One. 2025 Aug 11;20(8):e0322969. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0322969. eCollection 2025.
  6. Cherri Zhang1, Niranjan Kissoon 2 3, J Mark Ansermino 1 4, Vuong Nguyen 1, Elias Kumbakumba 5, Stephen Businge 6, Abner Tagoola 7, Nathan Kenya-Mugisha 8, Jerome Kabakyenga 9, Matthew O Wiens 10 4 Diverging pathways: exploring the interplay between hospital readmission and postdischarge mortality in paediatric sepsis in low-income settings; BMJ Glob Health. 2025 Oct 2;10(10):e020128. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2025-020128.
  7. Gurvir S Dhutt1 2, Cherri Zhang 1, Elias Kumbakumba 3, Abner Tagoola 4, Peter Moschovis 5, Stephen Businge 6, Niranjan Kissoon 1 2, Nathan Kenya Mugisha 7, Jerome Kabakyenga 8 9, Matthew O Wiens 1 2 Exposure to pollutants for household cooking and lighting and pediatric post-discharge mortality following a severe infection in Uganda; PLoS One. 2025 Jul 9;20(7):e0326105. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0326105. eCollection 2025.
  8. Jessica Trawin1, Martina Knappett 1, Clare Komugisha 2, Savio Mwaka 2, Ezrah Bamwesigye 2, Collins Agaba 2, David Walugembe 1, Jesca Nsungwa Sabiiti 3, J Mark Ansermino 1 4, Niranjan Kissoon 1 5, Nathan Kenya Mugisha 2, Matthew O Wiens 1 2 4 Discharge policies and care practices for children with suspected sepsis: A health facility scan at a nationally representative sample of hospitals and health centres in Uganda; PLOS Glob Public Health. 2025 Aug 22;5(8):e0003559. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003559. eCollection 2025.
  9. J Mark Ansermino1 2, Yashodani Pillay 1 2, Abner Tagoola 3, Cherri Zhang 1 2, Dustin Dunsmuir 1 2, Stephen Kamau 4, Joyce Kigo 4, Collins Agaba 5, Ivan Aine Aye 5, Bella Hwang 2, Stefanie K Novakowski 2, Charly Huxford 2, Matthew O Wiens 1 2 5, David Kimutai 6, Mary Ouma 6, Ismail Ahmed 6, Paul Mwaniki 4, Florence Oyella 7, Emmanuel Tenywa 3, Harriet Nambuya 3, Bernard Opar Toliva 5, Nathan Kenya-Mugisha 5, Niranjan Kissoon 8, Samuel Akech 4; Pediatric Sepsis CoLab Implementation of Smart Triage combined with a quality improvement program for children presenting to facilities in Kenya and Uganda: An interrupted time series analysis; PLOS Digit Health. 2025 Mar 10;4(3):e0000466. doi: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000466. eCollection 2025 Mar.
  10. Schraufnagel AM, Crowder R, Wambi P, Nakasendwa S, Kityamuwesi A, Jaganath D, Musoke M, Nannozi J, Waswa J, Sanyu AN, Lamunu M, Twinamasiko A, Tinka LK, Oyuku D, Babirye D, Berger C, Thompson R, Turyahabwe S, Dowdy D, Katamba A, Cattamanchi A, Kiwanuka N. Use of a digital adherence technology to support TB treatment among adolescents. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2025 Aug 29;29(9):404-409. doi: 10.5588/ijtld.24.0663.PMID: 40883883 
  11. Wambi P, West NS, Nabugoomu J, Kityamuwesi A, Crowder R, Kunihira L, Wobudeya E, Cattamanchi A, Jaganath D, Katamba A. A mixed methods evaluation of 99DOTS digital adherence technology uptake among adolescents treated for pulmonary tuberculosis in Uganda. medRxiv [Preprint]. 2024 Dec 2:2024.12.01.24318270. doi:10.1101/2024.12.01.24318270.PMID: 39677470 
  12. Katamba A, Mochizuki T, Nalugwa T, Nantale M, Oyuku D, Nabwire S, Babirye D, Musinguzi J, Nakawesa A, Nekesa I, Turyahabwe S, Joloba M, Dowdy DW, Moore DAJ, Davis JL, Shete P, Adams K, Reza T, Fielding K, Cattamanchi A. Impact of a multicomponent strategy including decentralized molecular testing for tuberculosis on mortality: planned analysis of a cluster-randomized trial in Uganda. 2024 Nov 26;78:102953. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102953. eCollection 2024 Dec.PMID: 39659443
  13. Visek C, Mukiibi J, Nantale M, Nalutaaya A, Biché P, Sung J, Kayondo F, Akampurira J, Mukiibi M, Kiyonga R, Katamba A, Kendall EA. Patient Experiences of Treatment Deferral for Evaluation and Monitoring after a Trace Xpert Ultra Result. medRxiv [Preprint]. 2025 Jan 23:2025.01.22.25320963. doi: 10.1101/2025.01.22.25320963.Update in:Infect Dis Poverty. 2025 Jul 15;14(1):68. doi: 10.1186/s40249-025-01338-0.PMID: 40370807
  14. Visek C, Mukiibi J, Nantale M, Nalutaaya A, Biché P, Sung J, Kayondo F, Akampurira J, Mukiibi M, Kiyonga R, Katamba A, Kendall EA. Patient experiences of tuberculosis treatment deferral after a trace Xpert Ultra result: a prospective cohort study. Infect Dis Poverty. 2025 Jul 15;14(1):68. doi: 10.1186/s40249-025-01338-0.PMID: 40665406 
  15. Baik Y, Musoke M, Twinamasiko A, Lamunu M, Nabacwa V, Sanyu A, Robsky KO, Sung J, Kityamuwesi A, Katamba A, Dowdy DW.Ann Am Effectiveness and Implementation of a Clinical Risk Score for Early Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Uganda: A Pragmatic, Clustered Randomization Clinical Trial. Thorac Soc. 2025 Oct;22(10):1476-1483. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.202404-422OC.PMID: 40587503 Clinical Trial.
  16. Muzeyi W, Babirekere E, Kalibbala D, Katamba A, Nangendo J, Semitala FC, Nyanzi M, Musiime V. Determinants and barriers in early tuberculosis treatment in children at a primary health care facility in Kampala, Uganda; A mixed methods study. PLoS One. 2025 Apr 16;20(4):e0321620. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0321620. eCollection 2025.PMID: 40238766 
  17. Sung J, Kitonsa PJ, Nalutaaya A, Isooba D, Birabwa S, Ndyabayunga K, Okura R, Magezi J, Nantale D, Mugabi I, Nakiiza V, Dowdy DW, Katamba A, Kendall EA. Performance of Universal and Stratified Computer-Aided Detection Thresholds for Chest X-Ray-Based Tuberculosis Screening: A Cross-Sectional Diagnostic Accuracy Study. medRxiv [Preprint]. 2025 Aug 7:2025.04.09.25325458. doi: 10.1101/2025.04.09.25325458.PMID: 40297451
  18. Dalmat RR, Visek C, Budiawan E, Stein G, Nalutaaya A, Mukiibi J, Nantale M, Biché P, Sung J, Magcaba Z, Ngcobo N, Morton JF, Lenn M, Aucock S, Shapiro AE, Steadman A, Draper R, Ganguloo A, Wilson D, Katamba A, Kendall EA, Drain PK. Cumulative TB disease burden following sputum Xpert Ultra ‘Trace’ results in clinical settings: Results from a multi-site observational clinical study. medRxiv [Preprint]. 2025 Jul 15:2025.07.14.25331384. doi: 10.1101/2025.07.14.25331384.PMID: 40791690
  19. Sung J, Nantale M, Nalutaaya A, Biché P, Mukiibi J, Akampurira J, Kiyonga R, Kayondo F, Mukiibi M, Visek C, Kamoga CE, Dowdy DW, Katamba A, Kendall EA. The long-term risk of tuberculosis among individuals with Xpert Ultra “trace” screening results: a longitudinal follow-up study. medRxiv [Preprint]. 2025 Aug 8:2025.03.20.25324205. doi: 10.1101/2025.03.20.25324205. Update in:Lancet Infect Dis. 2025 Oct 7:S1473-3099(25)00536-5. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(25)00536-5.PMID: 40166571
  20. Nalugwa T, Annerstedt KS, Nabwire S, West NS, Kadota JL, Atkins S, Cattamanchi A, Lönnroth K, Katamba A, Shete PB. Identifying mechanisms by which social determinants of health impact TB diagnostic evaluation uptake in Uganda: a qualitative study. Int J Equity Health. 2025 Mar 14;24(1):73. doi: 10.1186/s12939-025-02437-y.PMID: 40087654
  21. Sung J, Musoke M, Baik Y, Twinamasiko A, Lamunu M, Nabacwa V, Sanyu A, Kityamuwesi A, Katamba A, Dowdy DW. Patient preferences for empiric TB treatment initiation. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2025 Jan 1;29(1):38-40. doi: 10.5588/ijtld.24.0267.PMID: 39754278
  22. Robsky KO, Nalutaaya A, Kitonsa PJ, Mukiibi J, Isooba D, Nakasolya O, Kendall EA, Zelner J, Ross JM, Katamba A, Dowdy DW. The potential yield of geographically targeted tuberculosis contact investigation in urban Uganda. Epidemiol Infect. 2025 Sep 26;153:e117. doi: 10.1017/S0950268825100605.PMID: 40999688 
  23. Shapiro AE, Dalmat RR, Mukwatamundu J, Kamoga C, Ngwane MW, Steadman A, Budiawan E, Stein G, Nalutaaya A, Mukiibi J, Nantale M, Biché P, Visek C, Sung J, Magcaba Z, Ngcobo N, Morton JF, Lenn M, Aucock S, Draper R, Ganguloo A, Wilson D, Katamba A, Kendall EA, Drain PK. Diagnostic accuracy of tongue swab testing in persons with sputum Xpert Ultra Trace results. medRxiv [Preprint]. 2025 Jul 16:2025.07.15.25331566. doi:10.1101/2025.07.15.25331566. PMID: 40791694
  24. Ponticiello MN, Nanziri LM, Hennein R, Ochom E, Gupta AJ, Turimumahoro P, White MA, Armstrong-Hough M, Katamba A, Davis JL. Adaptation and validation of perceived HIV and TB stigma scales among persons with TB. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2025 Mar 1;29(3):127-134. doi: 10.5588/ijtld.24.0497.PMID: 40052658 
  25. Johnson TS, Nalutaaya A, Biché P, Ndyabayunga K, Okura R, Mugabi I, Nantale D, Nakiiza V, Kitonsa PJ, Kendall EA, Katamba A, Dowdy DW. Investigating low uptake of tuberculin skin testing when integrated with active case-finding for TB. IJTLD Open. 2025 Mar 12;2(3):179-181. doi: 10.5588/ijtldopen.24.0667. eCollection 2025 Mar.PMID: 40092514 
  26. Crowder R, Nakasendwa S, Kityamuwesi A, Musoke M, Nannozi J, Waswa J, Sanyu AN, Lamunu M, Twinamasiko A, Tinka LK, Oyuku D, Babirye D, Berger C, Thompson R, Turyahabwe S, Dowdy D, Katamba A, Cattamanchi A, Kiwanuka N. Scale-up of 99DOTS for TB treatment supervision: an interrupted time series analysis. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2025 Jun 27;29(7):306-311. doi: 10.5588/ijtld.24.0587.PMID: 40579762
  27. Johnson TS, Kakeeto J, Isooba D, Birabwa S, Magezi J, Kamya W, Okura R, Naluyima I, Nalutaaya A, Kitonsa PJ, Kendall EA, Katamba A, Dowdy DW. Personnel time requirements for mobile chest X-ray screening for TB. IJTLD Open. 2025 Oct 10;2(10):563-569. doi: 10.5588/ijtldopen.25.0254. eCollection 2025 Oct.PMID: 41089226
  28. Visek C, Dalmat RR, Nalutaaya A, Erisa KC, Biché P, Stein G, Ganguloo A, Draper R, Nantale M, Shapiro AE, Wilson D, Katamba A, Drain PK, Kendall EA. Prevalence and predictors of tuberculosis in adults and adolescents with sputum trace Ultra results in two high-burden clinical settings. medRxiv [Preprint]. 2025 May 18:2025.05.16.25327787. doi: 10.1101/2025.05.16.25327787.PMID: 40463552
  29. Kabajaasi O, Schilling S, Akugizibwe M, Horby PW, Hart P, Sigfrid L, Jacob ST. ‘Involve those who are managing these outbreaks’: stakeholders’ perspectives on the barriers and facilitators to the implementation of clinical management guidelines for high-consequence infectious diseases in Uganda-a thematic network analysis. BMJ Public Health. 2025 Feb 13;3(1):e001165. doi: 10.1136/bmjph-2024-001165. eCollection 2025.PMID: 40017927Free PMC article.
  30. Fossati A, Wambi P, Jaganath D, Calderon R, Castro R, Mohapatra A, McKetney J, Luiz J, Nerurkar R, Nkereuwem E, Franke MF, Mousavian Z, Collins JM, Sigal GB, Segal MR, Kampman B, Wobudeya E, Cattamanchi A, Ernst JD, Zar HJ, Swaney DL; Plasma proteomics for biomarker discovery in childhood tuberculosis. COMBO Study Consortium.Nat Commun. 2025 Jul 19;16(1):6657. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-61515-5.PMID: 40683862 Free PMC article.
  31. Jaganath D, Nabeta P, Nicol MP, Castro R, Wambi P, Zar HJ, Workman L, Lodha R, Singh UB, Bavdekar A, Sanghavi S, Trollip A, Mace A, Bonnet M, Lounnas M, de Haas P, Tiemersma E, Alland D, Banada P, Cattamanchi A, Ruhwald M, Wobudeya E, Denkinger CM; Stool H2H Study Team. Stool processing methods for Xpert Ultra testing in childhood tuberculosis: A prospective, multi-country accuracy study. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Jun 3:ciaf289. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaf289. Online ahead of print.PMID: 40460214
  32. Sweetser B, Nkereuwem E, Nakafeero J, Gomez M, Wambi P, Nsereko M, Andama A, Ernst JD, Cattamanchi A, Kampmann B, Jaganath D, Wobudeya E.J. A Prospective Evaluation of a Three-Gene Host Response Signature to Classify Tuberculosis Severity in Children. Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2025 May 13;14(5):piaf041. doi: 10.1093/jpids/piaf041.PMID: 40319382 Free PMC article.
  33. Poore H, Wambi P, Nkereuwem E, Nakafeero J, Gomez MP, Nsereko M, Sweetser B, Andama A, Wobudeya E, Ernst JD, Cattamanchi A, Jaganath D, Kampmann B; COMBO Study. The three-gene Xpert Host Response signature for pediatric tuberculosis screening: A prospective diagnostic accuracy study. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Aug 21:ciaf445. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaf445. Online ahead of print.PMID: 40835229.
  34. Steadman A, Kumar KM, Asege L, Kato-Maeda M, Mukwatamundu J, Shah K, Trang T, Ball A, Khimani K, Kim Dung DT, Michael JS, Christopher DJ, Phan H, Yerlikaya S, Nahid P, Denkinger CM, Cattamanchi A, Andama A. Diagnostic accuracy of swab-based molecular tests for tuberculosis using near-point-of-care platforms: a multi-country evaluation. EBioMedicine. 2025 Nov;121:105991. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105991. Epub 2025 Oct 31.PMID: 41175672 Free PMC article.
  35. Nalugwa T, Annerstedt KS, Nabwire S, West NS, Kadota JL, Atkins S, Cattamanchi A, Lönnroth K, Katamba A, Shete PB. Identifying mechanisms by which social determinants of health impact TB diagnostic evaluation uptake in Uganda: a qualitative study. Int J Equity Health. 2025 Mar 14;24(1):73. doi: 10.1186/s12939-025-02437-y.PMID: 40087654 Free PMC article.
  36. Kitonsa PJ, Kikaire B, Wambi P, Nalutaaya A, Nakafeero J, Nanyonga G, Kiconco E, Atwiine D, Castro R, Oumo EA, Aanyu HT, Mudiope MN, Mupere E, Sekadde MP, Mohanty S, Cattamanchi A, Wobudeya E, Jaganath D. The Accuracy of the Uganda National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program diagnostic algorithm and the World Health Organisation treatment decision algorithms for childhood tuberculosis: A retrospective analysis PLOS Glob Public Health. 2025 Apr 7;5(4):e0004026. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0004026. eCollection 2025.PMID: 40193335 Free PMC article..

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