FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES | UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

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Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity targeting CD4-inducible epitopes predicts mortality in HIV-infected infants

BACKGROUND:

Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) has been associated with improved infant outcome in mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV-1. Epitopes of these ADCC-mediating antibodies remain unidentified. CD4-inducible (CD4i) epitopes on gp120 are common ADCC targets in natural infection and vaccination. We tested whether CD4i epitope-specific ADCC mediated by maternal antibodies or passively-acquired antibodies in infants is associated with reduced MTCT and improved infant survival.

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Protocol of a randomised controlled trial characterising the immune responses induced by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) vaccination in healthy Kenyan women: setting the stage for a potential VZV-based HIV vaccine

METHODS AND ANALYSIS:

This open-label, randomised, longitudinal crossover study includes healthy Kenyan VZV-seropositive women at low risk for HIV infection. Participants receive a single dose of a commercial live-attenuated VZV_Oka vaccine at either week 0 (n=22) or at week 12 (n=22) of the study and are followed for 48 and 36 weeks postvaccination, respectively. The primary outcome is the change on cervical CD4⁺ T-cell immune activation measured by the coexpression of CD38 and HLA-DR 12 weeks postvaccination compared with the baseline (prevaccination).

Read more about Protocol of a randomised controlled trial characterising the immune responses induced by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) vaccination in healthy Kenyan women: setting the stage for a potential VZV-based HIV vaccine

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Varsity marks 72nd graduation, FHS graduand emerges class of 2024 valedictorian

The event which was presided over by the Chancellor Prof. Patrick V. Verkooijen saw 5,243 graduands conferred with various degrees and diplomas of the University of Nairobi.

Out of this number, 884 were from the Faculty of Health Sciences. The 884 candidates were presented to the Chancellor for the conferment of their respective degrees by the Faculty Dean Prof. George Osanjo.