2nd Annual Nkqubela CIDRI-Africa Research Day highlights research collaboration in the Eastern Cape

01 Nov 2024
01 Nov 2024

On 28 October 2024, the 2nd annual Nkqubela CIDRI-Africa Research Day took place at Nkqubela Chest TB Hospital in East London. CIDRI-Africa, which has been conducting observational studies at Nkqubela since 2021, organised this event to share study results and foster further collaboration with stakeholders, healthcare providers, and policymakers. This year’s event welcomed additional research groups working within the Mdantsane area, broadening the scope and impact of the discussions.

Opening remarks and research partners

Mrs Ngcelwane, the Eastern Cape HIV, AIDS, STIs and TB (HAST) manager, and Ms Fekade, the CEO of Nkqubela Hospital, opened the event, welcoming representatives from the Department of Health, community health centres and neighbouring hospitals.

The first session featured presentations from research partners in Mdantsane.

  • Andrew Medina-Marino from the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF) shared promising findings on TB home testing, underscoring its potential to close diagnostic gaps in community settings.
  • Yakub Kadernani from the Johns Hopkins group presented a comparative study on doctor- and nurse-led initiation of BPaL/L, the six-month, all-oral regimen for treating rifampicin-resistant TB.
  • Dave Stead from Frere and Cecilia Makiwane Hospitals showcased his research on urine-based Xpert XDR testing, which shows promise in improving TB diagnosis in people living with HIV.

Focus on CIDRI-Africa-led studies at Nkqubela 

  • Attie Stadler and Johanna Kuhlin presented outcomes and adherence data from Nkqubela’s first observational cohort study. The results were particularly relevant to hospital staff who have directly supported these patients. 
  • Lindokuhle Mdlenyani, a medical officer at Nkqubela, discussed key findings from his review of patients with bedaquiline resistance, prompting discussion on the challenges of managing drug-resistant TB.
  • Grant Theron presented findings from the R2D2 diagnostic consortium study on new and rapid diagnostics for drug-resistant TB.
  • Gary Maartens joined online to discuss findings on bedaquiline resistance following treatment interruptions. 

Future directions

Asma Toefy, the CIDRI lab manager, provided updates on the new on-site Nkqubela laboratory. Research Day attendees were also treated to a tour of the newly equipped laboratory led by our lab technologist, Lulama Koyo, offering an exciting preview of the laboratory capabilities now available to support ongoing research in the area.

Looking ahead, Zahraa Mohamed, research medical officer for the CIDRI-Nkqubela team, introduced the upcoming PROGRESS-TB observational cohort study, which will focus on treatment outcomes for BPaL/L regimens. The day concluded with Sean Wasserman facilitating a discussion on proposed upcoming trials, laying the groundwork for future collaborative research initiatives.