Author
Matilu Mwau
Other affiliations: John Radcliffe Hospital, Nagasaki University
Bio: Matilu Mwau is an academic researcher from Kenya Medical Research Institute. The author has contributed to research in topics: Viral load & Population. The author has an hindex of 19, co-authored 70 publications receiving 1232 citations. Previous affiliations of Matilu Mwau include John Radcliffe Hospital & Nagasaki University.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
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TL;DR: Both the DNA and the MVA vaccines alone and in a DNA prime-MVA boost combination were safe and induced HIV-specific responses in 14 out of 18, seven out of eight and eight out of nine volunteers, respectively, which are very encouraging and justify further vaccine development.
Abstract: The immunogenicities of candidate DNA- and modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA)-vectored human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccines were evaluated on their own and in a prime-boost regimen in phase I clinical trials in healthy uninfected individuals in the United Kingdom. Given the current lack of approaches capable of inducing broad HIV-neutralizing antibodies, the pTHr.HIVA DNA and MVA.HIVA vaccines focus solely on the induction of cell-mediated immunity. The vaccines expressed a common immunogen, HIVA, which consists of consensus HIV-1 clade A Gag p24/p17 proteins fused to a string of clade A-derived epitopes recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Volunteers' fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells were tested for HIV-specific responses in a validated gamma interferon enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay using four overlapping peptide pools across the Gag domain and three pools of known CTL epitopes present in all of the HIVA protein. Both the DNA and the MVA vaccines alone and in a DNA prime-MVA boost combination were safe and induced HIV-specific responses in 14 out of 18, seven out of eight and eight out of nine volunteers, respectively. These results are very encouraging and justify further vaccine development.
225 citations
TL;DR: There was ethnic variation in patterns of HIV infection although the effect depended on the current place of residence, and generally, men had lower HIV prevalence than women although in the slums the gap was narrower.
125 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed a prime-boost immunogen, termed HIVA, to match the HIV strain responsible locally for over 70% infections in the Kenyan population, which consists of a consensus clade A (clade p24/p17) and a string of CLade A-derived CTL epitopes.
74 citations
TL;DR: The design and validation of an ELISPOT assay are described for use in clinical trials of candidate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccines, using a particular immunogen termed HIVA, using eight pools of 20 to 23 peptides each.
Abstract: The enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISPOT) assay, which enumerates peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) releasing interferon γ (IFN-γ) on specific antigen stimulation, is becoming the assay of choice for evaluation of vaccine-induced cell-mediated immune responses in many clinical trials. A properly conducted trial requires the assays to be validated, especially should the trial lead to vaccine licensure. Here, the design and validation of an ELISPOT assay are described for use in clinical trials of candidate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccines, using a particular immunogen termed HIVA. This assay employs eight pools of 20 to 23 peptides each: seven pools are derived from the immunogen and one pool is derived from cytotoxic T cell epitopes of common human viruses serving as an internal positive control. The validation determined that first, the overall variation of a positive response of approximately 500 spot-forming units (SFU)/106 cells was 21%, while second, the average of 5 SFU/106 cells...
71 citations
TL;DR: Clinical and immunological criteria were found to perform relatively poorly in predicting virological failure of ART, and new algorithms for assessing clinical or immunological treatment failure, as well as improved adherence strategies are required in ART programs in resource-limited settings.
Abstract: Background
In resource-limited settings where viral load (VL) monitoring is scarce or unavailable, clinicians must use immunological and clinical criteria to define HIV virological treatment failure. This study examined the performance of World Health Organization (WHO) clinical and immunological failure criteria in predicting virological failure in HIV patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).
62 citations
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TL;DR: A productive future for DNA vaccine technology is suggested as more optimized constructs, better trial designs and improved platforms are being brought into the clinic.
Abstract: Since the discovery, over a decade and a half ago, that genetically engineered DNA can be delivered in vaccine form and elicit an immune response, there has been much progress in understanding the basic biology of this platform. A large amount of data has been generated in preclinical model systems, and more sustained cellular responses and more consistent antibody responses are being observed in the clinic. Four DNA vaccine products have recently been approved, all in the area of veterinary medicine. These results suggest a productive future for this technology as more optimized constructs, better trial designs and improved platforms are being brought into the clinic.
936 citations
TL;DR: Recent technical advances that might be able to address limitations in nucleic acid amplification and detection in a cost-effective, robust, and user-friendly format are described.
752 citations
Book•
30 Apr 2014
TL;DR: The National Healthcare Disparities Report summarizes health care quality and access among various racial, ethnic, and income groups and other priority populations, such as residents of rural areas and people with disabilities.
Abstract: The National Healthcare Disparities Report summarizes health care quality and access among various racial, ethnic, and income groups and other priority populations, such as residents of rural areas and people with disabilities.
743 citations
TL;DR: Recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara expressing antigen 85A (MVA85A) was found to induce high levels of antigen-specific IFN-γ-secreting T cells when used alone in bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-naive healthy volunteers.
Abstract: Protective immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis depends on the generation of a T(H)1-type cellular immune response, characterized by the secretion of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) from antigen-specific T cells. The induction of potent cellular immune responses by vaccination in humans has proven difficult. Recombinant viral vectors, especially poxviruses and adenoviruses, are particularly effective at boosting previously primed CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell responses against a number of intracellular pathogens in animal studies. In the first phase 1 study of any candidate subunit vaccine against tuberculosis, recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) expressing antigen 85A (MVA85A) was found to induce high levels of antigen-specific IFN-gamma-secreting T cells when used alone in bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-naive healthy volunteers. In volunteers who had been vaccinated 0.5-38 years previously with BCG, substantially higher levels of antigen-specific IFN-gamma-secreting T cells were induced, and at 24 weeks after vaccination these levels were 5-30 times greater than in vaccinees administered a single BCG vaccination. Boosting vaccinations with MVA85A could offer a practical and efficient strategy for enhancing and prolonging antimycobacterial immunity in tuberculosis-endemic areas.
578 citations
TL;DR: The results demonstrate that the RT-LAMP assay will be a powerful tool for SARS-CoV-2 identification, and for monitoring suspected patients, close contacts, and high-risk groups.
433 citations