Current Projects
HIDRU has undertaken numerous clinical trials over the past 25 years (since 1996). The Unit has six established clinical research sites (CRSs) in the greater Durban area, which are approved by the Division of AIDS (DAIDS) and equipped to conduct large-scale clinical trials. Currently, the HIDRU conducts epidemiological, behavioural, basic science, and clinical research to investigate vulnerability to HIV and other infectious diseases as well as interventions (including vaccines and drugs) for prevention and treatment of these diseases. All clinical research is conducted in partnership with stakeholders as part of the HIDRU community engagement programme which was established in the 90s.
In 2020, HIDRU partnered with CAPRISA and are part of the NIH funded KwaZulu Natal Clinical Trials Unit (KZN CTU).
Historically, as the HIDRU was the only centre globally to test four out of five microbicide investigational products in five Phase III and three Phase II/IIb clinical trials. The excellent work produced by HIDRU gave the National Institutes of Health (NIH) the confidence to award HIDRU one of the largest grants, at three grant funding cycles, outside of the USA to undertake HIV prevention research.
Current Clinical Trials
HIV & STIs
IMPOWER |
IMPOWER (MK-8591-022) – HIV Prevention Phase II Clinical Trial Protocol Title: A Phase 3, Randomized, Active-Controlled, Double-blind Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Oral Islatravir (ISL) Once Monthly as Preexposure Prophylaxis in Cisgender Women at High Risk for HIV-1 Infection Overall Study Design This is a randomized, active-controlled, parallel-group, multisite, double-blind, double dummy study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ISL administered orally once monthly (QM)) as PrEP in cisgender women who are at high risk for HIV-1 infection. The active comparator for this study, Truvada (FTC/TDF) will be administered orally QD (daily). Primary Objectives and Primary Endpoints
Secondary Objectives Secondary Endpoints
Hypothesis: ISL QM reduces the incidence rate of confirmed HIV-1 infections compared to the background incidence rate. Approximately 4500 participants will be randomized (stratified by site and age) in a 1:1 ratio to receive either ISL or FTC/TDF for the duration of the study. Approximately 50% of the global study population will be <25 years of age. Women who are at high risk of acquiring HIV-1 infection will be enrolled in this study and is based upon the VOICE risk score tool There are several sites across USA and Africa participating in the trial. There are 20 sites in South Africa and 20 sites in USA. The Chatsworth site based in Durban is contributing to the sample size. Eligible women will be enrolled over an approximate 12-month period with study intervention administered for approximately 1 year and up to 3 years, based on estimated accrual of primary endpoint cases. The PI at the SAMRC Chatsworth Clinical Research Site is Dr. Logashvari Naidoo. The study is currently in follow up stage. |
PrEPVacc |
PrEPVacc (2018) A Phase IIb three-arm, two-stage HIV prophylactic vaccine trial with a second randomization to compare TAF/FTC to TDF/FTC as pre-exposure prophylaxis. National Clinical Trial Number: N/A Principal Investigator(s): Dr Nishanta Singh (Verulam CRS) PrEPVacc is a new African-led, European-supported HIV prevention study running in East and Southern Africa from 2018 to 2023. The study is enrolling and in follow up stage |
HPTN 084: (LIFE) |
HPTN 084 (LIFE) (2018 and OLE in 2022) A Phase 3 Double Blind Safety and Efficacy Study of Long-Acting Injectable Cabotegravir Compared to Daily Oral TDF/FTC for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in HIV-Uninfected Women
National Clinical Trial Number: NCT03164564 Principal Investigator(s): Dr Nishanta Singh (Verulam CRS), Dr Dishiki Jenny Kalonji (Isipingo CRS), Dr Elizabeth Spooner (Botha’s Hill CRS) Sponsor: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) PedMAb: Phase I/II study to determine Safety & Pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous administration of potent & broad anti HIV-1 neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, given to HIV-1 exposed neonates and infants. Dr Logashvari Naidoo (Chastworth CRS) Screening and enrolling CARES: A Phase 3b, Randomized, Multicenter, Open-Label Study Evaluating the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Switching to Long-Acting Cabotegravir Plus Long-Acting Rilpivirine From Current Antiretroviral Regimen in HIV-1 Infected, Virologically Suppressed Adults in Sub-Saharan Africa Dr Logashvari Naidoo (Chatsworth CRS) Enrolling and follow up Key Highlights
Articles |
HVTN 139 |
Title: A phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of HIV-1 vaccines based on chimpanzee serotypes of adenovirus expressing clade C gp140 and a CH505TF gp120 protein boost in healthy, HIV- uninfected adult participants Phase: 1 Site: Isipingo CRS Protocol Chair: Prof Ameena Goga Site PIs: Drs Reshmi Dassaye and Villeshni Asari Study in enrollment and follow up phase |
STI_Zoli001 Study |
STI_Zoli001 Study (2020) A Phase 3 multi-center, randomized, open-label, non-inferiority trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single, oral dose of Zoliflodacin compared to a combination of a single intramuscular dose of Ceftriaxone and a single oral dose of Azithromycin in the treatment of patients with uncomplicated Gonorrhoea Principal Investigator(s): Dr Elizabeth Spooner (Botha’s Hill CRS), Dr Vimla Naicker (Tongaat CRS) Sponsor: Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) Study enrolling and in follow up stage |
COVID-19 Trials
SHERPA |
SHERPA - Sisonke Heterologous mRNA-1273 boost after prime with Ad26.COV2.S. Open-label, phase 3 study to evaluate the effectiveness of heterologous mRNA-1273 boosting of the single or two dose Ad26.COV2.S COVID-19 vaccine among health care workers in South Africa. Principal Investigator(s): Dr Nishanta Singh (Verulam CRS), Dr Dishiki Jenny Kalonji (Isipingo CRS), Dr Elizabeth Spooner (Botha’s Hill CRS) Dr Logashvari Naidoo (Chatsworth CRS) Dr Vimla Naicker (Tongaat CRS) Screening and Enrolling |
ENSEMBLE |
A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Phase 3 Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Ad26.COV2.S for the Prevention of SARS-CoV-2-mediated COVID-19 in Adults Aged 18 Years and Older. CRSs includes Chatsworth, Tongaat, Bothas Hill. PIs : Logashvari Naidoo, Vimla Naicker, Mammekwa Mokgoro. The study is currently in follow up. |
Biological Clinical Research
COVID T cell immune Escape |
Predicting and monitoring T cell immune escape mutations found in SARS-CoV-2 epitopes from genomes isolated in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, 2022-2023 PI: Nobubelo Ngandu Overview Aims Methods Collaboration
Funding: The study is funded by the SAMRC Grants, Innovation & Products Development. Project status: The study has received ethics approval and data mining has commenced. Contact: Dr. Nobubelo Ngandu (Nobubelo.Ngandu@mrc.ac.za) |
HVTN 702 Mucosal sampling sub-study |
HVTN 702 Mucosal sampling sub-study: (2018)
Mucosal systems in vaccine responses and HIV infection risk in a subset of participants enrolled in HVTN 702
National Principal Investigator: Mrs Kubashni Woeber
Sponsor: SAMRC
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Observational Studies & Social Behavioral Studies
Registration Cohort: (2018) |
Registration Cohort: (2018) Development of an HIV-negative registration cohort for future participation in an HIV vaccine study Principal Investigator(s): Ms. Samantha Siva (Phoenix CRS, Verulam CRS) Sponsor: European Developing Country Clinical Trial Partnership (EDCTP) Study in follow up |
PEER study |
PEER study: (2007) Implementation and Evaluation of a Peer Education Programme in Communities Principal Investigator: Ms. Neetha Morar Sponsor: SAMRC and Trial sponsors |
Socio-Behavioural Trials
SHIOP |
SHIOP (2017) - A Study to investigate Sexual health, HIV and co-morbidity with non-communicable infections among Older Persons
Principal Investigator(s): Dr Makandwe Nyirenda (Botha’s Hill CRS and Chatsworth CRS)
Sponsor: SAMRC
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MTN 032 |
MTN 032: (2016) (AHA): Assessment of ASPIRE and HOPE Adherence
National Clinical Trial Number: NCT02702895
Principal Investigator: Ms. Neetha Morar (Botha’s Hill CRS)
Network: Microbicide Trials Network (MTN)
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MTN 020 |
MTN 020: (2012) Qualitative Study (component of MTN 020)
Site Investigator: Mrs Kubashni Woeber (Isipingo CRS)
Network: Microbicide Trials Network (MTN)
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Hotspots |
Hotspots: (2016) To describe in detail, the social economic, behavioural context of women residing within HIV ‘hot spot’ areas compared to women residing in HIV ‘cold spots’ Principal Investigator: Prof Gita Ramjee Sponsor: SAMRC
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TB and HIV studies
HVTN 405/HPTN1901 |
Observational studies – Completed, closed and published |
HVTN 910 |
HVTN 910: (2018) A protocol to assess the persistence of HIV vaccine-induced seropositivity in participants who received vaccine in DAIDS-funded preventive HIV vaccine trials Principal Investigator: Mrs Kubashni Woeber Sponsor: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) |
MTN 016: (EMBRACE) |
MTN 016: (EMBRACE): (2010) Evaluation of Maternal and Baby Outcome Registry after Chemoprophylactic Exposure (EMBRACE)
National Clinical Trial Number: NCT01209754
Principal Investigator: Ms. Samantha Siva (Botha’s Hill, Isipingo, Verulam, Tongaat and Chatsworth CRS)
Network: Microbicide Trials Network (MTN)
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MTN 015 |
MTN 015: (2009) An Observational Cohort Study of Women following HIV-1 Seroconversion in Microbicide Trials
National Clinical Trial Number: NCT00514098
Principal Investigator: Mr. Zakir Gaffoor (Botha’s Hill, Isipingo, Verulam, Tongaat and Chatsworth CRS)
Network or Sponsor: Microbicide Trials Network (MTN)
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What are the maternal treatment outcomes, pregnancy outcomes and infant outcomes in women treated for DR-TB during pregnancy. |
PI: Dr. Marian Loveday Aim Study methods A descriptive cohort analysis Status Collaboration
Study outcomes
Nested study within the DR-TB during pregnancy study: Title: To explore maternal and infant concentrations of second-line TB drugs in pregnant women and their infants PI: Dr. Gary Maartens (UCT) and Dr Catriona Waitt (Liverpool University) PI MRC: Marian Loveday Aim Study methods All recruited participants who have not yet delivered will be screened for eligibility into the pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis to enhance the understanding of drug exposure in pregnant women on therapy for DR-TB. Two PK sampling occasions will be scheduled, the first will be prior to delivery preferably in the third trimester, on a date, which is convenient for the mother and the second at 6 weeks post-delivery to compare drug levels in the pregnant and non-pregnant state. Status Collaboration Prof Gary Maartens, Prof Helen Mclleron, Dr Richard Court: UCT Second nested study within the DR-TB during pregnancy study: PI: Dr Grant Theron (US) PI MRC: Dr. Marian Loveday Aim To explore whether microbiomes of mothers (airways, breastmilk, vagina, gut) and babies (gut) are potentially affected by treatment, and if so, are any microbiome changes associated with infant outcomes and drug exposure? Study methods All recruited participants who have not yet delivered will be screened for eligibility into the microbiome study. Vaginal, gut, breastmilk and sputum samples will be collected from the mother in the 3rd trimester and 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months after delivery. Microbiome estimates in each specimen type will be correlated with PK data and clinical outcomes (in mothers and babies). Status Recruitment has started and is ongoing. |
Survival and TB recurrence after successful drug-susceptible- and rifampicin-resistant TB treatment |
MRC PI: Dr. Marian Loveday PI: Prof Helen Cox (UCT) Aim Study methods A mixed methods cohort study design: We will identify a similar number of patients with TB in Umzinyathi and Khayelitsha, matching for age and gender with MDR-TB patients in the same area. Patients co-infected with HIV and with co-morbid conditions (eg. Diabetes) will be included. Status Collaboration |
Exploring opportunities and models for improved integration and health service delivery at a community and primary health care level in eThekweni metro, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
PI: Dr. Marian Loveday Aims
The aims of the evaluation component:
Study methods Implementation research Status Collaboration eThekweni Metro Health Services Provincial TB and NCD directorates |
The treatment journey of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) |
PI: Marian Loveday Aim To describe the treatment journeys of PLHIV with sub-optimal retention in care to gain a better understanding of the complexities around HIV disease, its management and the contribution of health system failures to sub-optimal retention in care. (We have defined poor retention in care as a PLHIV who has not taken ART for 30 days in the last two months.) The specific objectives of the study are:
Methods Setting: RK Khan hospital and Don Mackenzie ART clinic for adolescents which are both in eThekwini district in KwaZulu-Natal. Study design: A mixed methods study design will be used. This will include interviews, participant-generated visual methodologies (PVM) and a review of medical records. Data collection: Data will be collected using semi-structured interviews in PLHIV ≥ 25 years of age and PVM in those 16 - 24 years old. Study outcomes By describing the treatment journeys of PLHIV with sub-optimal retention in care we will get a better understanding of the complexities around HIV disease, its management and the contribution of health system failures to sub-optimal retention in care. Status A manuscript reporting the findings of the adult study component has been written and is currently under review. A manuscript on the adolescent study is currently being written up. Collaboration Dr. Jennifer Furin (Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School) |
Maternal, Family, Child Health, Nutrition (MFCHN) studies
Sensitivity of HIV-1 virus isolates in breastmilk to broadly neutralizing antibodies: 2021-2022 |
PI: Nobubelo Ngandu, Ameena Goga Overview Aims Methods Collaboration
Project status: Phase I (data collection) completed, currently in Phase II Contact |
PHANGISA study: Key risk factors for peripartum and postpartum vertical HIV transmission in the context of PMTCT Option B+ in a rural district in South Africa 2019 - 2023 |
PI: Nobubelo Ngandu, Ameena Goga Overview Aims PHASE 2: To evaluate the effect of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on uptake of viral load testing, HIV diagnosis testing, and viral load suppression amongst mothers and infants who participated in this study. Methods PHASE 2: A prospective longitudinal cohort conducted using routine programmatic HIV and PCR test data of study participants, from the National Health Laboratory Service’s Data Warehouse, between March 2020 through to September 2021. Collaboration
Project status: PHASE 1: Primary study was completed in March 2022 and the primary objective findings have been published in BMJ-Open (https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/3/e058347). The district report with a full summary of study findings can be found here. Data analyses and manuscript writing currently underway. PHASE 2: Data collection, extraction and cleaning have been completed. Data analyses is currently in progress. Contact |
Evaluation of the Mphatlalatsane Initiative: An Integrated Quality Improvement Approach to Improve Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal and Neonatal Health Outcomes: 2018 ongoing |
PI: Prof. Ameena Goga, Dr Terusha Chetty and Prof. Helen Schneider Overview The National Department of Health (NDoH) is implementing an integrated sexual, reproductive, maternal and newborn health (SRMNH) initiative to improve sexual, reproductive, maternal and neonatal health outcomes in South Africa. This initiative called “Mphatlalatsane” (meaning “the last star before the dawn”) seeks to reduce unplanned pregnancies, maternal and neonatal mortality, and stillbirths, by testing a potentially replicable quality improvement (QI) model for national scale-up through government adoption and funding. The Mphatlalatsane Initiative embraces QI interventions to make small facility-based changes that the system can absorb and sustain if they work. The SAMRC, in partnership with the SAMRC Health Services to Systems Research Unit, School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, is responsible for evaluating the impact and implementation processes of the Mphatlalatsane Initiative in the QI-intensive sites. The evaluation will only focus on the maternal and newborn components. On 30 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). As of 06 June, 2022, more than 528 million confirmed cases across 118 countries and over 617 000 deaths have been reported; South Africa reported over 3.9 million confirmed COVID-19 cases with 101,250 deaths. In March 2020, the South African government declared a state of disaster and implemented several measures to prevent the spread of the disease, restricting face-to-face interactions and allowing only essential activities. The effect that COVID-19 has had/will have on the uptake, continuity and quality of maternal and neonatal healthcare services is still uncertain; much depends on whether South Africa’s efforts to prevent further spread of the virus are effective. Generating research evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on SRMNH services is of utmost importance as it will inform policies and practises on how to mitigate some of that impact. The evaluation of Mphatlalatsane offers an ideal opportunity to add specific COVID-19 research questions. Aims The study objectives are as follows:
Collaboration Project status In 2019 we also drafted a Reader (a resource document on quality improvement literature for maternal, neonatal, and child health), and a Mphatlalatsane newsletter with interviews with Project management staff.
Contact person |
A point prevalence survey of paediatric antimicrobial use and healthcare-associated infections in three acute care tertiary/ quaternary hospitals in South Africa; Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital and Steve Biko Academic Hospital |
PI: Prof Prakash Jeena PI MRC: Prof. Ameena Goga, Dr Terusha Chetty PI UP: Prof Jeane Cloete, Dr Maria Karsas PI University of Witswatersrand: Prof David Moore PI UKZN: Prof Moherndran Archary, Dr Ashendri Pillay Overview Objective To evaluate the antimicrobial usage and prevalence of neonatal and paediatric CAI and HAI at three regional/tertiary centres in South Africa. Collaboration Project status The proposal has received ethical approval and we completed data collection. Contact person |
COVID-19 and Nutrition Study |
PIs: Dr Vundli Ramokolo and Dr Wanga Zembe-Mkabile Aim To measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on child morbidity including nutritional status, household food security, and dietary diversity, and access to health services Methods Cross-sectional follow-up of participants enrolled in a pregnancy cohort study. Consenting mothers/caregivers will be interviewed on the child’s dietary intake and morbid outcomes, grant access and utilization and other factors. Child anthropometry will be measured and data from the previous cohort study will be used as a baseline. Project status Data collection underway. Contact person: Dr Vundli Ramokolo (vundli.ramokolo@mrc.ac.za) |
A cluster randomized study of models of delivery of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for pregnant and breastfeeding women at public health facilities in KZN |
Principal investigators: Dr Terusha Chetty and Dr Vundli Ramokolo Co-investigators: Vuyolwethu Magasana, Duduzile Nsibande, Trisha Ramraj, Ameena Goga, Tarylee Reddy, Nada Abdelatif, Carl Lombard Aim: To determine the best model for PrEP delivery in pregnant and postpartum women attending health facilities in KwaZulu-Natal. Methods: Cluster randomised trial among pregnant or postpartum women attending primary health care and community health centres for antenatal or well-baby care in the iLembe and eThekwini Districts, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Health facilities will be randomised to either an intervention group with universal PrEP (opt-out) or control group with PrEP opt-in based on risk stratification following standardized counselling. Outcomes include PrEP uptake, and provider and participant acceptance of PrEP use following telephonic interviews. Contact: Dr Chetty (terusha.chetty@mrc.ac.za), Dr Ramokolo (vundli.ramokolo@mrc.ac.za) |
The Child Support Grant (CSG) and Child Nutrition: A birth cohort assessing the utilisation of the CSG and its link to dietary diversity, food security and child growth |
Aim To assess the nutritional status and dietary patterns of recipients and non-recipients of the CSG in Langa Township, Western Cape Methods Community-based prospective pregnancy cohort study conducted in Langa township between. Mother-child pairs were recruited during pregnancy and followed until 2 years postpartum. Data on access to the CSG, child feeding practices and anthropometry were collected. Status Data collected between March 2016 and March 2020. Data analysis and manuscript writing underway. PIs Dr Wanga Zembe-Mkabile and Dr Vundli Ramokolo Contact: Dr Wanga Zembe-Mkabile (wanga.zembe@mrc.ac.za), Dr Vundli Ramokolo (vundli.ramokolo@mrc.ac.za) |
Implementation evaluation of PMTCT Option B+ in South Africa, : 2018: A mixed methods multi-level evaluation of health care provision and user experiences. |
PI: Prof. Ameena Goga Overview Aim Collaboration Project status Contact person Publications:
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Long-term health outcomes of mothers and infants enrolled in the 2012-13 SAPMTCT evaluation: data collection 2016 |
PI: Prof. Ameena Goga and Dr. Witness Chirinda Overview Aim Collaboration Project status Contact person |
SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Hospitalised South African Children: A multi-centre collaborative study to develop a COVID-19 Paediatric Registry SA COVID KIDS Study |
Protocol chair: SAMRC: Prof. Ameena Goga Protocol co-chairs: University of the Witwatersrand - Dr David Moore; University of Pretoria - Prof Jeané Cloete and Prof Ute Feucht; Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University: Prof Dini Mawela; University of Cape Town- Prof Liesl Zühlke; University of Stellenbosch - Prof Helena Rabi; University of KwaZulu-Natal - Dr Moherdran Archery; University of the Free State - Dr Nomakhuwa Tabane; Limpopo - Dr Ntsako Gabaza Tiva Overview Given the risk of respiratory infections, and high exposure to HIV, TB and malnutrition in South Africa, the course that COVID-19 disease will take in hospitalised South African children is not known. This study aims to describe the epidemiology, clinical characteristics and outcome of hospitalised children with COVID-19 at academic and non-academic hospitals in South Africa. Data from hospitalised children with COVID-19 will be extracted from medical notes and laboratory records and entered into a surveillance database that is an expansion of the national DATCOV surveillance platform – this is a data platform developed by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in response to COVID-19. This expanded database will form the national paediatric COVID-19 Registry. Primary Objective To describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics and outcome of paediatric SARS-CoV-2 infection amongst children hospitalised at academic and non-academic hospitals. Secondary Objectives
Collaboration: The study is a collaborative effort between the South African Medical Research Council, University of the Witwatersrand, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, Rahima Moosa Hospital, University of Pretoria, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University George Mukhari Academic Hospital, University of Cape Town, Red Cross Children’s Hospital, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg Hospital, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital, King Edward Hospital, University of Free State, Universitas, Pelanomi, Bongani Regional Hospital, Dihlabeng Regional Hospital, Boitumelo Regional Hospital, University of Limpopo, Mankweng Hospital and Polokwane hospital, National Institutes of Communicable Diseases, Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute Project status Data collection in progress Contact person: Prof. Ameena Goga (ameena.goga@mrc.ac.za) |
Severe SARS-CoV-2 related disease in low and middle - income country children aged 0 - 19 years: a multi-country observational study in a network of hospitals (WHO COVID KIDS study) |
Protocol chair: SAMRC: Prof. Ameena Goga Protocol co-chairs: University of the Witwatersrand: Prof David Moore, Dr Firdose Nakwa, Dr Shannon Cawood, Prof Debbie White, Dr Gary Reubenson; University of Pretoria: Prof Jeané Cloete, Prof Ute Feucht; Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University: Prof Dini Mawela; University of Cape Town: Prof Kate Webb, Prof Chris Scott, Prof Heather Zar, Prof Liesl Zühlke; University of KwaZulu Natal: Dr Kogie Chinniah, Dr Moherndren Archary; University of the Free State: Dr Michael Pienaar and Dr Nomakhuwa Tabane Overview In children, severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus type 2 (SARS-CoV2) related disease includes both acute COVID-19 disease and post-acute Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MISC). There is very little information about acute COVID-19 disease and MISC in children presenting to hospital in low and middle-income countries. The aim of this study is to understand the clinical characteristics of SARS-CoV2 related disease in neonates, children and adolescents aged 0-19 years presenting to hospital in LMICs. The study will be set in a network of 20 children’s and maternity hospitals in four countries in Africa and Asia (Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, South Africa). SAMRC is the coordinating centre in South Africa with network hospitals existing within regional clusters. Network hospitals will be supported to improve their diagnostics, therapies, data collection systems, and clinical guidelines for best practice management and therapy. Testing processes will follow the local hospital standard operating procedures for each site. There are three components to the study: (i) prospective surveillance; (ii) prospective case control study; and (iii) retrospective data extraction. Our objectives are to use hospital network surveillance systems to:
Collaboration The study is a collaborative effort between the South African Medical Research Council, University of the Witwatersrand, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, Rahima Moosa Hospital, University of Pretoria, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, George Mukhari Academic Hospital, University of Cape Town, Red Cross Children’s Hospital, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital, King Edward Hospital, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Greys Hospital, University of Free State, Universitas, Pelanomi Hospital Project status Data collection in progress Contact person: Prof. Ameena Goga (ameena.goga@mrc.ac.za) |