Publications by authors named "Dhudha H"
Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is responsible for many childhood cancers in sub-Saharan Africa, where it is linked to recurrent or chronic infection by Epstein-Barr virus or Plasmodium falciparum. However, whether human leukocyte antigen (HLA) polymorphisms, which regulate immune response, are associated with BL has not been well investigated, which limits our understanding of BL etiology. Here we investigate this association among 4,645 children aged 0-15 years, 800 with BL, enrolled in Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Malawi.
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- * Researchers studied 800 BL patients and 3,845 controls across four East African countries to see if genetic traits that protect against malaria also protect against BL, focusing on specific gene variants.
- * Findings showed that the sickle cell gene variant (HBB-rs334(T)) was linked to lower risks of both malaria infection and BL, suggesting a possible connection between malaria and the development of Burkitt lymphoma.
Article Synopsis
- Endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL) is a severe form of cancer linked to Plasmodium falciparum malaria, and this study investigates the connection between eBL risk and malaria parasite density in children.
- The researchers analyzed data from over 4000 eBL cases and a large control group to compare malaria-related lab results, finding that children with eBL and asymptomatic malaria showed similar characteristics, while those with clinical malaria differed significantly.
- Results indicated that parasite density peaked around ages 4-5 and declined with age, while hemoglobin levels increased, highlighting crucial age-related trends in malaria infection and its potential relationship to eBL.
Platelet counts are decreased in Plasmodium falciparum malaria, which is aetiologically linked with endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL). However, the pattern of platelet counts in eBL cases is unknown. We studied platelet counts in 582 eBL cases and 2 248 controls enrolled in a case-control study in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya (2010-2016).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEndemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL) is the most common childhood cancer in sub-Saharan African countries, however, few epidemiologic studies have been undertaken and none attempted enrolling cases from multiple countries. We therefore conducted a population-based case-control study of eBL in children aged 0-15 years old in six regions in Northern Uganda, Northern Tanzania and Western Kenya, enrolling 862 suspected cases and 2,934 population controls (response rates 98.5-100%), and processing ~40,000 vials of samples using standardized protocols.
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- Northern Tanzania has a significant issue with malaria, particularly among children, with a prevalence of nearly 40% found in a recent study.
- The study involved 819 children across 94 villages and identified risk factors affecting malaria prevalence, using rapid diagnostic tests and thick film microscopy for accuracy.
- Results indicated that higher parental education and larger household size were linked to lower malaria prevalence, while keeping dogs nearby increased risk; however, common prevention methods like bed-net usage were not associated with reduced prevalence.