Publications by authors named "R Rochford"
This qualitative sub-study investigated household practices affecting orally shed infections using Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) as a focus. Participants enrolled from 50 households in rural south-western Uganda were followed monthly up to three times. At enrolment, in-depth interviews were completed, and venous blood collected.
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- The study investigates how HIV infection within a household affects the shedding of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) among individuals.
- Out of 469 enrolled individuals from 90 households, 44% were found to be KSHV shedders, with a notable link between the number of KSHV-positive household members and the likelihood of shedding.
- Findings indicate that younger individuals (ages 10-19) are more likely to consistently shed KSHV and have higher viral loads, especially in households with people living with HIV.
Article Synopsis
- The study analyzed how HIV infection in households affects the shedding of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) among participants, involving 469 individuals from 90 households sampled over three months.
- Out of 340 KSHV seropositive individuals, 44% were found to be ever shedders, with a notable association between the number of KSHV-positive household members and the likelihood of shedding.
- The findings revealed that younger individuals (ages 10-19) were more often consistent shedders, and both higher viral loads and shedding rates were linked to increased household members and the presence of individuals living with HIV.
Multiplex-based serological surveillance is a valuable but underutilized tool to understand gaps in population-level exposure, susceptibility, and immunity to infectious diseases. Assays for which blood samples can be tested for antibodies against several pathogens simultaneously, such as multiplex bead immunoassays, can more efficiently integrate public health surveillance in low- and middle-income countries. On March 7-8, 2023 a group of experts representing research institutions, multilateral organizations, private industry, and country partners met to discuss experiences, identify challenges and solutions, and create a community of practice for integrated, multi-pathogen serosurveillance using multiplex bead assay technologies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEpstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a potent carcinogen linked to hematologic and solid malignancies and causes significant global morbidity and mortality. Therapy using allogeneic EBV-specific lymphocytes shows promise in certain populations, but the impact of EBV genome variation on these strategies remains unexplored. To address this, we sequenced 217 EBV genomes, including hematologic malignancies from Guatemala, Peru, Malawi, and Taiwan, and analyzed them alongside 1307 publicly available EBV genomes from cancer, nonmalignant diseases, and healthy individuals across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.
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