Activities

    Ndlovu Cohort study

    The academic research’s backbone: a research population with a control group. 1000 participants are HIV+ and 1000 HIV-. It is a longitudinal study to show the
    relationship between HIV and non-communicable diseases, especially cardiovascular risks.

    Started 2014
    Status ongoing

    ITREMA study

    The ITREMA research project aims to improve the effectiveness of HIV treatment and prevent the development and transmission of drug-resistant HIV by means of implementation of an intensified strategy for HIV treatment monitoring Compare treatment outcomes between normal and more intensified monitoring.

    An innovative approach is the use of on-site ARV-druglevel testing to be indicative for therapy adherence.
    The study is a collaboration between the University Medical Centre Utrecht, the
    Amsterdam Medical Centre, both from the Netherlands tin cooperation with University of Witswatersrand, and Ndlovu Research Centre. Leading investigator is Lucas Hermans MD PhD student.

    Started 2015
    Status nearing completion

    Homelink study

    Linkage of early HIV detection to care through testing in the households. House to house counselling and testing for HIV are compared in two communities.

    • Are people interested in house testing as an early detection method?
    • Are people who test HIV positive looking for care & treatment at an early stage

    Started 2016
    Status ongoing, finishes 2021

    HAND study

    Researches the relationship between HIV + and the development of Depression and
    related to it lower self-esteem and less opportunities in life.

    Started 2017
    Status finalised

    DM Alert study

    Researches the relationship between HIV and the development of Diabetes Mellitus.

    Started 2016
    Status finished

    THE IMBOKODO STUDY

    HVTN 705/HPX2008 is a collaboration between the HVTN and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, designed to test an HIV preventive vaccine regimen that covers the different types of HIV found across the world. It is a Phase II trial which studies the efficacy and safety of a HIV Vaccine on negative HIV women in the age group 18-35.

    The study is started in November 2017 across approximately 26 sites in 5 countries in sub-Saharan Africa: Ndlovu Research Centre has been selected to participate.

    Started 2015
    Status nearing completion

    IPM032 Trial

    An HIV microbicide prevention study following on the Ring Study: An open label study of a latex Dapivirine Vaginal Ring on HIV negative women.

    Started 2017
    Status finalised

    AutismTrial

    A Phase 2B, Prospective, Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo- Controlled Trial
    Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of a small dose of Suramin vs. Placebo in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

    In a small, randomized Phase I/II clinical trial (SAT1), researchers at University of
    California San Diego School of Medicine found that a 100-year-old drug called Suramin, originally developed to treat African sleeping sickness, was safely administered to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who subsequently
    displayed measurable, but transient, improvement in core symptoms of autism. The primary objective is to test the safety and efficacy of 3 doses of low dose Suramin against placebo in children and adults with ASD.

    Starts Q3 2019
    Ends 2020

    HIV Reservoir Study

    The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of late presentation and sex differences on size and activity of HIV subtype C reservoirs before and during cART in a ongitudinal cohort of 75 patients in rural South Africa.

    Are lower HIV reservoir size and activity at cART initiation associated with lower HIV
    reservoir size and activity one year later? Do women have a lower HIV reservoir size and activity at baseline compared to men, when adjusting for CD4 counts at cART initiation and age? Do women have a lower HIV reservoir size and activity at one the 1-year follow-up compared to men, when adjusting for CD4 counts at ART initiation, reservoir size at baseline and age are lower CD4 counts at cART initiation associated with higher HIV reservoir size and activity at cART initiation and at the 1-year follow-up? Are higher HIV reservoir size and activity at ART initiation associated with higher immune activation both at cART initiation and at the 1-year follow-up?
    The study is a collaboration between the University Medical Centre Utrecht, the
    Amsterdam Medical Centre, both from the Netherlands tin cooperation with
    University of Witswatersrand, and Ndlovu Research Centre. Leading investigator is
    Prof Anne Wensing.

    Starts Q3 2019
    Ends 2021

    Three step response strategy

    The aim is to implement and disseminate an efficient, locally applicable, three-step rapid response strategy allowing informed clinical decision making, patient empowerment and support.

    This research project will further develop and optimise
    the current qualitative drug level “adherence test” which the ITREMA study has
    validated for NNRTIs, PIs and the integrase inhibitor dolutegravir to allow testing of
    dried blood spots in addition to the already implemented plasma testing. –
    It is the intention to disseminate this strategy amongst HIV treatment programs in
    South and Southern Africa and train medical doctors, professional nurses and
    counsellors in drug level informed strategies in collaboration with the Southern
    African HIV Clinicians Society.
    The study is a collaboration between the University Medical Centre Utrecht, University
    Medical Center Radboud, Nijmegen, both from the Netherlands together with
    University of Witswatersrand, and Ndlovu Research Centre. Leading investigator is
    Prof Anne Wensing

    Starts Q4 2019
    Ends 2022