Dr Wilber Sabiiti

Principal Research Fellow

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 1736
Email: ws31@st-andrews.ac.uk

Biography

I am a biomedical scientist with interest in translational research, working on the interface of applied biological science and healthcare provision. My work takes a holistic approach from primary discovery and optimisation in the laboratory to addressing barriers of translating biomedical research innovations into policy and practice. Achieving this kind of work requires interdisciplinary approach and expertise, which I have achieved by bringing together international minds in various research consortia primary between UK and Africa but also continental Europe, Asia and North America. In recent years my group has focused on the development and optimisation of rapid tests for quantification of bacteria responsible for tuberculosis (TB) disease and exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This work has resulted in the tuberculosis Molecular Bacterial Load Assay (TB-MBLA), the first ever fully quantitative test for quantifying patient TB bacterial load and measuring the change of this load as patient responds to treatment. Working with interdisciplinary team of researchers from UK, USA and East Africa, we are investigating the biolgical and socioeconomic drivers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and more recently the impact of COVID-19 on antibiotics use and risk of AMR rise. Besides research I teach Introductory epidemiology & TB pathology, diagnosis and treatment to Bachelor of Medicine- and Interdisciplinary approaches to solving global health challenges to Master of International development- students. I belong to several international learned societies and I am a member of several professional committees and/or panels: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission Academic Adviser panel, UK NIHR College of Experts for the Global Effort on COVID-19, COVID-19 Clinical Clinical Research Coalition Virology, Imunology & Diagnostics Working group, TDR/WHO AMR Knowledge management consultant and Newton fund Biomedical Science reviewer panel.

PhD supervision

Ritah Nakiboneka
Winters Muttamba

Selected publications

Accuracy of the tuberculosis molecular bacterial load assay to diagnose and monitor response to anti-tuberculosis therapy: a longitudinal comparative study with standard-of-care smear microscopy, Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra, and culture in Uganda
Musisi, E., Wamutu, S., Ssengooba, W., Kasiinga, S., Sessolo, A., Sanyu, I., Kaswabuli, S., Zawedde, J., Byanyima, P., Kia, P., Muwambi, W., Toskin, D. T., Kigozi, E., Walbaum, N., Dombay, E., Legrady, M. B., Ssemambo, K. D-M., Joloba, M., Kuchaka, D., Worodria, W., & 3 others Huang, L., Gillespie, S. H. & Sabiiti, W., 5 Mar 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: The Lancet Microbe.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open access

Accuracy of the tuberculosis molecular bacterial load assay to diagnose and monitor response to anti-tuberculosis therapy: a longitudinal comparative study with standard-of-care smear microscopy, Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra, and culture in Uganda
Musisi, E., Wamutu, S., Ssengooba, W., Kasiinga, S., Sessolo, A., Sanyu, I., Kaswabuli, S., Zawedde, J., Byanyima, P., Kia, P., Muwambi, W., Toskin, D. T., Kigozi, E., Walbaum, N., Dombay, E., Legrady, M. B., Ssemambo, K. D-M., Joloba, M., Kuchaka, D., Worodria, W., & 3 others Huang, L., Gillespie, S. H. & Sabiiti, W., Apr 2024, In: The Lancet Microbe. 5, 4, p. e345-e354
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open access

Evidencing the intersection of environmental, socioeconomic, behavioural and demographic drivers of antibacterial resistance in East Africa
Keenan, K., Papathomas, M., Mshana, S. E., Asiimwe, B., Kiiru, J., Lynch, A. G., Kesby, M., Neema, S., Mwanga, J. R., Mushi, M. F., Green, D. L., Jing, W., Olamijuwon, E., Zhang, Q., Sippy, R., Fredricks, K. J., Gillespie, S. H., Sabiti, W., Bazira, J., Sloan, D. J., & 7 others Mmbaga, B. T., Kibiki, G., Stelling, J., Smith, V. A., Sandeman, A., Holden, M. T. G. & HATUA Consortium, 15 Feb 2024, Rochester, NY: SSRN, 26 p.
Research output: Working paper › Preprint
Open access

Predominance of multidrug-resistant bacteria causing urinary tract infections among symptomatic patients in East Africa: a call for action
Maldonado-Barragán, A., Mshana, S. E., Keenan, K., Ke, X., Gillespie, S. H., Stelling, J., Maina, J., Bazira, J., Muhwezi, I., Mushi, M. F., Green, D. L., Kesby, M., Lynch, A. G., Sabiiti, W., Sloan, D. J., Sandeman, A., Kiiru, J., Asiimwe, B. & Holden, M. T. G., Feb 2024, In: JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance. 6, 1, 11 p., dlae019.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open access

Treatment seeking and antibiotic use for urinary tract infection symptoms in the time of COVID-19 in Tanzania and Uganda
Olamijuwon, E. O., Keenan, K. L., Mushi, M. F., Kansiime, C., Konje, E. T., Kesby, M., Neema, S., Asiimwe, B., Mshana, S. E., Fredricks, K. J., Sunday, B., Bazira, J., Sandeman, A. F., Sloan, D. J., Mwanga, J. R., Sabiiti, W., Holden, M. & CARE Consortium, 19 Jan 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Journal of Global Health. 14, 10 p., 05007.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open access

Treatment seeking behaviours, antibiotic use and relationships to multi-drug resistance: a study of urinary tract infection patients in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda
Sado, K., Keenan, K., Manataki, A., Kesby, M., Mushi, M. F., Mshana, S. E., Mwanga, J. R., Neema, S., Asiimwe, B., Bazira, J., Kiiru, J., Green, D. L., Ke, X., Maldonado-Barragán, A., Abed Al Ahad, M., Fredricks, K. J., Gillespie, S. H., Sabiiti, W., Mmbaga, B. T., Kibiki, G., & 6 others Aanensen, D., Smith, V. A., Sandeman, A., Sloan, D. J., Holden, M. T. G. & Consortium, O. B. O. HATUA., 16 Feb 2024, In: PLOS Global Public Health. 4, 2, 20 p., e0002709.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open access

Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenamases in Escherichia coli isolated from humans and livestock in rural South-Western Uganda
Tuhamize, B., Asiimwe, B., Kassaza, K., Sabiiti, W., Holden, M. & Bazira, J., 13 Jul 2023, In: PLoS One. 18, 7, 10 p., e0288243.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open access

A practical approach to render tuberculosis samples safe for application of tuberculosis Molecular Bacterial Load Assay in clinical settings without a biosafety level 3 laboratory
Mtafya, B. A., Qwaray, P., John, J., Sichone, E., Shoo, A., Gillespie, S. H., Ntinginya, N. E. & Sabiiti, W., Jan 2023, In: Tuberculosis. 138, 5 p., 102275.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open access

Allele distribution and phenotypic resistance to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin among extended spectrum β-lactamases producing Escherichia coli from urine, stool, animals and environments of patients with presumptive urinary tract infection in Tanzania
Mwakyoma, A. A., Kidenya, B. R., Minja, C. A., Mushi, M. F., Sandeman, A. F., Sabiiti, W., Holden, M. & Mshana, S. E., 5 Jun 2023, In: Frontiers in Antibiotics. 2, 11 p., 1164016.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open access

Antibiotic dispensing practices during COVID-19 and implications for antimicrobial resistance (AMR): parallel mystery client studies in Uganda and Tanzania
Olamijuwon, E., Konje, E., Kansiime, C., Kesby, M., Keenan, K., Neema, S., Asiimwe, B., Mshana, S. E., Mushi, M. F., Loza, O., Sunday, B., Sandeman, A., Sloan, D. J., Benitez-Paez, F., Mwanga, J. R., Sabiiti, W., Holden, M. T. G. & CARE Consortium, 11 Feb 2023, In: Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control. 12, 1, 14 p., 10.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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