Dr Wilber Sabiiti
Principal Research Fellow
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
- Emmanuel Musisi
- Ritah Nakiboneka
- Winters Muttamba
Selected publications
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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
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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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Open access
Molecular characterizations of the coagulase-negative staphylococci species causing urinary tract infection in Tanzania: a laboratory-based cross-sectional study
Phillip, S., Mushi, M. F., Decano, A. G., Seni, J., Mmbaga, B. T., Kumburu, H., Konje, E. T., Mwanga, J. R., Kidenya, B. R., Msemwa, B., Gillespie, S., Maldonado-Barragan, A., Sandeman, A., Sabiti, W., Holden, M. T. G. & Mshana, S. E., 24 Jan 2023, In: Pathogens. 12, 2, 12 p., 180.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
The role of multidimensional poverty in antibiotic misuse: a mixed-methods study of self-medication and non-adherence in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda
Green, D. L., Keenan, K., Fredricks, K. J., Huque, S. I., Mushi, M. F., Kansiime, C., Asiimwe, B., Kiiru, J., Mshana, S. E., Neema, S., Mwanga, J. R., Kesby, M., Lynch, A. G., Worthington, H., Olamijuwon, E., Abed Al Ahad, M., Aduda, A., Njeru, J. M., Mmbaga, B. T., Bazira, J., Sandeman, A., Stelling, J., Gillespie, S. H., Kibiki, G., Sabiiti, W., Sloan, D. J., Holden, M. T. G., Smith, V. A., Decano, A. G., Maldonado-Barragán, A., Aanensen, D., Ntinginya, N. E., Elliott, A. & Clarkson, M., 1 Jan 2023, In: The Lancet Global Health. 11, 1, p. e59-e68 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Tuberculosis Molecular Bacterial Load Assay reveals early delayed bacterial killing in patients with relapse
Ntinginya, N. E., Bakuli, A., Mapamba, D., Sabiiti, W., Kibiki, G., Minja, L. T., Kuchaka, D., Reither, K., Phillips, P., Boeree, M. J., Gillespie, S. H., Hoelscher, M., Heinrich, N. & PanACEA Consortium, 1 Feb 2023, In: Clinical Infectious Diseases. 76, 3, p. e990-e994 5 p., ciac445.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
A systematic review of strategies adopted to scale up COVID-19 testing in low, middle and high-income countries
Muttamba, W., O'Hare, B. A-M., Saxena, V., Mudarshiru, B., Tyagi, P., Ramsay, A., Kirenga, B. & Sabiiti, W., 17 Nov 2022, In: BMJ Open. 12, 11, 11 p., e060838.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Detection and quantification of viable Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli in saline-processed stool samples by Tuberculosis Molecular Bacterial Load Assay: a potential alternative for processing stool
Musisi, E., Ssesolo, A., Sloan, D. J., Gillespie, S. H. & Sabiiti, W., 12 May 2022, In: Microbiology Spectrum. 10, 3, 3 p., 00274-22.Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter › peer-review
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Extracting and classifying salient fields of view from microscopy slides of tuberculosis bacteria
Zachariou, M., Arandelovic, O., Dombay, E., Sabiiti, W., Mtafya, B. A. & Sloan, D. J., 2022, Pattern Recognition and Artificial Intelligence: Third International Conference, ICPRAI 2022, Paris, France, June 1–3, 2022, Proceedings, Part I. El Yacoubi, M., Granger, E., Yuen, P. C., Pal, U. & Vincent, N. (eds.). Springer, p. 146–157 (Lecture Notes in Computer Science; vol. 13363).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
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Open access
High Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacillary loads detected by tuberculosis molecular bacterial load assay in patient stool: a potential alternative for nonsputum diagnosis and treatment response monitoring of tuberculosis
Musisi, E., Sessolo, A., Kaswabuli, S., Zawedde, J., Byanyima, P., Kasiinga, S., Sanyu, I., Uwimaana, E., Walimbwa, S., Ola, J., Ssengooba, W., Sekaggya, C., Joloba, M. L., Worodria, W., Huang, L., Gillespie, S. H., Sloan, D. J. & Sabiiti, W., 23 Feb 2022, In: Microbiology Spectrum. 10, 1, 12 p., e02100-21.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Non-prescribed antibiotic dispensing practices for symptoms of urinary tract infection in community pharmacies and accredited drug dispensing outlets in Tanzania: a simulated clients approach
Ndaki, P. M., Mushi, M. F., Mwanga, J. R., Konje, E. T., Mugassa, S., Manyiri, M. W., Mwita, S. M., Ntinginya, N. E., Mmbaga, B. T., Keenan, K., Sabiiti, W., Kesby, M., Benitez-Paez, F., Sandeman, A., Holden, M. T. G. & Mshana, S. E., 18 Nov 2022, In: BMC Primary Care. 23, 1, 9 p., 287.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review