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
- Ritah Nakiboneka
- Winters Muttamba
Selected publications
-
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
-
Open access
Comparison of horizontal blaCTX-M gene transfer via conjugation among extended spectrum β-lactamases producing Escherichia coli isolates from patients with urinary tract infection, their animals and environment
Mwakyoma, A. A., Kidenya, B. R., Minja, C. A., Mushi, M. F., Sandeman, A., Sabiti, W., Holden, M. T. G. & Mshana, S. E., 22 May 2023, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Archives of Molecular Biology and Genetics. 2, 1, p. 1-8 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
-
Open access
Diagnostic accuracy of Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra and culture assays to detect Mycobacterium Tuberculosis using OMNIgene-sputum processed stool among adult TB presumptive patients in Uganda
Sessolo, A., Musisi, E., Kaswabuli, S., Zawedde, J., Byanyima, P., Sabiiti, W., Walimbwa, S., Ola, J., Sanyu, I., Lalitha, R., Kamya, M., Davis, L., Worodria, W. & Huang, L., 21 Apr 2023, In: PLoS One. 18, 4, 14 p., e0284041.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
-
Open access
Effect of seven anti-tuberculosis treatment regimens on sputum microbiome: a retrospective analysis of the HIGHRIF study 2 and PanACEA MAMS-TB clinical trials
Musisi, E., Wyness, A. J., Eldirdiri, S., Dombay, E., Mtafya, B. A., Ntinginya, N. E., Heinrich, N., Kibiki, G. S., Hoelscher, M., Boeree, M., Aarnoutse, R., Gillespie, S. H., Sabiiti, W. & PanACEA Consortium, 10 Oct 2023, (E-pub ahead of print) In: The Lancet Microbe. In press, 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
-
Open access
Estimating phenotypic characteristics of tuberculosis bacteria
Zachariou, M., Arandjelović, O., Dombay, E., Sabiiti, W., Mtafya, B., Ntinginya, N. E. & Sloan, D. J., Dec 2023, In: Computers in Biology and Medicine. 167, 13 p., 107573.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
-
Open access
Evaluation of the diagnostic performance of the urine dipstick test for the detection of urinary tract infections in patients treated in Kenyan hospitals
Maina, J., Mwaniki, J., Mwiti, F., Kiiru, S., Katana, J., Wanja, F., Mukaya, J., Khasabuli, O., Asiimwe, B., Gillespie, S., Stelling, J., Mshana, S., Holden, M., Sabiiti, W. & Kiiru, J., 14 Jun 2023, In: Access Microbiology. 5, 6, 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
-
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