Uganda
Site Established: Research, 1999; PEPFAR, May 2005
HIV prevalence: 14%
HIV incidence: 1.3%
In Uganda, scientists are part of comprehensive research program focused on cohort development and HIV surveillance. The program operates as the Makerere University/Walter Reed Project (MUWRP) and has established research capabilities, which includes extensive cohort capabilities and the infrastructure to support clinical trials.
MUWRP's mission is to develop a safe and effective HIV vaccine, specific to the HIV clades in Uganda. The primary objective is HIV vaccine development and building vaccine testing capability in Uganda.
MUWRP's motto: Join Hands to Fight HIV/AIDS
Research Efforts:
- A Phase I/II Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Immunogenicity of a Multiclade HIV-1 DNA Plasmid Vaccine Boosted by a Multiclade HIV-1 Recombinant Adenovirus-5 Vector Vaccine in HIV Uninfected Adult Volunteers in East Africa
- Initiated March, 2006
- Completed Phase I vaccine trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a multiclade HIV-1 DNA vaccine in uninfected adult volunteers. The vaccine was manufactured by the Vaccine Research Center of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health.
HIV-1 Diversity in Uganda
Mostly D and AD recombinant
HIV Vaccine Cohort Research
Recruiting for cohort of 2,000 individuals to determine incidence and prevalence in the adult community of Kayunga district to determine feasibility of hosting a Phase III HIV vaccine trial in the region. The cohort will look to characterize risk factors associated with HIV infection and assess recruitment efficiency and follow-up rates.
Research efforts and funding will support scale up of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT), and improve basic HIV care services, as well as support patient monitoring.
Facilities:
The Makerere University Walter Reed Project (MUWRP) is composed of two buildings at the Mulago Hospital Complex, the MUWRP Laboratory and the MUWRP Research Center. The laboratory houses administration, data management, communications and clinical activities. The research center houses the majority of the clinical staff. Also, it provides additional clinic rooms and facilities necessary for information and briefing sessions, which can accommodate approximately 150 people.
Field activities are based in the Kayunga District and are located at the Ntenjuru Health Centere III. This building houses administrative, communications and clinic staff. Additionally, MUWRP maintains an office at the District Hospital to coordinate PEPFAR activities.
The MUWRP laboratory in Kampala is one of only two facilities in East Africa, certified by the Colleage of American Pathologists in East Africa. Its capabilities include testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and C; syphilis testing, pregnancy testing, clinical hematology and chemistry, clinical CD4 flow cytometry, PBMC cryopreservation, malaria microscopy and other cellular-based assays to assess immunogenicity.
Prevention, Care and Treatment:
Activities are based in the Kayunga District. The program has scaled up VCT and is partnering with other USG agencies and partners to increase PMTCT coverage. The Program is improving basic HIV care and treatment services, as well as supporting strategic monitoring.
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) will be provided to five health facilities with USMHRP supporting the training of health care workers and laboratory staff, as well as providing Quality Assurance/Quality Control oversight. This program initiated in August 2005 and is set to expand significantly in 2006 through the renovation of the district hospital clinical facility and laboratory upgrades. PEPFAR funding will support ART introduction into five health facilities; training of six HCW and treatment of 100 HIV+ individuals qualifying for ART.
Staff: 58
download: MUWRP Organizational Chart (pdf)
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