Cancer-causing infections in sub-Saharan Africa

These infections include:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Helicobacter pylori
• Hepatitis Viruses. 

Much of this work has evolved into larger multi-country investigations.

We are examining:

• uptake of HPV vaccination and early impact on circulating HPV subtypes;
• characterization of H. pylori, patterns of drug resistance and associations with gastric abnormalities with a view to developing prevention trials in the future and; 
• progression of Hepatitis B Virus-related liver disease and the contribution of infection to the total burden of abnormal liver function.

Publications

Thirteen cancers associated with HIV infection in a Black South African cancer patient population (1995-2016), International Journal of Cancer. 2023

Usefulness of high-risk HPV early oncoprotein (E6 and E7) serological markers in the detection of cervical cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis, Journal of Medical Virology, 2023

HPV types 16/18 L1 E6 and E7 proteins seropositivity and cervical cancer risk in HIV-positive and HIV-negative black South African women, Infectious Agents and Cancer, 2022

Ranking lifestyle risk factors for cervical cancer among Black women: A case-control study from Johannesburg, South Africa, PLOS ONE, 2021