News

The WHO Pocket Atlas used in FGS study in Nigeria

Jun 19, 2017

Professor Uwen Ekpo of Nigeria and his team in Ogun State have identified the first twenty adult women with FGS using the WHO Pocket Atlas for Female Genital Schistosomiasis (image). Fourteen of the 20 women had FGS (70·0%). Ten had grainy-sandy patches (image), 6 had homogenous yellow sandy patches. It is noteworthy that one patient was found to have rubbery papules as it is the first case outside Madagascar. Read here: Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) in Ogun State, Nigeria: a pilot survey on genital symptoms and clinical findings. Parasitology Open (2017), Vol. 3, e10; page 1 of 9. U. F. Ekpo, O. M. Odeyemi, S. O. Sam-Wobo, O. B. Onunkwor, H. O. Mogaji, A. S. Oluwole, H. O. Abdussalam , J. R.... read more

Automatic diagnosis of genital schistosomiasis

May 25, 2017

Dr Sigve Holmen’s PhD thesis showed an interesting, innovative non-invasive approach to the diagnosis of Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS), representing an original contribution to the knowledge in the field. BRIGHT Researcher, Sigve Homen (right), defended his PhD thesis against United Kingdom opponents Professor Gabriel Landini and Professor Albert Singer (left). The sensitivity for detection of FGS of (83%) and specificity of (73%) might not at first appear to be as high as desirable and a mobile app must be developed further. However, the figures are very good for a first attempt to make an objective diagnostic tool for FGS. Professor Albert Singer who is an expert colposcopist emphasised that the technique holds the possibility to both train health professionals in FGS and ensure quality control of the diagnosis. We congratulate Dr Holmen with a unique and significant contribution to female health. Title: “Computer Image Analysis as a Diagnostic Tool in Female Genital Schistosomiasis” PhD registered: University of Oslo (UoO), Norway Main supervisor: Professor Eyrun F Kjetland (Oslo University Hospital/University of KwaZulu-Natal) Co-supervisors: Professor Mathias Onsrud (Gynaecology, Oslo University Hospital/UoO) and Professor Fritz Albregtsen (Informatics, UoO)... read more

Human papillomavirus types in young women

Mar 7, 2017

BRIGHT Researcher, Nonhlanhla Mbatha (right) was awarded a PhD for her work on virus types in rural young women that may cause cancer. High-risk human papillomavirus infections occur frequently in young women. The available vaccines cover up to seven high-risk-HPV types and two low-risk types. Amongst 1223 rural young women of KwaZulu-Natal 301 (25%) were positive for hr-HPV. The nine predominant genotypes in descending order were HPV types 16 (22 %), 51 (13 %), types 18 (13 %), 35 (11%), 33 (11%), 56 (9 %), 45 (8 %), 52 (7 %) and type 59 (7 %). The types HPV 35, 51, 56 and 59 – representing as many as 40.62% of the dangerous viruses, are not covered by any vaccine. These types were among the most prevalent in the young women of KwaZulu-Natal. This poses an important hurdle in the fight against cervical cancer and new vaccines should be developed. We congratulate Dr Mbatha and her main tutor (Dr Zilungile Kwitshana, left) with the eminent work. Title: “Human papillomavirus in adolescents in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa” PhD registered: University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), South Africa Main supervisor: Dr Zilungile Kwitshana (Mangosuthu University of Technology, South Africa/UKZN) Co-supervisors: Professor Myra Taylor (UKZN) and Dr Marc Baay (University of Antwerp,... read more