Page 74 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

Dr Brandon Reyneke, recently received an Emerging Finally, during World TB Day this year, we hosted
Research award from UCT (ZAR 100K) to perform the an event at Brooklyn Chest Hospital, where we
DISTINCTIVE TB study, which aims to determine the demonstrated TB diagnostic technologies and
heterogeneity in the Mtb resistance profile found in infection control measures to patients and performed
sputum compared to individual cough droplets using outreach activities by providing donations of art
whole genome sequencing. We have also initiated supplies to the pediatric TB ward and food parcels
two collaborations this year: we have partnered to TB patient from sub-economic areas.
with Professor Christoph Lange at the University
of Borstel in Germany to provide the capacity In celebration of 30 years of
to perform targeted sequencing in the T3 study democracy in South Africa
(30K EUR). We have also partnered with Dr James
Brust at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine to CAMRA's research into antimicrobial resistance
investigate intracellular bedaquiline and clofazimine aims to improve the health and well-being of
concentrations of in alveolar macrophages and to South African citizens at several levels:
determine the utility of measuring drug levels in Our work aims to perform clinical research that can
exhaled breath.
aid in providing healthcare access and improve
Science for creating a health-related outcomes to all individuals regardless
of race, religion and gender, thus promoting
healthier society democratic principles of fairness and justice.

In Cape Town, our XACT3 and 19 studies provide Our evidence-based research focuses on the most
feedback to the communities concerned through prominent health issues faced by South Africans. TB
meetings, which typically involve a presentation remains the biggest cause of death in the country
of the study and its main findings focusing on the and drug-resistant TB is a major contributor to the
detection and prevention of TB and HIV. national TB burden. This work will inform and guide

Prof Dheda, the Head of CAMRA serves on the policymakers on the best strategies to implement to
South African TB Think Tank and is also part of reduce the burden of disease.
the National TB Advisory Committee. He has Access to accurate health information empowers
communicated the relevance of the PAKMAN study, citizens to make informed decisions about their
where we measure PK levels of new and repurposed own health and advocate for policies that benefit
drugs in lung tissue, especially given the observed their communities. A major component of our
increases in the bedaquiline resistance rates. Prof research is to educate the public about TB and
Dheda is also regularly interviewed in national AMR including preventive measures, and available
and international media where he highlights and treatments, thereby fostering a more engaged and
translates the research of the unit, including TB knowledgeable citizenry.
and COVID-19, to a general audience. We have
also communicated much of our findings through We also aim to focus on capacity building by
conference proceedings and publication in peer- training the next generation of scientists to tackle
reviewed journals. We have published our work on the most relevant health issues, such as TB and
COVID-19 and drug-resistant TB in several high- AMR in general. This fosters innovation, economic
impact journals. Several staff have also presented development and helps the country to be more
findings at international conferences including self-sufficient in addressing these specific health
IUATLD conference and the EDCTP forum in 2023. challenges. Our collaborations with international
Dr Tahlia Perumal won the best clinical presentation researchers allow us to participate and contribute to
at the latter conference. AMR research at a global level.

72 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2023-24