Page 84 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

Intersection of
Non-communicable Diseases
and Infectious Diseases

Research Unit

Unit director:
Prof. Ntobeko Ntusi

Prioritising responsive research Equitable capacity development
through impactful interventions for empowering communities

Over the 2023/24 reporting period, the work of the We have numerous students who are undertaking
Intersection of Non-communicable and Infectious research projects embedded in the studies
Disease Research Unit has focused on 7 key described above for masters, doctoral, postdoctoral
programmes: and early career research programmes. In addition
to the formal capacity building through academic
(1) Understanding the biology of heart failure among training, the students regularly attend conferences
Africans, the contribution of associated infections and workshops, where they present their data
to outcomes, and the association of anaemia with and results, and have also had opportunities for
outcome of heart failure, as well as studies on the exchange with collaborators.
genomic basis of cardiomyopathy in Africans;

(2) Studies on the biology of HIV-associated Science for creating a
cardiovascular disease in adults and adolescents healthier society
with a focus on both mechanistic studies as well
as outcome studies, including clinical trials; In the past year, we have had two opportunities to
present our research to patient groups, both at the
(3) Studies on the biology of tuberculosis and the University of Cape Town as well as in the Kensington
cardiovascular system, using imaging biomarkers clinic. In addition, our research has been featured
and well as focus on outcomes; in two issues of Nature Africa. As the Principal
Investigator (PI) of the group, I have been invited on
(4) Ongoing studies of the biology of COVID-19 as different radio stations to speak about some of the
well as cardiovascular and all-cause outcomes research we do and some of our findings.
and mortality in individuals with COVID-19;

(5) Studies on the role of cardiovascular magnetic In celebration of 30 years of
resonance in rheumatic heart disease, as well as democracy in South Africa
studies of peotoemic and metanolomic profiling
in individuals with rheumatic heart disease; We believe that health research is an important
mechanism not only to improve the health of the
(6) Studies of the role of H. pylori in the nation, but also to improve the economy of the
pathophysiology and in influencing outcomes in nation. Our commitment is to continue to contribute
patients with resistant hypertension; to quality health research and through knowledge
generation in hope to contribute to a healthier
(7) Studies of predictors of outcome in individuals South Africa.
with preeclampsia and other forms of pregnancy-
induced hypertension in individuals with and We are immensely grateful to the SAMRC for the
without HIV infection. continued support of our work.

82 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2023-24