Page 93 - SAMRC AnnualReport 2025-26

P E R FOR M A NC E I N FOR M A T I ON

HIV-TB Pathogens and
Treatment Research Unit

UNIT DIRECTOR:
Prof. Kogie Naidoo
kogie.naidoo@caprisa.org

Overview of the Research Unit at the interface of scientific innovation and public
health delivery, with a sustained commitment to
The SAMRC-CAPRISA HIV-TB Pathogenesis and
Treatment Research Unit undertakes multidisciplinary improving HIV and TB outcomes in South Africa and
HIV and tuberculosis (TB) research aimed at reducing other high-burden settings.
TB-related mortality in high-burden settings. The
Unit’s research focuses on advancing understanding Key Milestones and Achievements
of TB disease pathogenesis, improving approaches During the reporting period, the Unit focused
to TB prevention and diagnosis, and optimizing on three major public health challenges: drug-
therapeutic strategies for HIV-TB co-infection resistant TB (DR-TB), high TB incidence caused by
through the generation of clinical guideline- and ongoing transmission, and poor outcomes in HIV-
policy-relevant evidence.
TB co-infection. Research activities included basic
The Unit’s work spans clinical medicine, epide- science, clinical trials, and implementation science
miology, biostatistics, immunology, microbiology, to produce evidence that informs laboratory
pharmacology, and public health, positioning it diagnostics, clinical guidelines, health systems
across the full translational research spectrum. By strengthening, and policy development.
integrating well-characterised longitudinal clinical
cohorts and biorepositories with advanced labo- The TRiAD study evaluated GeneXpert MTB/XDR
ratory methods and strong community partnerships, as a rapid diagnostic tool for resistance detection
the Unit links biological, clinical, and population- and treatment triage, demonstrating reduced time
level determinants of disease to interventions that to appropriate DR-TB therapy and supporting
can be implemented in routine healthcare settings. its implementation across multiple countries.
A major focus of the Unit is addressing key public
health challenges associated with drug-resistant
TB (DR-TB), ongoing TB transmission, and poor
outcomes among people living with HIV and TB
co-infection. Through clinical trials, implementation
science, and laboratory-based research, the
Unit evaluates novel diagnostics, adherence
interventions, prevention strategies, vaccines, and
therapeutic approaches designed to strengthen
TB and HIV care. Its participation in multi-country
studies and global clinical trials contributes evidence
that informs both national and international policy
and practice.

Dr Tanuja Gengiah, Prof Kogie Naidoo,
Through its integrated approach to discovery Dr Anushka Naidoo, Dr Thando Maseko.
science, clinical research, implementation, and
capacity development, the Unit remains positioned

SA M R C A N N U A L R EP O R T 2 0 2 5 / 2 0 2 6 91