PUBLICATIONS

For access to TB-LOG publications and manuscripts, please contact:

Peer-reviewed Publications Supporting the Scientific Foundation of TB-LOG

This section is updated as new peer-reviewed publications become available. 

 

1. Optimising tongue-swab Ultra testing as a diagnostic system

Published July 2026. The Lancet Microbe. DOI: 10.1016/S2666-5247(26)00153-9. Article

2. Laboratory Results as Operationally Constructed Outputs. 

Published online July 2026. Clinical Microbiology and Infection. DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2026.07.003. Article

3. Strengthening the Operational Quality of TB Laboratories to Support Accurate Diagnosis and Safe Clinical Trials.

Published July 2026. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.26.0087. Article

4. Operational Considerations for Implementing Culture-Free Mycobacterial Sequencing in Routine Laboratory Settings.

Published June 2026. Journal of Clinical Microbiology. DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00509-26. Article

 

Additional Scientific Publications:

  1. Kassaza K, Wasswa FB, Nielsen K, Bazira J. Ex Vivo Cytokine Profiling of Cryptococcus neoformans Strains Suggests Strain-Specific Immune Modulation: A Cross-Sectional Study. Cureus. 2025 Jul 7;17(7):e87404.
  2. Nuwamanya Newton, Kennedy Kassaza, Robert Ruhangariyo, et al. Profile of Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria isolated from Hospital Wastewaters of Soroti Regional Referral Hospital in Soroti city, Uganda. Authorea. March 18, 2025.
  3. Wasswa FB, Kassaza K, Nielsen K, Bazira J. An Optimized In-House Protocol for Cryptococcus neoformans DNA Extraction from Whole Blood: «Comparison of Lysis Buffer and Ox-Bile Methods». J Fungi (Basel). 2025 Jun 4;11(6):430.
  4. Kasadha R, Atwine R, Kassaza K, Nabaasa S, Amadile L, Tibenderana L, Ninsiima LJ, Wasswa H, Mwangi FG, Ssedyabane F. Diagnostic Utility of GeneXpert MTB/RIF Assay in EPTB Detection in Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded Tissue Biopsies in South Western Uganda. Pathology and Laboratory Medicine International. 2024;16:11-22.
  5. Jolly, Muganzi, Mwanje, Kintu, Kassaza, Kennedy, Tryphine, Nyaketcho, Lorna, Atimango, Rogers, Mwavu. (2024). Mal-AI: Advancing malaria surveillance and diagnosis through machine learning. Annals of Epidemiology. 97. 10.1016/j.annepidem.2024.07.024.
  6. Munezero, J., Kassaza, K., Bazira, J., & Kiwanuka, G. N. (2024). Bioremedial potential of bacteria isolated from soil in automobile garages and fuel stations in Mbarara City, Southwestern Uganda. Bioremediation Journal, 29(1), 71–83.
  7. Hussein, Ayan, Kassaza, Kennedy, Mwesigye, James, Nalumaga, Pauline, Mwambi, Bashir, Taseera, Kabanda, Bazira, Joel. (2024). Characterization of Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase Uropathogens Isolated from Refugees with Urinary Tract Infections in Nakivale Refugee Settlement Camp, Southwestern Uganda. International STD Research & Reviews. 13. 67-78.
  8. Njovu IK, Nalumaga PP, Ampaire L, Nuwagira E, Mwesigye J, Musinguzi B, Kassaza K, Taseera K, Kiguli Mukasa J, Bazira J, Iramiot JS, Baguma A, Bongomin F, Kwizera R, Achan B, Cox MJ, King JS, May R, Ballou ER, Itabangi H. Investigating Metabolic and Molecular Ecological Evolution of Opportunistic Pulmonary Fungal Coinfections: Protocol for a Laboratory-Based Cross-Sectional Study. JMIR Res Protoc. 2023 Aug 15;12:e48014.
  9. Tuhamize B, Asiimwe BB, Kasaza K, Sabiiti W, Holden M, Bazira J. Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenamases in Escherichia coli isolated from humans and livestock in rural south-western Uganda. PLoS One. 2023 Jul 13;18(7):e0288243.
  10. Dr Peter, Dr Moses, Dr Kenneth, Dr Kassaza, Kennedy. (2024). Pelvic Sonographic Findings, Their Relationship with Microorganisms Detected on Endocervical Swabs and Factors Associated with Sonographic PID among Women at Gynaecology Clinic of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. EAS Journal of Radiology and Imaging Technology. 6. 99-109. 10.36349/easjrit.2024.v06i06.001
  11. Kiiza Njovu, Israel & Akatuhumuriza, Mary, Brian, Mumbere, Magurusa, Rose, Matovu, Musa, Mugenyi, Jastus, Frank, Ssedyabane,  Nalumaga, Pauline, Kassaza, Kennedy, Nuwagira, Edwin, Bazira, Joel, Kiguli, James, Mwesigye, James, Iramiot, Jacob, Musinguzi, Benson, King, Jason, Ballou, Elizabeth, Lucas, Ampaire, Itabangi, Herbert. (2023). Fungal-Bacterial Di-Kingdom Microbial Communities Associated with Chronic Pulmonary Disease. 10.20944/preprints202311.1992.v1.
  12. Rojas-Ponce G, Sauvageau D, Zemp R, Barkema HW, Evoy S. Use of uncoated magnetic beads to capture Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis prior detection by mycobacteriophage D29 and Real-Time-PCR. J Microbiol Methods. 2022, 18; 197:106490.
  13. Wasswa FB, Kassaza K, Nielsen K, Bazira J. MinION Whole-Genome Sequencing in Resource-Limited Settings: Challenges and Opportunities. Curr Clin Microbiol Rep. 2022;9(4):52-59.
  14. Manirakiza, G., Kassaza, K., Taremwa, I.M. et al. Molecular identification and anti-malarial drug resistance profile of Plasmodium falciparum from patients attending Kisoro Hospital, southwestern Uganda. Malar J 21, 21 (2022).
  15. Micheni LN, Kassaza K, Kinyi H, Ntulume I, Bazira J. Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis multiple strains in sputum samples from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in south western Uganda using MIRU-VNTR. Sci Rep. 2022 Jan 31;12(1):1656.
  16. Kassaza K, Wasswa F, Nielsen K, Bazira J. Cryptococcus neoformans Genotypic Diversity and Disease Outcome among HIV Patients in Africa. J Fungi (Basel). 2022 Jul 15;8(7):734.
  17. Kassaza, K., Long, A.C., McDaniels, J.M. et al. Surveillance of  Plasmodium falciparum pfcrt  haplotypes in southwestern Uganda by high‐resolution melt analysis. Malar J 20, 114 (2021).
  18. Micheni, L. N., Kassaza, K., Kinyi, H., Ntulume, I., & Bazira, J. (2021). Rifampicin and isoniazid drug resistance among patients diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis in southwestern Uganda. PLOS ONE, 16(10), e0259221.
  19. Micheni LN, Kassaza K, Kinyi H, Ntulume I, Bazira J. Diversity of  Mycobacterium tuberculosis  Complex Lineages Associated with Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Southwestern, Uganda. Tuberc Res Treat. 2021 Jun 25;2021:5588339.
  20. Njovu IK, Musinguzi B, Mwesigye J, Kassaza K, Turigurwa J, Nuwagira E, Bazira J, Kabanda T, Mpeirwe M, Ampaire L, Mutekanga A, Kiguli J, Achan B, Itabangi H. Status of pulmonary fungal pathogens among individuals with clinical features of pulmonary tuberculosis at Mbarara University Teaching Hospital in Southwestern Uganda. Ther Adv Infect Dis. 2021 Aug 31;8:20499361211042477.
  21. Sattar A, Zakaria Z, Abu J, Aziz SA, Rojas-Ponce G. Isolation of Mycobacterium avium and other nontuberculous mycobacteria in chickens and captive birds in peninsular Malaysia. BMC Vet Res 2021; 17:13.
  22. Turugurwa, Joseph; Mwesigye, James; Kassaza, Kennedy; Byarugaba, Fredrick & Taseera, Kabanda; Musinguzi, Benson. (2019). Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns and Molecular Characterization of Klebsiella pneumoniae in Clinical Isolates at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. Advances in Infectious Diseases. 09. 197-225. 10.4236/aid.2019.93015.
  23. Sattar A, Zakaria Z, Abu J, Aziz SA, Rojas-Ponce G. Evaluation of six decontamination procedures for isolation of Mycobacterium avium complex from avian feces. PLoS ONE. 2018; 13(8): e0202034.
  24. Rachow A, Saathoff E, Mtafya B, Mapamba D, Manguc Ch, Rojas-Ponce G, Ntinginya NE, Boeree M, Heinrich N, Gillespie SH, Hoelscher M on behalf of thePanACEA-Consortium. The impact of repeated NALC/NaOH- decontamination on the performance of Xpert MTB/RIF assay. Tuberculosis. 2018; 110: 56-58.
  25. Orikiriza P, Nyehangane D, Atwine D, Kisakye JJ, Kassaza K, Amumpaire JM, Boum Y 2nd. Evaluation of the SD Bioline TB Ag MPT64 test for identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis  complex from liquid cultures in Southwestern Uganda. Afr J Lab Med. 2017 Mar 31;6(2):383.
  26. Kassaza K, Operario DJ, Nyehangane D, Coffey KC, Namugosa M, Turkheimer L, Ojuka P, Orikiriza P, Mwanga-Amumpaire J, Byarugaba F, Bazira J, Guler JL, Moore CC, Boum Y 2nd. Detection of Plasmodium Species by High-Resolution Melt Analysis of DNA from Blood Smears Acquired in Southwestern Uganda. J Clin Microbiol. 2017 Dec 26;56(1):e01060-17.
  27. Demers AM, Venter A, Friedrich SO, Rojas-Ponce G, Mapamba D, Jugheli L, Sasamalo M, Almeida D, Dorasamy A, Jentsch U, Gibson M, Everitt D, Eisenach KD, Diaconc AH. Direct Susceptibility Testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis for Pyrazinamide by Use of the Bactec MGIT 960 System.  J Clin Microbiol. 2016; 54: 1276-1281.
  28. Kroidl I, Clowes P, Reither K, Mtafya B, Rojas-Ponce G, Ntinginya EN, Kalomo M, Minja LT, Kowuor D, Saathoff E, Kroidl A, Heinrich N, Maboko L, Bates M, O’Grady J, Zumla A, Hoelscher M, Rachow A. Performance of urine lipoarabinomannan assays for paediatric tuberculosis in Tanzania.  ERJ June 25, 2015. ERJ-00033-2015.
  29. Honeyborne I, Mtafya B, Phillips PPJ, Hoelscher M, Ntinginya EN, Kohlenberg A, Rachow A, Rojas-Ponce G, McHugh TD, Heinrich N. The Molecular Bacterial Load Assay replaces solid culture for measuring early bactericidal response to anti-tuberculosis treatment. Published ahead of print 28 May 2014, doi: 10.1128/JCM.01128-14.
  30. Kassaza K, Orikiriza P, Llosa A, Bazira J, Nyehangane D, Page AL, Boum Y 2nd. Lowenstein-Jensen selective medium for reducing contamination in Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture. J Clin Microbiol. 2014 Jul;52(7):2671-3.
  31. Rojas-Ponce G, Rachow A, Guerra H, Mapamba D, Joseph J, Mlundi R, Marimoto S, Elias Ntinginya N, Mangu Ch, Framhein A, Butler A, Kohlenberg A, Ngatemelela D, Froeschl G, Maboko L, Hoelscher M, Heinrich N. on behalf of the PanACEA consortium. A continuously monitored colorimetric method for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in sputum. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2013; 17: 1607 – 1612.
  32. Boum II Y, Orikiriza P, Rojas-Ponce G, Riera-Montes G, Atwine D, Nansumba M, Bazira J, Tuyakira E, De Beaudrap P, Bonnet M, Page AL. Use of colorimetric culture methods for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex from sputum samples in resource-limited settings. J Clin Microbiol. 2013; 51: 2273 – 2279.
  33. Ntinginya EN, Squire SB, Millington KA, Mtafya B, Saathoff E, Heinrich N, Rojas-Ponce G, Kowuor D, Maboko L, Reither K, Clowes P, Hoelscher M, Rachow A. Performance of the Xpert® MTB/RIF assay in an active case-finding strategy: a pilot study from Tanzania. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2012; 16:1468–1470.
  34. Rachow A, Clowes P, Saathoff E, Mtafya B, Michael E, Ntinginya EN, Kowour D, Rojas-Ponce G, Kroidl A, Maboko L, Heinrich N, Reither K, Hoelscher M.  Increased and expedited case detection by Xpert MTB/RIF assay in childhood tuberculosis: a prospective cohort study.  Clin Infect Dis. 2012; 54:1388-96.
  35. Rachow A, Zumla A, Heinrich N, Rojas-Ponce G, Mtafya B, Reither K, Ntinginya EN, O’Grady J, Huggett J, Dheda K, Boehme C, Perkins M, Saathoff E, Hoelscher M.  Rapid and accurate detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum samples by Cepheid Xpert MTB/RIF assay–a clinical validation study.  PLoS One. 2011; 6:e20458.
  36. Ganoza C, Ricaldi JN, Chauca J, Rojas G, Munayco C, Agapito J, Palomino JC, Guerra H. Novel hypertonic saline–sodium hydroxide (HS–SH) method for decontamination and concentration of sputum samples for Mycobacterium tuberculosis microscopy and culture. J Med Microbiol 2008, 57, 1094–1098.