Bagamoyo

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of new treatment combinations compared to the standard regimen for adults newly diagnosed with drug-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis. This phase 2B/C open-label trial involves multiple stages and experimental treatment arms, including drugs like rifampicin, pyrazinamide, moxifloxacin, BTZ-043, alpibectir, ganfeborole, delpazolid, and others. The study aims to find optimized doses and new drug combinations that could improve treatment outcomes in this population. Participants will be randomly assigned to different treatment groups across three stages. Stage 1 compares the control regimen with two experimental rifampicin-containing regimens. Stage 2 adds a new experimental arm with BTZ-043, adjusting participant allocation ratios accordingly. Stage 3 begins after stages 1 and 2 complete recruitment and compares the control arm with two more experimental arms, including one containing alpibectir and ethionamide. Dosages and drug combinations vary by arm, with regimens administered mostly once daily by mouth. During the study, participants will be monitored up to 26 weeks to assess how quickly their tuberculosis cultures convert to negative and to measure changes in the amount of tuberculosis bacteria. Evaluations include clinical exams, chest X-rays, sputum tests, and safety monitoring. The total number of participants planned is up to 390 adults aged 18 to 65. The study includes thorough follow-up to understand treatment effects and safety in this group.

Researchers are investigating chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its related cardiovascular and non-classic risk factors in a semi-rural area of Sub-Saharan Africa. CKD is linked to higher risks of heart disease and death, and its rates are rising globally, including in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study aims to fill gaps in knowledge by collecting accurate and repeated measurements of kidney function and protein loss, as well as assessing traditional and emerging risk factors like infections, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle. A group of 1200 adults from a transitioning rural-urban society will be studied to provide guideline-based prevalence and incidence data and develop predictive models for CKD. The study is a prospective cohort enrolling adults aged 18 to 99 years who attend primary care facilities in the Bagamoyo district of Tanzania. Participants will have three visits: at baseline, a confirmation visit at least 90 days later, and a follow-up after one year. At each visit, comprehensive clinical, biological, lifestyle, and socioeconomic information will be collected. This includes medical history, symptoms, physical measurements, blood pressure, blood and urine tests, kidney ultrasound, and activity monitoring using step counters. Questionnaires are adapted to the local language and culture to capture lifestyle and infection history, while data are electronically recorded. During the study, participants undergo detailed assessments including kidney function tests, blood sugar, inflammation markers, lipid panels, and urine analysis. Researchers will track CKD stages, cardiovascular risk factors, infections, and social factors over 18 months. The study will use statistical models to analyze disease patterns and risk interactions over time, aiming to create tools for predicting CKD risk in this population. The total study duration per participant is about one year with follow-up evaluations to monitor kidney health and associated risks.