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Prof Alison Elliott

Professor of Tropical Medicine

United Kingdom

Tel.
+44 207 927 2116

Alison Elliott is theme leader for Vaccines and Immunity and head of the Immunomodulation and Vaccines research programme at the MRC/Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit. She is also director of the Makerere University – UVRI Centre of Excellence for Infection and Immunity Research and Training, and Professor of Tropical Medicine at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

Affiliations

Department of Clinical Research
Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases

Centres

Malaria Centre
TB Centre
Vaccine Centre

Research

She became interested in parasitology and research in Africa as an undergraduate and this interest was encouraged further by an elective in The Gambia. After completing medical training she joined the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and, during the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, undertook studies on the interaction between tuberculosis and HIV infection in Zambia. An infectious diseases fellowship in Denver, Colorado, followed, providing an opportunity to learn about management of drug resistant tuberculosis and about laboratory immunology. This enabled her to plan and conduct subsequent clinical-immuno-epidemiological studies. Since 1997 she has been based in Uganda at the MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Unit. Current interests focus on the effects of chronic, immunomodulating infections (such as helminth infections) on immune responses to vaccines and on infectious and allergic disease incidence in children in Uganda; and on research capacity building in Africa.

Research Area
Clinical trials
Global Health
Helminths
Immunisation
Parasites
Vaccines
Vector control
Immunoepidemiology
Disease and Health Conditions
Allergy
HIV/AIDS
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)
Schistosomiasis
Tropical diseases
Tuberculosis
Infectious diseases
Vector borne diseases
Country
Uganda
Zambia
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa (developing only)

Selected Publications

High-Dose Oral and Intravenous Rifampicin for the Treatment of Tuberculous Meningitis in Predominantly Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Positive Ugandan Adults: A Phase II Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial.
CRESSWELL, FV; Meya, DB; Kagimu, E; GRINT, D; Te Brake, L; Kasibante, J; Martyn, E; Rutakingirwa, M; Quinn, CM; Okirwoth, M; Tugume, L; Ssembambulidde, K; Musubire, AK; Bangdiwala, AS; Buzibye, A; Muzoora, C; Svensson, EM; Aarnoutse, R; Boulware, DR; ELLIOTT, AM;
2021
Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
Immunological Considerations for Schistosoma Vaccine Development: Transitioning to Endemic Settings.
Driciru, E; Koopman, JP R; COSE, S; Siddiqui, AA; Yazdanbakhsh, M; ELLIOTT, AM; Roestenberg, M;
2021
Frontiers in immunology
Malaria is a cause of iron deficiency in African children.
Muriuki, JM; Mentzer, AJ; Mitchell, R; WEBB, EL; Etyang, AO; Kyobutungi, C; Morovat, A; Kimita, W; Ndungu, FM; Macharia, AW; Ngetsa, CJ; Makale, J; Lule, SA; Musani, SK; Raffield, LM; Cutland, CL; Sirima, SB; Diarra, A; Tiono, AB; Fried, M; Gwamaka, M; Adu-Afarwuah, S; Wirth, JP; Wegmüller, R; Madhi, SA; ... Atkinson, SH.
2021
Nature medicine
BCG-induced non-specific effects on heterologous infectious disease in Ugandan neonates: an investigator-blind randomised controlled trial.
PRENTICE, S; Nassanga, B; WEBB, EL; Akello, F; Kiwudhu, F; Akurut, H; ELLIOTT, AM; Arts, RJ W; Netea, MG; DOCKRELL, HM; COSE, S; Delayed BCG Study Team,;
2021
The Lancet. Infectious diseases
Population differences in vaccine responses (POPVAC): scientific rationale and cross-cutting analyses for three linked, randomised controlled trials assessing the role, reversibility and mediators of immunomodulation by chronic infections in the tropics.
NKURUNUNGI, G; ZIRIMENYA, L; NATUKUNDA, A; Nassuuna, J; Oduru, G; Ninsiima, C; Zziwa, C; Akello, F; Kizindo, R; Akello, M; KALEEBU, P; WAJJA, A; Luzze, H; COSE, S; WEBB, E; ELLIOTT, AM; POPVAC trial team,;
2021
BMJ open
Cross-reactive carbohydrate determinant-specific IgE obscures true atopy and exhibits ⍺-1,3-fucose epitope-specific inverse associations with asthma.
NKURUNUNGI, G; MPAIRWE, H; Versteeg, SA; Van Diepen, A; Nassuuna, J; Kabagenyi, J; Nambuya, I; Sanya, RE; Nampijja, M; Serna, S; Reichardt, N-C; Hokke, CH; WEBB, EL; Van Ree, R; Yazdanbakhsh, M; ELLIOTT, AM;
2020
ALLERGY
Maternal Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Does Not Affect the Infant Immune Response Following BCG at Birth: An Observational Longitudinal Study in Uganda.
Lubyayi, L; Mawa, PA; Nabakooza, G; Nakibuule, M; Tushabe, JV; Serubanja, J; Aibo, D; Akurut, H; Tumusiime, J; Hasso-Agopsowicz, M; KALEEBU, P; Levin, J; DOCKRELL, HM; Smith, S; WEBB, EL; ELLIOTT, AM; COSE, S;
2020
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
Assessing COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in Uganda: a case study of uptake and associated factors among health care workers and older people
BAHEMUKA, UM; Abaasa, A; Asaba, R; Ssemwanga, E; Muwanga, M; Nsereko, C; Nsubuga, D; Sande, S; Wajja, A; SEELEY, J; ELLIOTT, A; Ruzagira, E;
2024
Open Research Africa
NIHR Global Health Research Group on Vaccines for vulnerable people in Africa (VAnguard): Concept and Launch event report
ZIRIMENYA, L; Zalwango, F; Owino, EA; Karanja, HK; Natukunda, A; NKURUNUNGI, G; Bukirwa, V; Kiwanuka, A; Chibita, M; Mogire, R; Chi, P; Webb, E; Kaleebu, P; ELLIOTT, AM;
2024
NIHR Open Research
Data supporting: "The effect of BCG revaccination on the response to unrelated vaccines in urban Ugandan adolescents: results of the POPVAC C randomised, controlled trial"
Nassuuna, J; ZIRIMENYA, L; NKURUNUNGI, G; Natukunda, A; WEBB, E; ELLIOTT, AM;
2024
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
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