Publications 2007

Books / Chapters in Books (Total: 1)

  • Mizrahi V. 2007. Mobilising the best brains to deal with poverty and health in Africa: Challenges and opportunities in the world of science. In: Biotechnology and Health: South Africa’s aspirations in health-related biotechnology (J. Chataway & W. James, eds.), Van Schaik Publishers, Pretoria, South Africa, ch. 8, pp. 42-44.

Articles in Peer-Reviewed Journals (Total: 31)

  • Machowski EE, Barichievy S, Böttger EC, Durbach SI, Mizrahi V. (2007) In vitro analysis of rates and spectra of mutations in a polymorphic region of the Rv1046 PE_PGRS gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J. Bacteriol. 189:2190-2195. (IF=3.993)
  • Warner DF, Savvi S, Mizrahi V, Dawes SS. (2007) A riboswitch regulates expression of the coenzyme B12-dependent methionine synthase in Mycobacterium tuberculosis: implications for differential methionine synthase function in strains H37Rv and CDC1551. J. Bacteriol. 189:3655-3659. (IF=3.993)
  • Kana BD, Gordhan BG, Downing KJ, Sung N, Vostroktunova G, Machowski EE, Tsenova L, Young, M, Kapreylants A, Kaplan G, Mizrahi V. (2007) The resuscitation-promoting factors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are required for virulence and resuscitation from dormancy but are collectively dispensable for growth in vitro. Mol. Microbiol. Dec 21 [Epub ahead of print] doi:10.1111/j.1365-2958.2007.06078.x (IF=5.634)
  • Biketov S, Potapov V, Kombarova T, Downing KJ, Kana BD, Kaprelyants AS. (2007) The role of resuscitation-promoting factors in resuscitation and reactivation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis during intraperitoneal infection in mice. BMC Infect Dis. 7:146. (IF=1.898)
  • Warner DF, Mizrahi V. (2007) The survival kit of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Nat. Med. 13:282-284. (IF=28.588)
  • Victor TC, Streicher EM, Kewley C, Jordaan AM, van der Spuy GD,  Bosman M, Louw H, Murray M, Young D, van Helden PD, Warren RM (2007) Spread of an emerging Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug-resistant strain in the Western Cape of South Africa. Int. J. Tub. Lung Dis. 11:195-201. (IF=2.035)
  • Maree F, Hesseling AC, Schaaf HS, Marais BJ, Beyers N, van Helden P, Warren RN, Schoeman JF. (2007) Absence of an association between Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotype and clinical features in children with tuberculous meningitis. Pediatr. Infect. Dis. 26:8-13. (IF=3.215)
  • Möller M, Nebel A, Kwiatkowski R, van Helden PD, Hoal EG, Schreiber S. (2007) Host susceptibility to tuberculosis: CARD15 polymorphisms in a South African population. Mol. Cell Probes. 21:148-151. (IF=2.016)
  • Mistry R, Cliff JM, Clayton CL, Beyers N, Mohammed YS, Wilson PA, Dockrell HM, Wallace DM, van Helden PD, Duncan K, Lukey PT. (2007) Gene-Expression Patterns in Whole Blood Identify Subjects at Risk for Recurrent Tuberculosis. J. Infect. Dis. 195:357-365. (IF=5.363)
  • Streicher EM, Victor TC, van der Spuy G, Sola C, Rastogi N, van Helden PD, Warren RM. (2007) Spoligotype Signatures in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex.  J. Clin. Microbiol. 45:237-240. (IF=3.445)
  • Babb C, Hanekom-Keet EH, van Helden PD, Hoal EG (2007) SP110 polymorphisms are not associated with pulmonary tuberculosis in a South African population.  Hum. Genet. 8 121:521-522. (IF=3.662)
  • Schaaf HS, Victor TC, Engelke E, Brittle W, Marais BJ, Hesseling AC, van Helden PD, Donald PR. (2007) Minimal inhibitory concentration of isoniazid in isoniazid-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from children.  Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 26:203-205. (IF=2.33)
  • Babb C, van der Merwe L, Beyers N, Pheiffer C, Walzl G, Duncan K, van Helden P and Hoal EG.  (2007) Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and sputum conversion time in pulmonary tuberculosis patients.  Tuberculosis (Edinb). 87:295-302. (IF=3.425)
  • Barreiro LB, Neyrolles O, Babb C, van Helden PD, Giquel B, Hoal E, Quintana-Murci L. (2007) Length variation of DC-SIGN and L-SIGN neck -region has no impact on tuberculosis susceptibility. Human Immunology 68:106-112. (IF=2.605)
  • Roberts T, Beyers N, Aguirre A, Walzl G. (2007)  Immunosuppression during active tuberculosis is characterized by decreased interferon – gamma Production and CD25 Expression with elevated forkhead Box P3, Transforming Growth Factor – and interleukin-mRNA levels.  J Infect Dis. 195:870-878. (IF=5.363)
  • Möller M, Kwiatkowski R, Nebel A, van Helden PD, Hoal EG, Schreiber S. (2007) Allelic variation in BTNL2 and susceptibility to tuberculosis in a South African population.  Microbes Infect. 9:522-528. (IF=3.127)
  • Diacon AH, Patientia RF, Venter A, van Helden PD, Smith PJ, McIlleron H, Maritz JS, Donald PR. (2007) Early bactericidal activity of high-dose rifampin in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis evidenced by positive sputum smears. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 51:2994-2996. (IF=4.153)
  • Donald PR, Parkin DP, Seifart HI, Schaaf HS, van Helden PD, Werely CJ, Sirgel FA, Venter A, Maritz JS. (2007) The influence of dose and N-acetyltransferase-2 (NAT2) genotype and phenotype on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of isoniazid. Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 63:633-639. (IF=2.029)
  • Hanekom M, van der Spuy GD, van Pittius NC, McEvoy CR, Ndabambi SL, Victor TC, Hoal EG, van Helden PD, Warren RM. (2007) Evidence that the Spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains with the Beijing Genotype Is Human Population Dependent. J. Clin. Microbiol. 45:2263-2266. (IF=3.445)
  • Hanekom M, van der Spuy GD, Streicher E, Ndabambi SL, McEvoy CR, Kidd M, Beyers N, Victor TC, van Helden PD, Warren RM. (2007) A recently evolved sublineage of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing strain family is associated with an increased ability to spread and cause disease. J. Clin. Microbiol. 45:1483-1490. (IF=3.445)
  • Chihota V, Apers L, Mungofa S, Kasongo W, Nyoni IM, Tembwe R, Mbulo G, Tembo M, Streicher EM, van der Spuy GD, Victor TC, van Helden P, Warren RM. (2007) Predominance of a single genotype of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in regions of Southern Africa. Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. 11:311-318. (IF=2.035)
  • Veenstra H, Crous I, Brahmbhatt S, Lukey P, Beyers N, van Helden PD, Walzl G. (2007) Changes in the kinetics of intracellular IFN-gamma production in TB patients during treatment. Clin. Immunol. 124:336-344. (IF=3.606)
  • Djoba Siawaya JF, Ruhwald M, Eugen-Olsen J, Walzl G. (2007) Correlates for disease progression and prognosis during concurrent HIV/TB infection. Int. J. Infect. Dis. 11:289-299. (IF=2.062)
  • Werely CJ, Donald PR, van Helden PD. (2007) NAT2 polymorphisms and their influence on the pharmacology and toxicity of isoniazid in TB patients. Personalized Medicine 4:123-131. (IF not available)
  • McEvoy CR, Falmer AA, van Pittius NC, Victor TC, van Helden PD, Warren RM. (2007) The role of IS6110 in the evolution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis (Edinb). 87:393-404. (IF=3.425)
  • Michel AL, de Klerk LM, van Pittius NC, Warren RM, van Helden PD: (2007) Bovine tuberculosis in African buffaloes: Observations regarding Mycobacterium bovis shedding into water and exposure to environmental mycobacteria. BMC Vet. Res. 3:23. (IF not available)
  • Uys PW, Warren RM, van Helden PD. (2007) A Threshold Value for the Time Delay to TB Diagnosis. PLoS ONE Aug 22 2(1):e757. (IF not available)
  • Bourn W, Meyer Y, Stutz H, Warren RM, Williamson A, van Helden PD. (2007) Creation and characterisation of a high-copy-number version of the pAL5000 mycobacterial replicon. Tuberculosis (Edinb). 87:481-488. (IF=3.425)
  • Abdallah AM, Gey van Pittius NC, Champion PAD, Cox J, Luirink J, Vandenbroucke-Grauls CMJE, Appelmerk BJ, Bitter W. (2007) Type VII Secretion – Mycobacterium shows the way. Nat. Rev. Microbiol.  5:883-891. (IF=15.845)
  • Mitchison DA, Jindani A, Davies GR, Sirgel F (2007) Isoniazid activity is terminated by bacterial persistence. J. Infect. Dis. 195:1872-1872. (IF=5.363)
  • Todorov SD, Brink M, Guigas C, Schillinger U, Wiid I, Wachsman M, Holzapfel W, Dicks L (2007) Boza, a natural source of probiotic lactic acid bacteria. J. Appl. Microbiol. Aug 1 [Epub ahead of print] (IF=2.206)

Non Peer-Reviewed Articles (Total: 2)

  • Walzl G, Mistry R, Dockrell HM, van Helden PD, Cliff JM. 2007. Letter to the Editor. J. Infect. Dis. 196, 649-650. (Reply to Davies et. al. 2007, Biomarkers and surrogate end points in clinical trials of tuberculosis treatment. J Infec Dis. 196:649–650.) (IF=5.363)
  • Hanekom M, van der Spuy GD, van Pittius NC, McEvoy CR, Ndabambi SL, Victor TC, Hoal EG, van Helden PD, Warren RM. (2007) Letter to the Editor. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 45: 4092-4093 (Reply to Mokrouso I. and Narvskaya O. Designationof major mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit types within Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing genotype, an important point. Letter to the Editor. J. Clin. Microbiol. 45: 4092-4093.)(IF=3.445)

Published Abstracts (Total: 19)

  • Babb C, Nel H, van Helden PD, Hoal EG.  (2007) Rantes-403A promoter polymorphism is associated with TB in a South African coloured population. Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. 11:S75.
  • Diacon AH, Kawasaki M, Venter A, van Helden PD, Donald PR, Matsumoto M. (2007) Ex-vivo activity of anti-tuberculosis agents in sputum from patients with untreated smear-positive. Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. 11:S62.
  • Diacon AH, Patientia RF, Mclleron H, Smith P, Venter A, Maritz S, van Helden PD, Donald PR.  (2007) Early bactericidal activity and bioavailability of high dosage rifampicin in smear-positive pulmonary TB.  Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. 11:S162.
  • Gey van Pittius NC, Warren RM, van Helden PD. (2007) Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) isolated from a low HIV community with a high incidence of tuberculosis. Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. 11:S166.
  • Kruger C, Pheiffer C, Beyers N, Godfrey-Faussett P, Ayles H, van Helden PD, Lawrence K, Botha T. (2007) Non-tuberculous mycobacteria recovered during a prevalence survey in areas with high TB prevalence in RSA. Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. 11:S69.
  • Uys PW, Warren RM, van Helden PD.  (2007) A threshold value for the time delay to TB diagnosis. Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. 11:S109.
  • Victor T, Calver A, Falmer A, Strauss O, Streicher E, Louw G, Johnson R, Trollip A, Jordaan A, van Helden PD, Warren R. (2007) Molecular epidemiology of drug-resistant tuberculosis in areas of high HIV prevalence. Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. 11:S48.
  • Hanekom M, McEvoy CRE, Gey van Pittius NC, van der Spuy GD, Ndabambi SL, Victor TC, van Helden PD, Warren RM. (2007) Population structure M. tuberculosis in different settings defines the usefulness of MIRU-VNTR typing. Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. 11:S114.
  • Hanekom M, van der Spuy GD, Streicher E, Gey van Pittius NC, Ndabambi SL, McEvoy CRE, Kidd M, Hoal EG, Beyers N, Victor TC, van Helden PD. (2007) Beijing strains: increased pathogenecity in different hosts and different geographical settings. Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. 11(11) S115.
  • C Johnson R, Warren R, Falmer A, Murray M, van Helden PD, Victor T.  (2007) Certain clusters within the M.tuberculosis Beijing lineage spread more readily. Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. 11:S120
  • Louw GE, Warren RM, van Helden PD, Victor TC. (2007) Efflux pump inhibitors modulate rifampicin resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. 11:S120.
  • Möller M, Kwiatkowski R, Nebel A, van Helden PD, Hoal EG, Schreiber S. (2007) Human genetic susceptibility to TB: the investigation of candidate genes influencing intereron gamma levels. Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. 11: S74.
  • Mardarowicz IH, Wiid I, Pheiffer C, Warren R, van Helden PD. (2007) The Prevalence of airborne Mycobacterium tuberculosis in health care settings in a high incidence area. Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis.  11:S129.
  • Strauss OJ, Warren RM, Jordaan A, Streicher EM, Hanekom M, Falmer AA, Albert H, Trollip A, Hoosain E, van Helden PD. (2007) Spread of atypical MDR Beijing strains among re-treatment tuberculosis cases In Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. 11:S121.
  • Streicher EM, Gey van Pittius NC, van der Spuy G, Dale JW, Beyers N, van Helden PD, Victor TC, Warren RM.  Towards the understanding the evolution of principle genetic group 2 strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.(2007) Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. 11:S122.
  • Chaoui I, Sabouni R, Jordaan A, Kourout M, Akrim M, Elmzibri M, Victor TC. (2007) Mutations responsible for Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug resistance in Morocco.  Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. 11:S265.
  • Mardarowicz IH, Wiid I, Pheiffer C, Warren R, van Helden PD, Diacon A, Botha T, Trao VT.  (2007) The prevalence of airborne Mycobacterium tuberculosis in health care settings in a high incidence area.  Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. 11:S129.
  • Donald P, Cilliers K, Willemse M, Lebadarios D, Schaaf H, Maritz J, Werely C. (2007) Pyridoxine serum concentrations in children hospitalised with tuberculosis.  Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. 11:S225.
  • Hesseling AC, Mandalakas AM, Chegou N, Kirchner HL, Zhu X, Black G, Stanley K, Beyers N, Marais BJ, Walzl G.  (2007) The impact of M.tuberculosis exposure, age and HIV infection on T-Cell assays to detect M. tuberculosis infection. Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. 11:S225.

Technical Reports (Total: 1)

  • IAEA Progress report on drug resistance project for South Africa (SAF6008).

Products / Artifacts / Patents

Patents

  • A South African patent (PA137469/P2) with the title “Bacterial secretion system and uses therefor” has been filed on the 05th of June 2007, under the name of Nicolaas Claudius Gey van Pittius, Robin Mark Warren and Paul David van Helden.
  • A South African Provisional Patent Application (2007/06915) with the title “A mixing device” has been developed during this period and was filed on the 17 August 2007, under the name of Robin Mark Warren, Kim Gilberte Pauline Hoek, Nicolaas Claudius Gey van Pittius, Paul David van Helden and Thomas Calldo Victor
  • A South African Provisional Patent Application (PA144935/P) with the title “Method for the detection of DNA sequence polymorphisms” has been developed during this period and was filed on the 17 August 2007, under the name of Robin Mark Warren, Kim Gilberte Pauline Hoek, Nicolaas Claudius Gey van Pittius, Paul David van Helden and Thomas Calldo Victor
  • A South African Provisional Patent with the title “Method for the detection and identification of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM)” has been developed during this period.  This application still needs to be filed under the name of Nicolaas Claudius Gey van Pittius, Robin Mark Warren, Kim Gilberte Pauline Hoek and Paul David van Helden
  • A United States Provisional Patent Application with the title “DNA Array Specific for the PE and PPE gene families within Mycobacterium spp.” was filed on the 07th August 2007 under the names of Mazza, A., Brousseau, R., Mardassi, H., Gey van Pittius, N.C.

Products

  • Fluorescent microscope power supply: We have developed a prototype of a power independent fluorescence microscope. This microscope can be used in all settings for the diagnosis of TB through O-Auramine staining. The microscope has the following features: LED fluorescence, Hand generated power supply, Solar power supply, Battery power supply and Mains compatibility.We were offered a free booth at the IUATLD International Conference to display this prototype microscope in Cape Town (Nov 2007) as part of the exhibits.  Development of this item is being pursued with Innovus (SU) and the MRC Innovation Centre. A grant application to Optimus Foundation (Switzerland) and the MRC is engaged in talks with a BEE partner. We think that this item could revolutionise TB sputum smear diagnostics, particularly in the developing world.

Conferences/Meetings Attended & Invited Talks/Seminars Presented (Total: 89)

  • Mizrahi V. Session Chair and Invited Attendee, HHMI Investigators Meeting, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, 21-24 January 2007
  • Kana BD, Gordhan BG, Sung N, Downing KJ, Machowski EE, Matsoso LG, Tsenova L, Young M, Kaplan G, Mizrahi V. The Role of Resuscitation Promoting Factors in the Virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Poster presented at the Keystone Symposium on Tuberculosis: from Lab Research to Field Trials, Vancouver, Canada, 20-25 March 2007.
  • Mizrahi V. Report-back on the Workshop on Training in the TB Basic Sciences held in Cape Town in June 2006. Invited talk and Session Chair at the Columbia University-southern African Fogarty AITRP Reunion, CAPRISA, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 1-3 February, 2007
  • Kana BD. Fogarty Trainee Report-back. Invited talk Presented at the Columbia University-southern African Fogarty AITRP Reunion, CAPRISA, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 1-3 February, 2007
  • Matsoso LG. Fogarty Trainee Report-back. Invited talk Presented at the Columbia University-southern African Fogarty AITRP Reunion, CAPRISA, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 1-3 February, 2007
  • Kana BD, Gordhan BG, Sung N, Downing KJ, Machowski EE, Matsoso LG, Tsenova L, Young M, Kaplan G, Mizrahi V. The role of resuscitation promoting factors in the virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Poster presented at the Keystone Symposium on Tuberculosis: From Lab Research to Field Trials. Vancouver, Canada, 20-25 March, 2007.
  • Gordhan BG. Invited talk on research and training activities conducted as an MRC Career Development Awardee. MRC Career Development Launch, Cape Town, 23 March, 2007.
  • Kana BD. The role of resuscitation promoting factors in the virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Waking TB Up. Invited talk presented at the Department of Genetics, University of Pretoria, 12 April, 2007.
  • Kana BD, Gordhan BG, Sung N, Downing KJ, Machowski EE, Matsoso LG, Tsenova L, Young M, Kaplan G, Mizrahi V. The role of resuscitation promoting factors in the virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Invited talk presented at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Annual Meeting, Washington D.C. 28 April – 2 May.
  • Savvi S, Mizrahi V, Dawes SS. 2007. The methylmalonyl CoA pathway is central in the metabolism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Poster presented at the 2nd ASM Conference on Integrating Metabolism and Genomics (IMAGE2), Montreal, Canada, April 30 – May 3, 2007.
  • Warner DF, Savvi S, Mizrahi V, Dawes SS. 2007. A riboswitch regulated expression of the coenzyme B12-dependent methionine synthase in Mycobacterium tuberculosis: implications for differential methionine synthase function in strains H37Rv and CDC1551. Invited talk presented at the the 2nd ASM Conference on Integrating Metabolism and Genomics (IMAGE2), Montreal, Canada, April 30 – May 3, 2007.
  • Warner DF. Vitamin B12 metabolism in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Seminar presented to the Department of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, 8 May 2007.
  • Gordhan BG. Ensuring effective health and safety management in the laboratory. Invited talk presented at the 3rd Annual Laboratory Management Conference, Johannesburg, 21-22 May, 2007.
  • Kana BD. Good laboratory practice and accreditation in laboratories. Invited talk at the 3rd Annual Laboratory Management Conference, Johannesburg, 21-22 May, 2007 [Voted as best talk of the conference]
  • Gordhan BG. Panelist, Addressing Global Trends and Directions for Laboratory Management, Panel Discussion held at the 3rd Annual Laboratory Management Conference, Johannesburg, 21-22 May, 2007.
  • Kana BD. The role of resuscitation promoting factors in the virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Waking TB Up. Seminar presented to the Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, University of the Witwatersrand, 23 May, 2007
  • Kana BD, Gordhan BG, Sung N, Downing KJ, Machowski EE, Matsoso LG, Tsenova L, Young M, Kaplan G, Mizrahi V. The role of resuscitation promoting factors in the virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Seminar presented to the School of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, 24 July, 2007
  • Warner DF, Kana BD, Machowski EE, Sung N, Brackin R, Gordhan BG, Dawes SS, Stoker NG, Kaplan G, Mizrahi V. Mutational mechanisms in mycobacteria: Implications for the evolution of drug resistance. Invited talk presented at the joint X IUBMB Conference and XXXVI Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (SBBq), Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, 21-25 May 2007.
  • Mizrahi V. Key scientific issues pertaining to multi- and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis. Invited lecture, Darwin Seminar Series, Africa Genome Education Institute, University of Cape Town, 6 June 2007.
  • Warner DF. Vitamin B12 metabolism in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Seminar presented to the Department of Molecular Medicine and Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, 6 June 2007.
  • Kana BD, Gordhan BG, Downing KJ, Sung N, Vostroktunova G, Machowski EE, Shleeva MO, Young N, Kaprelyants A, Kaplan G, Mizrahi V. The role of resuscitation promoting factors in growth and resuscitation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Plenary Lecture, Festschrift in Honour of Professor Lafras M. Steyn, University of Cape Town, 28 June, 2007
  • Mizrahi V. Key scientific issues pertaining to multi- and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis. Invited lecture, Molecular Medicine and Hamatology Seminar Series, University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, 1 August, 2007
  • Kana BD. The role of resuscitation promoting factors in the virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Invited talk presented at the School of Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK, 31 August, 2007
  • Gordhan BG, Kana BD, Sung N, Downing KJ, Machowski EE, Young M, Kaplan G, Mizrahi, V.  The role of the five resuscitation-promoting factors in the growth and resuscitation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Poster talk presented at the 47th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, Chicago, USA, 17-20 September, 2007. [Winner, ICAAC Program Committee Award in the area of Pathogenesis and Microbial Diseases].
  • Kana BD, The role of resuscitation promoting factors in the virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Waking TB Up. Seminar presented at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Modderfontein, 21 September, 2007
  • Mowa MB, Kana BD, Dawes SS, Kaplan G, Mizrahi, V. The role of alternate small subunits of class I ribonucleitide reductase in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Poster presented at the BacPath9 Conference, Lorne, Victoria, Australia, 23-26 September, 2007.
  • Dawes SS. Identification of a vitamin B12 transporter of Mycobacterium smegmatis. Talk presented at the New Zealand TB Meeting, Malaghan Institute, Wellington, New Zealand, 8 October, 2007.
  • Mizrahi V. Key scientific issues pertaining to multi- and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis. Invited lecture, Human Genetics Seminar Series, National health Laboratory Service & University of the Witwatersrand, 11 October 2007.
  • Ahmadou Ahidjo B, Machowski EE, Gordhan BG, Mizrahi, V. Functional characterization of VapBC toxin-antitoxins in mycobacteria. Talk presented at the MRC Research Day, MRC, Cape Town, 18 October, 2007.
  • Goosens V, Mizrahi V, Gordhan BG. The construction and phenotypic characterization of mycobacterial mutants defective in DNA glysolyases. Poster presented at the MRC Research Day, MRC, Cape Town, 18 October, 2007.
  • Gordhan BG. Ensuring Health and Safety Standards and Management in the Laboratory. Invited talk presented at the Laboratory Management Symposium, Johannesburg, 24-25 October, 2007.
  • Mizrahi V. Survival and Subversion Strategies of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Lessons from Resuscitation and Genetic Adaptation to Stress. Inaugural Lecture, University of the Witwatersrand, 29 October, 2007
  • Babb C, van der Merwe L, Beyers N, Pheiffer C, Walzl G, Duncan K, van Helden P, Hoal E.
    Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and sputum conversion time in pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Poster presented at the Keystone Symposium on Tuberculosis: from Lab Research to Field Trials, Vancouver, Canada, 20-25 March 2007.
  • Mitchell J, Gey van Pittius N, Warren R, Gomez J, McKinney JD, van Helden P, Ryffel B, Botha T. Reinfection dynamics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a THP1 human macrophage cell line. Poster presented at the Keystone Symposium on Tuberculosis: from Lab Research to Field Trials, Vancouver, Canada, 20-25 March 2007.
  • Gey van Pittius NC, Warren RM, van Helden PD. Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) Isolated from a low HIV Community with a High Incidence of Tuberculosis. Poster presented at the Keystone Symposium on Tuberculosis: from Lab Research to Field Trials, Vancouver, Canada, 20-25 March 2007.
  • Hayward D, Kenyon C, van Helden P, Wiid I.  Unique distribution of glutamine synthetase in pathogenic mycobacteria.  Poster presented at the Keystone Symposium on Tuberculosis: from Lab Research to Field Trials, Vancouver, Canada, 20-25 March 2007.
  • Möller M, Kwiatkowski R, Nebel A, van Helden P, Hoal EG, Schreiber S.  Allelic variation in BTNL2 and susceptibility to tuberculosis in a South African population.  Poster presented at the Keystone Symposium on Tuberculosis: from Lab Research to Field Trials, Vancouver, Canada, 20-25 March 2007.
  • Streicher EM,  Gey van Pittius NC, van der Spuy GD, Beyers N, Dale JW, van Helden PD, Victor  TC, Warren RM. Poster presented at the Keystone Symposium on Tuberculosis: from Lab Research to Field Trials, Vancouver, Canada, 20-25 March 2007.
  • Hanekom M, van der Spuy GD, Streicher E, Gey van Pittius NC, Ndabambi SL, McEvoy CRE, Kidd M, Hoal EG, Beyers N, Victor TC, van Helden PD, Warren RM. Sublineages of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing strain family show increased ability to spread and cause disease in different host populations from different geographical settings.  Poster presented at the Keystone Symposium on Tuberculosis: from Lab Research to Field Trials, Vancouver, Canada, 20-25 March 2007.
  • Johnson R, Warren RW, Falmer AA, Strauss J, Cloete K, Murray M, Young D, van Helden PD, Victor TC. Cluster 220 is dominant amongst Beijing drug resistant strains in the Western Province of South Africa.  Poster presented at the Keystone Symposium on Tuberculosis: from Lab Research to Field Trials, Vancouver, Canada, 20-25 March 2007.
  • Warren RM. Lessons Learnt in Research. Invited speaker to the MRC World TB Day Programme, Cape Town, South Africa, 23 March 2007.
  • Van Helden PD. MDR and XDR TB: Invited speaker to the “Recrudescence of an old disease: Tuberculosis" Advanced training course, University of Naples, Naples, Italy, 02-05 May 2007.
  • Hoal EG. Human genetic susceptibility to tuberculosis: Invited speaker to the “Recrudescence of an old disease: Tuberculosis" Advanced training course, University of Naples, Naples, Italy, 02-05 May 2007.
  • Hoal EG, van Helden PD, Moller M. Alleleic variation in BTNL2 and susceptibility to tuberculosis in a South African population. EMBO conference on Genetics and Mechanisms of Susceptibility to Infectious diseases. Pasteur Institute, Paris, France, 21-24 November 2007.
  • Van Helden PD. The management of research institutes: Problems and challenges. Invited speaker to CREST/CHE Research Directors Forum, Somerset West, Cape Town, South Africa, 30-31 May 2007.
  • Warren RM. The epidemiology of M. tuberculosis strains with the Beijing genotype: a South African perspective Invited speaker to the TB in the 21st Century Consortium Meeting, Mexico City, Mexico, 2007.
  • Warren RM. Research at the Centre for Molecular and Cellular Biology. Invited speaker to PEPFAR –MRC, 2007.
  • Gey van Pittius NC. Comparative Genomics of M. tuberculosis Complex with a focus on variability of the PE-PPE families. Invited speaker at mini-symposium: “Role Of PE/PPE Gene In The Biology Of M. tuberculosis And Their Potential Role In Immune Evasion In Tuberculosis”, Division of International Medicine & Infectious Diseases,  Department of Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, United States of America, March 2007.
  • Gey van Pittius NC. Evolution and expansion of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis PE and PPE multigene families. Invited presentation at the MRC/NHLS/WITS Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit and DST/NRF Centre for Biomedical TB Research, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa, 25 June 2007.
  • Gey van Pittius, NC. WOTRO Project Development Workshop, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, South Africa.
  • Streicher EM, Dely C, Bester M, van Helden PD, Warren RM, Victor TC. XDR-TB in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Invited speaker to the South African Medical Research Council Research Day, Cape Town, South Africa, 18 October 2007.
  • Nene N, Gey van Pittius NC, Walzl G, Stanley K, van Helden PD, Black GF. Immunity to tuberculous and non-tuberculous mycobacteria in adult household contacts of Tb cases in the Western Cape.
  • Möller M, Kwiatkowski R, Nebel A, Van Helden PD, Hoal EG, Schreiber S. Human genetic susceptibility to tuberculosis: the investigation of candidate genes influencing interferon gamma levels. Poster presented at the 51st Academic Year Day, University of Stellenbosch, 15 August 2007.
  • van Helden PD, Gey van Pittius NC, Warren RM, Michel A, Hlokwe T, Morar D, Godfroid J, Du Plessis EC, Bengis R. Pulmonary infection due to mycobacterium goodii in a spotted hyaena (crocuta crocuta) from South Africa. Poster presented at the 51st Academic Year Day, University of Stellenbosch, 15 August 2007.
  • Calver A, Falmer AA, Warren RM, Strauss OJ, Liversage T, Masibi MH, Victor TC, van Helden PD. Emergence of extensively drug resistant (XDR) tuberculosis in a well functioning control program. Poster presented at the 51st Academic Year Day, University of Stellenbosch, 15 August 2007.
  • Parsons SDC, Gous TA, Streicher EM, Gey van Pittius NC, Warren RM, van Helden PD. Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in a stray dog. Poster presented at the 51st Academic Year Day, University of Stellenbosch, 15 August 2007.
  • Louw GE, Warren RM, van Helden PD, Victor TC. Efflux pump inhibitors modulate rifampicin resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Poster presented at the 51st Academic Year Day, University of Stellenbosch, 15 August 2007.
  • Truter E, Babb C, Nel H, van Helden PD, Hoal EG. Genetic susceptibility to tuberculosis: a candidate gene association study on rantes (CCL5). Poster presented at the 51st Academic Year Day, University of Stellenbosch, 15 August 2007.
  • Hoek KGP, Warren RM, Walzl G, Bezuidenhout J, Aguilar LD, Orozco EH, Hernández Pando R, van Helden PD. In situ hybridisation vs in situ PCR in the study of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Poster presented at the 51st Academic Year Day, University of Stellenbosch, 15 August 2007.
  • Johnson R, Warren R, Falmer A, Murray M, van Helden PD, Victor T. A sub lineage of the drug resistant beijing strain has a higher propensity to transmit and cause drug-resistant Tb. Poster presented at the 51st Academic Year Day, University of Stellenbosch, 15 August 2007.
  • Hanekom M, van der Spuy GD, Streicher E, Gey van Pittius NC, Ndabambi SL, Mcevoy CRE, Kidd M, Hoal EG, Beyers N, Victor TC, van Helden PD, Warren RM. Sublineages of the mycobacterium tuberculosis beijing strain family show increased ability to spread and cause disease in different host populations from different geographical settings. Poster presented at the 51st Academic Year Day, University of Stellenbosch, 15 August 2007.
  • Babb C, Van Der Merwe L, Beyers N, Pheiffer C, Walzl G, Duncan K, van Helden PD, Hoal EG. Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and sputum conversion time in pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Poster presented at the 51st Academic Year Day, University of Stellenbosch, 15 August 2007.
  • Hayward D, Kenyon C, van Helden PD, Wiid I. Mycobacterium tuberculosis glutamine synthetase modification and export . Poster presented at the 51st Academic Year Day, University of Stellenbosch, 15 August 2007.
  • Robinson ZL, van Helden PD, Gey van Pittius NC. Antigenicity of M. smegmatis esat-6. Poster presented at the 51st Academic Year Day, University of Stellenbosch, 15 August 2007.
  • Kruger C, Botha T, Beyers N, Van Helden P, Ayles H, Godfrey-Faussett P, Pheiffer C. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria recovered during a prevalence survey in areas with a high Tb prevalence in South Africa. Poster presented at the 51st Academic Year Day, University of Stellenbosch, 15 August 2007.
  • McEvoy CRE, Gey van Pittius NC, van Helden PD, Warren RM. A method for the enrichment of m. tuberculosis genomic fragments containing 5-methylcytosine. Poster presented at the 51st Academic Year Day, University of Stellenbosch, 15 August 2007.
  • Mitchell J, Gey van Pittius NC, Warren R, van Helden PD, Botha T. Reinfection dynamics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a THP1 human macrophage cell line.  Poster presented at the 51st Academic Year Day, University of Stellenbosch, 15 August 2007.
  • Hayward D, Wiid I, van Helden PD, Kenyon C. Mycobacterium tuberculosis glutamine synthetase modification and export. Poster presented at the 38th Union World Conference on Lung Health, Cape Town, South Africa. 8-12 November 2007.
  • Hanekom M, McEvoy C.R.E., Gey van Pittius N.C., van der Spuy G.D., Ndabambi S.L., Victor T.C, van Helden P.D., Warren R.MStructure of M. tuberculosis in different settings defines the usefulness of MIRU-VNTR typing. Poster presented at the 38th Union World Conference on Lung Health, Cape Town, South Africa, 8-12 November 2007.
  • Hanekom M, van der Spuy GD, Streicher E, Gey van Pittius NC, Ndabambi SL, McEvoy CRE, Kidd M, Hoal EG, Beyers N, Victor TC, van Helden PD, Warren RM. Beijing Strains: increased pathogenicity in different hosts and different geographical settings. Poster presented at the 38th Union World Conference on Lung Health, Cape Town, South Africa. 8-12 November 2007.
  • Strauss OJ, Warren RM, Jordaan A, Streicher EM, Hanekom M, Falmer AA, Albert H, Trollip A, Hoosain E, van Helden PD, Victor TC. Spread of atypical MDR Beijing strains among retreatment tuberculosis cases in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Poster presented at the 38th Union World Conference on Lung Health, Cape Town, South Africa, 8-12 November 2007.
  • Uys P. Delays in diagnosing TB: Causes and consequences. Talk presented at the 38th Union World Conference on Lung Health. Cape Town, South Africa, 8-12 November 2007.
  • Hesseling AC, Mandalakas AM, Marais BJ, Chegou NN, Les Kirchner H, Zhu X, Black GF, Stanley K, Beyers N, Walzl G. ESAT-6: A highly sensitive marker of recent mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Invited speaker to the 38th Union World Conference on Lung Health, Cape Town, South Africa, 8-12 November 2007.
  • Victor TC, Calver A, Falmer A, Strauss O, Streicher E, Louw G, Johnson R, Trollip A, Jordaan A, van Helden PD, Warren R. Molecular epidemiology of Drug resistant tuberculosis in areas of high HIV prevalence. Invited speaker to the 38th Union World Conference on Lung Health, Cape Town, South Africa, 8-12 November 2007.
  • Streicher EM, Gey van Pittius NC, van der Spuy G, Dale JW, Beyers N, van Helden PD, Victor TC, Warren RM. Towards the understanding the evolution of principle genetic group 2 strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.  Poster presented at the 38th Union World Conference on Lung Health, Cape Town, South Africa, 8-12 November 2007.
  • Shean KP, Siwendu SN, Victor TC, Jordaan AM, Willcox PA. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) outbreak investigation, in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Poster presented at the 38th Union World Conference on Lung Health, Cape Town, South Africa, 8-12 November 2007.
  • Chaoui I, Sabouni R, Jordaan A, Kourout M, Akrim M, Elmzibri M, Victor TC. Mutations responsible for Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug resistance in Morocco. Poster presented at the 38th Union World Conference on Lung Health, Cape Town, South Africa, 8-12 November 2007.
  • Louw GE, Warren RM, van Helden PD, Victor TC. Efflux pump inhibitors modulate rifampicin resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.  Poster presented at the 38th Union World Conference on Lung Health, Cape Town, South Africa, 8-12 November 2007.
  • Warren R.M., Hoek K.G.P., Moolman-Smook H,  Carelse-Tofa K, Jordaan A, van der Spuy GD, Streicher EM, Victor TC, Gey van Pittius N.C., van Helden P.D. Rapid, Reliable and Easy Fluorometric Assay for Susceptibility testing of Rifampicin in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (FAST-RIF). Invited speaker to the South African Medical Research Council Research Day, Cape Town, South Africa, 18 October 2007.
  • Mandalakas AM, Hesseling AC, , Chegou NN, Les Kirchner H, Zhu X, Marais BJ, Stanley K, Beyers N, Black GF,  Walzl G. High level of discordant IGRA results in HIV-infected adults and children. Poster presented at the MSF- One day symposium on TB field diagnostics, Cape Town, South Africa, 07 November 2007.
  • Black GF, Thiel B, Walzl G, Boom H, Hill PC, Mayanja H, Stanley K, Chervenak K,  Franken K, Friggen A, Klein MR, Ota M, Ottenhoff THM, Parida S, Kaufamnn SHE, and the GC#6-74 Consortium. Immunogenicity testing of new potential diagnostic antigens  of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection by whole blood IFN-g release assay in 3 distinct African populations. Poster presented at the MSF- One day symposium on TB field diagnostics, Cape Town, South Africa, 07 November 2007.
  • Walzl G, Black GF, Stanley K, Loxton A, Chegou NN, Golakai HJ, Nene N,  Roberts T, Beyers N, Franken K, Friggen A, Ottenhoff THM, Klein M, Thiel B, and the GCGH Biomarkers for TB Consortium. Immunogenicity testing of new potential vaccine targets against Mycobacterium tuberculosis  by whole blood assay in a population with high TB prevalence. Poster presented at the British Society of Immunology Conference. Glasgow, Scotland, 2007.
  • Walzl G. Immune tests for TB. Invited talk to the FIDSSA Conference, Spier Cape Town, 29-31 October 2007.
  • Walzl G. Stop TB Working Group on New TB Drugs: Biomarkers for TB treatment response. Invited talk to the ICC, Cape Town, 13 November 2007.
  • Walzl G. Stop TB Working Group on New TB Drugs: Bio banking. Invited talk to the Cullinan Hotel, Cape Town, 9 November 2007.
  • Nene N, Gey van Pittius NC, Walzl G, Stanley K, van Helden PD, Black GF..Immunity to tuberculous and non-tuberculous Mycobacteria in adult household contacts of TB Cases in the Western Cape. Invited speaker to the South African Medical Research Council Research Day, Cape Town, South Africa, 18 October 2007.
  • Warren RM, Streicher EM, Calver A, Mlambo C, Marais E, Falmer A, Stolk M, van Helden PD, Victor TC. XDR-TB: Cause for concern or over-reaction?  Centre for Infectious Diseases: Expert Opinion on Infectious Diseases Symposium, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa, November 2007.
  • Loxton A. Attended: Keystone Symposia 2007 on Immunological memory 3-8 March 2007, Sante Fe (New Mexico, USA), Received: Global Health Travel Award
  • Uys P. Using Mathematical Models to understand TB Epidemics. Invited seminar at SACEMA, 2007.

Conferences / Meetings Hosted

  • Prof Mizrahi served as Chair of the 2007 Gordon Research Conference on Tuberculosis Drug Development, Magdalen College, Oxford, United Kingdom, 26-31 August 2007.
  • Prof G Walzl and Dr. Gillian Black were the co-hosts of the Annual meeting of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation sponsored GC6-74 project, which was held in Cape Town during October 2007,

Other Relevant Outputs (including honors and awards to staff)

  • Prof. Mizrahi was awarded the Order of the Mapungubwe: Silver from President Thabo Mbeki on 21 September, 2007. This award was given in recognition of excellent contributions in biochemistry and molecular biology and for contributing to the development of genetic tools for the validation of drug targets and vaccine candidates for tuberculosis.
  • Prof. Mizrahi served on the Jury for the 2008 L’ORÉAL-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards in France. 
  • Prof. Mizrahi was appointed to a three-year term on the Council of Scientific Advisors of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) from January 2008. She is the only South African and one of only two Council members from Africa.
  • Dr. Gordhan received an Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) Program Committee Award in the area of Pathogenesis of Microbial Diseases. The award recognised the outstanding quality of her abstract and was one of six selected from a total of 1878 accepted abstracts. The award was presented to Dr. Gordhan at the 47th Annual ICAAC conference in Chicago in Sept. 2007.
  • Dr. Kana was awarded a Bill & Melinda Gates Global Travel Award to attend the Keystone Symposium on Tuberculosis: From Lab Research to Field Trials, Vancouver, 20-25 March 2007.
  • Dr. Gordhan’s Career Development Award from the MRC was renewed for a final (fourth) year.
  • Dr. Andreas Diacon, conducting clinical trials, received the SU Rector’s award for Excellence in Research.
  • Prof. Valerie Corfield received an award for the best scientific exhibition at the 51st Academic Year Day of the University of Stellenbosch in August 2007.
  • Development of a spin-off company affiliated with the CBTBR – Task Applied Science, cc.
    Owner & full time employee, Dr. A. Diacon, pulmonologist. Task Applied Science currently employs 1 F/T & 2 P/T clinicians, 3 nursing sisters, 1 F/T & 1 P/T clerical staff, 1 driver, 4 medical technologists and pays 1 specialist medical consultant fees. For 2008, it is possible that the number of paid staff will increase.

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