Ludoviko Zirimenya

Ludoviko Zirimenya

Clinical Research Scientist

MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit

Tel: +256786148686

Email: Ludoviko.Zirimenya@mrcuganda.org   

 

 

VALIDATE Role: Network Associate

Research Keywords

TB, vaccines and clinical trials

Biography

My work focuses on how different populations in Uganda respond to commonly used vaccines. My areas of interest are population differences in vaccine responses, Non-specific (beneficial) effects of vaccines such as BCG and Clinical Palliative Care Research

Key Publications

  1. Downing J, Niyonzima N, Mutyaba I, Irumba LC, Zirimenya L, et al. Cancer and palliative care in COVID-19 and other challenging situations-highlights from the Uganda Cancer Institute-Palliative Care Association of Uganda 3rd Uganda Conference on Cancer and Palliative Care, 23-24 September 2021, held in Kampala, Uganda and virtually. Ecancermedicalscience. 2021 Dec 13;15:1333. doi: 10.3332/ecancer.2021.1333. PMID: 35211202; PMCID: PMC8816507.
  2. Zirimenya L*, Nkurunungi G*, Nassuuna J*, Natukunda A*, Mutebe A, Oduru G, Kabami G, Akurut H, Onen C, Namutebi M, Serubanja J, Nakazibwe E, Akello F, Tumusiime J, Sewankambo M, Kiwanuka S, Kiwudhu F, Kizindo R, Kizza M, Wajja A, Cose S, Muwanga M, Webb E, Elliott AM; POPVAC trial team (2021). Impact of BCG revaccination on the response to unrelated vaccines in a Ugandan adolescent birth cohort: randomised controlled trial protocol C for the 'POPulation differences in VACcine responses' (POPVAC) programme. BMJ Open, 11(2):e040430. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040430. 
  3. Natukunda A*, Nkurunungi G*, Zirimenya L*, Nassuuna J, Oduru G, Amongin R, Kabuubi PN, Mutebe A, Onen C, Amongi S, Nakazibwe E, Akello F, Kiwanuka S, Kiwudhu F, Sewankambo M, Nsubuga D, Kizindo R, Staedke SG, Cose S, Webb E, Elliott AM; POPVAC trial team (2021). Effect of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine on immune responses to vaccines among rural Ugandan adolescents: randomised controlled trial protocol B for the 'POPulation differences in VACcine responses' (POPVAC) programme. BMJ Open, 11(2):e040427. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040427. *Joint first authorship
  4. Nkurunungi G*, Zirimenya L*, Nassuuna J*, Natukunda A, Kabuubi PN, Niwagaba E, Oduru G, Kabami G, Amongin R, Mutebe A, Namutebi M, Zziwa C, Amongi S, Ninsiima C, Onen C, Akello F, Sewankambo M, Kiwanuka S, Kizindo R, Kaweesa J, Cose S, Webb E, Elliott AM; POPVAC trial team (2021). Effect of intensive treatment for schistosomiasis on immune responses to vaccines among rural Ugandan island adolescents: randomised controlled trial protocol A for the 'POPulation differences in VACcine responses' (POPVAC) programme. BMJ Open, 11(2):e040426. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040426. *Joint first authorship
  5. 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). 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. BMJ Open, 11(2):e040425. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020040425. *Joint first authorship
  6. Harding R, Carrasco J, Serrano-Pons J, Zirimenya L, et al,2020. Design and evaluation of a novel mobile phone application to improve palliative home-care in resource-limited settings. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.09.045   
  7. Zirimenya, L., Mahmud-Ajeigbe, F., McQuillan, R. and Li, Y., 2020. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis to assess the association between Urogenital Schistosomiasis and HIV/AIDS Infection. PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2020 June 15;14(6):e0008383.
  8. Merriman, A., Mwebesa, E. and Zirimenya, L., (2019). Improving access to palliative care for patients with cancer in Africa: 25 years of Hospice Africa. ecancermedicalscience, 13.
  9. Hughes EC, Zirimenya L, Merriman A (2017) Pain in Advanced Breast Cancer in Uganda. JSM Pain Manag 2(1): 1006.
  10. McSorley, B., Zirimenya, L., Cercone, K., et.al, 2016. Spiritual Distress Screening Using the Novel “Spirit 3” at Hospice Africa Uganda. Journal of Global Oncology, 2(3 suppl), pp.46s-46s

Weblinks of Interest