The effect of ABO, Lewis and secretor histo-blood group systems on acute gastroenteritis, severe and very severe pneumonia in African children

ABO, Lewis and secretor histo-blood group antigens have been shown to interact with various pathogens as decoys, receptors or as immune system agents. Polymorphic expression of these antigens in populations thereby mediates susceptibility to particular infectious diseases. Jesse will be working with Professor Thomas Williams, Dr Sophie Uyoga and Dr Etienne de Villiers, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, to first describe the allelic variability of the Lewis and secretor genes, and then to assess the effect of ABO, secretor and Lewis genotypes on lower respiratory and gastrointestinal tract infections among the study population. Findings could inform the future development and targeted administration of interventions.

This grant was awarded under the scheme's previous name of Master's Fellowships in Public Health and Tropical Medicine.