I am an Infectious Diseases Internist trained in Tropical Medicine and Public Health.

My research, teaching, and professional activities include planning, design, monitoring, and evaluation of clinical trials, cohort studies & programs for prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS & Tuberculosis.

My primary international research activities are in South Africa. In collaboration with colleagues at the University of Cape Town, we are implementing a NIH/NIAID-sponsored Single-Center, Community Randomized, Open label Trial comparing two treatment adherence strategies in HIV-infected Adults (peer support by patient-nominated treatment supporter to include Directly Observed Therapy vs. self-administered as the standard of care).

The specific aims of this study are: 1) to evaluate the impact of peer-DOT-HAART on control of viral burden and immune restoration as measured by CD4 lymphocytes count and HIV viral load; 2) to evaluate the impact of DOT-HAART on treatment adherence; 3) to determine the proportion of genotypic resistance in the DOT vs. self-administered HAART arms; and 4) to compare incidence of new or recurrent opportunistic infection in the DOT vs. self-administered HAART arms.

We hypothesize that the patients in the experimental arm will have better treatment adherence rates and hence will be more effective in controlling viral burden, thereby limiting the likelihood of virologic failure, emergence of drug resistance viruses and disease progression.

This trial will generate critical data on the effectiveness of an alternative community-based adherence strategy with the goal of maintaining viral suppression, immune reconstitution, prevent the emergence of drug resistant viruses and improve survival in HIV-infected South African adults.

International Health, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Sub-Saharan Africa

1) Member Elect, Delta Omega Public Health Honor Society May 2009; 2) John McGoldrick Senior Fellowship Award, Harvard School of Public Health March 2009; 3) Member Elect, The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAF) 2008;4) 2nd Author of a JAMA article nominated for the Lancet 2006 article of the year; 5) US National Institutes of Health/NIAID, Mentored-Patient Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23), March 2006; 6) Johns Hopkins Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) & National Institutes of Health (NIH), Pilot Grant Award, 2002; 7) Johns Hopkins University, School of Public Health Recognition Award, MPH Class of 1999; 8) Stelios M. Stelson Award, Johns Hopkins University, School of Public Health, MPH Class of 1999; 9) Dikembe Mutombo's African Education Award, Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, Atlanta, GA, 1998; 10) B.S. & M.D. Cum Laude, 1985 and 1989

1. NACHEGA JB, HISLOP M, NGUYEN H, DOWDY DW, CHAISSON RE, REGENSBERG L, COTTON M, and MAARTENS G. Antiretroviral Treatment Adherence, Virologic and Immunologic Outcomes in Adolescents Compared With Adults in Southern Africa. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. 2009 May;51(1):65-71.

2. NACHEGA JB, HISLOP M, DOWDY DW, GALLANT J, CHAISSON RE, REGENSBERG L and MAARTENS G. Efavirenz versus Nevirapine-based Initial Treatment of HIV Infection: Clinical and Virological Outcomes in Southern African Adults. AIDS, 2008. Oct 18;22(16):2117-25.

3. MILLS EJ, KELLY S, BRADLEY M, MOLLON P, COOPER C, NACHEGA JB. Antiretroviral Therapy Effects on HIV-1 RNA, CD4+ T-cell count and Progression to AIDS or Death : A Meta-Regression Analysis. HIV Medicine, 2008 Nov;9(10):849-57.

4. BISSON G, GROSS R, BELLAMY S, CHITTAMS J, HISLOP M, REGENSBERG L, FRANK I, MAARTENS G, NACHEGA JB. Pharmacy refill adherence compared with CD4 count changes for monitoring HIV-infected adults on antiretroviral therapy. PLoS Medicine, 2008 May 20;5(5):e109

5. BA O, O’ REGAN, NACHEGA JB, COOPER C, ANEMA A, RACHLIS B, MILLS EJ. HIV/AIDS in African Militaries: An Ecological Analysis. Medicine, Conflict and Survival. 2008 Apr-Jun;24(2):88-100

6. NACHEGA JB, MAARTENS G. Pharmacogenetics of Efavirenz: Adherence and Virologic Outcomes. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2007; 147(11): 817

7. NACHEGA JB and MILLS EJ. Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence in Resource-Limited and Resource-Rich Settings: Current Status of Knowledge and Research Priorities. Therapy 2007, Vol. 4, No. 6, Pages 775-786

8. MILLS EJ, NACHEGA JB. A Wake-up Call for Global Access to Salvage HIV Drug Regimens. The Lancet. 2007;370(9603):1885-7.

9. SELIN A, Mills EJ, NACHEGA JB. Barriers to Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence in Africa. Future HIV Therapy. 2007. 1 (3); 331-339

10. NACHEGA JB, HISLOP M, DOWDY D, CHAISSON RE, REGENSBERG L and MAARTENS G. Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors-based Antiretroviral Therapy--Adherence and Virologic Outcomes in HIV-1-infected Adults. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2007; 146:564-573.

11. NACHEGA JB, BOTTIEAU EM, ZECH F. and VAN GOMPEL A. Travel-Acquired Scrub Typhus: Emphasis on the Differential Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention Strategies. Journal of Travel Medicine. 2007, 14;5:370-373

12. SPINEWINE A., SWINE C, DHILLON S., LAMBERT P., NACHEGA JB, WILMOTE L., TULKENS PM. Impact of a Collaborative Approach on the Quality of Prescribing for Geriatric Inpatients. A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of American Geriatric Society. 2007 May;55(5):658-65

13. NACHEGA JB, KNOWLTON AK, DELUCA A, SCHOEMAN JH, WATKINSON L, EFRON A, CHAISSON RE and MAARTENS G. Treatment Supporter To Improve Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. 2006. 43; 1: S127-S133.

14. MILLS EJ and NACHEGA JB. HIV as a Weapon of War. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2006; 6(12), 752-53.

15. OLIN J, KOKOLOMAMI J, LEPIRA FB, KASHAMUKA M, MUPENDA B, NDONGALA ML, MAMAN S, BOLLINGER R, NACHEGA JB and MOKILI J. Community Preparedness for HIV Vaccine Trials in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Cult Health Sex. 2006;8(6):529-44

16. MILLS EJ, SINGH S., NELSON BD and NACHEGA JB. The Impact of Conflict on HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of STDs & AIDS. 2006;17(11):713-7

17. MILLS EJ., NACHEGA JB., BUCHAN I., ORBINSKI J, ATTARAN A, SINGH S, RACHLIS B, WU P, COOPER C, THABANE L, WILSON K, GUYATT G. and BANGSBERG D. Adherence to Antiretroviral therapy in Africa and North America: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of American Medical Association. 2006;296(6):679-90

18. NACHEGA JB., HISLOP M., DOWDY D., LO M, OMER SB, REGENSBERG L, CHAISSON RE, and MAARTENS G. Adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy as Assessed by Pharmacy Claims Predict Survival in HIV-infected South African Adults. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. 2006;43(1):78-84

19. MILLS EJ., NACHEGA JB., BANGSBERG DR, SINGH S., RACHLIS B, WU P, WILSON K, BUCHAN I, GILL CJ, and COOPER C. Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy: A Systematic Review Examining Developed and Developing-Nation Patient Reported Barriers and Facilitators. PLoS Medicine. 2006. 3(11), e438

20. WILSON D., NACHEGA JB., MORONI C, CHAISSON R.E., and MAARTENS G. Expanded Case Definitions Enhance the Diagnosis of Smear-Negative Tuberculosis in HIV-infected South-African. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases. 2006; 10(1): 31-38

21. NACHEGA JB., ROMBAUX P., WEYNAND B., THOMAS G. and ZECH F. Successful Multidisciplinary Treatment of Acanthamoeba Rhinosinusitis in an AIDS patient. AIDS Patient Care & STDs. 2005;19(10):621-5

22. WILSON D., NACHEGA JB., CHAISSON R.E., and MAARTENS G. Diagnostic Yield of Peripheral Lymph Node Needle-core Biopsies in HIV-infected Adults with Suspected Smear-Negative Tuberculosis. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases. 2005; 9(2):220-222.

23. MYER L., MORONI C., NACHEGA JB., and COOPER D. HIV-infected Women in Antiretroviral Treatment Programmes. The Lancet. 2005; 365(9460):655-6.

24. NACHEGA JB., LEHMAN D., HLATASHWO D., MOTHOPENG R., CHAISSON RE., and KARSTAEDT AS. HIV/AIDS & Antiretroviral Treatment Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Practices in HIV-infected Adults in Soweto, South Africa. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. 2005;38(2), 196-201.

25. NACHEGA JB., STEIN D., LEHMAN D., HLATSHWAYO D., MOTHOPENG R., CHAISSON RE., and KARSTAEDT AS. Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV-Infected Adults in Soweto, South Africa. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses. 2004; 20(10), 1053-1056

26. NACHEGA JB., COETZEE J., MUSANDIWA R., ADENDORFF T., GRAY GE., Mc INTYRE J., and CHAISSON RE. Tuberculosis Active Case Finding in HIV Mother to Child Prevention Program in Soweto, South Africa. AIDS. 2003; 17(9), 1398-1400

27. NACHEGA JB. and CHAISSON R.E. Tuberculosis Drug Resistance: A Global Threat. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2003; 36:S24-30

28. COLEBUNDERS R., VERDONCK K, NACHEGA JB., KOTHARI P. Impact of New Developments in Antiretroviral Treatment on AIDS Prevention and Control in Poor Resource Countries. AIDS Patient Care & STDs. 2000; 14(5): 251-7

29. COLEBUNDERS R., NACHEGA JB. and VAN GOMPEL A. Antiretroviral Treatment and Travel to Developing Countries. Journal of Travel Medicine. 1999; 6:27-31

30. NACHEGA JB., VANDERCAM B., JACQUET L., VERHELST B., DION R. and GOENEN M. Chronic Dissecting Aneurysm of the Ascending Aorta in Patient with Tuberculosis. Acta Clinica Belgica. 1998;53-1: 53-54

31. PICASSO TRIAL GROUP. Comparison of Ritonavir and Indinavir in HIV Patients with Advanced Disease: A Belgian Outcome Trial. AIDS 1996; 10(suppl.2): S17

Book Chapters:

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1. CHAISSON RE and NACHEGA JB. Editors: Warrell DA, Cox TM, Firth JD, Benz E. Jr. Tuberculosis in Oxford Textbook of Medicine. Oxford University Press. 4th Edition, 2002. Volume 1: 555-572 (2003).

2. CHAISSON RE and NACHEGA JB. Editors: Warrell DA, Cox TM, Firth JD, Benz E. Jr. Tuberculosis in Oxford Textbook of Medicine. Oxford University Press. 5th Edition. In Press.

3. NACHEGA JB, COLEBUNDERS B. and APERS L. Editors: Zumla A, Schaaf H.S. Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy in the Developed and Developing Countries. in Tuberculosis, A Clinical Treatise. Elsevier Press. 1st Edition. In Press.

4. NACHEGA JB and MAARTENS G. Editors: Zumla A, Schaaf HS. Clinical Manifestations of Tuberculosis. in Tuberculosis, A Clinical Treatise. Elsevier Press. 1st Edition. In Press.