“Interaction of the vaginal viral and bacterial communities in South African Women”
Country of Study
South Africa
Institution
University of Cape Town
Expected Year of Completion
2025
Thematic Area
Health and Life Sciences
Education
Adijat’s PhD thesis is in Clinical Science and Immunology. She holds an MSc in Industrial Microbiology from the University of Ibadan and is set to complete her PhD studies at the University of Cape Town in 2025.
Research Summary
Adijat’s research focuses on understanding how HIV infection impacts vaginal bacterial and viral communities in pregnant women, particularly the role of bacteriophages in the recurrence of bacterial vaginosis (BV). Despite advances in HIV care, pregnant women living with HIV (PWLHIV) remain vulnerable to poor pregnancy outcomes, and BV, which is linked to the depletion of beneficial Lactobacillus species like L. crispatus, often recurs. Her work explores how bacteriophages in these bacteria may activate under stress, such as drug exposure, disrupting microbial balance and contributing to BV recurrence. By using metagenomic sequencing, bioinformatics, and in vitro approaches, Adijat’s research aims to uncover the interactions between vaginal bacteria and viruses, offering insights that could lead to safer therapeutics and improved maternal health outcomes for African women living with HIV.
Publications:
