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{{Short description|Robert Colebunders, a Belgian physician and Infectious Disease Researcher}}
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{{Short description|Robert Colebunders, a Belgian physician and Infectious Disease Researcher}}
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Revision as of 12:24, 4 February 2024

  • Comment: Still the same issues as my last decline. A lot of 'Career' is unsourced, all of 'Personal life' is unsourced - RichT|C|E-Mail 14:36, 24 January 2024 (UTC)
  • Comment: A lot of 'Career' is unsourced, all of 'Personal life' is unsourced - RichT|C|E-Mail 16:47, 10 October 2023 (UTC)


Robert Colebunders
Born (1950-04-19) 19 April 1950 (age 74)
NationalityBelgian
Alma materUniversity of Antwerp
Free University of Brussels
Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp
Scientific career
FieldsInfectious Diseases
InstitutionsGlobal Health Institute
University of Antwerp
Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp
Websiteuantwerpen.be/en/staff/robert-colebunders/my-website/

Robert Colebunders (born 19 April 1950) is a Belgian clinician and researcher known for his contributions to the study of infectious diseases, particularly on Ebola, AIDS, tuberculosis and, more recently, on COVID-19, monkeypox and onchocerciasis.

Colebunders was a key member of the teams that investigated the Kikwit Ebola [1] and the Durba Marburg Virus outbreaks [2], contributing to its understanding and clinical management. Moreover, he emerged as a pioneering figure in AIDS research, being amongst the first to describe and define the clinical manifestations of HIV infection in Africa [3][4] and test diagnostic tests to identify the infection [5]. From here, he authored numerous studies about how to improve the quality of care in persons with HIV [6] and HIV and tuberculosis co-infection [7] and how to organise care and treatment more effectively [8].

In 2021, Colebunders was at the forefront of COVID-19 research, investigating its epidemiology in low- and middle-income countries [9], as well as contributing to the definition of post-COVID condition [10]. Then, in 2022, he was also involved in monkeypox research [11] during the 2022-2023 outbreak [12].

Currently, Colebunders is involved in research to identify the cause of the nodding syndrome and epilepsy in onchocerciasis-endemic regions.[13] Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Colebunders and his team, they are at the forefront of studying promising hypotheses surrounding the aetiology and pathogenesis of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE), including nodding syndrome.[14] Notably, his team's research has documented that onchocerciasis control interventions have effectively prevented the emergence of new OAE cases in numerous onchocerciasis-endemic regions with high ongoing transmission throughout Africa.[15][16][17] Beyond research, Colebunders is also deeply invested in pragmatic interventions for managing individuals with OAE. This encompasses both the provision of antiseizure medication and initiatives aimed at mitigating the stigma associated with epilepsy.[18][19][20][21]

Career

Robert Colebunders began his medical career in Setif, Algeria, in 1974, where he served as the Head of the Department of Paediatrics in a major urban hospital.[22] Shortly after, he took on the responsibility of healthcare for a vast rural area in Bougaa, Algeria [23]. From 1976 to 1982, he underwent a Medical Residency in Internal Medicine at St Pierre, Brussels [24]. Following that, between 1982 and 1984, he held the position of Senior Fellow in Internal Medicine, serving both at the University Hospital Antwerp in the Department of Cardiology and the Hospital St.-Mariagasthuis in Berchem, Belgium [25].

In 1984, Colebunders transitioned to a role as the Coordinator of clinical studies on HIV/AIDS for the "Project SIDA" ("Project AIDS" in French) in Kinshasa, Zaire, a position he held until 1987 [26]. After this, in 1988, he took on a role as a visiting scientist at the International Activities HIV/AIDS program at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, USA [27] [28]. From 1989 to 2004, he spearheaded the coordination of HIV/AIDS patient care and clinical research at the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp (ITM) in Belgium [29].

In 1995, Colebunders was appointed Professor in Tropical Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) at the ITM, Antwerp, and a year later, he also began serving as a Professor in Infectious Diseases at the University of Antwerp (UA) [30]. He took a sabbatical in 2004 to serve as a Senior Clinical Investigator at the Infectious Diseases Institute in Kampala, Uganda. Upon his return, between April 2005 and April 2014, he headed the clinical HIV/STD Unit in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the ITM, Antwerp https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Robert-Colebunders. Since October 2014, he has been honoured with the title of Emeritus Professor at ITM, mostly focusing on onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy research [31]. He received a HORIZON grant in 2015-2020 [32] and FWO senior research project in 2022 [33] to further understand the potential causal link between onchocerciasis and epilepsy. In September 2023, Colebunders co-organised the "2nd International Workshop on Onchocerciasis-Associated Epilepsy", which enabled contributions from 113 experts across 24 countries, including major representation from 14 African nations and organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [34].

Personal life

Colebunders is fluent in English, French, and Dutch [35].

References

  1. ^ Bwaka MA, Bonnet MJ, Calain P, Colebunders R, De Roo A, Guimard Y, Katwiki KR, Kibadi K, Kipasa MA, Kuvula KJ, Mapanda BB, Massamba M, Mupapa KD, Muyembe-Tamfum JJ, Ndaberey E, Peters CJ, Rollin PE, Van den Enden E, Van den Enden E. Ebola hemorrhagic fever in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo: clinical observations in 103 patients. J Infect Dis. 1999 Feb;179 Suppl 1:S1-7. doi: 10.1086/514308. PMID: 9988155.
  2. ^ Colebunders R, Tshomba A, Van Kerkhove MD, Bausch DG, Campbell P, Libande M, Pirard P, Tshioko F, Mardel S, Mulangu S, Sleurs H, Rollin PE, Muyembe-Tamfum JJ, Jeffs B, Borchert M; International Scientific and Technical Committee "DRC Watsa/Durba 1999 Marburg Outbreak Investigation Group". Marburg hemorrhagic fever in Durba and Watsa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: clinical documentation, features of illness, and treatment. J Infect Dis. 2007 Nov 15;196 Suppl 2:S148-53. doi: 10.1086/520543. PMID: 17940943
  3. ^ Colebunders R, Mann JM, Francis H, Bila K, Izaley L, Kakonde N, Kabasele K, Ifoto L, Nzilambi N, Quinn TC, et al. Evaluation of a clinical case-definition of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in Africa. Lancet. 1987 Feb 28;1(8531):492-4. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(87)92099-x. PMID: 2881049.
  4. ^ Colebunders, R, Kintin, D, Fleerackers, Y, Demeulenaere, T, Vandenbruaene, M, Goeman, J, Kestens, L, Farber, CM & Soete, F 1993, 'Surveillance case definition for AIDS in resource-poor countries [letter]', Lancet, vol. 342, pp. 864-865.
  5. ^ Mann JM, Francis H, Mwandagalirwa K, Ndongala L, Mavunza-Paka D, Baekert G, Malonga M, Bosenge N, Nzilambi N, Colebunders RC, et al. ELISA readers and HIV antibody testing in developing countries. Lancet. 1986 Jun 28;1(8496):1504. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(86)91541-2. PMID: 2873309.
  6. ^ Colebunders R, Decock R, Mbeba MJ. Improving the quality of care for persons with HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa. Trop Geogr Med. 1995;47(2):78-81. PMID: 8592768.
  7. ^ Colebunders RL, Braun MM, Nzila N, Dikilu K, Muepu K, Ryder R. Evaluation of the World Health Organization clinical case definition of AIDS among tuberculosis patients in Kinshasa, Zaire. J Infect Dis. 1989 Nov;160(5):902-3. doi: 10.1093/infdis/160.5.902. PMID: 2809263.
  8. ^ Suwanpimolkul G, Gatechompol S, Kawkitinarong K, Ueaphongsukkit T, Sophonphan J, Siriyakorn N, Jirajariyavej S, Khusuwan S, Panarat P, Wannalerdsakun S, Saetiew N, Chayangsu S, Wiwatrojanagul S, Noopetch P, Danpornprasert P, Mekviwattanawong S, Fujitnirun C, Lertpiriyasuwat C, Han WM, Kerr SJ, Ruxrungtham K, Avihingsanon A; the HIV-TB study team. Incidence of active tuberculosis among people living with HIV receiving long-term antiretroviral therapy in high TB/HIV burden settings in Thailand: implication for tuberculosis preventive therapy. J Int AIDS Soc. 2022 Apr;25(4):e25900. doi: 10.1002/jia2.25900. PMID: 35384317; PMCID: PMC8982319.
  9. ^ Colebunders R, Siewe Fodjo JN. COVID-19 in Low and Middle Income Countries. Pathogens. 2022 Nov 11;11(11):1325. doi: 10.3390/pathogens11111325. PMID: 36422577; PMCID: PMC9692955.
  10. ^ Villar JC, Gumisiriza N, Abreu LG, Maude RJ, Colebunders R. Defining post-COVID condition. Lancet Infect Dis. 2022 Mar;22(3):316-317. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(22)00060-3. PMID: 35218747; PMCID: PMC8865876.
  11. ^ Mande G, Akonda I, De Weggheleire A, Brosius I, Liesenborghs L, Bottieau E, Ross N, Gembu GC, Colebunders R, Verheyen E, Ngonda D, Leirs H, Laudisoit A. Enhanced surveillance of monkeypox in Bas-Uélé, Democratic Republic of Congo: the limitations of symptom-based case definitions. Int J Infect Dis. 2022 Sep;122:647-655. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.06.060. Epub 2022 Jul 7. PMID: 35809857; PMCID: PMC9628793.
  12. ^ https://www.who.int/emergencies/situations/monkeypox-oubreak-2022
  13. ^ Colebunders R, Njamnshi AK, Menon S, Newton CR, Hotterbeekx A, Preux PM, Hopkins A, Vaillant M, Siewe Fodjo JN. Onchocerca volvulus and epilepsy: A comprehensive review using the Bradford Hill criteria for causation. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2021 Jan 7;15(1):e0008965. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008965. PMID: 33411705; PMCID: PMC7790236.
  14. ^ Hadermann A, Amaral LJ, Van Cutsem G, Siewe Fodjo JN, Colebunders R. Onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy: an update and future perspectives. Trends Parasitol. 2023 Feb;39(2):126-138. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.11.010. Epub 2022 Dec 15. PMID: 36528471.
  15. ^ Colebunders R, Njamnshi AK, van Oijen M, Mukendi D, Kashama JM, Mandro M, Gumisiriza N, Preux PM, Suykerbuyk P, Idro R. Onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy: From recent epidemiological and clinical findings to policy implications. Epilepsia Open. 2017 Apr 26;2(2):145-152. doi: 10.1002/epi4.12054. PMID: 29588943; PMCID: PMC5719844.
  16. ^ Jada SR, Amaral LJ, Lakwo T, Carter JY, Rovarini J, Bol YY, Logora MY, Hadermann A, Hopkins A, Fodjo JNS, Colebunders R. Effect of onchocerciasis elimination measures on the incidence of epilepsy in Maridi, South Sudan: a 3-year longitudinal, prospective, population-based study. Lancet Glob Health. 2023 Aug;11(8):e1260-e1268. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00248-6. PMID: 37474232.
  17. ^ Bhwana D, Amaral LJ, Mhina A, Hayuma PM, Francis F, Siewe Fodjo JN, Mmbando BP, Colebunders R. Impact of a bi-annual community-directed treatment with ivermectin programme on the incidence of epilepsy in an onchocerciasis-endemic area of Mahenge, Tanzania: A population-based prospective study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2023 Jun 28;17(6):e0011178. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011178. PMID: 37379350; PMCID: PMC10335697.
  18. ^ Colebunders R, Siewe Fodjo JN, Hopkins A, Hotterbeekx A, Lakwo TL, Kalinga A, Logora MY, Basáñez MG. From river blindness to river epilepsy: Implications for onchocerciasis elimination programmes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2019 Jul 18;13(7):e0007407. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007407. PMID: 31318857; PMCID: PMC6638735.
  19. ^ Jada SR, Tionga MS, Siewe Fodjo JN, Carter JY, Logora MY, Colebunders R. Community perception of epilepsy and its treatment in onchocerciasis-endemic villages of Maridi county, western equatoria state, South Sudan. Epilepsy Behav. 2022 Feb;127:108537. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108537. Epub 2022 Jan 10. PMID: 35026562.
  20. ^ Jada SR, Siewe Fodjo JN, Abd-Elfarag G, Tionga M, Carter JY, Logora MY, Newton C, Colebunders R. Epilepsy-related stigma and cost in two onchocerciasis-endemic areas in South Sudan: A pilot descriptive study. Seizure. 2020 Oct;81:151-156. doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2020.08.003. Epub 2020 Aug 11. PMID: 32810838.
  21. ^ O'Neill S, Irani J, Siewe Fodjo JN, Nono D, Abbo C, Sato Y, Mugarura A, Dolo H, Ronse M, Njamnshi AK, Colebunders R. Stigma and epilepsy in onchocerciasis-endemic regions in Africa: a review and recommendations from the onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy working group. Infect Dis Poverty. 2019 May 20;8(1):34. doi: 10.1186/s40249-019-0544-6. PMID: 31109376; PMCID: PMC6526597.
  22. ^ "About Robert Colebunders | Robert Colebunders | University of Antwerp".
  23. ^ https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/staff/robert-colebunders/my-website/
  24. ^ Colebunders R, Mariage JL, Coche JC, Pirenne B, Kempinaire S, Hantson P, Van Gompel A, Niedrig M, Van Esbroeck M, Bailey R, Drosten C, Schmitz H. A Belgian traveler who acquired yellow fever in the Gambia. Clin Infect Dis. 2002 Nov 15;35(10):e113-6. doi: 10.1086/344180. Epub 2002 Oct 28. PMID: 12410495.
  25. ^ https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/staff/robert-colebunders/my-website/
  26. ^ Piot, Peter (2012). No Time to Lose: A Life in Pursuit of Deadly Viruses. London and New York: W.W. Norton & Company. ISBN 9780393084115.
  27. ^ https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/24/2/17-1351-f1
  28. ^ https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/staff/robert-colebunders/my-website/
  29. ^ Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp
  30. ^ https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Robert-Colebunders
  31. ^ https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Robert-Colebunders/research?ev=brs_act
  32. ^ https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/research-groups/global-health-institute/research/research-projects/south-sudan/
  33. ^ https://www.itg.be/en/health-stories/articles/fwo-awards-senior-research-projects
  34. ^ https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/research-groups/oae/oae-alliance/activities/oae-2023/
  35. ^ https://be.linkedin.com/in/bob-colebunders-b523968
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