Kwarteng lab

Host Response and Non-Communicable Diseases Nexus

We are dedicated to bridging the gap between the dual health challenge, the threat of infectious diseases (IDs) and the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa

Our Mission & Vision

Mission & Vision

Our Mission

To investigate the complex relationships between infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases, with a focus on host immune responses, microbiome dynamics, and translational research.

Our Vision

To be a leading research hub in Africa, renowned for pioneering interdisciplinary studies on the microbiome, nutrition, and disease dynamics, and for translating scientific discoveries into impactful public health interventions.

We aim to...

Improve
The understanding of the pathogen-NCD axis in sub-Saharan Africa.
Identify
Diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets that can enhance public health outcomes for ID and NCD co-morbidities.
Develop
Inclusive research and career platforms in IDs and NCDs to facilitate the emergence of early-career scientists.
Explore
Skin/ wound microbiome and host immune response interactions.

Lab culture and values

The lab values diversity and recognizes that different perspectives and experiences enrich research and innovation. All members treat each other with respect, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic background, or academic level. Constructive criticism is encouraged, but it must be delivered professionally and with the aim of improving collective outcomes. Discrimination or harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. Report incidents of discrimination or misconduct immediately to the lab manager or PI.

Research

Combating stigma and social isolation among people living with LF pathologies in the Western Region of Ghana using cultural relevant strategies

Elucidation of microbial, immune, and epidemiological drivers of disease progression in lymphatic filariasis

Identification of the role of microbes associated with wounds non-healing among individuals with filarial infection

Biofilm inhibitory activity of some polyketides: A way to combat Antibiotic resistance in Lymphatic filariasis infection

Resistant pathogenic microbial strains that colonize filarial lymphedema wounds

Determination of tetracycline-resistant pattern within specific LF-endemic communities of the Ahanta West District

Publications

Complete list of publications available at Google Scholar

Recent publications

Addae, H. Y., Apprey, C., & Kwarteng, A. (2024). Gut Microbiome-Targeted Nutrition Interventions and Growth Among Children In Low-and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis. Current Developments in Nutrition, 102085. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.102085.
Abukari, M. H., Appiah, C. A., Kwarteng, A., & Iddrisu, S. (2024). Cardiovascular risk assessment of people living in prison in the Northern region of Ghana. International Journal of Prison Health, 20(1), 102-115. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijoph-09-2022-0054.
Kwarteng, A., Kenyon, K. H., Opoku Asiedu, S., Garcia, R., Kini, P., Osei-Poku, P., ... & Amewu, E. K. A. (2023). Knowledge and perceptions of lymphatic filariasis patients in selected hotspot endemic communities in southern Ghana. PLOS Global Public Health, 3(10), e0002476. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0002476.
Taylor, L. K., Nyakotey, D. A., & Kwarteng, A. (2023). Physical inactivity and barriers to physical activity among Type-2 diabetics in Kumasi, Ghana. African Health Sciences, 23(3), 318-327. https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i3.38.
Bonnah, R., Ayisi, F., Wireko, S., & Kwarteng, A. (2023). Phytochemical intervention for lymphatic filariasis and filarial lymphedema. Frontiers in Tropical Diseases, 4, 1168668. https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2023.1168668.
Alexander Kwarteng, Priscilla Osei-Poku, Daniel Antwi-Berko, Augustina Sylverken, Amma Larbi, Kwabena Nsiah, Blood collection tubes impact expression of activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in human whole blood assay, Scientific African, Volume 21,2023, e01797, ISSN 2468-2276, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2023.e01797
Agyemang-Pambour, B., Osei, I., Boateng-Osei, E.A., Kwarteng, A. and Dzomeku, V., (2023). Prevalence and risk factors of hypertension among public servants in Ejisu-Juaben municipality, Ghana. BMC Research Notes, 16(1), pp.1-7.
Biney, C., Graham, G.E., Asiedu, E., Sakyi, S.A. and Kwarteng, A., (2023). WolbachiaFerrochelatase as a potential drug target against filarial infections. Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modelling, 122, p.108490.
Kwarteng, A., Mensah, C. and Osei‐Poku, P., (2023). Eosinophil: An innate immune cell with anti‐filarial vaccine and biomarker potential. Health Science Reports, 6(6), p.e1320.
Fordjour, F.A., Osei‐Poku, P., Genfi, A.K., Ainooson, K.G., Amponsah, K., Arthur, P.K., Stephenson, G.R. and Kwarteng, A., (2023). Use of medicinal plants as a remedy against lymphatic filariasis: Current status and future prospect. Health Science Reports, 6(5), p.e1295.
Amewu, E.K.A., Adu-Asiamah, C.K., Baba-Adam, R.K.A., Afful, A.R., Gyau, K.B. and Kwarteng, A., (2023.) Oropharyngeal carriage of potential meningitis-causing bacteria in a Ghanaian prison. Microbes and Infectious Diseases, 4(2), pp.487-496.
Armoh, S.Y., Aryeetey, S., Kamasah, J.S., Boahen, K.G., Owusu, M., Adjei-Boateng, A., Agbenyega, O., Kwarteng, A., Hingley-Wilson, S., Obiri-Danso, K. and Ansong, D., (2023). Solid waste motor tricycle operators in Kumasi, Ghana, harbour respiratory pathogens; a public health threat. Plos one, 18(4), p.e0284985.
Fordjour, F.A., Kwarteng, A., Paintsil, V., Amanor, E., Ackah, E.B., Amuzu, E.X., Sackey, D.S. and Akoto, A.O.Y., (2023). Hemolysis scavenger proteins and renal function marker in children with sickle cell disease at steady state: A cross‐sectional study. Health Science Reports, 6(4), p.e1177.
Agbozo, W.K., Amanor, E., Acheampong, E.O., Kotei, B., Attoh, L.N., Yeboah, D., Odonkor, P., Obiri, S., Kwarteng, A. and Larbi, A., (2023). Assessing knowledge of sickle cell disease and health beliefs on premarital genetic screening among healthcare trainees at a tertiary institution: A cross‐sectional study. Health Science Reports, 6(2), p.e1128.
Kini, P., Wireko, S., Osei‐Poku, P., Asiedu, S. O., Amewu, E. K., Asiedu, E., ... & Kwarteng, A.(2023). Antibiotic resistance and mecA characterization of Staphylococcus hominis from filarial lymphedema patients in the Ahanta West District, Ghana: A cross‐sectional study. Health Science Reports, 6(2), e1104.
Alexander Kwarteng, Solomon Wireko, Samuel Opoku Asiedu, Priscilla Kini, Bill Clinton Aglomasa, Emmanuel Kobla Atsu Amewu, Ebenezer Asiedu, Kennedy Gyau Boahen, Katherine Ryan Amato, Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah (2022). Shift in the skin microbiome among individuals presenting with filarial lymphedema compared to non-filarial healthy individuals in Ghana, Scientific African, Volume 16, 2022, e01237 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2022.e01237
Aglomasa, B.C., Adu-Asiamah, C.K., Asiedu, S.O…Kwarteng A. Multi-drug resistant bacteria isolates from lymphatic filariasis patients in the Ahanta West District, Ghana. BMC Microbiol 22, 245 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-022-02624-9
Asiedu SO, Kini P, Aglomasa BC, Amewu EK, Asiedu E, Wireko S, Boahen KG, Berbudi A, Sylverken AA, Kwarteng A. (2022). Bacterial diversity significantly reduces toward the late stages among filarial lymphedema patients in the Ahanta West District of Ghana: A cross‐sectional study. Health Science Reports. 2022 Jul;5(4):e724
Sylverken AA, Owusu M, Agbavor B, Kwarteng A, Ayisi-Boateng NK, Ofori P, et al. (2022) Using drones to transport suspected COVID-19 samples; experiences from the second largest testing centre in Ghana, West Africa. PLoS ONE 17(11): e0277057. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277057
Forfjour FA and Kwarteng A (2022) The filarial and the antibiotics: Single or combination therapy using antibiotics for filariasis. Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol. 12:1044412. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2022.10.444412

Our Team

Alexander Kwarteng, PhD

Principal Investigator

Dr. Alexander Kwarteng is an immunologist with BSc in Biological Sciences and MPhil in Clinical microbiology from KNUST, Ghana, and PhD in Molecular Biomedicine with focus on filarial immunology from the University of Bonn, Germany. Dr. Kwarteng is a faculty at the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, KNUST, Ghana, a Research Fellow at the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR), Ghana, and a CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar. He seeks to understand the complex host-parasite interaction and molecular underpinning behind the complications people suffering from filarial infections present with. In recent years, his research interest has expanded to include human microbiome, computational immunology and emerging infectious diseases.

alexkwarteng@gmail.com

(233) 12345678

Alexander Kwarteng, PhD

Principal Investigator