When Cyprion Mpume Makhanya learned about the DOLPHIN Moms clinical trial, she was pregnant with her daughter and fearful of the unknown. Could participating in the study really protect her baby from TB?
“It was so scary, because you know when you are pregnant, you don't know how it will go to the child, how it will happen. And now I'm just here with my little girl, she’s six months old, and we are healthy.”
With the support of The Aurum Institute and Unitaid, Cyprion became the first participant in the DOLPHIN Moms study, which evaluates the safety and effectiveness of a short-course TB preventive therapy (TPT) regimen during pregnancy. The study’s findings have been critical in shaping global policy, proving that TB prevention for pregnant women is not just possible—it is lifesaving.
Photo Credit: Unitaid
For Babalwa Ngxowa, the idea of enrolling her son, Thami, in the DOLPHIN Kids study was terrifying. As a mother, every instinct told her to shield her child from harm. But she also knew that TB prevention for children is often overlooked.
“I was scared,” she admits. “As a mom, you wouldn’t allow anything to happen to your kids. They told me they were going to give my child some pills for TB prevention. I didn’t know about the outcomes or the side effects, but I knew that whatever they were doing, they were prepared for it.”
When it came to the needles, yeah, we had to fight! But with friendly nurses, we did it. Then we didn’t have any problem. The first dose went well. Then the second dose went well too.”
Photo Credit: Unitaid
The DOLPHIN Kids study is a crucial step in protecting children living with HIV from TB. The study evaluates how rifapentine (RPT) and isoniazid (INH), given once weekly as 3HP, affect the pharmacokinetics of Dolutegravir (DTG)—a key antiretroviral drug for infants, children, and adolescents. Over 12 weeks of treatment and an additional 8 weeks of follow-up, participating children receive full medical check-ups, close monitoring for side effects, and ongoing education and counselling for parents on HIV treatment adherence.
For the Aurum team, working with children is both a responsibility and a privilege. Innocent Shibambo, Project Manager for DOLPHIN Kids at Aurum’s Pretoria clinical research site, shares why this research is so impactful.
“One of the most rewarding things about working with children is seeing their happy faces after a blood draw. They are incredibly brave, and we make sure that both the child and the parent feel safe and supported throughout the study.”
“The overnight stays during the pharmacokinetic visits have been a unique experience-both for the parents and our team. It’s more than just a clinical trial; it’s an opportunity to ensure that these children receive exceptional care while contributing to research that will benefit countless others.”
Photo Credit: Unitaid
Aurum’s Pretoria Clinical Research Site has positioned itself as a hub for paediatric studies, ensuring that the most vulnerable—children living with HIV—receive the best possible protection against TB.
Through the dedication of Aurum’s researchers, the bravery of participating families, and the support of Unitaid, the DOLPHIN studies are not just generating data-they are changing lives. With every mother who receives preventive treatment, and every child safeguarded from TB, we move closer to the goal: We Can End TB.
