Associate Professor Nobuo Saito

Speciality / Research theme / Keywords

Clinical epidemiology, Tropical medicine, Rabies, AMR, TB, Diphtheria, Leptospirosis

Supervision

Masters ProgrammeDoctoral Programme

Qualifications

MD MSc (Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine: Tropical and Infectious Disease) PhD (Nagasaki University) Certified specialist of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine and the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases.

Background

I had my residency training in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases in Nagasaki, 2005-2009. Following the completion of Master of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool University in 2010, I dedicated my skills to humanitarian efforts, working at the MaeTao clinic run by local NGO on the Thai-Myanmar. After completing my ID fellow and working as an assistant professor in Nagasaki University Hospital, 2011 – 2013, I have been posted in Manila, leading the Nagasaki University research station, running multiple clinical research projects and training on tropical infectious diseases in San Lazaro Hospital. In April 2018, I joined Oita University to lead a 5-year project (SATREPS funded by JICA-AMED) project on rabies control in the Philippines. We successfully introduced a cutting-edge method for the rapid diagnosis of rabid animals using Lateral Flow Devices (LFD) to the Philippines. In collaboration with the Philippine Department of Agriculture, I played a pivotal role in developing an information sharing system (Rabies data share system). This initiative enabled the swift implementation of a comprehensive one-health approach to outbreak control, significantly enhancing our response capabilities to rabies outbreaks in several regions. The method we introduced is now adopted by the Philippine National Rabies Prevention Program and operational in seven regions. Moving forward, beginning in 2024, I play the role of principal investigator, leading the project to disseminate this innovative approach across the Philippines (JICA project). Since October 2023, I have been appointed to lead clinical research projects in Kenya by Nagasaki University, serving at their Kenya Research Center.

Teaching

• I have supervised a number of TMGH master’s students in the Philippines, overseeing their research. In this capacity, I have provided instruction in microbiological testing in the laboratory and taught epidemiological analysis, aiding in their scholarly and professional growth in the field.

Research

• My PhD focused on vaccine effectiveness of influenza. The research paper from this study earned me the Kitazato Shibasaburo Memorial Prize from the Japanese Society for Infectious Diseases. I have been actively engaged in clinical epidemiological research of various infectious diseases in tropical regions. My research is grounded in the analysis of patient data and clinical specimens from infectious disease cases. I employ a combination of clinical epidemiology, spatial epidemiology, and microbiology methods to analyze pathogens and uncover risk factors. Additionally, I am involved in implementation research aimed at improving public health at the community level. My research scope includes a diverse array of pathogens, such as TB, community-acquired Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), rabies, diphtheria, and leptospirosis, prevalent in tropical areas. Moreover, I continue to advance my research on the effectiveness of vaccines against influenza viruses and novel coronaviruses in Japan, contributing to critical public health insights.

The country/countries where you work currently

• Kenya
• Philippines
• Japan

Five MOST IMPORTANT/INTERESTING recent publications

1. 1. Saito N, Inton KL, Mauhay JD, Solante RM, Guzman FD, Yamada K, Kamiya Y, Saito-Obata M, Quiambao BP, Yahiro T, Kimitsuki K, Nishizono A. Puppies as the primary causal animal for human rabies cases: three-year prospective study of human rabies in the Philippines. Front Microbiol. 2024; 15: 1425766.
   2. Cruz JL, Garcia AM, Saito N, Lagayan MGO, Dela Peña RC, Usana MS,  Agustin SP, Tattao JZ, Mamauag CV, Ducayag OP, Nabus HLF, Flores PDDL, Fabon RJA, Peñaflor RP, Viñas DCG, Limsan CA, Bernales RP, Llames MET, Balopeños LE, Morales RG, Migriño AMCV, Calunsag OJS, Datoy JJ, Palma KY, Sepulveda MCB, Eng MNJ, Moscoso JS, Julabar SMF, Mauhay JD, Espino MJM, Javier CJM, Kimitsuki K, Nishizono A. Evaluation of lateral flow devices for postmortem rabies diagnosis in animals in the Philippines: a multicenter study. J Clin Microbiol. 2023; 61(12): e0084223.
   3. Saito N, Solante RM, Guzman FD, Telan EO, Umipig DV, Calayo JP, Frayco CH, Lazaro JC, Ribo MR, Dimapilis AQ, Dimapilis VO, Villanueva AM, Mauhay JL, Suzuki M, Yasunami M, Koizumi N, Kitashoji E, Sakashita K, Yasuda I, Nishiyama A, Smith C, Ariyoshi K, Parry CM. A prospective observational study of community-acquired bacterial bloodstream infections in Metro Manila, the Philippines. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2022; 16(5): e0010414.
   4. Saito N, Dimapilis VO, Fujii H, Suzuki M, Telan EFO, Umipig DV, Solante RM, Dimapilis AQ, De Guzman F, Salva EP, Nakayama F, Toda K, Smith C, Ariyoshi K, Parry CM. Diphtheria in Metro Manila, the Philippines 2006-2017: A Clinical, Molecular, and Spatial Characterization. Clin Infect Dis. 2021; 72(1): 61–8.
   5. Saito N, Komori K, Suzuki M, Kishikawa T, Yasaka T, Ariyoshi K. Dose-Dependent Negative Effects of Prior Multiple Vaccinations Against Influenza A and Influenza B Among Schoolchildren: A Study of Kamigoto Island in Japan During the 2011-2012, 2012-2013, and 2013-2014 Influenza Seasons. Clin Infect Dis. 2018; 67(6): 897–904.

Message

I am a associate professor of Kenya Research Station, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University. I am based in Nairobi, Kenya. I remain actively involved in rabies research in the Philippines. I will lead a five-year project on rabies starting in 2024. My research covers a wide range, with a primary emphasis on patient-based clinical studies of tropical infectious diseases. At present, my key focus areas include tuberculosis, rabies, febrile infectious diseases in Kenya, and a variety of zoonotic diseases. We are enthusiastic about working with students who have a keen interest in clinical epidemiology research in Kenya and the Philippines, as well as those passionate about public health research in these regions. We are looking forward to working with you on clinical epidemiology research in Kenya and the Philippines, as well as public health research.