- Yale Center for Infectious Disease200 Orchard StreetNew Haven, CT 06511
Onyema Ogbuagu, MBBCh, FACP, FIDSA
Biography
Onyema Ogbuagu, MBBCh, is an infectious diseases specialist who cares for patients who are affected by or at risk for HIV/AIDS, and directs Yale AIDS Program HIV clinical trials research. He also provides care for COVID-19 patients and leads Yale’s clinical studies around COVID-19.
Dr. Ogbuagu was drawn to infectious diseases by the intellectual challenges, but he quickly started to appreciate the rewards he experienced in patient care. “I trained in Nigeria, where you see lot of disease and suffering and late presentations, and you are working in a resource-limited space where you feel that if things were better, people would survive,” he says. He found similar issues in the United States, where HIV often affects people who struggle socioeconomically, and are stigmatized and neglected in society. “You get that deep desire to make a difference, save lives, make suffering better, and heal people, and you can offer services to a vulnerable population,” he says.
One of a doctor’s most important roles is to reassure patients, Dr. Ogbuagu says, and information often helps. “For HIV, we are able to tell people now that treatments have evolved to the point where most people with the virus have a normal life expectancy—all you need to do is take your medicine to keep the virus at bay. For COVID, I remind patients that the majority of people have good outcomes, even among the elderly, so that is in their favor.” He adds that patients at Yale who enroll in clinical trials have the advantage of access to potentially effective therapies before they are FDA-approved.
In addition to his work at Yale, Dr. Ogbuagu contributes to creating sustainable patient care, supporting training, and furthering research activities and patient services in Liberia and Rwanda. “I’ve trained a whole generation of physicians in Rwanda, and the first infectious disease fellow ever in Liberia. I think we are making some steps in the right direction,” he says.
Titles
- Associate Professor of Medicine (AIDS) and of Pharmacology
- Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health
Education & Training
- FellowshipYale School of Medicine (2012)
- ResidencyMount Sinai School of Medicine (2010)
- MBBChUniversity of Calabar (2003)
Languages Spoken
- English
- Igbo
Additional Information
- Commencement Speaker 2021: Yale School of Medicine (2021)
- Gerald H. Friedland Award for Outstanding International Research 2019: Connecticut Infectious Diseases Society (2019)
- Gerald H. Friedland Award for Outstanding International Research: Connecticut Infectious Diseases Society (2014)
- AB of Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease (2012)
- AB of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine (2009, recertified: 2019)
- Tuan J, Igiraneza G, Ogbuagu O. Analysis of drug–drug interactions in patients with HIV and metabolic syndrome. Expert Opinion On Drug Metabolism & Toxicology 2024, ahead-of-print: 1-13. PMID: 39230187, DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2024.2401044.
- Ogbuagu O, Molina J, Chetchotisakd P, Ramgopal M, Sanchez W, Brunetta J, Castelli F, Crofoot G, Hung C, Ronot-Bregigeon S, Margot N, Wang H, Dvory-Sobol H, Rhee M, Segal-Maurer S. Efficacy and Safety of Long-Acting Subcutaneous Lenacapavir in Heavily Treatment-Experienced People with Multi-Drug Resistant HIV-1: Week 104 Results of a Phase 2/3 Trial. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2024, ciae423. PMID: 39206943, DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciae423.
- Strong S, Oldfield B, van den Berg J, Cole C, Biegacki E, Ogbuagu O, Virata M, Chan P, Edelman E. Perspectives on unhealthy alcohol use among men who have sex with men prescribed HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis: A qualitative study. Preventive Medicine Reports 2023, 37: 102553. PMID: 38282665, PMCID: PMC10810836, DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102553.
- Tuan J, Sharma M, Kayani J, Davis M, McManus D, Topal J, Ogbuagu O. Outcomes of pregnant women exposed to Sotrovimab for the treatment of COVID-19 in the BA.1 Omicron predominant era (PRESTO). BMC Infectious Diseases 2023, 23: 258. PMID: 37101135, PMCID: PMC10130811, DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08198-9.
- Tuan J, Ogbuagu O. Lenacapavir: a twice-yearly treatment for adults with multidrug-resistant HIV infection and limited treatment options. Expert Review Of Anti-infective Therapy 2023, 21: 565-570. PMID: 37067160, DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2023.2203913.
- Ogbuagu O, Sharma M, Igiraneza G, Andrews L, Tuan J, Barakat L. Correction: HIV risk profile and prevention needs of individuals seeking monkeypox (mpox) vaccination in an urban clinic in the U.S.: a brief report. BMC Infectious Diseases 2023, 23: 224. PMID: 37046201, PMCID: PMC10100465, DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08159-2.
- Ogbuagu O, Sharma M, Igiraneza G, Andrews L, Tuan J, Barakat L. HIV risk profile and prevention needs of individuals seeking monkeypox (mpox) vaccination in an urban clinic in the U.S.: a brief report. BMC Infectious Diseases 2023, 23: 146. PMID: 36890468, PMCID: PMC9993362, DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08075-5.
- Tuan J, Ogbuagu O, Kumar D, Altice F, Fikrig M. Acute kidney injury due to myoglobin cast nephropathy in the setting of coronavirus disease 2019-mediated rhabdomyolysis: a case report. Journal Of Medical Case Reports 2022, 16: 491. PMID: 36578087, PMCID: PMC9795945, DOI: 10.1186/s13256-022-03721-z.
- Tuan JJ, Zapata H, Barakat L, Andrews L, Behnegar A, Kim YW, Kayani J, Mutic S, Ryall L, Turcotte B, Critch-Gilfillan T, Zhao M, Salahuddin S, Gupta S, Sutton R, Friedland G, Emu B, Ogbuagu O. Long-term quantitative assessment of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein immunogenicity (QUASI) after COVID-19 vaccination in older people living with HIV (PWH). BMC Infectious Diseases 2022, 22: 744. PMID: 36131232, PMCID: PMC9491266, DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07737-0.
- I U U, Adeiza M, Ideh R, Ogbuagu O. Early infant diagnosis of HIV infection at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, Monrovia, Liberia. HIV Research & Clinical Practice 2022, 23: 136-140. PMID: 35703420, DOI: 10.1080/25787489.2022.2086093.
- Cespedes M, Das M, Hojilla JC, Blumenthal J, Mounzer K, Ramgopal M, Hodge T, Torres TS, Peterson C, Shibase S, Elliott A, Demidont AC, Callaghan L, Watson CC, Carter C, Kintu A, Baeten JM, Ogbuagu O. Proactive strategies to optimize engagement of Black, Hispanic/Latinx, transgender, and nonbinary individuals in a trial of a novel agent for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PLOS ONE 2022, 17: e0267780. PMID: 35657826, PMCID: PMC9165827, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267780.
- Gandhi S, Klein J, Robertson AJ, Peña-Hernández MA, Lin MJ, Roychoudhury P, Lu P, Fournier J, Ferguson D, Mohamed Bakhash SAK, Catherine Muenker M, Srivathsan A, Wunder EA, Kerantzas N, Wang W, Lindenbach B, Pyle A, Wilen CB, Ogbuagu O, Greninger AL, Iwasaki A, Schulz WL, Ko AI. De novo emergence of a remdesivir resistance mutation during treatment of persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection in an immunocompromised patient: a case report. Nature Communications 2022, 13: 1547. PMID: 35301314, PMCID: PMC8930970, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29104-y.
- Sridhar S, Joaquin A, Bonaparte MI, Bueso A, Chabanon AL, Chen A, Chicz RM, Diemert D, Essink BJ, Fu B, Grunenberg NA, Janosczyk H, Keefer MC, Rivera M DM, Meng Y, Michael NL, Munsiff SS, Ogbuagu O, Raabe VN, Severance R, Rivas E, Romanyak N, Rouphael NG, Schuerman L, Sher LD, Walsh SR, White J, von Barbier D, de Bruyn G, Canter R, Grillet MH, Keshtkar-Jahromi M, Koutsoukos M, Lopez D, Masotti R, Mendoza S, Moreau C, Ceregido MA, Ramirez S, Said A, Tavares-Da-Silva F, Shi J, Tong T, Treanor J, Diazgranados CA, Savarino S. Safety and immunogenicity of an AS03-adjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 recombinant protein vaccine (CoV2 preS dTM) in healthy adults: interim findings from a phase 2, randomised, dose-finding, multicentre study. The Lancet Infectious Diseases 2022, 22: 636-648. PMID: 35090638, PMCID: PMC8789245, DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(21)00764-7.
- Adeiza M, Kekulah I, Wachekwa I, Ogbuagu O. Dolutegravir hypersensitivity reaction: the need for strengthening pharmacovigilance systems with optimization of antiretroviral therapy in HIV programs in resource-limited settings (case report). PAMJ Clinical Medicine 2022, 8 DOI: 10.11604/pamj-cm.2022.8.47.33930.
- Ogbuagu O, Wachekwa I, Yasin F, Nuta C, Donato S, Toomey J, Adeiza M, Barakat LA. High HIV Detection in a Tertiary Facility in Liberia: Implications and Opportunities. Annals Of Global Health 2021, 87: 117. PMID: 34900617, PMCID: PMC8622250, DOI: 10.5334/aogh.3243.
- Adeiza MA, Wachekwa I, Nuta C, Donato S, Koomson F, Whitney J, Plyler C, Kerr L, Sackey G, Dunbar E, Talbert-Slagle K, Klar R, Marsh RH, Caldwell S, Toomey J, Ogbuagu O. Gaps and Opportunities in HIV Service Delivery in High Volume HIV Care Centers in Liberia: Lessons From the Field. Annals Of Global Health 2021, 87: 115. PMID: 34900615, PMCID: PMC8622325, DOI: 10.5334/aogh.3246.
- Tuan JJ, Zapata H, Critch‐Gilfillan T, Ryall L, Turcotte B, Mutic S, Andrews L, Roh ME, Friedland G, Barakat L, Ogbuagu O. Qualitative assessment of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein immunogenicity (QUASI) after COVID‐19 vaccination in older people living with HIV. HIV Medicine 2021, 23: 178-185. PMID: 34632695, PMCID: PMC8652674, DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13188.
- Marsh RH, Plyler C, Miller M, Klar R, Adeiza M, Wachekwa I, Koomson F, Garlo JL, Kruah K, Lake SC, Matte R, Cook R, Maweu D, Kerr L, Ogbuagu O, Talbert-Slagle K, Dahn B. Facing COVID-19 in Liberia: Adaptations of the Resilient and Responsive Health Systems Initiative. Annals Of Global Health 2021, 87: 101. PMID: 34707981, PMCID: PMC8499715, DOI: 10.5334/aogh.3245.
- Frenck RW Jr, Klein NP, Kitchin N, Gurtman A, Absalon J, Lockhart S, Perez JL, Walter EB, Senders S, Bailey R, Swanson KA, Ma H, Xu X, Koury K, Kalina WV, Cooper D, Jennings T, Brandon DM, Thomas SJ, Türeci Ö, Tresnan DB, Mather S, Dormitzer PR, Şahin U, Jansen KU, Gruber WC, C4591001 Clinical Trial Group.. Safety, Immunogenicity, and Efficacy of the BNT162b2 Covid-19 Vaccine in Adolescents. N Engl J Med 2021, 385:239-250.
- Ogbuagu O, Ruane PJ, Podzamczer D, Salazar LC, Henry K, Asmuth DM, Wohl D, Gilson R, Shao Y, Ebrahimi R, Cox S, Kintu A, Carter C, Das M, Baeten JM, Brainard DM, Whitlock G, Brunetta JM, Kronborg G, Spinner CD, team D, Antinori A, Apea V, Asmuth D, Avery A, Benson P, Bergin C, Berhe M, Brar I, Brinson C, Brunetta J, Burack J, Campbell T, Cespedes M, Clarke A, Coleman M, Coll J, Casal M, Creticos C, Crofoot G, Cruickshank F, Cua E, Daar E, de Wet J, DeJesus E, Del Romero Guerrero J, Dinges W, Doblecki-Lewis S, Donovan T, Dosekun O, Flamm J, Gallant J, Gerstoft J, Gilson R, Gladstein J, Grant R, Grossberg R, Haas B, Halperin J, Hardy W, Hare C, Hassler S, Hengel R, Henry W, Hodge T, Hosek S, Hurt C, Iandiorio M, Jessen H, Kegg S, Knecht G, Kronborg G, Krznaric I, LaMarca A, Larsen C, Larsen O, Lazzarin A, Leen C, Lucasti C, Mallon P, Mannheimer S, Markowitz M, Martorell C, Mayer K, Mills A, Molina J, Morris S, Mounzer K, Nwokolo N, Ogbuagu O, Osiyemi O, Petroll A, Philibert P, Phoenix J, Pialoux G, Podzamczer D, Post F, Prins M, Ramgopal M, Rashbaum B, Reeves I, Richmond G, Rieger A, Ruane P, Salazar L, Scarsella A, Schembri G, Scott M, Shalit P, Sinclair G, Sobieszczyk M, Spinner C, Stephens J, Szabo J, Taylor S, Thompson M, Tremblay C, Trottier B, Voskuhl G, Wade B, Wohl D, Workowski K, Yawetz S, Young B. Long-term safety and efficacy of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide vs emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for HIV-1 pre-exposure prophylaxis: week 96 results from a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. The Lancet HIV 2021, 8: e397-e407. PMID: 34197772, DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(21)00071-0.
- Carr K, Ogbuagu O. Late neurosyphilis and VZV meningoencephalitis coinfection. BMJ Case Reports 2021, 14: e240412. PMID: 34162599, PMCID: PMC8231027, DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-240412.
- Pischel L, Walelo M, Benson J, Osborn R, Schrier R, Tuan J, Barakat L, Ogbuagu O. Race and ethnicity do not impact eligibility for remdesivir: A single-center experience. PLOS ONE 2021, 16: e0250735. PMID: 33956849, PMCID: PMC8101938, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250735.
- Tuan J, Spichler-Moffarah A, Ogbuagu O. A new positive SARS-CoV-2 test months after severe COVID-19 illness: reinfection or intermittent viral shedding? BMJ Case Reports 2021, 14: e240531. PMID: 33542020, PMCID: PMC8098910, DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-240531.
- Polack FP, Thomas SJ, Kitchin N, Absalon J, Gurtman A, Lockhart S, Perez JL, Pérez Marc G, Moreira ED, Zerbini C, Bailey R, Swanson KA, Roychoudhury S, Koury K, Li P, Kalina WV, Cooper D, Frenck RW Jr, Hammitt LL, Türeci Ö, Nell H, Schaefer A, Ünal S, Tresnan DB, Mather S, Dormitzer PR, Şahin U, Jansen KU, Gruber WC, C4591001 Clinical Trial Group.. Safety and Efficacy of the BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine. N Engl J Med 2020, 383:2603-2615.
- Spinner CD, Gottlieb RL, Criner GJ, López J, Cattelan AM, Viladomiu A, Ogbuagu O, Malhotra P, Mullane KM, Castagna A, Chai LYA, Roestenberg M, Tsang OTY, Bernasconi E, Le Turnier P, Chang SC, SenGupta D, Hyland RH, Osinusi AO, Cao H, Blair C, Wang H, Gaggar A, Brainard DM, McPhail MJ, Bhagani S, Ahn MY, Sanyal AJ, Huhn G, Marty FM. Effect of Remdesivir vs Standard Care on Clinical Status at 11 Days in Patients With Moderate COVID-19. JAMA 2020, 324: 1048-1057. PMID: 32821939, PMCID: PMC7442954, DOI: 10.1001/jama.2020.16349.
- Sopeyin A, Hornsey E, Okwor T, Alimi Y, Raji T, Mohammed A, Moges H, Onwuekwe EVC, Minja FJ, Gon G, Ogbuagu O, Ogunsola F, Paintsil E. Transmission risk of respiratory viruses in natural and mechanical ventilation environments: implications for SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Africa. BMJ Global Health 2020, 5: e003522. PMID: 32863269, PMCID: PMC7462043, DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003522.
- Edelman EJ, Moore BA, Calabrese SK, Berkenblit G, Cunningham CO, Ogbuagu O, Patel VV, Phillips KA, Tetrault JM, Shah M, Blackstock O. Preferences for implementation of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): Results from a survey of primary care providers. Preventive Medicine Reports 2019, 17: 101012. PMID: 31890474, PMCID: PMC6926349, DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2019.101012.
- Maughan A, Sadigh K, Angulo-Diaz V, Mandimika C, Villanueva M, Lim JK, Ogbuagu O. Contemporary HCV pangenotypic DAA treatment protocols are exclusionary to real world HIV-HCV co-infected patients. BMC Infectious Diseases 2019, 19: 378. PMID: 31053098, PMCID: PMC6500032, DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-3974-7.
- Kambutse I, Igiraneza G, Shenoi S, Ogbuagu O. Correction: Perceptions of HIV transmission and pre-exposure prophylaxis among health care workers and community members in Rwanda. PLOS ONE 2019, 14: e0212933. PMID: 30794678, PMCID: PMC6386218, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212933.
- Kambutse I, Igiraneza G, Ogbuagu O. Perceptions of HIV transmission and pre-exposure prophylaxis among health care workers and community members in Rwanda. PLOS ONE 2018, 13: e0207650. PMID: 30475841, PMCID: PMC6261021, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207650.
- Barakat LA, Dunne DW, Tetrault JM, Soares S, Chia D, Ogbuagu OE, Moriarty JP, Huot SJ, Green ML. The Changing Face of HIV Care. Academic Medicine 2018, 93: 1673-1678. PMID: 29901657, DOI: 10.1097/acm.0000000000002317.
- Dowers E, Zamora F, Barakat LA, Ogbuagu O. Dolutegravir/rilpivirine for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. HIV/AIDS - Research And Palliative Care 2018, 10: 215-224. PMID: 30464642, PMCID: PMC6220428, DOI: 10.2147/hiv.s157855.
- Jacobson K, Ogbuagu O. Integrase inhibitor-based regimens result in more rapid virologic suppression rates among treatment-naïve human immunodeficiency virus–infected patients compared to non-nucleoside and protease inhibitor–based regimens in a real-world clinical setting. Medicine 2018, 97: e13016. PMID: 30412140, PMCID: PMC6221636, DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000013016.
- Ogbuagu O, Marshall BDL, Tiberio P, Ogunbajo A, Barakat L, Montgomery M, Almonte A, Wray T, Williams EC, Edelman EJ, Chan PA. Prevalence and Correlates of Unhealthy Alcohol and Drug Use Among Men Who Have Sex with Men Prescribed HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis in Real-World Clinical Settings. AIDS And Behavior 2018, 23: 190-200. PMID: 30145707, PMCID: PMC7020905, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-018-2260-9.
- Ogbuagu O, Bruce R. Infections in HIV-Infected Patients. 2018, 243-281. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-77674-3_13.
- Rutledge R, Madden L, Ogbuagu O, Meyer JP. HIV Risk perception and eligibility for pre-exposure prophylaxis in women involved in the criminal justice system. AIDS Care 2018, 30: 1282-1289. PMID: 29527934, PMCID: PMC6085161, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2018.1447079.
- Jacobson K, Ogbuagu O. Comparison of Time to Viral Suppression Among Treatment-Naïve HIV-Infected Adults Initiating Combination Antiretroviral Therapy by Antiretroviral Regimen Class. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2017, 4: s432-s432. PMCID: PMC5630773, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofx163.1090.
- Carroll M, Rangaiahagari A, Musabeyezu E, Singer D, Ogbuagu O. Five-Year Antimicrobial Susceptibility Trends Among Bacterial Isolates from King Faisal Hospital Tertiary Health-Care Facility in Kigali, Rwanda. Clinical Therapeutics 2017, 39: e4-e5. DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2017.05.017.
- Ogbuagu O, Hao R, Virata M, Villanueva M, Malinis M. Efficacy of an 8-week course of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir for the treatment of HCV infection in selected HIV-infected patients. F1000Research 2017, 6: 620. DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.11397.1.
- Koff A, Goldberg C, Ogbuagu O. Condomless sex and HIV transmission among serodifferent couples: current evidence and recommendations. Annals Of Medicine 2017, 49: 534-544. PMID: 28409656, DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2017.1320423.
- Ogbuagu O. Rilpivirine, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide: single-tablet combination for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in selected patients. Expert Review Of Anti-infective Therapy 2016, 14: 1113-1126. PMID: 27797606, DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2016.1255551.
- Carroll M, Rangaiahagari A, Musabeyezu E, Singer D, Ogbuagu O. Five-Year Antimicrobial Susceptibility Trends Among Bacterial Isolates from a Tertiary Health-Care Facility in Kigali, Rwanda. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2016, 95: 1277-1283. PMID: 27799637, PMCID: PMC5154439, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0392.
- Lukas S, Hogan U, Muhirwa V, Davis C, Nyiligira J, Ogbuagu O, Wong R. Establishment of a hospital-acquired infection surveillance system in a teaching hospital in Rwanda. International Journal Of Infection Control 2016, 12 DOI: 10.3396/ijic.v12i3.018.16.
- Sherbuk J, Saly D, Barakat L, Ogbuagu O. Unusual presentation of disseminated Nocardia abscessus infection in a patient with AIDS. BMJ Case Reports 2016, 2016: bcr2016215649. PMID: 27440848, PMCID: PMC4964189, DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2016-215649.
- Chabria S, Barakat L, Ogbuagu O. Steroid-exacerbated HIV-associated cutaneous Kaposi’s sarcoma immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome: ‘Where a good intention turns bad’. International Journal Of STD & AIDS 2016, 27: 1026-1029. PMID: 26769754, DOI: 10.1177/0956462415627735.
- Ogbuagu O, Friedland G, Bruce RD. Drug interactions between buprenorphine, methadone and hepatitis C therapeutics. Expert Opinion On Drug Metabolism & Toxicology 2016, 12: 721-731. PMID: 27140427, DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2016.1183644.
- Tiberio PJ, Ogbuagu OE. CD8 T-Cell Lymphocytosis and Associated Clinical Syndromes in HIV-Infected Patients. Aids Reviews 2015, 17: 202-11. PMID: 26679852.
- Ogbuagu O, Ogbuagu A. Single-pill regimens for HIV-1 infection. New England Journal Of Medicine 2014, 371: 1844. PMID: 25372100, DOI: 10.1056/nejmc1410930.
- Manzi O, Ogbuagu O. SEQUENTIAL LOW COST INTERVENTIONS DOUBLE HAND HYGIENE RATES AMONG MEDICAL TEAMS IN A RESOURCE LIMITED SETTING. RESULTS OF A HAND HYGIENE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT CONDUCTED AT UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL OF KIGALI (CHUK), KIGALI, RWANDA. East African Medical Journal 2014, 91: 44-9. PMID: 26859019.
- Yale Center for Infectious Disease200 Orchard StreetNew Haven, CT 06511
Biography
Onyema Ogbuagu, MBBCh, is an infectious diseases specialist who cares for patients who are affected by or at risk for HIV/AIDS, and directs Yale AIDS Program HIV clinical trials research. He also provides care for COVID-19 patients and leads Yale’s clinical studies around COVID-19.
Dr. Ogbuagu was drawn to infectious diseases by the intellectual challenges, but he quickly started to appreciate the rewards he experienced in patient care. “I trained in Nigeria, where you see lot of disease and suffering and late presentations, and you are working in a resource-limited space where you feel that if things were better, people would survive,” he says. He found similar issues in the United States, where HIV often affects people who struggle socioeconomically, and are stigmatized and neglected in society. “You get that deep desire to make a difference, save lives, make suffering better, and heal people, and you can offer services to a vulnerable population,” he says.
One of a doctor’s most important roles is to reassure patients, Dr. Ogbuagu says, and information often helps. “For HIV, we are able to tell people now that treatments have evolved to the point where most people with the virus have a normal life expectancy—all you need to do is take your medicine to keep the virus at bay. For COVID, I remind patients that the majority of people have good outcomes, even among the elderly, so that is in their favor.” He adds that patients at Yale who enroll in clinical trials have the advantage of access to potentially effective therapies before they are FDA-approved.
In addition to his work at Yale, Dr. Ogbuagu contributes to creating sustainable patient care, supporting training, and furthering research activities and patient services in Liberia and Rwanda. “I’ve trained a whole generation of physicians in Rwanda, and the first infectious disease fellow ever in Liberia. I think we are making some steps in the right direction,” he says.
Titles
- Associate Professor of Medicine (AIDS) and of Pharmacology
- Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health
Education & Training
- FellowshipYale School of Medicine (2012)
- ResidencyMount Sinai School of Medicine (2010)
- MBBChUniversity of Calabar (2003)
Languages Spoken
- English
- Igbo
Additional Information
- Commencement Speaker 2021: Yale School of Medicine (2021)
- Gerald H. Friedland Award for Outstanding International Research 2019: Connecticut Infectious Diseases Society (2019)
- Gerald H. Friedland Award for Outstanding International Research: Connecticut Infectious Diseases Society (2014)
- AB of Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease (2012)
- AB of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine (2009, recertified: 2019)
- Tuan J, Igiraneza G, Ogbuagu O. Analysis of drug–drug interactions in patients with HIV and metabolic syndrome. Expert Opinion On Drug Metabolism & Toxicology 2024, ahead-of-print: 1-13. PMID: 39230187, DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2024.2401044.
- Ogbuagu O, Molina J, Chetchotisakd P, Ramgopal M, Sanchez W, Brunetta J, Castelli F, Crofoot G, Hung C, Ronot-Bregigeon S, Margot N, Wang H, Dvory-Sobol H, Rhee M, Segal-Maurer S. Efficacy and Safety of Long-Acting Subcutaneous Lenacapavir in Heavily Treatment-Experienced People with Multi-Drug Resistant HIV-1: Week 104 Results of a Phase 2/3 Trial. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2024, ciae423. PMID: 39206943, DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciae423.
- Strong S, Oldfield B, van den Berg J, Cole C, Biegacki E, Ogbuagu O, Virata M, Chan P, Edelman E. Perspectives on unhealthy alcohol use among men who have sex with men prescribed HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis: A qualitative study. Preventive Medicine Reports 2023, 37: 102553. PMID: 38282665, PMCID: PMC10810836, DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102553.
- Tuan J, Sharma M, Kayani J, Davis M, McManus D, Topal J, Ogbuagu O. Outcomes of pregnant women exposed to Sotrovimab for the treatment of COVID-19 in the BA.1 Omicron predominant era (PRESTO). BMC Infectious Diseases 2023, 23: 258. PMID: 37101135, PMCID: PMC10130811, DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08198-9.
- Tuan J, Ogbuagu O. Lenacapavir: a twice-yearly treatment for adults with multidrug-resistant HIV infection and limited treatment options. Expert Review Of Anti-infective Therapy 2023, 21: 565-570. PMID: 37067160, DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2023.2203913.
- Ogbuagu O, Sharma M, Igiraneza G, Andrews L, Tuan J, Barakat L. Correction: HIV risk profile and prevention needs of individuals seeking monkeypox (mpox) vaccination in an urban clinic in the U.S.: a brief report. BMC Infectious Diseases 2023, 23: 224. PMID: 37046201, PMCID: PMC10100465, DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08159-2.
- Ogbuagu O, Sharma M, Igiraneza G, Andrews L, Tuan J, Barakat L. HIV risk profile and prevention needs of individuals seeking monkeypox (mpox) vaccination in an urban clinic in the U.S.: a brief report. BMC Infectious Diseases 2023, 23: 146. PMID: 36890468, PMCID: PMC9993362, DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08075-5.
- Tuan J, Ogbuagu O, Kumar D, Altice F, Fikrig M. Acute kidney injury due to myoglobin cast nephropathy in the setting of coronavirus disease 2019-mediated rhabdomyolysis: a case report. Journal Of Medical Case Reports 2022, 16: 491. PMID: 36578087, PMCID: PMC9795945, DOI: 10.1186/s13256-022-03721-z.
- Tuan JJ, Zapata H, Barakat L, Andrews L, Behnegar A, Kim YW, Kayani J, Mutic S, Ryall L, Turcotte B, Critch-Gilfillan T, Zhao M, Salahuddin S, Gupta S, Sutton R, Friedland G, Emu B, Ogbuagu O. Long-term quantitative assessment of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein immunogenicity (QUASI) after COVID-19 vaccination in older people living with HIV (PWH). BMC Infectious Diseases 2022, 22: 744. PMID: 36131232, PMCID: PMC9491266, DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07737-0.
- I U U, Adeiza M, Ideh R, Ogbuagu O. Early infant diagnosis of HIV infection at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, Monrovia, Liberia. HIV Research & Clinical Practice 2022, 23: 136-140. PMID: 35703420, DOI: 10.1080/25787489.2022.2086093.
- Cespedes M, Das M, Hojilla JC, Blumenthal J, Mounzer K, Ramgopal M, Hodge T, Torres TS, Peterson C, Shibase S, Elliott A, Demidont AC, Callaghan L, Watson CC, Carter C, Kintu A, Baeten JM, Ogbuagu O. Proactive strategies to optimize engagement of Black, Hispanic/Latinx, transgender, and nonbinary individuals in a trial of a novel agent for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PLOS ONE 2022, 17: e0267780. PMID: 35657826, PMCID: PMC9165827, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267780.
- Gandhi S, Klein J, Robertson AJ, Peña-Hernández MA, Lin MJ, Roychoudhury P, Lu P, Fournier J, Ferguson D, Mohamed Bakhash SAK, Catherine Muenker M, Srivathsan A, Wunder EA, Kerantzas N, Wang W, Lindenbach B, Pyle A, Wilen CB, Ogbuagu O, Greninger AL, Iwasaki A, Schulz WL, Ko AI. De novo emergence of a remdesivir resistance mutation during treatment of persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection in an immunocompromised patient: a case report. Nature Communications 2022, 13: 1547. PMID: 35301314, PMCID: PMC8930970, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29104-y.
- Sridhar S, Joaquin A, Bonaparte MI, Bueso A, Chabanon AL, Chen A, Chicz RM, Diemert D, Essink BJ, Fu B, Grunenberg NA, Janosczyk H, Keefer MC, Rivera M DM, Meng Y, Michael NL, Munsiff SS, Ogbuagu O, Raabe VN, Severance R, Rivas E, Romanyak N, Rouphael NG, Schuerman L, Sher LD, Walsh SR, White J, von Barbier D, de Bruyn G, Canter R, Grillet MH, Keshtkar-Jahromi M, Koutsoukos M, Lopez D, Masotti R, Mendoza S, Moreau C, Ceregido MA, Ramirez S, Said A, Tavares-Da-Silva F, Shi J, Tong T, Treanor J, Diazgranados CA, Savarino S. Safety and immunogenicity of an AS03-adjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 recombinant protein vaccine (CoV2 preS dTM) in healthy adults: interim findings from a phase 2, randomised, dose-finding, multicentre study. The Lancet Infectious Diseases 2022, 22: 636-648. PMID: 35090638, PMCID: PMC8789245, DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(21)00764-7.
- Adeiza M, Kekulah I, Wachekwa I, Ogbuagu O. Dolutegravir hypersensitivity reaction: the need for strengthening pharmacovigilance systems with optimization of antiretroviral therapy in HIV programs in resource-limited settings (case report). PAMJ Clinical Medicine 2022, 8 DOI: 10.11604/pamj-cm.2022.8.47.33930.
- Ogbuagu O, Wachekwa I, Yasin F, Nuta C, Donato S, Toomey J, Adeiza M, Barakat LA. High HIV Detection in a Tertiary Facility in Liberia: Implications and Opportunities. Annals Of Global Health 2021, 87: 117. PMID: 34900617, PMCID: PMC8622250, DOI: 10.5334/aogh.3243.
- Adeiza MA, Wachekwa I, Nuta C, Donato S, Koomson F, Whitney J, Plyler C, Kerr L, Sackey G, Dunbar E, Talbert-Slagle K, Klar R, Marsh RH, Caldwell S, Toomey J, Ogbuagu O. Gaps and Opportunities in HIV Service Delivery in High Volume HIV Care Centers in Liberia: Lessons From the Field. Annals Of Global Health 2021, 87: 115. PMID: 34900615, PMCID: PMC8622325, DOI: 10.5334/aogh.3246.
- Tuan JJ, Zapata H, Critch‐Gilfillan T, Ryall L, Turcotte B, Mutic S, Andrews L, Roh ME, Friedland G, Barakat L, Ogbuagu O. Qualitative assessment of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein immunogenicity (QUASI) after COVID‐19 vaccination in older people living with HIV. HIV Medicine 2021, 23: 178-185. PMID: 34632695, PMCID: PMC8652674, DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13188.
- Marsh RH, Plyler C, Miller M, Klar R, Adeiza M, Wachekwa I, Koomson F, Garlo JL, Kruah K, Lake SC, Matte R, Cook R, Maweu D, Kerr L, Ogbuagu O, Talbert-Slagle K, Dahn B. Facing COVID-19 in Liberia: Adaptations of the Resilient and Responsive Health Systems Initiative. Annals Of Global Health 2021, 87: 101. PMID: 34707981, PMCID: PMC8499715, DOI: 10.5334/aogh.3245.
- Frenck RW Jr, Klein NP, Kitchin N, Gurtman A, Absalon J, Lockhart S, Perez JL, Walter EB, Senders S, Bailey R, Swanson KA, Ma H, Xu X, Koury K, Kalina WV, Cooper D, Jennings T, Brandon DM, Thomas SJ, Türeci Ö, Tresnan DB, Mather S, Dormitzer PR, Şahin U, Jansen KU, Gruber WC, C4591001 Clinical Trial Group.. Safety, Immunogenicity, and Efficacy of the BNT162b2 Covid-19 Vaccine in Adolescents. N Engl J Med 2021, 385:239-250.
- Ogbuagu O, Ruane PJ, Podzamczer D, Salazar LC, Henry K, Asmuth DM, Wohl D, Gilson R, Shao Y, Ebrahimi R, Cox S, Kintu A, Carter C, Das M, Baeten JM, Brainard DM, Whitlock G, Brunetta JM, Kronborg G, Spinner CD, team D, Antinori A, Apea V, Asmuth D, Avery A, Benson P, Bergin C, Berhe M, Brar I, Brinson C, Brunetta J, Burack J, Campbell T, Cespedes M, Clarke A, Coleman M, Coll J, Casal M, Creticos C, Crofoot G, Cruickshank F, Cua E, Daar E, de Wet J, DeJesus E, Del Romero Guerrero J, Dinges W, Doblecki-Lewis S, Donovan T, Dosekun O, Flamm J, Gallant J, Gerstoft J, Gilson R, Gladstein J, Grant R, Grossberg R, Haas B, Halperin J, Hardy W, Hare C, Hassler S, Hengel R, Henry W, Hodge T, Hosek S, Hurt C, Iandiorio M, Jessen H, Kegg S, Knecht G, Kronborg G, Krznaric I, LaMarca A, Larsen C, Larsen O, Lazzarin A, Leen C, Lucasti C, Mallon P, Mannheimer S, Markowitz M, Martorell C, Mayer K, Mills A, Molina J, Morris S, Mounzer K, Nwokolo N, Ogbuagu O, Osiyemi O, Petroll A, Philibert P, Phoenix J, Pialoux G, Podzamczer D, Post F, Prins M, Ramgopal M, Rashbaum B, Reeves I, Richmond G, Rieger A, Ruane P, Salazar L, Scarsella A, Schembri G, Scott M, Shalit P, Sinclair G, Sobieszczyk M, Spinner C, Stephens J, Szabo J, Taylor S, Thompson M, Tremblay C, Trottier B, Voskuhl G, Wade B, Wohl D, Workowski K, Yawetz S, Young B. Long-term safety and efficacy of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide vs emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for HIV-1 pre-exposure prophylaxis: week 96 results from a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. The Lancet HIV 2021, 8: e397-e407. PMID: 34197772, DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(21)00071-0.
- Carr K, Ogbuagu O. Late neurosyphilis and VZV meningoencephalitis coinfection. BMJ Case Reports 2021, 14: e240412. PMID: 34162599, PMCID: PMC8231027, DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-240412.
- Pischel L, Walelo M, Benson J, Osborn R, Schrier R, Tuan J, Barakat L, Ogbuagu O. Race and ethnicity do not impact eligibility for remdesivir: A single-center experience. PLOS ONE 2021, 16: e0250735. PMID: 33956849, PMCID: PMC8101938, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250735.
- Tuan J, Spichler-Moffarah A, Ogbuagu O. A new positive SARS-CoV-2 test months after severe COVID-19 illness: reinfection or intermittent viral shedding? BMJ Case Reports 2021, 14: e240531. PMID: 33542020, PMCID: PMC8098910, DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-240531.
- Polack FP, Thomas SJ, Kitchin N, Absalon J, Gurtman A, Lockhart S, Perez JL, Pérez Marc G, Moreira ED, Zerbini C, Bailey R, Swanson KA, Roychoudhury S, Koury K, Li P, Kalina WV, Cooper D, Frenck RW Jr, Hammitt LL, Türeci Ö, Nell H, Schaefer A, Ünal S, Tresnan DB, Mather S, Dormitzer PR, Şahin U, Jansen KU, Gruber WC, C4591001 Clinical Trial Group.. Safety and Efficacy of the BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine. N Engl J Med 2020, 383:2603-2615.
- Spinner CD, Gottlieb RL, Criner GJ, López J, Cattelan AM, Viladomiu A, Ogbuagu O, Malhotra P, Mullane KM, Castagna A, Chai LYA, Roestenberg M, Tsang OTY, Bernasconi E, Le Turnier P, Chang SC, SenGupta D, Hyland RH, Osinusi AO, Cao H, Blair C, Wang H, Gaggar A, Brainard DM, McPhail MJ, Bhagani S, Ahn MY, Sanyal AJ, Huhn G, Marty FM. Effect of Remdesivir vs Standard Care on Clinical Status at 11 Days in Patients With Moderate COVID-19. JAMA 2020, 324: 1048-1057. PMID: 32821939, PMCID: PMC7442954, DOI: 10.1001/jama.2020.16349.
- Sopeyin A, Hornsey E, Okwor T, Alimi Y, Raji T, Mohammed A, Moges H, Onwuekwe EVC, Minja FJ, Gon G, Ogbuagu O, Ogunsola F, Paintsil E. Transmission risk of respiratory viruses in natural and mechanical ventilation environments: implications for SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Africa. BMJ Global Health 2020, 5: e003522. PMID: 32863269, PMCID: PMC7462043, DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003522.
- Edelman EJ, Moore BA, Calabrese SK, Berkenblit G, Cunningham CO, Ogbuagu O, Patel VV, Phillips KA, Tetrault JM, Shah M, Blackstock O. Preferences for implementation of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): Results from a survey of primary care providers. Preventive Medicine Reports 2019, 17: 101012. PMID: 31890474, PMCID: PMC6926349, DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2019.101012.
- Maughan A, Sadigh K, Angulo-Diaz V, Mandimika C, Villanueva M, Lim JK, Ogbuagu O. Contemporary HCV pangenotypic DAA treatment protocols are exclusionary to real world HIV-HCV co-infected patients. BMC Infectious Diseases 2019, 19: 378. PMID: 31053098, PMCID: PMC6500032, DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-3974-7.
- Kambutse I, Igiraneza G, Shenoi S, Ogbuagu O. Correction: Perceptions of HIV transmission and pre-exposure prophylaxis among health care workers and community members in Rwanda. PLOS ONE 2019, 14: e0212933. PMID: 30794678, PMCID: PMC6386218, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212933.
- Kambutse I, Igiraneza G, Ogbuagu O. Perceptions of HIV transmission and pre-exposure prophylaxis among health care workers and community members in Rwanda. PLOS ONE 2018, 13: e0207650. PMID: 30475841, PMCID: PMC6261021, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207650.
- Barakat LA, Dunne DW, Tetrault JM, Soares S, Chia D, Ogbuagu OE, Moriarty JP, Huot SJ, Green ML. The Changing Face of HIV Care. Academic Medicine 2018, 93: 1673-1678. PMID: 29901657, DOI: 10.1097/acm.0000000000002317.
- Dowers E, Zamora F, Barakat LA, Ogbuagu O. Dolutegravir/rilpivirine for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. HIV/AIDS - Research And Palliative Care 2018, 10: 215-224. PMID: 30464642, PMCID: PMC6220428, DOI: 10.2147/hiv.s157855.
- Jacobson K, Ogbuagu O. Integrase inhibitor-based regimens result in more rapid virologic suppression rates among treatment-naïve human immunodeficiency virus–infected patients compared to non-nucleoside and protease inhibitor–based regimens in a real-world clinical setting. Medicine 2018, 97: e13016. PMID: 30412140, PMCID: PMC6221636, DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000013016.
- Ogbuagu O, Marshall BDL, Tiberio P, Ogunbajo A, Barakat L, Montgomery M, Almonte A, Wray T, Williams EC, Edelman EJ, Chan PA. Prevalence and Correlates of Unhealthy Alcohol and Drug Use Among Men Who Have Sex with Men Prescribed HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis in Real-World Clinical Settings. AIDS And Behavior 2018, 23: 190-200. PMID: 30145707, PMCID: PMC7020905, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-018-2260-9.
- Ogbuagu O, Bruce R. Infections in HIV-Infected Patients. 2018, 243-281. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-77674-3_13.
- Rutledge R, Madden L, Ogbuagu O, Meyer JP. HIV Risk perception and eligibility for pre-exposure prophylaxis in women involved in the criminal justice system. AIDS Care 2018, 30: 1282-1289. PMID: 29527934, PMCID: PMC6085161, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2018.1447079.
- Jacobson K, Ogbuagu O. Comparison of Time to Viral Suppression Among Treatment-Naïve HIV-Infected Adults Initiating Combination Antiretroviral Therapy by Antiretroviral Regimen Class. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2017, 4: s432-s432. PMCID: PMC5630773, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofx163.1090.
- Carroll M, Rangaiahagari A, Musabeyezu E, Singer D, Ogbuagu O. Five-Year Antimicrobial Susceptibility Trends Among Bacterial Isolates from King Faisal Hospital Tertiary Health-Care Facility in Kigali, Rwanda. Clinical Therapeutics 2017, 39: e4-e5. DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2017.05.017.
- Ogbuagu O, Hao R, Virata M, Villanueva M, Malinis M. Efficacy of an 8-week course of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir for the treatment of HCV infection in selected HIV-infected patients. F1000Research 2017, 6: 620. DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.11397.1.
- Koff A, Goldberg C, Ogbuagu O. Condomless sex and HIV transmission among serodifferent couples: current evidence and recommendations. Annals Of Medicine 2017, 49: 534-544. PMID: 28409656, DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2017.1320423.
- Ogbuagu O. Rilpivirine, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide: single-tablet combination for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in selected patients. Expert Review Of Anti-infective Therapy 2016, 14: 1113-1126. PMID: 27797606, DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2016.1255551.
- Carroll M, Rangaiahagari A, Musabeyezu E, Singer D, Ogbuagu O. Five-Year Antimicrobial Susceptibility Trends Among Bacterial Isolates from a Tertiary Health-Care Facility in Kigali, Rwanda. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2016, 95: 1277-1283. PMID: 27799637, PMCID: PMC5154439, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0392.
- Lukas S, Hogan U, Muhirwa V, Davis C, Nyiligira J, Ogbuagu O, Wong R. Establishment of a hospital-acquired infection surveillance system in a teaching hospital in Rwanda. International Journal Of Infection Control 2016, 12 DOI: 10.3396/ijic.v12i3.018.16.
- Sherbuk J, Saly D, Barakat L, Ogbuagu O. Unusual presentation of disseminated Nocardia abscessus infection in a patient with AIDS. BMJ Case Reports 2016, 2016: bcr2016215649. PMID: 27440848, PMCID: PMC4964189, DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2016-215649.
- Chabria S, Barakat L, Ogbuagu O. Steroid-exacerbated HIV-associated cutaneous Kaposi’s sarcoma immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome: ‘Where a good intention turns bad’. International Journal Of STD & AIDS 2016, 27: 1026-1029. PMID: 26769754, DOI: 10.1177/0956462415627735.
- Ogbuagu O, Friedland G, Bruce RD. Drug interactions between buprenorphine, methadone and hepatitis C therapeutics. Expert Opinion On Drug Metabolism & Toxicology 2016, 12: 721-731. PMID: 27140427, DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2016.1183644.
- Tiberio PJ, Ogbuagu OE. CD8 T-Cell Lymphocytosis and Associated Clinical Syndromes in HIV-Infected Patients. Aids Reviews 2015, 17: 202-11. PMID: 26679852.
- Ogbuagu O, Ogbuagu A. Single-pill regimens for HIV-1 infection. New England Journal Of Medicine 2014, 371: 1844. PMID: 25372100, DOI: 10.1056/nejmc1410930.
- Manzi O, Ogbuagu O. SEQUENTIAL LOW COST INTERVENTIONS DOUBLE HAND HYGIENE RATES AMONG MEDICAL TEAMS IN A RESOURCE LIMITED SETTING. RESULTS OF A HAND HYGIENE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT CONDUCTED AT UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL OF KIGALI (CHUK), KIGALI, RWANDA. East African Medical Journal 2014, 91: 44-9. PMID: 26859019.
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- Yale Center for Infectious Disease200 Orchard StreetNew Haven, CT 06511