Dr Claire Bourke
Lecturer/Research Fellow
Centre for Genomics and Child Health
Queen Mary University of London
Queen Mary University of London
Research
Immunology, Population Health, Malnutrition, Inflammation, Maternal and child health
Interests
12 years experience of in vitro models with human and murine cell lines and primary cells (parasite infection, HIV, malnutrition, birth cohorts, skin barrier, gut epithelium...). Interest in developing these into lab-on-a-chip format and new mixed cell type models from bench to bedside to facilitate functional immunology assays in low-income clinical and household.Publications
2025
A Trial of Trimethoprim–Sulfamethoxazole in Pregnancy to Improve Birth OutcomesChasekwa B, Munhanzi F, Madhuyu L, Mbewe G, Mabika V, Chidhanguro D, Kofi T, Munengiwa J et al.
New England Journal of Medicine, Massachusetts Medical Society vol. 392 (21), 2125-2134.
05-06-2025
Novel gastrointestinal tools (GI Tools) for evaluating gut functional capacity in adults with environmental enteropathy in Zambia and Zimbabwe: A cross-sectional study protocolF1000research, F1000research vol. 13
04-03-2025
2024
Novel gastrointestinal tools (GI Tools) for evaluating gut functional capacity in adults with environmental enteropathy in Zambia and Zimbabwe: A cross-sectional study protocolF1000research, F1000research vol. 13
23-08-2024
Inflammation and cytomegalovirus viremia during pregnancy drive sex-differentiated differences in mortality and immune development in HIV-exposed infantsNature Communications, Nature Research vol. 15
17-04-2024
Maternal inflammatory and microbial drivers of low birthweight in low- and middle-income countriesBroad J, Robertson RC, Evans C, Perussolo J, Lum G, Piper JD, Loucaides E, Ziruma A et al.
Paediatrics and International Child Health, Taylor & Francis vol. 44 (2), 79-93.
02-04-2024
Inflammation and epithelial repair predict mortality, hospital readmission, and growth recovery in complicated severe acute malnutritionScience Translational Medicine, American Association For The Advancement of Science (Aaas) vol. 16 (736), eadh0673-eadh0673.
28-02-2024
2023
Severe acute malnutrition promotes bacterial binding over pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion by circulating innate immune cellsScience Advances, American Association For The Advancement of Science vol. 9 (44)
01-11-2023
Severe acute malnutrition promotes bacterial binding over proinflammatory cytokine secretion by circulating innate immune cellsScience Advances, American Association For The Advancement of Science (Aaas) vol. 9 (44), eadh2284-eadh2284.
01-11-2023
Risk factors for inpatient mortality among children with severe acute malnutrition in Zimbabwe and ZambiaEuropean Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Springer Nature vol. 77 (9), 895-904.
08-08-2023
2022
Commentary: Mechanisms of kwashiorkor-associated immune suppression: Insights from human, mouse, and pig studiesFrontiers in Immunology, Frontiers vol. 13
25-07-2022
Stunting status and exposure to infection and inflammation in early life shape anti-bacterial immune cell function among Zimbabwean childrenBourke C
Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers Media vol. 13
13-06-2022
2021
Recovery of children following hospitalization for complicated severe acute malnutrition in Zimbabwe and ZambiaMaternal and Child Nutrition, Wiley Open Access
22-12-2021
Understanding the role of the gut in undernutrition: what can technology tell us?Gut, Bmj Publishing Group
09-06-2021
Risk factors for postdischarge mortality following hospitalization for severe acute malnutrition in Zimbabwe and ZambiaAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Elsevier vol. 113 (3), 665-674.
20-01-2021
2020
Strain-level analysis of gut-resident pro-inflammatory viridans group Streptococci suppressed by long-term cotrimoxazole prophylaxis among HIV-positive children in ZimbabweGough E, Bourke C, Berejena C, Shonhai A, Bwakura-Dangarembizi M, Prendergast A, Manges AR
Gut Microbes, Taylor & Francis
05-02-2020
2019
Determinants of urogenital schistosomiasis among pregnant women and its impact on pregnancy outcomes, neonatal deaths and child growthBourke C
Journal of Infectious Diseases, Oxford University Press (Oup)
13-12-2019
Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis selects for antimicrobial resistance in HIV-exposed uninfected infantsBourke C, Evans C
Clinical Infectious Diseases, Oxford University Press (Oup)
13-12-2019
The Anti-inflammatory Effects of Cotrimoxazole Prophylaxis for People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Sub-Saharan AfricaBourke CD, Prendergast AJ
The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 222 (3), 347-350.
23-10-2019
Current understanding of innate immune cell dysfunction in childhood undernutritionBourke C, Jones KDJ, Prendergast AJ
Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers Media
29-07-2019
Cotrimoxazole reduces systemic inflammation in HIV infection by altering the gut microbiome and immune activationBOURKE CD, PRENDERGAST A, DEAYTON J, PARDIEU C, Naheed C
Science Translational Medicine, American Association For The Advancement of Science vol. 11
03-04-2019
Children With Noncritical Infections Have Increased Intestinal Permeability, Endotoxemia and Altered Innate Immune ResponsesSturgeon JP, Bourke CD, PRENDERGAST AJ
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health), 1-1.
01-04-2019
Health Outcomes, Pathogenesis and Epidemiology of Severe Acute Malnutrition (HOPE-SAM): rationale and methods of a longitudinal observational studyBmj Open, Bmj Journals
01-02-2019
Health outcomes in Undernutrition: the role of nutrients, gut dysfunction and the gut microbiome (HUNGer)Bourke C
01-01-2019
2017
Schistosomiasis in the first 1000 daysFreer JB, Bourke CD, Durhuus GH, Kjetland EF, Prendergast AJ
The Lancet Infectious Diseases, Elsevier vol. 18 (6), e193-e203.
20-11-2017
2016
Immune Dysfunction as a Cause and Consequence of MalnutritionBOURKE CD, Berkley JA, Prendergast AJ
Trends in Immunology, Elsevier (Cell Press) vol. 37 (6), 386-398.
26-05-2016
2015
Helminth Infection and Commensal Microbiota Drive Early IL-10 Production in the Skin by CD4+ T Cells That Are Functionally SuppressiveSanin DE, Prendergast CT, Bourke CD, Mountford AP
Plos Pathogens, Public Library of Science (Plos) vol. 11 (5)
14-05-2015
A Meta-Analysis of Experimental Studies of Attenuated Schistosoma mansoni Vaccines in the Mouse ModelFukushige M, Mitchell KM, Bourke CD, Woolhouse MEJ, Mutapi F
Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers vol. 6
27-02-2015
Down Regulation of the TCR Complex CD3ζ-Chain on CD3+ T Cells: A Potential Mechanism for Helminth-Mediated Immune ModulationAppleby LJ, Nausch N, Heard F, Erskine L, Bourke CD, Midzi N, Mduluza T, Allen JE et al.
Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers vol. 6
18-02-2015
Epidermal keratinocytes initiate wound healing and pro-inflammatory immune responses following percutaneous schistosome infectionBourke CD, Prendergast CT, Sanin DE, Oulton TE, Hall RJ, Mountford AP
International Journal For Parasitology, Elsevier vol. 45 (4), 215-224.
06-01-2015
2014
CD16 Expression on Monocytes in Healthy Individuals but Not Schistosome-Infected Patients Is Positively Associated with Levels of Parasite-Specific IgG and IgG1Appleby LJ, Nausch N, Erskine L, Bourke CD, Rujeni N, Midzi N, Mduluza T, Mutapi F
Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science (Plos) vol. 8 (8)
07-08-2014
Cytokine Responses to the Anti-schistosome Vaccine Candidate Antigen Glutathione-S-transferase Vary with Host Age and Are Boosted by Praziquantel TreatmentBourke CD, Nausch N, Rujeni N, Appleby LJ, Trottein F, Midzi N, Mduluza T, Mutapi F
Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science (Plos) vol. 8 (5)
08-05-2014
Circulating CD14brightCD16+ ‘Intermediate’ Monocytes Exhibit Enhanced Parasite Pattern Recognition in Human Helminth InfectionTurner JD, Bourke CD, Meurs L, Mbow M, Dièye TN, Mboup S, Polman K, Mountford AP
Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science (Plos) vol. 8 (4)
24-04-2014
2013
Schistosome infection is associated with enhanced whole‐blood IL‐10 secretion in response to cercarial excretory/secretory productsTurner JD, Meurs L, Dool P, Bourke CD, Mbow M, Dièye TN, Mboup S, Polman K et al.
Parasite Immunology, Wiley vol. 35 (5-6), 147-156.
01-05-2013
2012
Integrated Analysis of Innate, Th1, Th2, Th17, and Regulatory Cytokines Identifies Changes in Immune Polarisation Following Treatment of Human SchistosomiasisBourke CD, Nausch N, Rujeni N, Appleby LJ, Mitchell KM, Midzi N, Mduluza T, Mutapi F
The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 208 (1), 159-169.
08-10-2012
Trichuris suis ova therapy for allergic rhinitis does not affect allergen-specific cytokine responses despite a parasite-specific cytokine responseBourke CD, Mutapi F, Nausch N, Photiou DMF, Poulsen LK, Kristensen B, Arnved J, Rønborg S et al.
Clinical & Experimental Allergy vol. 42 (11), 1582-1595.
01-07-2012
Proportions of CD4+ memory T cells are altered in individuals chronically infected with Schistosoma haematobiumNausch N, Bourke CD, Appleby LJ, Rujeni N, Lantz O, Trottein F, Midzi N, Mduluza T et al.
Scientific Reports, Springer Nature vol. 2 (1)
01-01-2012
Age-Related Patterns in Human Myeloid Dendritic Cell Populations in People Exposed to Schistosoma haematobium InfectionNausch N, Louis D, Lantz O, Peguillet I, Trottein F, Chen IYD, Appleby LJ, Bourke CD et al.
Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science (Plos) vol. 6 (9)
01-01-2012
Chitinase 3-Like 1 Protein Levels Are Elevated in Schistosoma haematobium Infected ChildrenAppleby LJ, Nausch N, Bourke CD, Rujeni N, Midzi N, Mduluza T, Allen JE, Mutapi F
Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science (Plos) vol. 6 (11)
01-01-2012
Atopy Is Inversely Related to Schistosome Infection Intensity: A Comparative Study in Zimbabwean Villages with Distinct Levels of Schistosoma haematobium InfectionRujeni N, Nausch N, Bourke CD, Midzi N, Mduluza T, Taylor DW, Mutapi F
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, Karger Publishers vol. 158 (3), 288-298.
01-01-2012
2011
The Mannose Receptor (CD206) is an important pattern recognition receptor (PRR) in the detection of the infective stage of the helminth Schistosoma mansoni and modulates IFNγ productionPaveley RA, Aynsley SA, Turner JD, Bourke CD, Jenkins SJ, Cook PC, Martinez-Pomares L, Mountford AP
International Journal For Parasitology, Elsevier vol. 41 (13-14), 1335-1345.
14-10-2011
Exposure, infection, systemic cytokine levels and antibody responses in young children concurrently exposed to schistosomiasis and malariaIMAI N, RUJENI N, NAUSCH N, BOURKE CD, APPLEBY LJ, COWAN G, GWISAI R, CAVANAGH D et al.
Parasitology, Cambridge University Press (Cup) vol. 138 (12), 1519-1533.
04-08-2011
Schistosome Infection Intensity Is Inversely Related to Auto-Reactive Antibody LevelsMutapi F, Imai N, Nausch N, Bourke CD, Rujeni N, Mitchell KM, Midzi N, Woolhouse MEJ et al.
Plos One, Public Library of Science (Plos) vol. 6 (5)
06-05-2011
Schistosoma haematobium Treatment in 1–5 Year Old Children: Safety and Efficacy of the Antihelminthic Drug PraziquantelMutapi F, Rujeni N, Bourke C, Mitchell K, Appleby L, Nausch N, Midzi N, Mduluza T
Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science (Plos) vol. 5 (5)
01-05-2011
Differential recognition patterns of Schistosoma haematobium adult worm antigens by the human antibodies IgA, IgE, IgG1 and IgG4MUTAPI F, BOURKE C, HARCUS Y, MDULUZA T, TURNER CM
Parasite Immunology, Wiley vol. 33 (3), 181-192.
10-02-2011
2010
Acquired immune heterogeneity and its sources in human helminth infectionBOURKE CD, MAIZELS RM, MUTAPI F
Parasitology, Cambridge University Press (Cup) vol. 138 (2), 139-159.
15-10-2010
Can Breastfeeding Protect Against Antimicrobial Resistance?Bmc Medicine, Biomed Central
Child Health, Agriculture and Integrated Nutrition (CHAIN): protocol for a randomized controlled trial of improved infant and young child feeding in rural ZimbabweBmj Open, Bmj Publishing Group
Inflammation: the driver of poor outcomes among children with severe acute malnutrition?Nutrition Reviews, Oxford University Press
Malnourished Microbes: Host–Microbiome Interactions in Child UndernutritionAnnual Reviews Nutrition, Annual Reviews vol. 43
Grants
Grants of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro ModelsMechanisms underlying preterm birth in women with HIV in rural ZimbabweAndrew Prendergast, Ruairi Robertson, Melanie Smuk, Claire Bourke, Nikolaos Donos, Robert Allaker, Abish Stephen, Conrad Bessant, Stefaan Verbruggen and Tina Chowdhury
£1,142,315 Medical Research Council
01-05-2024 - 30-04-2027
Novel tools for evaluating intestinal dysfunction in children and adults with malnutrition disordersMaurice Kelly, Claire Bourke and Ruairi Robertson
£670,581 Medical Research Council
20-09-2021 - 19-09-2026
Modelling the impact of maternal infection and inflammation on placental trophoblast functionClaire Bourke, Stamatina Iliodromiti and Miguel Branco
£75,000 Barts and the London Charity
01-09-2023 - 28-02-2025
The impact of microbial and inflammatory exposures on birth outcomes in rural ZimbabweAndrew Prendergast, Claire Bourke, Ruairi Robertson, Robert Allaker and Nikolaos Donos
£535,070 Medical Research Council
01-01-2021 - 31-12-2023
Child Health, Agriculture and Integrated Nutrition (CHAIN): a randomized trial to close the nutrient gap in rural ZimbabweAndrew Prendergast, Claire Bourke, Ruairi Robertson, Maurice Kelly, Kavita Datta and Timothy Brown
£154,009 BBSRC Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
01-04-2019 - 31-03-2021
The relationship between innate immune cell function and bacterial infections in severe acute malnutritionClaire Bourke
£986,253 Wellcome Trust
01-09-2017 - 31-12-2023