Dr. Nonhlanhla Mbenenge

Nonhlanhla Mbenenge is a South African researcher in clinical virology and infectious diseases, with work centered on respiratory viruses and hepatitis B virus within public health laboratory settings. Affiliated with national diagnostic and surveillance platforms in Gauteng Province, research integrates molecular diagnostics, genomic analysis, and epidemiological data to inform outbreak response and disease control strategies.

Research contributions focus strongly on SARS-CoV-2, including intra-host spike protein diversity, rapid genotyping approaches for variant identification, and viral shedding dynamics among immunocompromised individuals, particularly people living with HIV. This work has advanced understanding of variant detection in resource-limited settings and highlighted the interaction between immune status and viral persistence.

Broader investigations include surveillance of common respiratory pathogens during the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluation of hepatitis B immunity gaps in South Africa. These studies underscore expertise in large-scale laboratory data analysis and public health virology, contributing valuable evidence for vaccination policy, diagnostic strategies, and epidemic preparedness in the region.