A5064810018- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Global Maternal and Child Health
- Helminth infection and control
- Malaria Research and Control
- Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- Hemoglobinopathies and Related Disorders
- Parasitic infections in humans and animals
- Congenital Anomalies and Fetal Surgery
- Child Nutrition and Water Access
- Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiology
- Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Protection
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Parasitic Infections and Diagnostics
- Global Health and Epidemiology
- Computational Drug Discovery Methods
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
Kenya Medical Research Institute
2008-2024
Technical University of Kenya
2020-2021
Schistosomiasis is a severe neglected tropical disease caused by trematodes and transmitted freshwater snails. Snails are known to be highly tolerant agricultural pesticides. However, little attention has been paid the ecological consequences of pesticide pollution in areas endemic for schistosomiasis, where people live close contact with non-sanitized freshwaters. In complementary laboratory field studies on Kenyan inland along Lake Victoria, we show that major driver increasing occurrence...
Schistosoma mansoni exists in a complex environmental milieu that may select for significant evolutionary changes this species. In Kenya, the sympatric distribution of S. with rodhaini potentially influences epidemiology, ecology, and biology both species, because they infect same species snail mammalian hosts are capable hybridization.Over 2-year period, using molecular epidemiological approach, we examined spatial temporal distributions, overlap these schistosomes within snails, natural...
Plasmodium falciparum resistance to chloroquine (CQ) denied healthcare providers access a cheap and effective anti-malarial drug. Resistance has been proven be due point mutations on the parasite's pfcrt gene, particularly codon 76, resulting in an amino acid change from lysine threonine. This study sought determine prevalence of K76T mutation 13 years after CQ cessation Msambweni, Kenya.Finger-prick whole blood was collected 3MM Whatman(®) filter paper 99 malaria patients. Parasite DNA...
Hookworm infection is a major concern in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly children and pregnant women. Necator americanus Ancylostoma duodenale are responsible for this condition. disease one of the Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that targeted elimination through global mass chemotherapy. To support there need reliable diagnostic tools. The conventional test, Kato-Katz based on microscopic detection parasite ova faecal samples, not effective due to its low sensitivity brought about...
Following a 4-year annual praziquantel (PZQ) treatment campaign, the resulting prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni was seen to differ among individual villages along Kenyan shore Lake Victoria. We have investigated possible inherent differences in snail-related aspects transmission such 10 villages, including six persistent hotspot (PHS) (≤ 30% reduction following repeated treatments) located west-facing lake and four PZQ-responding (RESP) (> treatment) Winam Gulf. When taking into account all...
Human intestinal schistosomiasis is caused by the blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni. With intensified efforts to control mass drug administration using praziquantel (PZQ), there an urgent need have accessible, quality-assured diagnostic tests for case detection and disease surveillance monitoring efficacy of treatment other interventions. Current tools are limited suboptimal sensitivity, slow turn-around-time, affordability, inability distinguish current from past infections. We describe a...
Abstract Background Prevention and treatment of malaria during pregnancy is crucial in dealing with maternal mortality adverse fetal outcomes. The World Health Organization recommendation to treat all pregnant women sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) through antenatal care structures was implemented Kenya the year 1998, but concerns about its effectiveness preventing has arisen due spread SP resistant parasites. This study aimed determine prevalence resistance markers Plasmodium falciparum...
Abstract Whipworm infection or trichuriasis caused by Trichuris trichiura is of major public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among pre-school and school-going children. It the neglected tropical diseases targeted for elimination through mass drug administration (MDA). One outcomes MDA a rapid decline levels intensity, making it difficult to monitor effectiveness control measures using conventional Kato–Katz procedure, which relies on microscopic detection parasite ova...
The epidemiology of human urinary schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma haematobium can be complicated the presence ruminant caused, primarily S. bovis. two schistosome species may transmitted same Bulinus species, they occur sympatrically in habitat, and their cercariae are very similar morphology therefore, difficult to tell them apart. Screening snails collected from freshwater habitats for infections is often used identify transmission sites or evaluate success failure interventions....
Abstract Background Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by trematodes of the genus Schistosoma. The pathogen transmitted via freshwater snails. These snails are highly tolerant to agricultural pesticides and indirectly benefit from exposure due adverse effects on their more sensitive enemy species. Pesticides in surface waters may thus increase risk schistosomiasis transmission unless they also affect pathogen. We tested tolerance free-swimming life stages (miracidia...
Abstract Background Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by trematodes of the genus Schistosoma . The pathogen transmitted via freshwater snails. These snails indirectly benefit from agricultural pesticides which affect their enemy species. Pesticide exposure surface waters may thus increase risk schistosomiasis transmission unless it also affects pathogen. Methodology We tested tolerance free-swimming infective life stages (miracidia and cercariae) mansoni to commonly...
An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of paper.
Abstract Following a four-year annual praziquantel treatment campaign the resulting prevalence of S. mansoni was seen to differ among individual villages along Kenyan shore Lake Victoria. We have investigated possible inherent differences in snail-related aspects transmission such 10 villages, including six persistent hotspot (PHS) (≤30% reduction following repeated treatments) located west-facing lake, and four PZQ-responding (RESP) (>30% treatment) Winam Gulf. When taking into account...
Abstract Background: Prevention and treatment of malaria during pregnancy is crucial in dealing with maternal mortality adverse fetal outcomes. WHO’s recommendation to treat all pregnant women sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) through antenatal care structures was implemented Kenya the year 1998 but concerns about its effectiveness preventing has arisen due spread parasites resistant SP. We aimed determine prevalence SP resistance markers Plasmodium falciparum isolated from seeking at...