A5074780862- Respiratory viral infections research
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- COVID-19 diagnosis using AI
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Neonatal Respiratory Health Research
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- Global Maternal and Child Health
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Studies
- Virology and Viral Diseases
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Vibrio bacteria research studies
- Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Biomedical Research
- Parvovirus B19 Infection Studies
- Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare
- Tracheal and airway disorders
- COVID-19 Impact on Reproduction
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Emergency and Acute Care Studies
Kenya Medical Research Institute
2016-2025
Wellcome Trust
2016-2023
Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit
2020
University of the Witwatersrand
2020
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
2019
University of Oxford
2019
Jenner Institute
2019
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
2019
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
2019
University of Ulster
2019
ContextHaemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine is not perceived as a public health priority in Africa because data on Hib disease burden and effectiveness are scarce. immunization was introduced Kenyan infants 2001.ObjectiveTo define invasive incidence program Kenya.Design, Setting, PatientsCulture-based surveillance for at Kilifi District Hospital from 2000 through 2005 linked to demographic of 38 000 children younger than 5 years District, Kenya. Human immunodeficiency virus...
Background: Transmission and nasopharyngeal colonization are necessary steps en route to invasive pneumococcal or Haemophilus influenzae disease but their patterns vary geographically. In East Africa we do not know how these pathogens transmitted between population subgroups nor which serotypes circulate commonly. Methods: We did 2 cross-sectional swab surveys selecting subjects randomly from a register estimate prevalence risk-factors for carriage in 2004. H. type b vaccine was introduced...
Abstract Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes a substantial burden of acute lower respiratory infection in children under 5 years, particularly low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Maternal vaccine (MV) next-generation monoclonal antibody (mAb) candidates have been shown to reduce RSV disease infants phase 3 clinical trials. The cost-effectiveness these biologics has estimated using data from global meta-analyses, but are sensitive the detailed age breakdown paediatric...
Background: Endemic and seasonally recurring respiratory viruses are a major cause of disease death globally. The burden is particularly severe in developing countries. Improved understanding the source infection, pathways spread persistence communities would be benefit devising intervention strategies. Methods: We report epidemiological data obtained through surveillance at nine outpatient health facilities within Kilifi Health Demographic Surveillance System, County, coastal Kenya, between...
Background: Successful introduction, high uptake and program effectiveness of new maternal vaccines aimed to prevent disease among infants require prior knowledge their safety during pregnancy. We identify background adverse birth outcomes predictors in Kenya by which aid future interpretation for vaccination programs. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted assess from women residents within the health demographic surveillance systems Kilifi, Siaya Nairobi, Kenya. All selected had...
Background Maternal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, RSV prefusion F protein vaccine (RSVpreF (Abrysvo)), was found to be safe and efficacious in its phase III trial. However, post-hoc stratified analyses identified an excess of preterm births the intervention arm two upper middle-income countries, most prominently South Africa. This study weighs potential benefits risks mortality associated with maternal vaccination Africa, assuming increased risk observed trial caused by...
Influenza B virus (IBV) genomic surveillance occurs unevenly across the globe, obscuring its epidemiology. We analysed 83 near complete IBV genomes collected between 2010 and 2022 in Kenya Uganda. Alternating lineage predominance clade turnover was observed consistent with global patterns. No B/Yamagata strains were detected at study sites after 2019. Multiple B/Victoria clade/subclades (V1A, V1A.3, V1A.3a, V1A.3a.2) clades (Y2 Y3) identified no inter-lineage reassortants observed. Over...
New maternal vaccines have the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality for infants from common illnesses that pose greatest risk in earliest phase of their life. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause acute lower respiratory infections among under six months age. With recent approval vaccine RSV, this study aimed understand decision-making factors pregnant lactating women receiving newly licensed during pregnancy. Pregnant two counties Kenya, Nakuru Mombasa, were recruited...
Maternal vaccination, or vaccination in pregnancy, offers a critical opportunity to provide protection pregnant women and simultaneously confer passive immunity infants the first months of life, when infections are particularly serious their immune systems still developing. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one such infectious disease for newborns, but newly approved recommended vaccine respiratory has been designed be given protect newborns from severe RSV they most vulnerable. While...
Between November 2023 and March 2024, coastal Kenya experienced a new wave of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections detected through our continued genomic surveillance. Herein, we report the clinical epidemiology SARS-CoV-2 from 179 individuals (total 185 positive samples) residing in Kilifi Health Demographic Surveillance (KHDSS) area (~900 km2). Sixteen lineages within three sub-variants (XBB.2.3-like (58.4%), JN.1-like (40.5%) XBB.1-like (1.1%)) were...
Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of lower respiratory tract disease in early life and a target for vaccine prevention. Data on the age-prevalence RSV specific antibodies will inform optimizing delivery. Methods Archived plasma samples were randomly selected within age strata from 960 children less than 145 months admitted to Kilifi County Hospital pediatric wards between 2007 2010. Samples tested using crude IgG ELISA. Seroprevalence (and 95% confidence...
Abstract Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is among the leading childhood causes of viral pneumonia worldwide. Establishing RSV-associated morbidity and mortality important in informing development, delivery strategies, evaluation interventions. Methods Using data collected during 2010–2018 from base regions (population-based surveillance studies western Kenya Kilifi Health Demographic Surveillance Study), we estimated age-specific rates acute respiratory illness (ARI), severe...
Background The target group for severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease prevention is infants under 6 months of age. Vaccine boosting antibody titres in pregnant mothers could protect these young from associated disease. Quantifying protective levels RSV-specific maternal at birth would inform vaccine development. Methods A case control study nested a cohort (2002–07) was conducted Kilifi, Kenya; where 30 hospitalised cases RSV-associated were matched to 60 controls. Participants...
Severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease occurs predominantly in children under 6 months of age. There is no licensed RSV vaccine. Protection young infants could be achieved by a maternal vaccine to boost titres passively transferred protective antibodies. Data on the level and kinetics functional RSV-specific antibody at birth over early infant period would inform product design. From cohort study (2002–2007) Kilifi, Kenya, 100 participants were randomly selected for whom cord blood...
New vaccines for pregnant women have recently been introduced in some high-income countries to protect infants early life. Implementing maternal immunisation (MI) successfully low- and middle-income will require planning adaptations health programs. To inform cost of MI delivery studies, we gathered perspectives from key stakeholders five (Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nepal) regarding system requirements, opportunities, challenges introducing new into routine
Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is an important cause of genital ulcers and can increase the risk for human immunodeficiency 1 (HIV-1) transmission. Our objective was to determine incidence correlates HSV-2 infection in HIV-1-seronegative Kenyan men reporting high-risk sexual behavior, compared with women same community.Cohort participants were screened prevalent HIV-1 infection. HIV-1-uninfected had regularly scheduled follow-up visits, HIV counseling testing collection demographic...
<ns3:p><ns3:bold>Background:</ns3:bold> Maternal immunisation to boost respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antibodies in pregnant women, is a strategy being considered enhance infant protection from severe RSV associated disease. However, little known about the efficiency of transplacental transfer RSV-specific setting with high burden malaria and HIV, guide implementation such vaccination program.</ns3:p><ns3:p> <ns3:bold>Methods:</ns3:bold> Using plaque reduction neutralization assay, we...
Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2) has public health importance as a leading cause of genital ulcers, co-factor in HIV-1 acquisition and transmission neonatal herpes infections. Little is known its epidemiology burden Coastal Kenya. We screened plasma samples for HSV-2 infection from 826 women aged 15-34 years who participated an survey Kilifi 2004. The sample comprised 563 selected randomly demographic surveillance system (DSS) 263 presented voluntary counseling testing (VCT). Predictors...
<ns3:p><ns3:bold>Background: </ns3:bold>Human rhinovirus (HRV) is the predominant cause of upper respiratory tract infections, resulting in a significant public health burden. The virus circulates as many different types (168), each generating strong homologous, but weak heterotypic, immunity. influence these features on transmission patterns HRV community understudied.</ns3:p><ns3:p> <ns3:bold>Methods: </ns3:bold>Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from patients with symptoms acute...
Objectives: Many regions of Africa have experienced lower COVID-19 morbidity and mortality than Europe.Pre-existing humoral responses to endemic human coronaviruses (HCoV) may cross-protect against SARS-CoV-2.We investigated the neutralizing capacity SARS-CoV-2 spike reactive nonreactive immunoglobulin (Ig)G IgA antibodies in prepandemic samples.Methods: To investigate presence pre-existing immunity, we performed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using antigens from reference SARS-CoV-2,...
<ns4:p><ns4:bold>Background:</ns4:bold> The global COVID-19 outbreak relies on a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), to facilitate roll-out patient care and infection control measures. There are several qRT-PCR assays with little evidence their comparability. We report alterations developers’ recommendations sustain testing capability in our setting, where supply reagents is...
Abstract Background Influenza viruses evolve rapidly and undergo immune driven selection, especially in the hemagglutinin (HA) protein. We report amino acid changes affecting antigenic epitopes receptor‐binding sites of A(H3N2) circulating Kilifi, Kenya, from 2009 to 2017. Methods Next‐generation sequencing (NGS) was used generate virus genomic data influenza‐positive specimens collected hospital admissions health facility outpatients presenting with acute respiratory illness facilities...
<ns3:p><ns3:bold>Background: </ns3:bold>Respiratory viruses are primary agents of respiratory tract diseases. Knowledge on the types and frequency affecting school-children is important in determining role schools transmission community identifying targets for interventions.</ns3:p><ns3:p> <ns3:bold>Methods: </ns3:bold>We conducted a one-year (term-time) surveillance rural school Kilifi County, coastal Kenya between May 2017 April 2018. A sample 60 students with symptoms ARI were targeted...
ABSTRACT Diagnostic techniques for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in children are insensitive and underestimate both the burden of cost-effectiveness conjugate vaccination (PCV). Consequently, there is little demand highly effective PCV outside United States Europe. In Kenya, diagnosis pneumonia adults was achieved with a sensitivity 0.70 specificity 0.98 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) paired plasma samples immunoglobulin G (IgG) to surface adhesin A (PsaA). We aimed...
Background: Zika virus (ZIKV) was first discovered in East Africa 1947. ZIKV has caused microcephaly the Americas, but it is not known whether a cause of Africa. Methods: We used surveillance data from 11,061 live births at Kilifi County Hospital coastal Kenya between January 2012 and October 2016 to identify cases conducted nested case-control study determine risk factors for microcephaly. Gestational age birth estimated based on antenatal ultrasound scanning ('Scanned cohort') or last...