A5014199634- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Malaria Research and Control
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Poxvirus research and outbreaks
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Dengue and Mosquito Control Research
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Studies on Chitinases and Chitosanases
Kenya Medical Research Institute
2019-2025
United States Army Medical Research Directorate - Africa
2020-2023
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
2021
Aedes aegypti ( Ae. ) is the primary vector of several arboviruses, including dengue virus (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV), yellow fever (YFV), and Zika (ZIKV). This widespread globally in tropical subtropical areas but also found temperate areas. Kenya experienced its first outbreak Lamu County 2004, followed by subsequent outbreaks Mandera 2016 Mombasa 2017. Despite presence Kisumu Busia counties, no have been reported these two western counties. To investigate this phenomenon, we collected...
ABSTRACT We report the genome of a case mpox detected in Kenya involving truck driver with travel history to Uganda. Whole sequencing and phylogenetic analysis virus (MPXV) showed that clustered clade Ib, which was recently identified Democratic Republic Congo.
Ticks are arachnid ectoparasites that rank second only to mosquitoes in the transmission of human diseases including bacteria responsible for anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, spotted fevers, and Lyme disease among other febrile illnesses. Due paucity data on transmitted by ticks Kenya, this study undertook a bacterial metagenomic-based characterization collected from Isiolo, semi-arid pastoralist County Eastern Kwale, coastal with monsoon climate southern Kenyan border Tanzania. A total 2,918...
Background Until recently, arbovirus surveillance is mainly focused on mosquito and tick vectors, resulting in the discovery of several mosquito- tick-borne arboviruses. However, role sandflies transmission disease has remained largely unexplored. This study sought to isolate characterize arboviruses from phlebotomine selected pastoral ecozones North Rift region Kenya. Methods Sandflies were collected sites Kenya between 2015 2018. They sorted pooled by sex, site, collection date. The pools...
Dengue fever (DF) is an arboviral disease caused by dengue virus serotypes 1-4 (DENV 1-4). Globally, DF incidence and burden have increased in the recent past. Initially implicated a 1982 outbreak, DENV-2 recently reemerged Kenya causing outbreaks between 2011 2014 more 2017-8. The origin evolutionary patterns that may explain epidemiological expansion increasing impact of remain poorly understood. Using whole-genome sequencing, samples collected during 2011-4 2017-8 were analyzed....
Between late 2017 and mid-2018, a chikungunya fever outbreak occurred in Mombasa, Kenya that followed an earlier mid-2016 Mandera County on the border with Somalia. Using targeted Next Generation Sequencing, we obtained genomes from clinical samples collected during 2017/2018 Mombasa outbreak. We compared data 2016 outbreak, found both had Aedes aegypti adapting mutations, E1:K211E E2:V264A. Further to above two 11 of 15 CHIKV showed novel triple mutation signature E1:V80A, E1:T82I E1:V84D....
The majority of the viruses that currently cause diseases in humans and animals are RNA viruses, more specifically arthropod-transmitted viruses. They such as dengue, West Nile infection, bluetongue disease, Schmallenberg yellow fever, among others.
Chikungunya virus is an alphavirus, primarily transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus. In late 2017-2018, outbreak of chikungunya occurred in Mombasa county, Kenya, investigations were conducted to establish associated entomological risk factors. Homes stratified water-filled containers inspected for immature aegypti, larval indices calculated. Adult mosquitoes collected the same homesteads using BG-Sentinel CDC light traps screened virus. Experiments also determine ability Culex...
The West Nile virus (WNV), primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, is one of the most widespread flaviviruses globally, with past outbreaks occurring in USA and Europe. Recent studies parts Africa, including Kenya, have identified Koutango lineage (WN-KOUTV) among phlebotomine sandfly populations, however, our understanding this remains limited. This study aimed to characterize WN-KOUTV from sandflies. Sandflies were sampled between 12 th -16 March 2021 16 -20 2023 six villages each Baringo...
Abstract Mpox is a zoonotic disease caused by the Monkeypox virus (MPXV) in family: Poxviridae, genus: Orthopoxvirus. Historically, was restricted mostly to Africa with cases being reported Central (mostly clade I) and West (caused II). However, there has been recent shift range outbreaks Europe America, countries where initially not endemic. This multi-country outbreak driven IIb lineage of MPXV. Since December 2023, an ongoing mpox Democratic Republic Congo (DRC), new I virus, designated...
The emergence and rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants concern (VOC) have been linked to new waves COVID-19 epidemics occurring in different regions the world. VOC acquired adaptive mutations that enhanced virus transmissibility, increased virulence, reduced response neutralizing antibodies. Kenya has experienced six epidemics. In this study, we analyzed 64 genome sequences strains circulated Nairobi neighboring counties, between March 2021 July 2021. Viral RNA was extracted from RT-PCR...
Arboviruses are among emerging pathogens of public and veterinary health significance. However, in most sub-Saharan Africa, their role the aetiologies diseases farm animals is poorly described due to paucity active surveillance appropriate diagnosis. Here, we report discovery a previously unknown orbivirus cattle collected Kenyan Rift Valley 2020 2021. We isolated virus cell culture from serum clinically sick cow aged 2 3 years, presenting signs lethargy. High-throughput sequencing revealed...
We report the sequencing of two viruses, Phasi Charoen-like phasivirus (PCLV) and Fako virus (FAKV), which were detected in a pool Aedes aegypti from Kenya. Analysis showed high similarity PCLV to publicly available genomes FAKV genetic divergence genomes.
Abstract Background Arbovirus surveillance and recurrence of outbreaks in Kenya continues to reveal the re-emergence viruses public health importance. This calls for sustained efforts early detection characterization these agents avert future potential outbreaks. Methods A larval survey was carried out three different sites Kwale County, Vanga, Jego Lunga Lunga. All containers every accessible household compound were sampled immature mosquitoes. In addition, adult mosquitoes also using CO 2...
Abstract The West Nile virus (WNV), primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, is one of the most widespread flaviviruses globally, with past outbreaks occurring in USA and Europe. Recent studies parts Africa, including Kenya, have identified Koutango lineage (WN-KOUTV) among phlebotomine sandfly populations, however, our understanding this remains limited. Hence, study aimed to characterize WN-KOUTV from sandflies. Sandflies were sampled between 12-16 th March 2021 six villages Baringo South,...
Phleboviruses are an emerging threat to public health. Recent surveillance efforts in Kenya have unveiled novel phleboviruses. Despite these efforts, there remain knowledge gaps. This study tested female sandflies from diverse ecological settings for arboviruses. Sandfly pools were cultured Vero-CCL cells. Pools showing reproducible cytopathic effects subjected next-generation sequencing, followed by phylogenetic analysis. In vitro, cell kinetics analysis was performed using both Vero-E6...
Introduction Emerging tick-borne viruses of medical and veterinary importance are increasingly being reported globally. This resurgence emphasizes the need for sustained surveillance to provide insights into viral diversity associated potential public health risks. We report on a virus tentatively designated Kinna (KIV) in family Phenuiviridae genus Bandavirus . The was isolated from pool Amblyomma gemma ticks Isiolo County, Kenya. High throughput sequencing isolate revealed close...
Ticks are ecto-parasites of domestic animals, rodents, and wildlife living for periods at a time on one or more vertebrate hosts. They important vectors viral, bacterial, parasitic diseases in livestock humans. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus the spotted rickettsiae some tick-borne public health importance reported Kenya. Their distribution risks among communities, especially pastoralists, remain poorly characterized due to limited surveillance, affected partly by inadequate capacity...
Background Bunyamwera(BUNV) and Ngari (NGIV) viruses are arboviruses of medical importance globally, the endemic in Africa, Aedes(Ae) aegypti Anopheles(An) gambiae mosquitoes currently competent vectors for BUNV NGIV respectively. Both have been isolated from humans various ecologies Kenya. Understanding risk patterns spread necessitate studies vector competence local population Ae . simpsoni sl which is abundant coastal region. This study sought to assess ability Simpsoni at Coast Kenya...
Abstract Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of several arboviruses, including dengue virus (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV), yellow fever (YFV), and Zika (ZIKV). This widespread globally in tropical subtropical areas, but also found temperate areas. Kenya experienced its first outbreaks Lamu County 2004 later Mandera: 2016, Mombasa: 2017. While there yet to be a report Kenya, sero-surveillance studies indicate low-level transmission this coastal northern parts country. Despite presence Ae....
Abstract Ticks are arachnid ectoparasites which rank second only to mosquitoes in the transmission of human diseases including bacteria responsible for anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, spotted fevers, and Lyme disease among other febrile illnesses. Due paucity data on transmitted by ticks Kenya, this study undertook a bacterial metagenomic-based characterization collected from Isiolo, semi-arid pastoralist County Eastern Kwale, coastal with monsoon climate southern Kenyan border Tanzania. A total...
Abstract Introduction Lymphatic filariasis is a debilitating disease caused by filarial worms; Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia Malayi and B. Timori . It earmarked for elimination the year 2020 through Global Program Elimination of Filariasis (GPELF). In Kenya, mass treatment has been ongoing since 2002 though it not consistent as recommended World health organization (WHO). Taking this into account, emergence W. bancrofti resistance strains against current choice drugs cannot be ruled out....