A5020554507- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiology
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Plant Pathogenic Bacteria Studies
- Vibrio bacteria research studies
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies Research
- Biosensors and Analytical Detection
- Aquaculture disease management and microbiota
- Microbial infections and disease research
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Hepatitis B Virus Studies
- Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
International Livestock Research Institute
2021-2023
KU Leuven
2013-2022
Kenya Medical Research Institute
2016
Bioscience Research
2013
In the past 30 years, Salmonella bloodstream infections have become a significant health problem in sub-Saharan Africa and are responsible for deaths of an estimated 390,000 people each year. The disease is predominantly caused by recently described sequence type Typhimurium: ST313, which has distinctive set prophage sequences. We thoroughly characterized ST313-associated prophages both genetically experimentally. ST313 representative strain D23580 contains 5 full-length prophages: BTP1,...
OPINION article Front. Microbiol., 08 June 2016Sec. Antimicrobials, Resistance and Chemotherapy Volume 7 - 2016 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2016.00882
We discovered a novel interaction between phage P22 and its host Salmonella Typhimurium LT2 that is characterized by mediated targeted derepression of the dgo operon. Upon further investigation, this was found to be instigated an ORFan gene (designated pid for encoded instigator expression) located on previously unannotated moron locus in late region genome, encoding 86 amino acid protein 9.3 kDa. Surprisingly, Pid/dgo not observed during strict lytic or lysogenic proliferation P22,...
Although the study of phage infection has a long history and catalyzed much our current understanding in bacterial genetics, molecular biology, evolution ecology, it seems that microbiologists have only just begun to explore intricacy phage–host interactions. In recent manuscript by Cenens et al. we found genetic support for pseudolysogenic development Salmonella Typhimurium–phage P22 model system. More specifically, observed existence carrier cells harboring an episomal element segregated...
Monitoring the complex transmission dynamics of a bacterial virus (temperate phage P22) throughout population its host (Salmonella Typhimurium) at single cell resolution revealed unexpected existence transiently immune subpopulation cells that emerged from peculiarities preceding process lysogenization. More specifically, an infection event ultimately leading to lysogen first yielded carrier harboring polarly tethered P22 episome. Upon subsequent division, daughter inheriting this episome...
Multi-drug resistant (MDR) Salmonella enterica Enteritidis is one of the major causes foodborne illnesses worldwide. This non-typhoidal (NTS) serovar mainly transmitted to humans through poultry products. Bacteriophages (phages) offer an alternative antibiotics for reducing incidence MDR NTS in farms. Phages that survive harsh environment chicken gastrointestinal tract (cGIT), which have low pH, high temperatures, and several enzymes, may a higher therapeutic or prophylactic potential. In...
The Kenyan government has successfully been implementing sector specific and multisectoral projects aligned to the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA). For operational readiness enhance effective planning implementation of Programs (GHSP) at national subnational level, there is an urgent need for stakeholders' engagement process seek input in identifying challenges, prioritise activities field implementation, identify applied research development questions, that should be addressed next...
Women and men keeping chickens in Kenya aspire to have a source of income, feed their families healthy food, grow businesses. Managing animal diseases minimizing input costs enable success. This study uses qualitative methods recommend design opportunities for veterinary product under development that contains bacteriophages (phages) target pathogenic Salmonella strains responsible fowl typhoid, salmonellosis, pullorum foodborne illness people. Our findings revealed the interplay between...
ABSTRACT In this study, we describe the characterization of 67 Salmonella enterica phages isolated from Kenya. Specifically, were chicken feces as well swabs and water samples obtained farms slaughterhouses in Nairobi Kiambu counties. Genome sequencing analysis revealed that 59 phage isolates distinct could be grouped into 17 clusters belonging to four major types (MT1–4). Further taxonomic showed each MT represents one genus. Of selected representative genomes (one per cluster), seven...
Many phage genes lack sequence similarity to any other open reading frame (ORF) in current databases. These enigmatic ORFan can have a tremendous impact on propagation and host interactions but often remain experimentally unexplored. We previously revealed novel interaction between P22 its Salmonella Typhimurium host, instigated by the gene pid (for encoded instigator of dgo expression) resulting derepression dgoRKAT operon. The is highly expressed carrier cells that harbor polarly located...
The problem of antimicrobial resistance has created a new need for alternative/ complementary treatments. To this end, bacteriophages offer an exciting prospect, as they can infect and kill specific bacteria without harming the host. This survey aimed to evaluate state applied phage research in Africa, among members Africa Forum (APF). was cross-sectional whereby google form Phage forum fill so access stage Africa. Data collected between June July 2021 using structured questionnaire form. A...
Background: The Kenyan government has successfully been implementing sector specific and multisectoral projects aligned to the Global Health Security agenda (GHSA). For operational readiness enhance effective planning implementation of programs (GHSP) at national subnational level, there is an urgent need for a stakeholders’ engagement process seek input in identifying areas challenges, prioritizing activities field implementation, applied research development questions, that should be...