Lynette Isabella Ochola‐Oyier
A5037073910- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Malaria Research and Control
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- COVID-19 diagnosis using AI
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- vaccines and immunoinformatics approaches
- Immune responses and vaccinations
- Computational Drug Discovery Methods
- Hepatitis C virus research
- Respiratory viral infections research
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
- Complement system in diseases
- HIV/AIDS drug development and treatment
- Viral Infections and Immunology Research
- Drug Transport and Resistance Mechanisms
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Biosensors and Analytical Detection
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Digital Imaging for Blood Diseases
Kenya Medical Research Institute
2016-2025
University of Oxford
2017-2025
Wellcome Trust
2014-2025
Kema International (Netherlands)
2023
University of Cambridge
2021-2023
Juntendo University
2022
Addenbrooke's Hospital
2021
University of Nairobi
2018-2019
Pwani University
2017-2019
Pennsylvania State University
2017
Pandemic progress in Kenya By the end of July 2020, had reported only 341 deaths and ∼20,000 cases COVID-19. This is marked contrast to tens thousands many higher-income countries. The true extent COVID-19 community was unknown likely be higher than reports indicated. Uyoga et al. found an overall seroprevalence among blood donors 4.3%, peaking 35- 44-year-old individuals (see Perspective by Maeda Nkengasong). low mortality can partly explained steep demographics Kenya, where less 4%...
MalariaGEN is a data-sharing network that enables groups around the world to work together on genomic epidemiology of malaria. Here we describe new release curated genome variation data 7,000 Plasmodium falciparum samples from partner studies in 28 malaria-endemic countries. High-quality genotype calls 3 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and short indels were produced using standardised analysis pipeline. Copy number variants associated with drug resistance structural cause...
BackgroundRecently, we found that a new malaria vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, had over 75% efficacy against clinical with seasonal administration in phase 2b trial Burkina Faso. Here, report on safety and of the vaccine 3 enrolling 4800 children across four countries followed for up to 18 months at sites 12 standard sites.MethodsWe did double-blind, randomised, R21/Matrix-M five African differing transmission intensities seasonality. Children (aged 5–36 months) were enrolled randomly assigned (2:1)...
Policy decisions on COVID-19 interventions should be informed by a local, regional and national understanding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission. Epidemic waves may result when restrictions are lifted or poorly adhered to, variants with new phenotypic properties successfully invade, infection spreads to susceptible subpopulations. Three epidemic have been observed in Kenya. Using mechanistic mathematical model, we explain the first two distinct...
The ARTIC Network's primer set and amplicon-based protocol is one of the most widely used SARS-CoV-2 sequencing protocol. An update to V3 was released on 18th June 2021 address amplicon drop-off observed among Delta variant concern. Here, we report an in-house optimization a modified version Network V4 that improves genome recovery in instances where original pooling strategy characterized by drop-offs.
Observed SARS-CoV-2 infections and deaths are low in tropical Africa raising questions about the extent of transmission. We measured IgG by ELISA 9,922 blood donors across Kenya adjusted for sampling bias test performance. By 1st September 2020, 577 COVID-19 were observed nationwide seroprevalence was 9.1% (95%CI 7.6-10.8%). Seroprevalence Nairobi 22.7% (18.0-27.7%). Although most people remained susceptible, had spread widely with apparently associated mortality.
Abstract Background Few studies have assessed the seroprevalence of antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Africa. We report findings from a survey HCWs 3 counties Kenya. Methods recruited 684 Kilifi (rural), Busia and Nairobi (urban) counties. The serosurvey was conducted between 30 July 4 December 2020. tested for immunoglobulin G to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Assay...
<ns3:p>MalariaGEN is a data-sharing network that enables groups around the world to work together on genomic epidemiology of malaria. Here we describe new release curated genome variation data 7,000 <ns3:italic>Plasmodium falciparum</ns3:italic> samples from MalariaGEN partner studies in 28 malaria-endemic countries. High-quality genotype calls 3 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and short indels were produced using standardised analysis pipeline. Copy number variants associated...
A few studies have assessed the epidemiological impact and cost-effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in settings where most population had been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
We sought to estimate SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence within representative samples of the Kenyan population during third year COVID-19 pandemic and second vaccine use.
Endemic human pathogens are subject to strong immune selection, and interrogation of pathogen genome variation for signatures balancing selection can identify important target antigens. Several major antigen genes in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum have shown such polymorphism-versus-divergence indices (comparing with chimpanzee P. reichenowi), allele frequency based indices.To compare methods prospective identification under 26 additional known or predicted encode surface-exposed...
Signatures of balancing selection operating on specific gene loci in endemic pathogens can identify candidate targets naturally acquired immunity. In malaria parasites, several leading vaccine candidates convincingly show such signatures when subjected to tests neutrality, but the discovery new affected by a similar extent has been slow. A small minority all genes are under selection, as indicated recent study 26 Plasmodium falciparum merozoite-stage that were not previously prioritized...
Abstract Background There are no data on SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Africa though the COVID-19 epidemic curve and reported mortality differ from patterns seen elsewhere. We estimated anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence among blood donors Kenya. Methods measured spike IgG by ELISA residual donor samples obtained between April 30 June 16, 2020. Assay sensitivity specificity were 83% (95% CI 59-96%) 99.0% 98.1-99.5%), respectively. National was using Bayesian multilevel regression...
Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 is important for understanding both the evolution and patterns local global transmission. Here, we generated 311 genomes from samples collected in coastal Kenya between 17
Introduction The high proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infections that have remained undetected presents a challenge to tracking the progress pandemic and estimating extent population immunity. Methods We used residual blood samples from women attending antenatal care services at three hospitals in Kenya between August 2020 October 2021and validated IgG ELISA for SARS-Cov-2 spike protein adjusted results assay sensitivity specificity. fitted two-component mixture model as an alternative threshold...
The development of artemisinin (ART)-resistant parasites in Southeast Asia (SEA) threatens malaria control globally. Mutations the Kelch 13 (K13)-propeller domain have been useful identifying ART resistance SEA. combination therapy (ACT) remains highly efficacious treatment uncomplicated Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, it is crucial that efficacy ACT closely monitored. Toward this effort, study profiled prevalence K13 nonsynonymous mutations different ecological zones Kenya and time...
Antimalarial drug resistance is a substantial impediment to malaria control. The spread of has been described using genetic markers which are important epidemiological tools. We carried out temporal analysis changes in allele frequencies 12 over two decades changing antimalarial policy Kenya. did not detect any the validated kelch 13 (k13) artemisinin markers, nonetheless, single k13 allele, K189T, was maintained at stable high frequency (>10%) time. There distinct shift from chloroquine...
We developed a whole genome sequencing assay for coxsackievirus A24 variant (CA24v), major cause of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, and used it to recover three near complete genomes from the 2024 CA24v outbreak in Kenya. This will support studies on genomic epidemiology evolution across Africa.
<ns3:p>Background In early 2024, a surge in acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC), also referred as “red eye” disease, was observed coastal Kenya, prompting the Ministry of Health to issue an outbreak alert. Herein, we investigated etiology this outbreak. Methods Ocular swabs were obtained from 13 individuals presenting with AHC at Mombasa clinic February 2024. Ten these analyzed using bacterial cultures, and all pan-adenovirus quantitative PCR (qPCR) metagenomic sequencing. Potential viral...
Introduction Global WHO data indicate that Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, such as Kenya, experienced reduced coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severe-morbidity and mortality burdens relative to their more affluent counterparts in Europe, Asia, North America. Methods We analysed peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) samples collected from Kenya Sweden before during COVID-19. Pre-COVID-19 were available for 80 adults 10 infants 20 Sweden. COVID-19 39 Kenyan adults. The ex vivo...
Abstract Malaria remains a significant health challenge in sub‐Saharan Africa, accounting for 90% of the global burden disease. Recent studies have reported an increase number malaria cases and decrease deaths. However, these gains can be reversed by emerging resistance to artemisinin changing climatic conditions. Over past 30 years, Africa has adopted combination therapy (ACT) treat uncomplicated malaria. Increasingly, reports parasitic mutations conferring tolerance emerged several...