Papers by Festus Mulakoli
East Africa science, Mar 15, 2021
East Africa Science
The growing demand for donated whole blood and blood products to save lives has both health benef... more The growing demand for donated whole blood and blood products to save lives has both health benefits and health risks for blood recipients at the same time. Dengue virus, a re-emerging viral disease poses a threat to blood safety, and it has spread to over 128 countries in the world. Several studies have documented transfusion-transmitted (TT) dengue, with the first cases being reported in China in 2002 and Singapore in 2008. To understand the magnitude and broader picture of the dengue virus and blood safety, we conducted a mini-review of published literature from the Scopus database. The review focused on the number of publications related to the dengue virus among blood donors. Using keywords ‘Dengue virus’ AND ‘Blood safety’, ‘ Dengue virus’ AND ‘Blood donors’ and ‘Emerging infectious diseases’ AND “Blood safety” were used to extract data from the Scopus database which was downloaded as a CSV Excel file covering a period 2004 to 2021. This was followed by a data-cleaning exercis...
IntechOpen eBooks, Dec 30, 2022
The provision of blood products to save a life is a noble undertaking for any organization tasked... more The provision of blood products to save a life is a noble undertaking for any organization tasked with the duty. In addition to saving millions of lives, blood products pose health risks associated with adverse events. Much has been done to mitigate these challenges, but emerging new infectious diseases pose a public health challenge to both the safety of blood and its availability. The dengue virus an arbovirus is one such virus that is endemic in tropical and subtropical countries. The data emerging from the published papers show that dengue could be a major threat to blood safety and availability in the future. To address these threats, a collaborative approach through one health system is the only avenue to provide a last solution. One health has been implemented as a strategy to mitigate zoonotic diseases and its results are very impressive. This piece of work is a fraction of our larger project that aims to address threats to the dengue virus and blood safety in Kenya and the rest of Africa. In conclusion, adopting one health in the fight against the dengue virus in blood safety will be the best approach to ensure a safer supply of blood products.
Although fungi are known to be less pathogenic and mostly saprophytic in their nature as compared... more Although fungi are known to be less pathogenic and mostly saprophytic in their nature as compared to other groups of microbes, those that produce aflatoxin have been associated with severe human disease. An example of such disease is Aflatoxicosis caused by soil-borne pathogenic fungi of the species Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus flavus. They produce a mycotoxin substance that is carcinogenic to the human liver with severe outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine urinary aflatoxin levels among the residents of Makueni County, previously affected by Aflatoxicosis. This was a cross-sectional study that involved the use of primary data collected from 106 participants. The method for data collection included a structured questionnaire and the collection of the urine samples for aflatoxin M1 analysis at Bora Biotech Laboratories LTD. The urinary levels of AFM1 were detected by use of an ELISA kit. Data was entered in SPSS and analysed through Chi-Square for the ass...
East Africa Science, 2020
Background: Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoea are microbes that have been associated... more Background: Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoea are microbes that have been associated with urethritis in both male and female genders, which often may lead to complicated conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility globally among others health complications. In Kenya and other developing countries, sexually transmitted infections associated with Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoea still pose a challenge in public health. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing laboratory data from Jan 2018 to Dec 2018 to estimate the prevalence of C trachomatis and N gonorrhoea coinfections in patients attending a tertiary institution and its satellite clinics spread across the country. A total of 1228 patient’s data aged 3-69 years was reviewed; with age, gender and Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoea status being analyzed. Results: A total of 1228 patients who visited the hospital in 2018 had their urine samples being tes...
East Africa Science, 2021
East Africa Science, 2021
East Africa Science , 2020
Background: Infections linked to blood transfusion or tissue transplants prove to be a major chal... more Background: Infections linked to blood transfusion or tissue transplants prove to be a major challenge globally because of the serological window period (WP) and a latent stage exhibited by most viral infections. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti-HBc antibodies in HBsAg negative donors at Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi. Methods: The current project was a cross-sectional study in which 76 donor samples that tested negative for HBsAg marker were reevaluated with an anti-HBc ELIA kit (Elecsys reagent kit) following Cobas 601(Roche, Stuttgart, Germany) machine operation manual. Anti-HBc positive samples were confirmed for positivity using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Donor demography and risk factors such as age; gender, marital status, employment status, and donor type were reviewed and documented from the archived questionnaires. Results: In total, 76 archived samples were screened during the period of the study. The study population had an average age of 32 ± 8 years which male donors dominating at n=61 (79.2 %) and female n=16 (20.8 %). The prevalence rate of anti-HBc Total was 13 % during the period of the study. On further analysis of the 10 anti-HBc positive samples with PCR, there was no detectable HBV-DNA. The majority (63.6 %) of Anti-HBc positive cases were first-time donors and blood donors aged between 25-45 years being the majority. Conclusions: The introduction of anti-HBc as a routine screening tool is recommended to all potential blood donors and even in other medical procedures such as dialysis. These support the need for a duo approach when screening potential donors to rule out occult infection.
MANUSCRIPT, 2019
Background
Infections linked to blood transfusion or tissue transplant prove to be a major challe... more Background
Infections linked to blood transfusion or tissue transplant prove to be a major challenge globally because of the serological window period (WP) and latent stage exhibited by most viral infections. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of OBI using anti-HBc antibodies as a marker in HBsAg negative donors at Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study in which 76 HBsAg negative samples we reevaluated with anti-HBc ELIA kit (Elecsys reagent kit) following Cobas 601(Roche, Stuttgart, Germany) machine operation manual. We confirmed anti-HBc positive samples for positivity using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results
In overview, 77 blood donor archived we screened samples during the period of the study. Our study population had an average age of 32 ± 8 years which male donors dominating at n=61 (79.2%) and female n=16 (20.8%). The prevalence rate of anti-HBc Total was 13% and 1% for HBsAg during the period of the study. On further analysis of the 10 anti-HBc positive samples with PCR, there was no detectable HBV-DNA. The majority (63.6%) of Anti-HBc positive cases were first-time donors and blood donors with the age between 25 to 45 years being the largest age group (75.3%).
Conclusions
Prevalence of anti-HBc Total on regular donor individuals was 13% with no detectable HBV-DNA and these support the need for a duo approach when screening potential donors to rule out occult infection.
ABSTRACT
Undetected Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection also called occult hepatitis B infection (O... more ABSTRACT
Undetected Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection also called occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is the continuous presence and persistent presence of HBV nucleic acid (DNA) in the liver cells of individuals who tested negative for the HBV surface antigen. Structurally hepatitis B virus is made up of an external envelope (HBsAg) and an inner core (HBcAg). The core antigen consists of around 183-185 amino acids. In the course of infection, our immune system produces antibodies against the HBcAg which persist in our circulation for life. Anti-HBcAg antibodies persist both, in persons who have recuperated from a hepatitis B infection and in those who develops HBsAg-carrier status. Presence of Anti HBcAg antibodies can be used as a marker for active or previous infection. Therefore transfusion of blood and tissue transplants from these individuals poses a risk to the recipients if their blood is only screened for the surface antigen alone (HbsAg). HbsAg as a marker to screen blood before transfusion began in the 1970s. Immensely this reduced HBV transmission through tissue transplant because tissues like blood found to be positive for HBsAg were not given to patients. Infections associated with blood transfusion or tissue transplant continue to be a major challenge globally because of the widow period and latency stage exhibited by most viral infections. Strict measures have been put in place all over the world to minimize the risk of TTIs (Transfusion transmissible infection) which includes donor screening but with a lot of limitation on the availability of methods to detect undetected infections. This will be a cross sectional study aims at establishing the prevalence OBI (Occult hepatitis B infection) in blood donors. 200 serum samples will be systematically picked from a pool of specimens negative HbsAg from the AKUHN laboratory archive and tested for HBV using anti HBc as a marker for undetected HBV and compare these findings with hepatitis B S genes using nested PCR. There after the data generated will be analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20. The prevalence of HBV in donor samples will then be computed and expressed in percentage and various statistical tools such as pie charts, frequency tables, and histograms will be developed to present the distribution of HBV in various age brackets and gender.
Thesis Chapters by Festus Mulakoli
Thesis, 2019
Background
Infections linked to blood transfusion or tissue transplant prove to be a major challe... more Background
Infections linked to blood transfusion or tissue transplant prove to be a major challenge globally because of the serological window period (WP) and latent stage exhibited by most viral infections. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of OBI using anti-HBc antibodies as a marker in HBsAg negative donors at Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study in which 76 HBsAg negative samples we reevaluated with anti-HBc ELIA kit (Elecsys reagent kit) following Cobas 601(Roche, Stuttgart, Germany) machine operation manual. We confirmed anti-HBc positive samples for positivity using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results
In the overview, 77 blood donor archived samples were screened during the period of the study. Our study population had an average age of 32 ± 8 years, which male donors dominated at n=61 (79.2%) and female n=16 (20.8%). The prevalence rate of anti-HBc Total was 13% and 1% for HBsAg during the period of the study. On further analysis of the 10 anti-HBc positive samples with PCR, there was no detectable HBV-DNA. The majority (63.6%) of Anti-HBc positive cases were first-time donors and blood donors with the age between 25 to 45 years being the largest age group (75.3%).
Conclusions
Prevalence of anti-HBc Total on regular donor individuals was 13% with no detectable HBV-DNA and these support the need for a duo approach when screening potential donors to rule out occult infection.
Books by Festus Mulakoli
Book chapter, 2022
The provision of blood products to save a life is a noble undertaking for any organization tasked... more The provision of blood products to save a life is a noble undertaking for any organization tasked with the duty. In addition to saving millions of lives, blood products pose health risks associated with adverse events. Much has been done to mitigate these challenges, but emerging new infectious diseases pose a public health challenge to both the safety of blood and its availability. The dengue virus an arbovirus is one such virus that is endemic in tropical and subtropical countries. The data emerging from the published papers show that dengue could be a major threat to blood safety and availability in the future. To address these threats, a collaborative approach through one health system is the only avenue to provide a last solution. One health has been implemented as a strategy to mitigate zoonotic diseases and its results are very impressive. This piece of work is a fraction of our larger project that aims to address threats to the dengue virus and blood safety in Kenya and the rest of Africa. In conclusion, adopting one health in the fight against the dengue virus in blood safety will be the best approach to ensure a safer supply of blood products.
Uploads
Papers by Festus Mulakoli
Infections linked to blood transfusion or tissue transplant prove to be a major challenge globally because of the serological window period (WP) and latent stage exhibited by most viral infections. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of OBI using anti-HBc antibodies as a marker in HBsAg negative donors at Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study in which 76 HBsAg negative samples we reevaluated with anti-HBc ELIA kit (Elecsys reagent kit) following Cobas 601(Roche, Stuttgart, Germany) machine operation manual. We confirmed anti-HBc positive samples for positivity using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results
In overview, 77 blood donor archived we screened samples during the period of the study. Our study population had an average age of 32 ± 8 years which male donors dominating at n=61 (79.2%) and female n=16 (20.8%). The prevalence rate of anti-HBc Total was 13% and 1% for HBsAg during the period of the study. On further analysis of the 10 anti-HBc positive samples with PCR, there was no detectable HBV-DNA. The majority (63.6%) of Anti-HBc positive cases were first-time donors and blood donors with the age between 25 to 45 years being the largest age group (75.3%).
Conclusions
Prevalence of anti-HBc Total on regular donor individuals was 13% with no detectable HBV-DNA and these support the need for a duo approach when screening potential donors to rule out occult infection.
Undetected Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection also called occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is the continuous presence and persistent presence of HBV nucleic acid (DNA) in the liver cells of individuals who tested negative for the HBV surface antigen. Structurally hepatitis B virus is made up of an external envelope (HBsAg) and an inner core (HBcAg). The core antigen consists of around 183-185 amino acids. In the course of infection, our immune system produces antibodies against the HBcAg which persist in our circulation for life. Anti-HBcAg antibodies persist both, in persons who have recuperated from a hepatitis B infection and in those who develops HBsAg-carrier status. Presence of Anti HBcAg antibodies can be used as a marker for active or previous infection. Therefore transfusion of blood and tissue transplants from these individuals poses a risk to the recipients if their blood is only screened for the surface antigen alone (HbsAg). HbsAg as a marker to screen blood before transfusion began in the 1970s. Immensely this reduced HBV transmission through tissue transplant because tissues like blood found to be positive for HBsAg were not given to patients. Infections associated with blood transfusion or tissue transplant continue to be a major challenge globally because of the widow period and latency stage exhibited by most viral infections. Strict measures have been put in place all over the world to minimize the risk of TTIs (Transfusion transmissible infection) which includes donor screening but with a lot of limitation on the availability of methods to detect undetected infections. This will be a cross sectional study aims at establishing the prevalence OBI (Occult hepatitis B infection) in blood donors. 200 serum samples will be systematically picked from a pool of specimens negative HbsAg from the AKUHN laboratory archive and tested for HBV using anti HBc as a marker for undetected HBV and compare these findings with hepatitis B S genes using nested PCR. There after the data generated will be analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20. The prevalence of HBV in donor samples will then be computed and expressed in percentage and various statistical tools such as pie charts, frequency tables, and histograms will be developed to present the distribution of HBV in various age brackets and gender.
Thesis Chapters by Festus Mulakoli
Infections linked to blood transfusion or tissue transplant prove to be a major challenge globally because of the serological window period (WP) and latent stage exhibited by most viral infections. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of OBI using anti-HBc antibodies as a marker in HBsAg negative donors at Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study in which 76 HBsAg negative samples we reevaluated with anti-HBc ELIA kit (Elecsys reagent kit) following Cobas 601(Roche, Stuttgart, Germany) machine operation manual. We confirmed anti-HBc positive samples for positivity using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results
In the overview, 77 blood donor archived samples were screened during the period of the study. Our study population had an average age of 32 ± 8 years, which male donors dominated at n=61 (79.2%) and female n=16 (20.8%). The prevalence rate of anti-HBc Total was 13% and 1% for HBsAg during the period of the study. On further analysis of the 10 anti-HBc positive samples with PCR, there was no detectable HBV-DNA. The majority (63.6%) of Anti-HBc positive cases were first-time donors and blood donors with the age between 25 to 45 years being the largest age group (75.3%).
Conclusions
Prevalence of anti-HBc Total on regular donor individuals was 13% with no detectable HBV-DNA and these support the need for a duo approach when screening potential donors to rule out occult infection.
Books by Festus Mulakoli
Infections linked to blood transfusion or tissue transplant prove to be a major challenge globally because of the serological window period (WP) and latent stage exhibited by most viral infections. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of OBI using anti-HBc antibodies as a marker in HBsAg negative donors at Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study in which 76 HBsAg negative samples we reevaluated with anti-HBc ELIA kit (Elecsys reagent kit) following Cobas 601(Roche, Stuttgart, Germany) machine operation manual. We confirmed anti-HBc positive samples for positivity using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results
In overview, 77 blood donor archived we screened samples during the period of the study. Our study population had an average age of 32 ± 8 years which male donors dominating at n=61 (79.2%) and female n=16 (20.8%). The prevalence rate of anti-HBc Total was 13% and 1% for HBsAg during the period of the study. On further analysis of the 10 anti-HBc positive samples with PCR, there was no detectable HBV-DNA. The majority (63.6%) of Anti-HBc positive cases were first-time donors and blood donors with the age between 25 to 45 years being the largest age group (75.3%).
Conclusions
Prevalence of anti-HBc Total on regular donor individuals was 13% with no detectable HBV-DNA and these support the need for a duo approach when screening potential donors to rule out occult infection.
Undetected Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection also called occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is the continuous presence and persistent presence of HBV nucleic acid (DNA) in the liver cells of individuals who tested negative for the HBV surface antigen. Structurally hepatitis B virus is made up of an external envelope (HBsAg) and an inner core (HBcAg). The core antigen consists of around 183-185 amino acids. In the course of infection, our immune system produces antibodies against the HBcAg which persist in our circulation for life. Anti-HBcAg antibodies persist both, in persons who have recuperated from a hepatitis B infection and in those who develops HBsAg-carrier status. Presence of Anti HBcAg antibodies can be used as a marker for active or previous infection. Therefore transfusion of blood and tissue transplants from these individuals poses a risk to the recipients if their blood is only screened for the surface antigen alone (HbsAg). HbsAg as a marker to screen blood before transfusion began in the 1970s. Immensely this reduced HBV transmission through tissue transplant because tissues like blood found to be positive for HBsAg were not given to patients. Infections associated with blood transfusion or tissue transplant continue to be a major challenge globally because of the widow period and latency stage exhibited by most viral infections. Strict measures have been put in place all over the world to minimize the risk of TTIs (Transfusion transmissible infection) which includes donor screening but with a lot of limitation on the availability of methods to detect undetected infections. This will be a cross sectional study aims at establishing the prevalence OBI (Occult hepatitis B infection) in blood donors. 200 serum samples will be systematically picked from a pool of specimens negative HbsAg from the AKUHN laboratory archive and tested for HBV using anti HBc as a marker for undetected HBV and compare these findings with hepatitis B S genes using nested PCR. There after the data generated will be analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20. The prevalence of HBV in donor samples will then be computed and expressed in percentage and various statistical tools such as pie charts, frequency tables, and histograms will be developed to present the distribution of HBV in various age brackets and gender.
Infections linked to blood transfusion or tissue transplant prove to be a major challenge globally because of the serological window period (WP) and latent stage exhibited by most viral infections. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of OBI using anti-HBc antibodies as a marker in HBsAg negative donors at Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study in which 76 HBsAg negative samples we reevaluated with anti-HBc ELIA kit (Elecsys reagent kit) following Cobas 601(Roche, Stuttgart, Germany) machine operation manual. We confirmed anti-HBc positive samples for positivity using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results
In the overview, 77 blood donor archived samples were screened during the period of the study. Our study population had an average age of 32 ± 8 years, which male donors dominated at n=61 (79.2%) and female n=16 (20.8%). The prevalence rate of anti-HBc Total was 13% and 1% for HBsAg during the period of the study. On further analysis of the 10 anti-HBc positive samples with PCR, there was no detectable HBV-DNA. The majority (63.6%) of Anti-HBc positive cases were first-time donors and blood donors with the age between 25 to 45 years being the largest age group (75.3%).
Conclusions
Prevalence of anti-HBc Total on regular donor individuals was 13% with no detectable HBV-DNA and these support the need for a duo approach when screening potential donors to rule out occult infection.