- Private Bag, Maseno, Kenya
- +254-722381214
Collins Ouma
Maseno University, Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Faculty Member
- University of New Mexico, Internal Medicine, Post-Docadd
- noneedit
Background Epstein Barr virus (EBV)-associated endemic Burkitt’s Lymphoma pediatric cancer is associated with morbidity and mortality among children resident in holoendemic Plasmodium falciparum regions in western Kenya. P. falciparum... more
Background Epstein Barr virus (EBV)-associated endemic Burkitt’s Lymphoma pediatric cancer is associated with morbidity and mortality among children resident in holoendemic Plasmodium falciparum regions in western Kenya. P. falciparum exerts strong selection pressure on sickle cell trait (SCT), alpha thalassemia (-α3.7/αα), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), and merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP-2) variants (FC27, 3D7) that confer reduced malarial disease severity. The current study tested the hypothesis that SCT, (-α3.7/αα), G6PD mutation and (MSP-2) variants (FC27, 3D7) are associated with an early age of EBV acquisition. Methods Data on infant EBV infection status (< 6 and ≥ 6–12 months of age) was abstracted from a previous longitudinal study. Archived infant DNA (n = 81) and mothers DNA (n = 70) samples were used for genotyping hemoglobinopathies and MSP-2. The presence of MSP-2 genotypes in maternal DNA samples was used to indicate infant in-utero malarial exposure. G...
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We estimated the prevalence of extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (ESCrE), carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in communities and hospitals in Kenya... more
We estimated the prevalence of extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (ESCrE), carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in communities and hospitals in Kenya to identify human colonization with multidrug-resistant bacteria. Nasal and fecal specimen were collected from inpatients and community residents in Nairobi (urban) and Siaya (rural) counties. Swabs were plated on chromogenic agar to presumptively identify ESCrE, CRE and MRSA isolates. Confirmatory identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing were done using the VITEK®2 instrument. A total of 1999 community residents and 1023 inpatients were enrolled between January 2019 and March 2020. ESCrE colonization was higher in urban than rural communities (52 vs. 45%; P = 0.013) and in urban than rural hospitals (70 vs. 63%; P = 0.032). Overall, ESCrE colonization was ~ 18% higher in hospitals than in corresponding communities. CRE colonization was h...
Research Interests: Medicine and Colonization
Plasmodium falciparum infections remain among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in holoendemic transmission areas. Located within region 5q31.1, the colony-stimulating factor 2 gene (CSF2) encodes granulocyte–macrophage... more
Plasmodium falciparum infections remain among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in holoendemic transmission areas. Located within region 5q31.1, the colony-stimulating factor 2 gene (CSF2) encodes granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), a hematopoietic growth factor that mediates host immune responses. Since the effect of CSF2 variation on malaria pathogenesis remains unreported, we investigated the impact of two genetic variants in the 5q31.1 gene region flanking CSF2:g-7032 G > A (rs168681:G > A) and CSF2:g.64544T > C (rs246835:T > C) on the rate and timing of malaria and severe malarial anemia (SMA, Hb < 5.0 g/dL) episodes over 36 months of follow-up. Children (n = 1654, aged 2–70 months) were recruited from a holoendemic P. falciparum transmission area of western Kenya. Decreased incidence rate ratio (IRR) for malaria was conferred by inheritance of the CSF2:g.64544 TC genotype (P = 0.0277) and CSF2 AC/GC diplotype (P = 0.0015). Incr...
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Additional file 2. These are the dataset supporting the conclusions of this article which is provided as Additional file 2: S2.
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Examine the safety of menstrual cups against sanitary pads and usual practice in Kenyan schoolgirls. Observational studies nested in a cluster randomised controlled feasibility study. 30 primary schools in a health and demographic... more
Examine the safety of menstrual cups against sanitary pads and usual practice in Kenyan schoolgirls. Observational studies nested in a cluster randomised controlled feasibility study. 30 primary schools in a health and demographic surveillance system in rural western Kenya. Menstruating primary schoolgirls aged 14-16 years participating in a menstrual feasibility study. Insertable menstrual cup, monthly sanitary pads or 'usual practice' (controls). Staphylococcus aureus vaginal colonization, Escherichia coli growth on sampled used cups, toxic shock syndrome or other adverse health outcomes. Among 604 eligible girls tested, no adverse event or TSS was detected over a median 10.9 months follow-up. S. aureusprevalence was 10.8%, with no significant difference over intervention time or between groups. Of 65 S.aureus positives at first test, 49 girls were retested and 10 (20.4%) remained positive. Of these, two (20%) sample isolates tested positive for toxic shock syndrome toxin-...
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Background Plasmodium falciparum malaria is a leading cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality in holoendemic transmission areas. Severe malarial anemia [SMA, hemoglobin (Hb) < 5.0 g/dL in children] is the most common clinical... more
Background Plasmodium falciparum malaria is a leading cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality in holoendemic transmission areas. Severe malarial anemia [SMA, hemoglobin (Hb) < 5.0 g/dL in children] is the most common clinical manifestation of severe malaria in such regions. Although innate immune response genes are known to influence the development of SMA, the role of natural killer (NK) cells in malaria pathogenesis remains largely undefined. As such, we examined the impact of genetic variation in the gene encoding a primary NK cell receptor, natural cytotoxicity-triggering receptor 3 (NCR3), on the occurrence of malaria and SMA episodes over time. Methods Susceptibility to malaria, SMA, and all-cause mortality was determined in carriers of NCR3 genetic variants (i.e., rs2736191:C > G and rs11575837:C > T) and their haplotypes. The prospective observational study was conducted over a 36 mos. follow-up period in a cohort of children (n = 1,515, aged 1.9–40 mos.) residin...
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†&lt;p&gt;For some items, n may vary by small numbers due to “don&#39;t know” responses.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;*Percentage totals may be &gt;100%; respondents could select ≥1 source of care and... more
†&lt;p&gt;For some items, n may vary by small numbers due to “don&#39;t know” responses.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;*Percentage totals may be &gt;100%; respondents could select ≥1 source of care and antibiotic.&lt;/p&gt;‡&lt;p&gt;Kasese patients: 1 school nurse; Bundibugyo patients: 5 friend or relative.&lt;/p&gt;‡‡&lt;p&gt;Kasese patients: 1 each cephalexin, erythromycin, gentamycin, 4 unknown; Bundibugyo patients: 1 each ceftriaxone and doxycycline, 2 unknown.&lt;/p
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Brucellosis is widely distributed in more than 170 countries around the world, where it poses a huge threat to animal husbandry and human health. Brucellosis is a worldwide re-emerging zoonotic disease that poses serious public health... more
Brucellosis is widely distributed in more than 170 countries around the world, where it poses a huge threat to animal husbandry and human health. Brucellosis is a worldwide re-emerging zoonotic disease that poses serious public health problems in many developing countries including Kenya. However, prevalence of brucellosis has not been determined in Baringo County, Kenya, yet there is a continuous movement of cattle resulting from trade and grazing, thus predisposing many herds to brucellosis infection. We investigated the sero-prevalence of brucellosis in humans and domestic ruminants: sheep, goats, cattle and camels among livestock keeping communities in Baringo County, Kenya. In addition, we analyzed the seropositive samples for molecular detection of Brucella species. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey using quantitative data collection methods. The diagnosis was carried out using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) and the real-time PCR assays. The...
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Background Accurate malaria diagnosis and appropriate treatment at local health facilities are critical to reducing morbidity and human reservoir of infectious gametocytes. The current study assessed the accuracy of malaria diagnosis and... more
Background Accurate malaria diagnosis and appropriate treatment at local health facilities are critical to reducing morbidity and human reservoir of infectious gametocytes. The current study assessed the accuracy of malaria diagnosis and treatment practices in three health care facilities in rural western Kenya. Methods The accuracy of malaria detection and treatment recommended compliance was monitored in two public and one private hospital from November 2019 through March 2020. Blood smears from febrile patients were examined by hospital laboratory technicians and re-examined by an expert microscopists thereafter subjected to real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for quality assurance. In addition, blood smears from patients diagnosed with malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) and presumptively treated with anti-malarial were re-examined by an expert microscopist. Results A total of 1131 febrile outpatients were assessed for slide positivity (936), RDT (126) and presumptive ...
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These are the dataset supporting the conclusions of this article which is provided as Additional file 1. (XLSX 166 kb)
Introduction: The voltage gated sodium channel mutation Vgsc-1014S (kdr-east) was first reported in Kenya in 2000 and has since been observed to occur at high frequencies in the local Anopheles gambiae s.s. population. The mutation... more
Introduction: The voltage gated sodium channel mutation Vgsc-1014S (kdr-east) was first reported in Kenya in 2000 and has since been observed to occur at high frequencies in the local Anopheles gambiae s.s. population. The mutation Vgsc-1014F has never been reported from An. gambiae Complex complex mosquitoes in Kenya. Findings: Molecularly confirmed An. gambiae s.s. (hereafter An. gambiae) and An. arabiensis collected from 4 different
HIV-1 protease inhibitor drug resistance
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Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria is among the leading causes of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. During a natural infection, ingestion of the malarial parasite product, hemozoin (PfHz), by circulating phagocytic cells... more
Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria is among the leading causes of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. During a natural infection, ingestion of the malarial parasite product, hemozoin (PfHz), by circulating phagocytic cells induces dysregulation in innate immunity and enhances malaria pathogenesis. Treatment of cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy, malaria-naïve donors with physiological concentrations of PfHz can serve as an in vitro model to investigate cellular processes. Although disruptions in host ubiquitination processes are central to the pathogenesis of many diseases, this system remains unexplored in malaria. As such, we investigated the impact of PfHz on the temporal expression patterns of 84 genes involved in ubiquitination processes. Donor PBMCs were cultured in the absence or presence of PfHz for 3-, 9-, and 24 h. Stimulation with PfHz for 3 h did not significantly alter gene expression. Incubation for 9 h, however, elicited significant changes for 6 genes: 4 were down-regulated (FBXO4, NEDD8, UBE2E3, and UBE2W) and 2 were up-regulated (HERC5 and UBE2J1). PfHz treatment for 24 h significantly altered expression for 14 genes: 12 were down-regulated (ANAPC11, BRCC3, CUL4B, FBXO4, MIB1, SKP2, TP53, UBA2, UBA3, UBE2G1, UBE2G2, and WWP1), while 2 were up-regulated (UBE2J1 and UBE2Z). Collectively, these results demonstrate that phagocytosis of PfHz by PBMCs elicits temporal changes in the transcriptional profiles of genes central to host ubiquitination processes. Results presented here suggest that disruptions in ubiquitination may be a previously undiscovered feature of malaria pathogenesis.
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Data set for the manuscript titled, "Assessing Community Health Volunteers' Knowledge Level on Cervical Cancer in Kadibo, Kisumu County: A Cross Sectional Survey"
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Background: Malaria remains one of the leading global causes of childhood morbidity and mortality. In holoendemic Plasmodium falciparum transmission regions, such as western Kenya, severe malarial anemia [SMA, hemoglobin (Hb) <... more
Background: Malaria remains one of the leading global causes of childhood morbidity and mortality. In holoendemic Plasmodium falciparum transmission regions, such as western Kenya, severe malarial anemia [SMA, hemoglobin (Hb) < 6.0 g/dl] is the primary form of severe disease. Ubiquitination is essential for regulating intracellular processes involved in innate and adaptive immunity. Although dysregulation in ubiquitin molecular processes is central to the pathogenesis of multiple human diseases, the expression patterns of ubiquitination genes in SMA remain unexplored.Methods: To examine the role of the ubiquitination processes in pathogenesis of SMA, differential gene expression profiles were determined in Kenyan children (n = 44, aged <48 mos) with either mild malarial anemia (MlMA; Hb ≥9.0 g/dl; n = 23) or SMA (Hb <6.0 g/dl; n = 21) using the Qiagen Human Ubiquitination Pathway RT2 Profiler PCR Array containing a set of 84 human ubiquitination genes.Results: In children w...
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Background Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) is the only anti-malarial drug formulation approved for intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp). However, mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum dhfr (Pfdhfr) and dhps (Pfdhps) genes... more
Background Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) is the only anti-malarial drug formulation approved for intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp). However, mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum dhfr (Pfdhfr) and dhps (Pfdhps) genes confer resistance to pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine, respectively. Here, the frequencies of SP resistance-associated mutations from 2005 to 2018 were compared in samples from Kenyan children with malaria residing in a holoendemic transmission region. Methods Partial sequences of the Pfdhfr and Pfdhps genes were amplified and sequenced from samples collected in 2005 (n = 81), 2010 (n = 95), 2017 (n = 43), and 2018 (n = 55). The frequency of known mutations conferring resistance to pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine were estimated and compared. Since artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is the current first-line treatment for malaria, the presence of mutations in the propeller domain of P. falciparum kelch13 gene (Pfk13) linked to ACT-delayed parasi...
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Self-medication is very common especially in developing countries and is documented to be associated with many health risks including antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is shrinking the range of effective antibiotics and is... more
Self-medication is very common especially in developing countries and is documented to be associated with many health risks including antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is shrinking the range of effective antibiotics and is currently listed as a global health problem. This study investigated the perceptions of self-medication with antimicrobials (SMWA) after community mobilization intervention among the households in Nyalenda B, an informal settlement, within Kisumu County, Kenya. This enabled the study to establish the magnitude of SMWA and the perceptions that persist given such intervention within the region. Data was collected through structured questionnaires administered to 380 households. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were also facilitated and targeted purposively-selected 30 CHVs. Descriptive and binary logistic regression analyses were used to determine the association between socio-demographic characteristics and the perceptions influencing SMWA. The study esta...
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Background: Deaf adolescent children face greater challenges in accessing information, particularly on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) than those with other forms of disability. Parents therefore represent the first source of... more
Background: Deaf adolescent children face greater challenges in accessing information, particularly on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) than those with other forms of disability. Parents therefore represent the first source of information for such children. However, the extent of this and systems of communication used by these parents remain largely unknown. Therefore, it is against this backdrop that we sought to study systems of parents communicating SRH issues to their children. Methods: A mixed method design was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data on the system of communication used by the sign-language illiterate parents respectively, their perceptions on such discussions and the choice of system of communication. A sample size of 384 parent-child pairs was selected using systematic probability sampling for the quantitative component of the study. For the qualitative component, respondents were recruited using a purposive convenience sampling method which thou...
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Research Interests: Geography, Cancer, Community Health, Public Health, Medicine, and 15 moreBreastfeeding, Library and Information Studies, Dissertation, Cervical Cancer, Behaviour change, CAPE, Infant and young child feeding, Public health systems and services research, Knowledge Retention, Child Survival, Cross sectional Study, Vitamin A Supplementation, Infant and Young Child Nutrition, Complimentary Feeding, and Mount
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Background Over the years, reports implicate improper anti-malarial use as a major contributor of morbidity and mortality amongst millions of residents in malaria endemic areas, Kenya included. However, there are limited reports on... more
Background Over the years, reports implicate improper anti-malarial use as a major contributor of morbidity and mortality amongst millions of residents in malaria endemic areas, Kenya included. However, there are limited reports on improper use of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) which is a first-line drug in the treatment of malaria in Kenya. Knowing this is important for ensured sustainable cure rates and also protection against the emergence of resistant malarial parasites. We therefore investigated ACT adherence level, factors associated with non-adherence and accessibility in households (n = 297) in rural location of Southeast Alego location in Siaya County in western Kenya. Methods ACT Adherence level was assessed with reference to the duration of treatment and number of tablets taken. Using systematic random sampling technique, a questionnaire was administered to a particular household member who had the most recent malaria episode (<2 weeks) and used ACT for cu...
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Brucellosis, caused by several species of the genus Brucella, is a zoonotic disease that affects humans and animal species worldwide. Information on the Brucella species circulating in different hosts in Kenya is largely unknown, thus... more
Brucellosis, caused by several species of the genus Brucella, is a zoonotic disease that affects humans and animal species worldwide. Information on the Brucella species circulating in different hosts in Kenya is largely unknown, thus limiting the adoption of targeted control strategies. This study was conducted in multi-host livestock populations in Kenya to detect the circulating Brucella species and assess evidence of host–pathogen associations. Serum samples were collected from 228 cattle, 162 goats, 158 sheep, 49 camels, and 257 humans from Narok and Marsabit counties in Kenya. Information on age, location and history of abortion or retained placenta were obtained for sampled livestock. Data on age, gender and location of residence were also collected for human participants. All samples were tested using genus level real-time PCR assays with primers specific for IS711 and bcsp31 targets for the detection of Brucella. All genus positive samples (positive for both targets) were f...
Research Interests: Infectious disease epidemiology, Biology, Zoonoses, Medicine, Veterinary Infectious Diseases Especially Zoonotic One Concerning Epidemology Diagnosis and Vaccination Including Biotechnology, and 5 moreLivestock, Brucella, One Health, Epidemiology and Public Health, and Veterinary Public Health ZOONOSES
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Research Interests: Entomology, Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Biology, Kenya, Biological Control, and 15 moreBiological Sciences, Insecticides, Insecticide Resistance, Anopheles, Female, Animals, Male, Acarology, Genotype, Insect Chemical Ecology, Esterases, Insecticide Resistance Development, Insect Palnt Interactions, Biological Assay, and Medical and Health Sciences
Knowledge and behaviour as determinants of anti-malarial drug use in a peri-urban population from malaria holoendemic region of western
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Background: The World Health Organization report indicates that in 2013~35 million people worldwide lived with HIV and AIDS. Of these, 3.2 million were children age <15 years. The proportion of women living with HIV has remained... more
Background: The World Health Organization report indicates that in 2013~35 million people worldwide lived with HIV and AIDS. Of these, 3.2 million were children age <15 years. The proportion of women living with HIV has remained stable, at slightly <52% of the global figure. There are 13 high burden countries which account for 75% of the estimated 1.5 million pregnant women living with HIV in lowand middle-income countries. Furthermore, most of the HIV-infected children live in sub-Saharan Africa and were infected by their mothers through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Despite these statistics, social and demographic characteristics that are associated with MTCT rate at 18-24 months remains unknown. This study aimed to describe the social and demographic characteristics of HIV mother-infant pair and their association with MTCT rate at 18-24 months in Vihiga, Kakamega, Bungoma and Busia Counties, Kenya. Method: A retrospective cohort study using prospectively collected da...
Variation in mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA was used to define the genetic structure of hartebeest populations straddling a transition zone between two morphotypes (Alcelaphus buselaphus cokei and A. b. lelwel) in Kenya. Previous... more
Variation in mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA was used to define the genetic structure of hartebeest populations straddling a transition zone between two morphotypes (Alcelaphus buselaphus cokei and A. b. lelwel) in Kenya. Previous analyses of mtDNA from hartebeest populations across Africa supported the refugium hypothesis; that present day hartebeest morphotypes diverged in allopatry, due to climatic changes. In this analysis of morphologically distinct populations in close geographical proximity, majority of genetic variation was found within populations, with relatively little distinction, and varying levels of subdivision, among populations. Patterns of shared alleles, and reduced tendency for mtDNA haplotypes to cluster phylogenetically according to morphotype, depicted gene flow between populations. There was sharp disparity between apparently seamless genetic transition between populations and marked disjunction in gross morphology over short distances (<100km). Harte...
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In areas of intense P. falciparum exposure, such as western Kenya, the most lethal complication of malaria is severe malarial anemia (SMA). The pathogenesis of SMA is multi-factorial and not fully understood. Our ongoing studies are,... more
In areas of intense P. falciparum exposure, such as western Kenya, the most lethal complication of malaria is severe malarial anemia (SMA). The pathogenesis of SMA is multi-factorial and not fully understood. Our ongoing studies are, therefore, investigating the hematological manifestations of MA in a cohort of children presenting at a rural district hospital in western Kenya. A total of 619 children aged 3–33 mos. were categorized into 5 groups: SMA (Hb<6.0g/dL); moderate MA (MdMA;…
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BackgroundIn 2015, 10.4 million people worldwide had tuberculosis (TB) and 1.4 million deaths occurred, 400 000 of whom were HIV-positive. Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 81% of these cases. In western Kenya, current data on the... more
BackgroundIn 2015, 10.4 million people worldwide had tuberculosis (TB) and 1.4 million deaths occurred, 400 000 of whom were HIV-positive. Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 81% of these cases. In western Kenya, current data on the distribution of rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH) mutations is not available. The association of gene mutations with HIVinfection and the treatment response of HIV-infected and -uninfected patients with TB are not known. This study determined the proportion of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum isolates and investigated the association of RIF and INH gene mutations with HIV status and monitored the treatment response of TB/HIV-co-infected patients.MethodsThe present study was longitudinal, and enrolment was done between 2012 and 2014 after the revision of the TB treatment regimen. Patients with confirmed drug-resistant TB were followed up for one year to establish the TB treatment response as confirmed by sputum smear microscopy.Results...
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Background: Malaria and bacteremia co-morbidity in children cause changes in blood cellular components. Complete blood count from children whose haemoglobin genotypes and bacteremia tests are not known, greatly influence clinical... more
Background: Malaria and bacteremia co-morbidity in children cause changes in blood cellular components. Complete blood count from children whose haemoglobin genotypes and bacteremia tests are not known, greatly influence clinical management and interpretation of the haematology results in resource limited healthcare facilities. Objectives: We investigated cellular components from children with bacteremia and malaria co-morbidity. We also analysed the haemoglobin genotypes and bacteria isolates from children with haemoglobin AA, SS and AS in western Kenya. Methods: A total number of 384 children were recruited and complete blood counts done with an automated cell counter. Microscopy was used to determine malaria infections, while bacteremia was determined by blood culture. The haemoglobin genotypes were analysed using the electrophoresis technique. Results: Children with haemoglobin AA and AS had elevated granulocyte counts. Most of the bacteria isolates were from children with malar...
Background In Plasmodium falciparum infection, clinical conditions such as anaemia, thrombocytopenia and leukocytosis are common. Mutation in haemoglobin sub-unit beta gene (HBB) may be a genetic factor responsible for these... more
Background In Plasmodium falciparum infection, clinical conditions such as anaemia, thrombocytopenia and leukocytosis are common. Mutation in haemoglobin sub-unit beta gene (HBB) may be a genetic factor responsible for these haematological changes during infection. However, the contributions of the carriage of different HBB genotypes on these changes remain largely unknown. Methodology In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated haematological abnormalities in P. falciparum-infected children (n = 217, aged 1–192 months) with different haemoglobin sub-unit beta (HBB) genotypes (HbAA, HbAS and HbSS). Children with acute febrile conditions were recruited at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital at the outpatient clinic. Haematological parameters were determined using Beckman Coulter counter ACTdiff2™ while HBB genotyping was done using TaqMan® SNP genotyping assay. Chi-square (χ2) was used to determine differences between proportions. Differences in haematological param...
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Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a monogenic disorder due to point mutation in the β-globin gene resulting in substitution of Valine for Glutamic acid. The SCD is prevalent in P. falciparum endemic regions such as western Kenya.... more
Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a monogenic disorder due to point mutation in the β-globin gene resulting in substitution of Valine for Glutamic acid. The SCD is prevalent in P. falciparum endemic regions such as western Kenya. Carriage of different sickle cell genotypes may influence haematological parameter during malaria. Children resident in malaria holoendemic regions suffer more from malaria-related complications and this is moderated by the presence of the SCD. In the current study, we determined the association between sickle cell genotypes and haematological parameters in children with P. falciparum malaria resident in Kisumu County in Western Kenya.Methodology: Children (n=217, aged 1-192 months) with acute febrile condition were recruited at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital. Chi-square (2) analysis was used to determine differences between proportions. Differences in haematological parameters were compared across groups using Kruskal Wallis ...
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Background Brucellosis in Africa is caused by Brucella species transmitted through contaminated or contacts with infected animals or their carcasses. The disease reduces livestock production and reproduction performance evident by... more
Background Brucellosis in Africa is caused by Brucella species transmitted through contaminated or contacts with infected animals or their carcasses. The disease reduces livestock production and reproduction performance evident by frequent episodes of abortion, still births, swollen testes, weak calves/lambs and swollen joints. However, the socio-economic impacts of these brucellosis-associated symptoms on milk, fat, meat and blood production, infertility, sale value, dowry and costs of treatment has not been evaluated extensively in developing countries. In Baringo County, Kenya, there is a continuous movement of cattle as a result of trade and grazing, which predisposes many herds to brucellosis infection. The objective of this study was to investigate the socio-economic impacts of Brucella infection on production systems for sheep, goats, cattle and camels and explore the impact of brucellosis on livestock production and reproduction performance among livestock keeping communitie...
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BackgroundBrucellosis is an emerging, yet neglected zoonosis that has been reported in Kenya. Epidemiological data on brucellosis in ruminants is readily accessible; however, reports on brucellosis in pigs remain limited. This study... more
BackgroundBrucellosis is an emerging, yet neglected zoonosis that has been reported in Kenya. Epidemiological data on brucellosis in ruminants is readily accessible; however, reports on brucellosis in pigs remain limited. This study sought to detect Brucella infection in pig serum by both serological and molecular techniques. Serum from 700 pigs randomly collected at a centralized abattoir in Nairobi, Kenya were screened in parallel, using the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) and competitive Enzyme-Linked Immuno-sorbent Assay (cELISA) for antibodies against Brucella spp.. All sera positive by RBT and 16 randomly selected negative samples were further tested using conventional PCR targeting bcsp31 gene and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assays targeting IS711 and bcsp31 genes.ResultsA prevalence of 0.57% (n=4/700) was estimated using RBT. All RBT positive sera were also positive by both PCRs, while two sero-negative samples also tested positive on RT-PCR (n = 6/20). Brucella abortus was detected in fo...
