Abstract/Overview Rift Valley Fever and malaria are zoonotic and human diseases respectively that pose major production and health challenges to pastoralists. This study aimed to determine the spatiotemporal distribution of mosquito vectors of these two diseases in Baringo County, Kenya. A longitudinal study design was used to collect mosquitoes from twenty-four sites. Rainfall seasonality was determined using rainfall data from the WorldClim database. Negative binomial and zero-inflated ...
Abstract Introduction Point-of-care molecular diagnostics offer solutions to the limited diagnostic availability and accessibility in resource-limited settings. During the COVID-19 pandemic, molecular diagnostics became essential tools for accurate detection and monitoring of SARS-CoV-2. The unprecedented demand for molecular diagnostics presented challenges and catalyzed innovations which may provide lessons for the future selection of point-of-care molecular diagnostics. Areas Covered We s...
Abstract Severe malarial anemia (SMA; hemoglobin [Hb]
Abstract Currently no published data addressing the burden of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) co-infection among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Kenya exists. These two viruses share similar routes of transmission, with illicit drug use by injection being the major route of infection. Injecting drug use is a rapidly growing problem in coastal towns of Kenya and the problem is aggravated by sex tourism.This study aimed at determining the prevalence of HBV in HIV ...
Abstract: Zoophilic mosquitoes play an important role in the transmission of arboviruses of medical importance at human-wildlife interfaces, yet arbovirus surveillance efforts have been focused mostly on anthropophilic mosquitoes. Besides pathogen identification, knowing mosquito blood-meal sources aids in identifying disease transmission trends and reservoir hosts during inter-epidemic periods, which can inform appropriate vector control strategies. We morphologically identified mosquito sp...
Abstract: Background: Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen that represents a current serious threat to healthcare settings. Objective: The objective was to determine the prevalence of C. auris in a Riyadh hospital since its initial detection in late 2019. Methods: Using an adapted risk assessment tool, we reviewed the charts and medical files of all suspected and confirmed cases of C. auris infections reported at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, between Nov...
Abstract We undertook this study to identify the risk factors and prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in HIV-positive and HIV-negative diarrhea patients in the Alice rural settlement in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A total of 180 stool specimens (35 HIV-positive diarrhea, 125 HIV-negative diarrhea patients, and 20 apparently healthy subjects) were screened for cryptosporidiosis using an ELISA-based approach. Sociodemographic information, water supply, and animal contact were rec...
An ethnomedicinal survey was conducted on medicinal plants used for the management of HIV/AIDS infection in the local communities of Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape Province. Information was obtained through a well-structured questionnaire and interviews administered to traditional healers and herbalists in various regions. The survey revealed 18 species belonging to 12 families. The members of Asphodelaceae (22.2%), Apocynaceae (16.7%), Asteraceae (11.1%), Mesembryanthemaceae (5.6%) and ...
Carpobrotus edulis (L.) is a plant commonly found in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and is used for the general treatment of infections relating to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV-1 protease plays an important role during HIV replication and maturation to its infectious form, and therefore inhibition of the enzyme is one of the main focus areas in drug development. +e inhibitory effect of a water extract of C. edulis leaves against HIV-1 protease activity was determined...
ABSTRACT: Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is a new disease that has crippled almost every aspect of human activities today. Common symptoms of the virus include high fever (38oC and above), dry persistent cough, shortness of breath and sore throat. Recently, additional symptoms which include diarrhea, fever and headache have been reported in South Africa. Medicinal herbs have been in use since ancient times for the management of viral infections related to COVID-19. Nutrient deficiency h...
As the spread of SARS-CoV2 continues to increase globally, newer information gets reported every day. We are learning more and more about the presentation, symptoms and treatment of this infection. Earlier cardinal symptoms of COVID-19 had been fever, cough, and shortness of breath. New findings in its symptoms are now being reported some of which includes neurological symptoms, dizziness and diarrhoea. Of recent skin manifestations due to COVID-19 have drawn the attention of medical experts....
Introduction: COVID-19 has become a global threat to the human population. The virus which originated from China in December, 2019 has swept across continents in the world. Cameroon has been one of the countries with a high infectious rate. Lack of awareness play a major role in the rise of COVID-19 cases. Studies have shown that there exist a strong correlation between the perception of a disease and a ready compliance to health recommendations. Objective: This paper studied the awareness an...
The coronavirus health crises is really changing the way people say goodbye to their loved ones. This is because corpses of victims who died as a result COVID-19 disease are recognized to be highly infectious and contagious with a great risk of the virus being transmitted by direct contact with the dead bodies. Memorial services are not allowed to be carried out with the presence of the corpse that resulted from the disease. Safety precautions are needed by the funeral homes when wor...
Diarrheal diseases constitute a major public health problem, particularly in the developing world, where mortality and morbidity rates are still very high. Acute diarrhea is a common cause of death in developing countries and second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. Diarrhea is a very common complication of infection with the HIV and often leads to wasting and malnutrition. In developing countries, up to 80% of children and 90% of adults with HIV infection develop diarrhea. Many o...
H. pylori is a microaerophilic organism and a gram negative bacterium which is found in the alimentary canal. It causes chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers. It is also linked to the development of duodenal ulcers and stomach cancer, conditions that were not previously believed to have a microbial cause. The persons infected with H. pylori usually have a 10 to 20% danger of developing peptic ulcersand a 1 to 2% likelihood of acquiring stomach cancerin lifetime. Nearly 15% of infected persons ...