Abstract Genome studies in Australia reported a novel virus, Phasey bean mild yellows virus (genus Polerovirus; PBMYV), in mixed infections with Bean leaf roll virus, Faba bean polerovirus 1, Soybean dwarf virus and Turnip yellows virus naturally infecting phasey bean (Macroptilium lathyroides) (Sharman et al., 2021). Transmission studies with Aphis craccivora and by grafting with infected scions identified fabaceous hosts including chickpea, faba bean and pea as additional hosts of PBMYV (W...
Abstract Background: Severe malarial anemia (SMA; Hb < 5.0 g/dl) is a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in holoendemic Plasmodium falciparum transmission regions such as western Kenya. Methods: We investigated the relationship between two novel complement component 5 (C5) missense mutations [rs17216529:C>T, p(Val145Ile) and rs17610:C>T, p(Ser1310Asn)] and longitudinal outcomes of malaria in a cohort of Kenyan children (under 60 mos, n = 1,546). Molecular modeling was used to...
Abstract The global food security and plant resources levels are continuously under threat from climate change, environmental pollution, population pressure, co-evolving plant pests and pathogens. Currently, scientists across the world are in pursuit of plant genotypes that can be resilient in growth and development amidst these stresses to enable survival of humans in the changing times. Therefore, to effectively select plants that have known and favorable resistance or tolerance levels aga...
Abstract Background: Insecticide treated bed nets and Indoor residual spraying remains the principal interventional malaria control strategies. To achieve malaria disease eradication, vector control programmes that monitor insecticide resistance profiles are necessary. Objective: The study evaluated pirimiphos-methyl susceptibility of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato in Kakamega County, western Kenya. Methods: Adult Anopheles gambiae sensu lato mosquitoes were assayed using World Health Organiza...
Abstract Provision of the bed net in Sub-Saharan Africa has substantially resulted in the decrease in malaria incidences in the region. However, malaria still ravages these regions causing significant deaths. This situation has been attributed to socio-economic inequalities that reduce access to the net, failure to seek treatment, and poor antimalarial drug use. Information about these factors in malaria control in Western Kenya highlands is not clearly documented. This study sought to find ...
Abstract Severe malarial anemia (SMA; hemoglobin [Hb]
Abstract Introduction: the interaction between Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV leads to rapid progression of tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-induced immunosuppression. Diagnosis of TB in these patients is more difficult due to its atypical presentations giving contradicting results. The overall aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of pro-inflammatory cytokine (Th1) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (Th2) to discriminate between culture-positive and -negative...
Abstract Background Improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in pediatric severe malarial anemia (SMA) pathogenesis is a crucial step in the design of novel therapeutics. Identification of host genetic susceptibility factors in immune regulatory genes offers an important tool for deciphering malaria pathogenesis. The IL-23/IL-17 immune pathway is important for both immunity and erythropoiesis via its effects through IL-23 receptors (IL-23R). However, the impact of IL-23R v...
Abstract An understanding of the immunogenetic basis of naturally acquired immunity to Plasmodium falciparum infection would aid in the designing of a rationally based malaria vaccine. Variants within the Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) mediate immunity through engagement of immunoglobulin G and other immune mediators, such as gamma interferon (IFN-γ), resulting in erythrophagocytosis and production of inflammatory cytokines in severe malarial anemia (SMA). The Toll-like receptors (TLRs) trigge...
Abstract We report the complete draft genome sequences of two Staphylococcus warneri clinical isolates, strains SMA0023-04 (UGA3) and SMA0670-05 (UGA28), each of which contains one chromosome and at least one plasmid. Isolate SMA0023-04 (UGA3) contains tetracycline efflux major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporter (tetK), macrolide resistance (msrC and mphC), and beta-lactamase (blaZ) genes on its plasmids.
Abstract Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) microscopy smear remains the most widely used laboratory diagnostic technique for Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) in low-and-middle income countries. Although it is highly specific, the sensitivity varies between 20–80% in immune-competent people, with only 50% case detection among HIV/TB co-infected patients, hence the need to determine the diagnostic accuracy of Th1 and Th2 cytokine response in AFB microscopy smear negative PTB-HIV co-infected patients. A to...
Abstract Background Severe malarial anemia (SMA) is a leading cause of malaria-related morbidity and mortality in children. The genetic factors that influence development of SMA and inefficient erythropoiesis, a central pathogenic feature of SMA, are only partially understood. Methods We performed a pilot Genome-wide Association Study (GWAS) on children with Plasmodium falciparum. The GWAS was performed using the Illumina® Infinium® HD Super Assay in conjunction with Illumina’s® Human O...
Abstract Background: Improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in pediatric severe malarial anemia(SMA) pathogenesis is a crucial step in the design of novel therapeutics. Identification of host genetic susceptibility factors in immune regulatory genes offers an important tool for deciphering malaria pathogenesis. The IL-23/IL-17immune pathway is important for both immunity and erythropoiesis via its effects through IL-23 receptors (IL-23R). However, the impact of IL-23R va...
Abstract In holoendemic Plasmodium falciparum transmission areas such as western Kenya, severe malarial anemia [SMA,hemoglobin (Hb) < 6.0 g/dL, with any density parasitemia] is the most common clinical manifestation of severe malariaresulting in high rates of pediatric morbidity and mortality in these regions. Previous studies associated interleukin (IL)-13with pathogenesis of different infectious diseases, including P. falciparum malaria. However, the functional roles ofpolymorphic variants...
Abstract Background: As Kenya continues to experience rapid development and urbanization, growing evidence shows an increas- ing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and overweight and obese citizens. Objectives: This study sought to explore the extent to which Kenyan overweight and obese participants reported receiving advice from physicians or health care providers to lose weight and to identify demographic characteristics associated with receipt of weight loss advice. Methods: D...