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Characterization of chromosomes with hybrid genes for Hb Lepore-Washington, Hb Lepore-Baltimore, Hb P-Nilotic, and Hb Kenya.

This study concerns the characterization of chromosomes with hybrid genes for Hb Lepore-Washington (44 chromosomes), for Hb Lepore-Baltimore (5 chromosomes), for Hb P-Nilotic (8 chromosomes), and for Hb Kenya (7 chromosomes) by determining a relatively large number of restriction enzyme polymorphism. Two, and possibly three, different Hb Lepore-Washington chromosomes were identified by specific haplotypes, while the haplotype of the Hb Lepore-Baltimore chromosome had its own characteristic pattern. A likely conclusion is that the crossovers leading to the formation of these chromosomes have occurred as independent events within the populations. Chromosomes with the delta beta-Lepore-Washington hybrid gene maintained specific characteristics (such as increased Hb F levels in heterozygotes, and high or low G gamma values in this Hb F) which have been observed in normal individuals with chromosomes having comparable haplotypes. Only one haplotype was observed for each of the chromosomes carrying either the beta delta-P-Nilotic hybrid gene or the A gamma beta hybrid gene of Hb Kenya.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Immunisation of cattle against theileriosis in Nakuru District of Kenya by infection and treatment and the introduction of unconventional tick control.

One hundred and one cross European-Boran cattle (50 cows and 51 calves), on a farm in Nakuru District, Kenya, were immunised against theileriosis using Theileria parva lawrencei and Theileria parva parva stocks from another district of Kenya. The stabilates used were T.p.lawrencei (Mara III) used at 10(-1.7) dilution and T.p.parva (Kilae) used at 10(-1.0) dilution. The stabilates were combined and inoculated simultaneously with a short-acting formulation of oxytetracycline hydrochloride given intramuscularly at 10 mg kg-1 body weight and was repeated on Day 4 after inoculation of the stabilate. Most of the theileriosis challenge on the farm was thought to be derived directly from the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer). Nine percent of the cattle had significant indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) titres before the immunisation and 99% after immunisation. The immunised cattle were exposed to tick-borne disease challenge on the farm by withdrawal of acaricide cover. The immunised cattle were divided into five groups plus two susceptible control cows and two calves for each group. Cattle in four of the groups had acaricidal ear tags, each group having a different type, applied to both ears and the fifth group remained untagged. The animals remained without conventional acaricide application for 134 days. Ten out of 20 (50%) non-immunised control cattle became T.p.lawrencei reactors which only one out of 97 (1%) of the immunised cattle reacted. A frequent complication noted was mild infections due to unidentified Theileria sp. which required expert differentiation from T.parva infections. An additional group of ten steers whose tick load was removed by hand at weekly intervals was introduced 79 days after exposure; these had no tick control and four became T.p.lawrencei reactors. Of 12 calves born during the exposure period and without tick control, four became theilerial reactors and one died. The application of acaricidal tags however, reduced tick infestation levels considerably compared with untagged controls but did not prevent transmission of theileriosis with the possible exception of tags on Group 4. A number of transient low grade fevers were noted and attributed to Theileria sp., Ehrlichia bovis, Ehrlichia (Cytoecetes) ondiri and Borrelia theileri infections, none of which were fatal. One immunised animal died of acute dual infection of Babesia bigemina and Borrelia theileri after acaricide control by spraying was re-introduced but no Anaplasma infections were detected. An analysis of the economic effects of immunisation was made.

Animals↗

Serological and molecular characterization of leptospira serovar Kenya from captive African giant pouched rats (Cricetomys gambianus) from Morogoro Tanzania.

Two identical leptospiral isolates coded Sh9 and Sh25 obtained from the urine of captive African giant pouched rats (Cricetomys gambianus), destined for use as biodetector of antipersonnel landmines were typed as serovar Kenya using cross-agglutination absorption test and DNA fingerprinting with the insertion element sequences IS1533 and IS1500 derived primers. The two isolates were previously characterized using cultural and serological-microagglutination test as pathogenic leptospires of the serogroup Ballum, closely related to serovars Kenya and Peru. To our knowledge, this is the first reported in-depth characterization of leptospira isolates from Tanzania.

Agglutination Tests↗

Emergence or re-emergence of visceral leishmaniasis in areas of Somalia, north-eastern Kenya, and south-eastern Ethiopia in 2000-01.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was known to be endemic in Somalia along the basins of the (Middle) Shebelle and (Lower) Juba rivers, and in Kenya in parts of the Rift Valley, on the border with Uganda and the Eastern Provinces. From May 2000 to August 2001, we diagnosed 904 patients with VL. The patients came from an area which spanned the Wajir and Mandera districts of north-eastern Kenya, southern Somalia, and south-eastern Ethiopia. Small numbers of patients were also seen in northern Somalia. These areas were either previously non-endemic for VL, or had only sporadic cases prior to the epidemic. We describe the features of the outbreak and review the history of VL in the region. Unusual rainfall patterns, malnutrition, and migration of a Leishmania-infected population seeking food and security may have contributed to this outbreak.

Adolescent↗

Predicting key malaria transmission factors, biting and entomological inoculation rates, using modelled soil moisture in Kenya.

While malaria transmission varies seasonally, large inter-annual heterogeneity of malaria incidence occurs. Variability in entomological parameters, biting rates and entomological inoculation rates (EIR) have been strongly associated with attack rates in children. The goal of this study was to assess the weather's impact on weekly biting and EIR in the endemic area of Kisian, Kenya. Entomological data collected by the U.S. Army from March 1986 through June 1988 at Kisian, Kenya was analysed with concurrent weather data from nearby Kisumu airport. A soil moisture model of surface-water availability was used to combine multiple weather parameters with landcover and soil features to improve disease prediction. Modelling soil moisture substantially improved prediction of biting rates compared to rainfall; soil moisture lagged two weeks explained up to 45% of An. gambiae biting variability, compared to 8% for raw precipitation. For An. funestus, soil moisture explained 32% variability, peaking after a 4-week lag. The interspecies difference in response to soil moisture was significant (P < 0.00001). A satellite normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI) of the study site yielded a similar correlation (r = 0.42 An. gambiae). Modelled soil moisture accounted for up to 56% variability of An. gambiae EIR, peaking at a lag of six weeks. The relationship between temperature and An. gambiae biting rates was less robust; maximum temperature r2 = -0.20, and minimum temperature r2 = 0.12 after lagging one week. Benefits of hydrological modelling are compared to raw weather parameters and to satellite NDVI. These findings can improve both current malaria risk assessments and those based on El Niño forecasts or global climate change model projections.

Animals↗

[Diversity of the filaria of the genus Cercopithifilaria in baboons in Kenya].

Several samples of subcutaneous filariae belonging to the genus Cercopithifilaria, collected from baboons in Kenya, were compared to type materials of the two species already described from baboons, C. kenyensis Eberhard, 1980, from P. anubis in Kenya, and C. degraaffi Bain, Baker et Chabaud, 1982, from P. ursinus in South Africa. Three species have been identified from Kenyan material: C. kenyensis collected in P. cynocephalus, at Kibwezi; C. narokensis n. sp., collected in P. anubis, at Narok; C. eberhardi n. sp. collected in one P. anubis (no locality given). The microfilariae--proved to be dermal for C. kenyensis and C. narokensis--are sheathed, dorso-ventrally flattened, and according to the species with or without refractile granules under the sheath. C. kenyensis, C. narokensis and C. degraaffi are very close by the adult morphology; however good discriminative characters are to be found in the structure of the body wall and the shape of the caudal extremity. C. eberhardi is a small species with primitive characters (cephalic papillae arranged in square, body not flattened dorso-ventrally and without internal lateral cuticular thickenings, tail with well developed median point and two tiny lateral lappets, one pair of distinctly precloacal papillae). The latter species resembles Cercopithifilaria parasites of Carnivorous, confirming that this genus is homogeneous despite its exceptionally large host spectrum and geographical distribution. These peculiarities seem to be related to the biology of their vectors, the ticks Ixodidae, which insure the infective filarial larvae a great longevity coupled to a wide dispersion.

Animals↗

Genomic comparison of herpes simplex virus type 1 isolates from Japan, Sweden and Kenya.

One-hundred and seventy-two epidemiologically unrelated herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) strains isolated in Japan (104 strains) and Sweden (68 strains) were compared by analysis of their genome structures using four restriction endonucleases, BamHI, KpnI, SalI and HindIII. In addition, 32 Kenyan HSV-1 isolates previously compared to Japanese isolates were included for further comparison with the Swedish isolates. Remarkable and statistically significant differences were found between the HSV-1 isolates from the three countries. One-hundred and thirty cleavage sites were examined, and it was shown that isolates from two of the three countries were statistically distinguishable at 27 of these loci. Pairwise comparison between isolates from Japan and Sweden, Kenya and Sweden, and Japan and Kenya revealed variation in 18, 16 and 23 sites, respectively. By considering gains and losses of 19 sites, the total of 204 strains could be classified into 92 distinct cleavage patterns. Isolates from the three countries could be distinguished from each other by the pattern, except for one Swedish and two Kenyan isolates which shared a pattern. Twenty-one fragments that were present or absent only in individual isolates from one or other of the three countries could be detected. These results show that HSV-1 strains from geographically separate countries or anthropologically different races have distinct distributions of endonuclease recognition sites.

DNA Restriction Enzymes↗

Health information generation and utilization for informed decision-making in equitable health service management: the case of Kenya Partnership for Health program.

CONTEXT: The Kenya Partnership for Health (KPH) program began in 1999, and is currently one of the 12 field projects participating in the WHO's 'Towards Unity for Health initiative' implemented to develop partnership synergies in support of the Primary Health Care (PHC) approach 1. CONTENT: This paper illustrates how Program-linked Information Management by Integrative-participatory Research Approach (PIMIRA) as practised under KPH has been implemented within Trans-Nzoia District, Kenya to enhance community-based health initiatives. It shows how this model is strategically being scaled-up from one community to another in the management of political, social, cultural and economic determinants (barriers and enhancers) of health. OBJECTIVE: Target rural communities in the development of a community-based health information management and feedback initiatives that can provide insights on the social, cultural, political and economic determinants of health for utilization in informed health service management. KEY FINDINGS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: 1. Cues for health seeking and health service utilization are determined by the social, cultural, political and economic factors as seen by the individual and as defined by the community but not due to the pathological nature of the illness. 2. Establishment of community-based health surveillance and health action initiatives as the best practices in transferring health as a resource that can be 'owned and guarded' by the community. 3. Establishment of Healthy Villages Initiative (HVI) through which health service delivery and scale-up can be sustained at the community level. 4. Provision of actionable health information necessary for health planning and evaluation of preventive health programs thorough PIMIRA. CONCLUSION: It has been realized that for every one person who visits a health facility for medication, there are nine others who had the same condition but sought health care from other sources including self-medication and five others who never sought health care. Innovative means of involving the community in health information management and utilization such as PIMIRA are hence the best ways of guaranteeing equitable delivery of health services that are accessible and sustainable by the community.

Journal Article↗

Genomic epidemiology of coxsackievirus A24 variant during the 2024 acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis outbreak in Coastal Kenya.

Several African countries experienced a surge in acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) cases in 2024. Investigations in Kenya, Mayotte (an Indian Ocean island) and Tanzania identified coxsackievirus A24 variant (CVA24v) as the causative agent. To date, however, limited genomic data exist to elucidate the sources, epidemiology, and evolution of CVA24v in Africa. We generated 245 CVA24v genomes from samples collected between January and September 2024 in coastal Kenya, representing the largest outbreak CVA24v genomic data set available globally. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these viruses belonged to genotype IV, falling into two major clusters that differed by 52 nucleotide and five amino acid changes, and with an inter-species recombination event involving another enterovirus in the 3Dpol gene. Notably, the Kenyan sequences clustered closely with contemporaneous Africa (2024) sequences, specifically Mayotte and Malawi, reflecting a regionally connected CVA24v outbreak, but were distinct from those sampled previously in Asia in 2023, with phylodynamic analysis revealing that the Most Recent Common Ancestor of Kenyan sequences existed between June and October 2023. In summary, this study provides the first detailed genomic analysis of CVA24v from Africa to inform future surveillance and control strategies.

Journal Article↗

Gene deletion as the molecular basis for the Kenya-G gamma-HPFH condition.

DNA was isolated from the white cells of a subject with the Hb S-Kenya-G gamma-HPFH condition, and digested with the restriction endonucleases Bg1 II, Xba I, and Eco RI. The resulting fragments were identified by standard techniques using [32P] labelled probes which are specific for the second intervening sequences of the beta gene and the gamma genes, respectively. A comparison with data for normal DNA indicated the presence of one additional fragment in each of the three digests, namely a 10.5 kb Bg1 II fragment, a 7.8 kb Xba I fragment, and a 2.9 kb Eco RI fragment. These observations are believed to show a large (approximately 22.5 kb) deletion in the DNA of the Kenya chromosome which includes the 3' section of the A gamma gene, the delta gene, and the 5' section of the beta gene. These results are consistent with the original hypothesis which was based on structural data for the different hemoglobin chains.

Adult↗

Blood parasites of some birds from Kenya, Tanzania and Zaire.

A total of 647 birds of 146 species representing 41 families from localities in Kenya, Tanzania and Zaire were examined for blood parasites. A total of 242 (37.2%) birds harbored either single or multiple infections of Haemoproteus (16%), Leucocytozoon (14%), Plasmodium (5.4%), Trypanosoma (1.7%), microfilaria (2.9%) or a variety of babesioids and haemogregarines (4.3%). Occurrence of blood parasites was greatest in Zaire and least in Kenya; the occurrence of the different genera varied markedly between areas and between bird families.

Animals↗

Isolation and characterization of flagellates from rodents and canids in Masinga, Machakos District, Kenya.

A total of 728 animals comprising of 633 rodents and 95 canids were examined for leishmanial parasites. Flagellates were isolated from 67 out of 111 (60.4%) Acomys subspinosus (spiny mouse), 12 out of 143 (8.4% ) Mastomys natalensis (multimammate rat), 2 out of 50 (4.0%) Lemniscomys striatus (striped mouse), 2 out of 6 (33.3%) Herpestes sanguineus (slender mongoose), 1 of 1 Helogale parvula (dwarf mongoose) and 1 out of 84 Canis familiaris (domestic dog). All isolates were characterized by Isoenzyme analysis using nine enzymes, namely, malate dehydrogenase (MDH), phosphoglucomutase (PGM), glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI), isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICD), nucleoside hydrolase (NH), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), malic enzyme (ME), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (GPGD) and mannose phosphate isomerase (MPI). Enzyme profiles of these isolates were compared with those of five WHO Leishmania reference strains and five well characterized rodent trypanosomes of the subgenus Herpetosoma. The profiles of the isolates were found to be different from those of the Leishmania and Trypanosoma reference strains but the parasites were morphologically similar to rodent trypanosomes. These results suggest that Leishmania parasites were not among the isolates. The enzymes profiles of the three mongoose isolates were identical but differed from profiles of isolates from rodents and dog. This is the first time in Kenya that a high prevalence of nonpathogenic trypanosomes is reported in rodents and canids. From the epidemiological point of view, these trypanosomes must be differentiated from the pathogenic species of trypanosomes and Leishmania that infect man and other animals. The results of this study suggest that rodents do not seem to play a role as reservoirs of Leishmania parasites in Masinga Location, Kenya.

Journal Article↗

Comparison of government statistics and demographic surveillance to monitor mortality in children less than five years old in rural western Kenya.

Estimates of mortality in children less than five years old using government civil registration statistics (passive surveillance) were compared against statistics generated by active demographic surveillance during a randomized controlled trial of permethrin-treated bed nets (ITNs) in western Kenya. Mortality rates were two-fold lower when estimated through civil registration compared with active prospective surveillance (rate ratio [RR] = 0.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.44-0.59). While civil registration underestimated deaths, particularly in the neonatal period, the age distribution of deaths in children 1-59 months of age was the same as with active surveillance. Seasonal mortality trends were also similar. There was no agreement between cause of death recorded by active and passive surveillance. Verbal autopsy estimated that half of all deaths were associated with malaria and pneumonia, but civil registration markedly under-reported these illnesses; incidence RR (95% CI) = 0.18 (0.14-0.24), and 0.05 (0.03-0.08), respectively, while over-reporting deaths due to measles (RR = 15.5 [95% CI = 7.3-33.2]). Government statistics under-represent mortality, particularly neonatal mortality, in children less than five years of age in rural areas of Kenya. They can provide accurate information on the age-distribution of deaths among children 1-59 months old, and on seasonal trends, but not on disease-specific mortality.

Age Distribution↗

A multipurpose serological survey in Kenya. 2. Results of arbovirus serological tests.

Arbovirus infections are of public health interest in East Africa, where a very widespread epidemic of o'nyong-nyong fever was reported in 1959-60 and where the threat of yellow fever, present in neighbouring areas such as Ethiopia, remains. Sera collected in a serological survey in Kenya were therefore tested for antibodies against 3 group-A arboviruses (chikungunya, o'nyong-nyong and Sindbis), 6 group-B arboviruses (Zika, yellow fever, West Nile, Banzi, Wesselsbron and dengue 1), and Bunyamwera virus. The sera were examined mainly by the haemagglutination-inhibition test but a small proportion were also subjected to virus neutralization tests.The results showed that the prevalence of arbovirus tnfection varies markedly from area to area in Kenya. All types of arbovirus infections were more frequent on the coast than on the dry plateau around Kitui and the Lake Victoria area, The only exceptions were o'nyong-nyong and chikungunya, which were found to be just as prevalent on the coast as in Nyanza, where an epidemic was reported in 1959-60. Yellow fever antibodies were found to be present in about half of the people living on the coast but practically absent from the other two areas. It was concluded that the yellow fever antibodies in the coastal area must be due either to vaccination or to cross-reactions with other group-B arboviruses.

Adolescent↗

Retrospective study of carcinoma of the esophagus in Kenya.

A clinical, radiological, histological, and geographical study of carcinoma of the esophagus in Kenya is reported. It was found that this cancer is diagnosed more often in males than in females, with a ration of 8:1 (Kenya Cancer Registry). The most common age in males and females is 50 to 59 years. The regions of the esophagus most commonly involved are the middle and lower thirds, in almost equal proportions. An unexplained tendency for the tumor to be poorly differentiated towards the lower third is noted. In addition a review on the possible etiological factors is presented.

Age Factors↗

[Characters and insecticidal polypeptide of a new strain of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kenyae in China].

A new strain of Bacillus thurinigiensis Bt with high toxicity against noctuidae larvae has been screened for many generations since isolated from larvae candle of Aphomia gularis in Yiyang County, Jiangxi Province, in China. By comparison and analysis of results of physiological and biochemical test, flagella antigen identification and esterase type, the strain is identified as H4a-4c Bt serovar. kenyae. Since its crystal protein type and plasmid type are different from those of Bt serovar. kenyae's type 023. The strain is assigned a novel strain: Btken-Ag. Btken-Ag's parasporal crystals are multi-morphorous: bipyramid, cube, small irregular sphere and embedded. After UMT dissolve, PAGE and SDS-PAGE separation preparation and analysis, it is found that its major insecticide component to Heliothis armigera is 61kD toxic protein. By ELISA homology analysis, it is found that this toxic protein has high homology with crystal protein of 023 and 7501 (H4a-4c), partly homology with that of HD-1(H3a-3b), but no homology with that of Bti(H14) and (Bacillus sphaericus) Ts-1 strain. In bioassay with larvae from Culex pipiens, Pseudaletia unipuncta and Heliothis armigera, together with other ten Bt strains, Btken-Ag is toxic to 3 star larvae of Culex pipiens; two isolates of Btken-Ag (b1-4 and H4-1) show higher toxicity than type strain 023 and HD-1 do to Pseudaletia unipuncta and Heliothis armigera.

Animals↗

Oral rehydration therapy and social marketing in rural Kenya.

In just a few years, oral rehydration therapy (ORT) has become the standard treatment to reduce infant diarrhoeal disease mortality in the developing world. The paper describes an ORT intervention campaign in a rural area in Western Kenya (Kakamega District). After about a year of careful preparation, the campaign was launched in January 1986 and compared the use of a value-added product (flavoured sachets) sold through private outlets in addition to primary care distribution of an unflavoured sachet in an experimental cell (Bukura Division). In a control cell (Novakholo Division), only unflavoured sachets were distributed free of charge through primary health care facilities. Using local perceptions of diarrhoeal disease management, the campaign in the experimental cell was carefully designed and mass communication techniques employed and adapted accordingly. Outcome assessments of the campaign, which lasted until March 1987, included the overall ORT utilisation over time. Changes in perceptions towards diarrhoeal disease management, direct assessments of mixing a 'safe and effective' solution accurately and other relevant process parameters were evaluated. Comparing several recent ORT intervention projects, the paper concludes that a combination of a commercial approach and mass communication techniques can further ORS use. If a proper incentive system for shopkeepers is installed and message design and ORS product are fully tailored to the perception and preferences of the target population, the commercial availability of ORS will create an extra demand of the product. However, this will not replace distribution of ORS salts delivered free of charge through primary care sources.

Child, Preschool↗

Comparison of safety of glucose oral rehydration solution and maize oral rehydration therapy for home management of diarrhoea in Kenya.

Safety margins and variability in the composition of glucose and maize-based oral rehydration therapy (ORT) prepared by mothers in a rural district of Western Kenya, are reported here. In a 2-year longitudinal field study, packets containing glucose ORS and a home solution made with maize and table salts, were provided to the mothers of 6180 children in Kakamega District in two separate sub-locations. Experienced and trained field workers supported by community registered nurses provided training for the preparation and use of ORT during weekly visits to every household. On four occasions separated by 4-6 months, a 5 per cent random sampling was done of the home-prepared solutions actually used for the treatment of children with diarrhoea. The water used for preparing ORT was also sampled. Samples of 174 glucose-based ORT, 148 maize-salt ORT, and 201 samples of water were analysed. Only 2 per cent of the maize-based ORT were above 120 meq/1 sodium (i.e., the safe range of sodium concentration) compared to 17.8 per cent for glucose solutions (p < 0.001). Home water samples contained substantial amounts of salt, which could unpredictably affect the final composition of the ORT solutions. We conclude that maize-salt ORT had a better margin of safety than glucose-based ORS.

Child, Preschool↗