Abstract: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a health crisis that is ignored by the developed world and only starts getting attention when there is an outbreak that kills a large population. AIDS associated Kaposi sarcoma (AIDS-KS) and Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) are viral infections which are just two of the many NTDs that require attention. This thesis presents novel within-host ordinary differential equation (ODE) mathematical models in conjunction with application of the optimal contro...
Abstract: We report the entire genome sequence of an isolate of Spodoptera frugi perda multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus from Nigeria, West Africa. The genome is 132,710 bp long and contains 144 open reading frames. The GC content is 40.3% and, based on bac ulovirus species demarcation criteria, the isolate belongs to the species Spodoptera frugi perda multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus.
Abstract: Background: African swine fever (ASF) is an infectious transboundary animal disease which causes high mortality, approaching 100% in domestic pigs and it is currently considered as the most serious constraint to domestic pig industry and food security globally. Despite regular ASF outbreaks within Malawi, few studies have genetically characterized the causative ASF virus (ASFV). This study aimed at genetic characterization of ASFV responsible for the 2019 outbreak in northern Malaw...
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Abstract: Sandfly-transmitted phleboviruses (family Phenuiviridae, order Bunyavirales) are associated with febrile illness and infections of the nervous system in humans. These viruses are almost exclusively found in tropical areas of the New World and restricted to semiarid and temperate zones in the Old World. Here, we discovered seven strains of four previously unknown phleboviruses, named Bogoria virus (BOGV), Embossos virus (EMRV), Kiborgoch virus (KBGV), and Perkerra virus (PERV), as w...
Abstract: Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is the causative agent of CCHF, a fatal viral haemorrhagic fever disease in humans. The maintenance of CCHFV in the ecosystem remains poorly understood. Certain tick species are considered as vectors and reservoirs of the virus. Diverse animals are suspected as amplifiers, with only scarce knowledge regarding rodents in virus epidemiology. In this study, serum samples from febrile patients, asymptomatic livestock (cattle, donkeys, sh...
Abstract: Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of dengue, an arboviral disease caused by dengue virus (DENV) that exists as four distinct serotypes (DENV 1-4). While all four DENV serotypes circulate in Kenya, differential distribution of the serotypes in specific regions suggests virus transmission may differ among local vector populations. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that a coastal Ae. aegypti population (Rabai, Kilifi County) varies in its ability to transmit DENV-2 (predominan...
Abstract: Female Anopheles mosquitoes transmit Plasmodium parasites that cause human malaria. Currently, vector control is the most widely deployed approach to reduce mosquito population and hence disease transmission. This relies on use of insecticide-based interventions including Long-lasting Insecticide-treated Nets (LLINs) and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) where scale-up has contributed to a dramatic decline in malaria deaths and morbidity over the past decade. Challenges to their effec...
Abstract: Bunyamwera(BUNV) and Ngari (NGIV) viruses are arboviruses of medical importance globally, the viruses are endemic in Africa, Aedes(Ae) aegypti and Anopheles(An) gambiae mosquitoes are currently competent vectors for BUNV and NGIV respectively. Both viruses have been isolated from humans and mosquitoes in various ecologies of Kenya. Understanding the risk patterns and spread of the viruses necessitate studies of vector competence in local vector population of Ae. simpsoni sl which i...
Abstract: Background Providing protection from malaria vector bites, both indoors and outdoors, is crucial to curbing malaria parasite transmission. Screening of house entry points, especially with incorporated insecticides, confers significant protection but remains a costly and labour-intensive application. Use of spatial repellents has shown promise in creating areas of protection in peri-domestic areas.
Abstract: Phleboviruses are emerging pathogens of public health importance. However, their association with ticks is poorly described, particularly in Africa. Here, adult ticks infesting cattle, goats and sheep were collected in two dryland pastoralist ecosystems of Kenya (Baringo and Kajiado counties) and were screened for infection with phleboviruses. Ticks mainly belonged to the species Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Hyalomma impeltatum, and Hyalomma rufipes. A fragment of the RNA-dependen...
Abstract: The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach have been widely promoted and used for the management of native and invasive pests, while the use of various components of the IPM can have a synergetic, additive, or antagonistic effect on each other; this study evaluated the susceptibility of Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris (Marsh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), to the Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) ICIPE 20 through direct and indirect infection approaches. The effect of fungus on p...
Abstract: ntroduction: Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are vectors of arboviral pathogens that primarily affect livestock represented by Schmallenberg virus (SBV), epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) and bluetongue virus (BTV). In Kenya, studies examining the bionomic features of Culicoides including species diversity, blood-feeding habits, and association with viruses are limited.Methods: Adult Culicoides were surveyed using CDC light traps in two semi-arid ecolog...
Abstract: Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens complex mosquitoes are prolific vectors of arboviruses that are a global threat to human and animal health. Increased globalization and ease of travel have facilitated the worldwide dissemination of these mosquitoes and the viruses they transmit. To assess disease risk, we determined the frequency of arboviruses in western Kenyan counties bordering an area of high arboviral activity. In addition to pathogenic viruses, insect-specific flaviviruses (IS...
Abstract: Honey bees are important insects that have benefited mankind for medicinal and nutritional purposes for thousands of years. They have also provided an important balance in the environment allowing many plant species to pollinate and proliferate. Honey bees have naturally occurring parasites and pathogens which usually do not destroy the bees. The development of long-distance travel among human beings introduced global trade in plants and animals introducing new species and diseases...