Abstract: Integrated pest management (IPM) systems utilizing the use/release of the parasitoid Diadegma semiclausum have been developed to replace the pesticides only approach to diamondback moth (DBM) Plutella xylostella (L.), worldwide the worst insect pest of cabbage family. The successful introduction of the DBM natural enemy in Kenya as a biological control agent under the IPM system is a good achievement towards a solution to excessive insecticides use. Data collections were done for 1...
Abstract: The control of Amblyomma variegatum and other economically important ticks, like Rhipicephalus appendicu/atus, has relied mainly on the use of acaricides worldwide. However, due to the drawbacks of chemical control, future tick control will have to move more in the direction of integrated approaches emphasizing more regular use of environmentally-friendly non-chemical methods, such as tick parasitoids. lxodiphagus hookeri, one of the seven species of tick parasitoids known, occurs ...
Abstract: Cereal stemborers in Kenya include Busseola fusca, B. phaia, Sesamia calamistis, S. botanephaga, Eldana saccharina, Chilo orichalcociliellus, and Ch. partellus. The stemborers cause 50% yield losses in cereal crops including maize, sorghum, and sugarcane. Damage to the host plants results from the feeding and excavating of tunnels by the larvae. The different stemborer control options include pesticides, early planting, intercropping with non-cereals, and host plant resistance. ...
ABSTRACT Cerebral malaria occurs due to abnormality in the function of the brain endothelium. This signifies that the brain endothelium plays a crucial role in the outcome of malaria in children. Regulated balance between angiopoietin-1 and angiopoeitin-2 is responsible for the control of normal endothelial cell function. The angiopoietin-Tie-2 system has been shown to regulate endothelial cell function and vascular integrity. Endothelial Protein C Receptor (EPCR) and Thrombomodulin (TM) are...
Dogs are the most common pet animals worldwide, providing companionship, security and a source of dietary protein. Zoonotic helminthes of dogs is a global problem particularly in the developing countries and these dogs, regardless of their benefits, pose a public health risk as they are potential carriers of some pathogens. This study attempted to bridge the dearth of information on the prevalence of zoonotic helminthes of domestic dogs in Bwari Area Council and to establish some of the risk ...
Plasmodium is a genus of parasitic protozoa, many of which cause malaria in their host. Five species namely; P. falciparum, P. malarae, P. ovale, P. vivax and P. knowlesi cause human malaria. Malaria due to P. falciparum is one of the most severe public health problems worldwide with an annual estimated 207 million clinical episodes and 627,000 deaths. The use of conventional antimalarial drugs as treatment for malaria is greatly hindered by drug resistance exhibited by the parasite. Conseque...
Intestinal parasitic infections caused mainly by protozoa and helminths are most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions of the world where adequate water and proper sanitation are lacking. Helminthiasis has been listed among the three most prevalent diseases in Tharaka-Nithi County. The residents are mainly small scale nonmechanized farmers hence there is frequent contact with the soil. Chronic parasitic infection among students negatively affects their health, nutrition, cognitive dev...
Fish production is an important food contributor to the global and local economy. However, diseases including parasitic infections have been recognized as one of the limiting factors in the production of fish. The increase in fish parasites can be as a result of flooding. The flooding of Lake Baringo that occurred in November 2011 could have caused water pollution that may have brought in parasites that could have caused fish diseases. No recent research had been carried out to investigate ...
ABSTRACT Malaria is the leading cause of death in Africa among pregnant women and children under five years. Each year 350-500 million cases of malaria occur worldwide, and over one million people die, most of them young children in sub-Saharan Africa. In Africa, Anopheles gambiae mosquito is the main vector of Plasmodium falciparum, which causes malaria. All female Anopheles mosquitoes are usually haematophagous; they require a blood meal from a vertebrate host, either before or after matin...
ABSTRACT The occurrence of Entamoeba histolytica as a human intestinal parasite is a serious problem especially in developing countries. Entamoeba histolytica frequently infest as a commensal within the human large intestines with no overt clinical manifestations. However, trophozoites can invade the colonic epithelium and produce ulcers and dysentery, a condition known as Amoebiasis. Amoebic infections in Kyuso Zone, Kyuso District are common. The ecological aspects in the area and particula...
ABSTRACT The World Health Organization estimated annual global malaria mortality to be at 405,000 deaths in 2018 making malaria one of the most important diseases in the world. In Kenya, malaria control measures have been put up, however, the ongoing climate change and climatic variability is proving to be a great challenge. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of climatic variability and malaria control interventions on malaria parasite prevalence and vector abundance in west...
ABSTRACT Schistosomiasis is a chronic parasitic disease caused by a blood fluke of the genus Schistosoma. An estimated 249 million people are infected worldwide in about 78 countries with 85% infections occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. In Kenya, an estimated 5 million people are infected with about 12 million people at risk of infection. Schistosomiasis is a major public health concern due to the morbidities caused. Kagio area borders Mwea irrigation scheme which is an endemic area with a pre...
ABSTRACT Entamoeba histolytica, an intestinal protozoan parasite, is the causative agent for amoebiasis which is the third leading parasitic disease causing deaths in humans after malaria and schistosomiasis. Globally, it is responsible for 40,000 to 100,000 deaths annually. Amoebiasis is on the rise in Kitui County and is responsible for diarrheal illnesses and early deaths in children under 5 years. There is no surveillance system in Kenya to combat the disease and its real level of occurre...
Malaria imposes a huge burden upon the health and economic development of tropical nations and has been identified as a major obstacle to sustainable development by the world’s poorest regions. Diagnosis of malaria still remains a major challenge towards effective case management more so in areas with limited diagnostic facilities and lack of access to skilled health personnel. Clinical diagnosis which is the most widely used approach has several limitations leading to its low sensiti...
ABSTRACT Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharziases is a parasitic disease caused by blood flukes (trematodes) of the genus Schistosoma. Both urinary schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma haematobium and intestinal schistosomiasis caused by S. mansoni occur in various regions of Kenya, including the coastal region. River Tana which flows through Garsen, offer breeding sites for Bulinus snails which are the fresh water snail vectors for S. haematobium. Despite the WHO recommending the strateg...