ABSTRACT Malaria is a global health problem resulting in 435,000 deaths annually with 90% of the deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Over 70% of the Kenyan population is at risk of malaria and western Kenya is an endemic region with prevalence of 38%. The Anopheles gambiae complex and Anopheles funestus are the main vectors of human malaria in Africa with Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto and Anopheles gambiae arabiensis being the main vectors in western Kenya. Anopheles gambiae sensu stric...
ABSTRACT In sub-Saharan Africa, Plasmodium falciparum infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality mostly among children under five years. In Kenya, severe malaria anaemia prevalence is at 19%. In malaria holo-endemic region of western Kenya, P. falciparum infections account for major proportion of children with anaemia that leads to severe malaria anaemia (SMA, Hb
ABSTRACT Pollution of the aquatic environment is a major global concern as it is emerging that pollutants such as organic compounds are rising each day. The anthropogenic activities such as agricultural and wastewater effluent contribute to the pollution of aquatic resources. The aim of this study was to determine the spatial occurrence and concentration of organic compounds in water and sediment along Sebakwe River in Kwekwe. Water and sediment samples were collected once in January 2019 at...
ABSTRACT Gloria and Nua 45 are two of the most commonly grown sugar bean varieties in Zimbabwe. Beans are a cheap alternative source of protein and have been on high demand due to the ever-rising meat prices. Gloria and Nua 45 are being affected by the black bean aphid (Aphis fabae) feeding which is the most problematic insect pest of beans. The aphid feeds on foliage of plants resulting in stunted growth and reduced yields. A comparison of susceptibility to feeding by A. fabae was done to d...
ABSTRACT The exact etiological mechanism underlying endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL) remains unknown. Past studies show T and B cells are immuno-deregulated in children from malaria holoendemic regions. However, no study has examined the effect of P. falciparum transmissions on Natural Killer (NK) cell, which shape T and B immune responses. NK cells are critical in immunosurveillance, elimination of cancerous cells and controlling EBV viremia. This is by production of anti-viral cytokines like ...
ABSTRACT More than 35% of infants residing in Chulaimbo regions are infected with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) by six months of age, typically when maternal antibodies are expected to provide protection to the infants before they develop their own denovo antibodies. It has been reported that maternal immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies get transferred to the fetus from the second week of gestation and reach maximum levels by the third trimester. Transplacental transfer of these antibodies may be ...
ABSTRACT In 2015, 10.4 million people worldwide had tuberculosis (TB) and 1.4 million deaths occurred, 400 000 of whom were HIV-positive, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) accounted for 81% of these cases. In 2015, 480 000 new cases of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) were detected globally. In Kenya, in 2015, 107 000 people had TB and 36 000 were HIV co-infected. In western Kenya, the prevalence of TB and HIV in 2015 was 39.2% and 15.1%, respectively and in 2008, 10 cases of MDR-TB occurred. Patients...
ABSTRACT Antimicrobials have been in use for decades in disease management, but emergence of resistant pathogens such as Escherichia coli have rendered its future of concern to public health. Increased human-wildlife interaction is associated with emergence of devastating human diseases and resistance genes are increasingly being isolated. Of importance is the increased bacterial infection that requires prolonged treatment periods as seen in Lambwe Valley which points to antibacterial resista...
ABSTRACT The process of re-establishing the natural level of arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) fungi richness can represent a valid alternative to conventional phosphate based fertilization practices, with a view to sustainable agriculture. The main strategy that can be adopted to achieve this goal is the direct re-introduction of AM fungi inoculum into a target soil. AM fungi have a high affinity for phosphorus, an essential macronutrient that participates in the skeleton of the nucleic acids DNA ...
Abstract Birds constitute an important part of the earths’ vertebrate organisms and are among the most diverse, conspicuous and fascinating forms of life. There are over ten thousand species of birds in the world. Besides their great ecological role in seed dispersal, pollination, importance in food weds / chains, they have also been crucial to man for meat, communication, recreation, decoration and as a source of inspiration. Unfortunately about 1,012 species of birds are being threatened ...
ABSTRACT Endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL) is an aggressive paediatric B-cell lymphoma prevalent in children from holoendemic malaria regions of sub-Saharan Africa. It is associated with early primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and repetitive Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria coinfection with high incidence in western Kenya. The lymphoma is common among children aged 2-11 years with high incidence at 5-8 years and has been associated with multiple genetic variations. Endemic BL is characterized b...
Abstract Many of the sewage treatment plants in Zimbabwe have not been upgraded to accommodate the population increases that the cities have undergone. This has resulted in the release of raw or partially treated sewage into rivers, which negatively impacts the ecological health of these ecosystems. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of sewage effluent on the aquatic health of Sebakwe River, Kwekwe. Monthly surveys of macroinvertebrates and water variables were carried out from...
ABSTRACT Diarrheal diseases are the third leading cause of death in third world countries, resulting in 1.8 million deaths around the world per annum. A study was carried out to assess the microbial quality of ready to eat cooked foods sold at Midlands State University (MSU) bus terminus in March 2018. Type of samples which were microbially assessed were sadza, rice, chicken stew, beef stew, cabbage salads, pork chops and russian sausages. Sampling was done for three different days. A total o...
ABSTRACT Pollution of aquatic ecosystems with heavy metals is now of global concern due to their effects on human health and persistence in the environment. The study was carried out to determine the heavy metal pollution in Sebakwe River Kwekwe, Zimbabwe. To provide information on heavy metals chromium, lead, copper, magnesium and iron concentrations in water and sediments, samples were collected at five sites in January 2019 and in February 2019. The samples were acid digested and analysed ...
ABSTRACT Candida species are the most common cause of fungal infections in humans. Candida species produce infections that range from non life-threatening mucocutaneous illnesses to invasive processes that may involve virtually any organ and this broad range of infections. Candida albicans coexists with a highly diverse human bacterial microbiota. Candida tropicalis is a common pathogen in neutropenic hosts in whom it may spread through the bloodstream to peripheral organs. Candida tropicalis...