Publications by authors named "D Kimani"

Article Synopsis
  • Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection rates globally, making national HBV prevalence estimates crucial for Kenya's viral hepatitis program.
  • In a study analyzing data from over 3,000 participants aged 15-64 in the 2018 Kenya Population-based HIV Impact Assessment, the national HBV prevalence was found to be 3.0%, equating to approximately 810,600 infected individuals in this age group.
  • The study revealed significant geographical variations in HBV prevalence, with higher rates in certain regions, among people living with HIV, older individuals, those with no formal education, and in lower economic groups; lack of formal education was notably linked to increased HBV infection risk.
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Background: Falciparum malaria remains a global health problem. Two vaccines, based on the circumsporozoite antigen, are available. RTS, S/AS01 was recommended for use in 2021 following the advice of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization and WHO Malaria Policy Advisory Group (MPAG).

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Natural killer (NK) cells are potent immune effectors that can be activated via antibody-mediated Fc receptor engagement. Using multiparameter flow cytometry, we found that NK cells degranulate and release IFN-γ upon stimulation with antibody-opsonized merozoites. Antibody-dependent NK (Ab-NK) activity was largely strain transcending and enhanced invasion inhibition into erythrocytes.

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The World Health Organization advocates a multimodal approach to improving infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, which Kenya adopted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kenya Ministry of Health formed a national IPC committee for policy and technical leadership, coordination, communication, and training. During March-November 2020, a total of 69,892 of 121,500 (57.

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Ring-infected erythrocytes are the predominant asexual stage in the peripheral circulation but are rarely investigated in the context of acquired immunity against Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Here we compare antibody-dependent phagocytosis of ring-infected parasite cultures in samples from a controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) study (NCT02739763). Protected volunteers did not develop clinical symptoms, maintained parasitaemia below a predefined threshold of 500 parasites/μl and were not treated until the end of the study.

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