Publications by authors named "Joanna E Auma"

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of filamentous fungi and ubiquitous dietary contaminants. Aflatoxins, a group of mycotoxins with high prevalence and toxicity, have raised a high level of public health concern, the most prevalent and toxic being aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Many aspects appertaining to AFB1 poisoning are not well understood.

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Camel trypanosomiasis () is endemic in the Horn of Africa. Understanding the spatiotemporal variations in prevalence, vector dynamics, and host-related risk factors is important in developing effective control strategies. A repeated cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the parasitological prevalence, livestock reservoirs, vector density/diversity, and host-related risk factors in Kenya.

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Trypanocidal resistance is a major cause of treatment failure. This study evaluated the sensitivity of Trypanosoma evansi field isolates collected from Marsabit and Isiolo counties, Kenya. A total of 2,750 camels were screened using parasitological tests for trypanosomes.

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We assessed the virulence and anti-trypanosomal drug sensitivity patterns of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (Tbr) isolates in the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization-Biotechnology Research Institute (KALRO-BioRI) cryobank. Specifically, the study focused on Tbr clones originally isolated from the western Kenya/eastern Uganda focus of human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT). Twelve (12) Tbr clones were assessed for virulence using groups(n = 10) of Swiss White Mice monitored for 60 days post infection (dpi).

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the unclear taxonomic identity and relationships between Glossina fuscipes and Glossina palpalis palpalis in the Congo, despite previous morphological classifications.
  • Researchers collected genetic samples from various regions to analyze diversity using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene, finding high genetic variation within G. fuscipes populations.
  • Results indicate that while G. fuscipes and G. p. palpalis are closely related, there is significant genetic differentiation among subpopulations, with evidence of recent population expansions.
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  • African animal trypanosomiasis, caused by trypanosomes transmitted by tsetse flies, leads to significant economic losses due to livestock deaths and decreased productivity in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • The study compared the virulence of five isolates of Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma brucei using Swiss white mice, revealing that T. congolense had a longer pre-patent period but caused a shorter survival time, indicating higher virulence.
  • Differences in infection rates among tsetse flies were observed, with T. congolense EATRO 1829 and T. brucei EATRO 2267 showing the highest rates of mature infections, suggesting their potential for
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Article Synopsis
  • * Found no significant difference in the infection rates of both S. glossinidius and the trypanosome species across three groups, but a notable association between S. glossinidius and co-infection with T. b. rhodesiense and T. congolense was observed.
  • * The study suggests a potential fitness cost of S. glossinidius infection as fly age increases, highlighting the implications for using S. glossinidius in strategies aimed at controlling tset
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Detection of trypanosomes that cause disease in human beings and livestock within their tsetse fly hosts is an essential component of vector and disease control programmes. Several molecular-based diagnostic tests have been developed for this purpose. Many of these tests, while sensitive, require analysis of trypanosome DNA extracted from single flies, or from pooled tsetse fly heads and amplified trypanosome DNA.

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Chemical (anaesthesia) and manual techniques are commonly used to restrain mice during vector-mediated parasite transmission experiments in the laboratory. Chemical restraint may interfere with natural fly vector-mouse interactions and therefore potentially affect the outcome of transmission experiments. Conversely, manual restraint is labour-intensive and exposes laboratory animals to excessive restraining-related discomfort.

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