Publications by authors named "L B Mwasi"

Article Synopsis
  • A study of over 3 million camels in Kenya found that many have antibodies against MERS-CoV, although human infections in Africa are quite rare.
  • Researchers followed 243 camels from 33 homesteads for two years, testing nasal swabs for the virus and documenting illnesses, primarily respiratory issues among the camels.
  • Out of the camels tested, a small percentage showed positive results for MERS-CoV, and there was evidence of sporadic transmission to humans, particularly during outbreaks.
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Article Synopsis
  • Researchers studied 262 camel handlers in Kenya from April 2018 to March 2020 to monitor for Middle East respiratory coronavirus syndrome (MERS-CoV).
  • Despite high seroprevalence of MERS-CoV in African camels, no zoonotic transmission was detected among the handlers during the study period.
  • However, PCR testing confirmed MERS-CoV in 3 asymptomatic handlers, indicating the presence of the virus even in those showing no symptoms.
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Background: Influenza A virus subtypes in non-human hosts have not been characterized in Kenya. We carried out influenza surveillance in selected domestic animals and compared the virus isolates with isolates obtained in humans during the same period.

Methods: We collected nasal swabs from pigs, dogs and cats; oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs from poultry; and blood samples from all animals between 2010 and 2012.

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In the scientific community, there is a growing interest in Tamarindus indica L. leaves, both as a valuable nutrient and as a functional food. This paper focuses on exploring its safety and antioxidant properties.

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Background: Surveillance for influenza viruses within live bird markets (LBMs) has been recognized as an effective tool for detecting circulating avian influenza viruses (AIVs). In Sub-Saharan Africa, limited data exist on AIVs in animal hosts, and in Kenya the presence of influenza virus in animal hosts has not been described.

Objectives: This surveillance project aimed to detect influenza A virus in poultry traded in five LBMs in Kenya.

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