Publications by authors named "Moses M Masika"

We found similar mild perivascular inflammation in lungs of Bombali virus-positive and -negative Mops condylurus bats in Kenya, indicating the virus is well-tolerated. Our findings indicate M. condylurus bats may be a reservoir host for Bombali virus.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Several alphaviruses like chikungunya (CHIKV) and Onyong-nyong (ONNV) are common in Kenya and can lead to disease outbreaks.
  • - Researchers tested blood samples from patients with acute febrile illness in both a rural area (Taita-Taveta County) and an urban settlement (Kibera) to check for antibodies related to these viruses.
  • - Findings revealed that out of 537 patients, only a small percentage had antibodies for these viruses, indicating prior and current exposure in regions that hadn’t experienced outbreaks before.
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Article Synopsis
  • A study was conducted among healthcare workers in Kenya to evaluate their knowledge, risk perception, preparedness for COVID-19, and willingness to accept a vaccine.
  • The study surveyed 997 health workers using an online questionnaire, revealing that 80% scored well on COVID-19 knowledge and 89% believed they were at high risk of infection.
  • Although many felt somewhat prepared to manage the situation, a majority (71%) indicated they would accept a COVID-19 vaccine if offered for free by the government.
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Introduction: diabetic foot ulcer is the leading cause of hospital admissions, lower limb amputation and death among diabetic patients. Little information is available on fungal isolation in diabetic foot ulcer patients, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to describe Candida species infecting diabetic foot ulcers in patients receiving clinical care at Kenyatta National Hospital and assess their antifungal susceptibility profile.

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The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need to tackle viral variants, expand the number of antigens, and assess diverse delivery systems for vaccines against emerging viruses. In the present study, a DNA vaccine candidate was generated by combining in tandem envelope protein domain III (EDIII) of dengue virus serotypes 1-4 and a dengue virus (DENV)-2 non-structural protein 1 (NS1) protein-coding region. Each domain was designed as a serotype-specific consensus coding sequence derived from different genotypes based on the whole genome sequencing of clinical isolates in India and complemented with data from Africa.

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Previously identified only in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and southeastern Kenya, Bombali virus-infected Mops condylurus bats were recently found »750 km away in western Kenya. This finding supports the role of M. condylurus bats as hosts and the potential for Bombali virus circulation across the bats' range in sub-Saharan Africa.

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Dengue virus (DENV) has caused recent outbreaks in coastal cities of Kenya, but the epidemiological situation in other areas of Kenya is largely unknown. We investigated the role of DENV infection as a cause of acute febrile disease in non-epidemic settings in rural and urban study areas in Kenya. Altogether, 560 patients were sampled in 2016-2017 in rural Taita-Taveta County (n = 327) and urban slums of Kibera, Nairobi (n = 233).

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Background: The Zika virus pandemic in South America in 2015-2016 and the association of Zika virus infection with neurological complications such as microcephaly in newborns distressed the global community. There is limited data on the prevalence of Zika virus in Kenya despite evidence of its circulation in East Africa. This study aimed at assessing the seroprevalence of Zika virus in selected areas in Kenya.

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Introduction: Infection due to multidrug-resistant microorganisms is a growing threat in healthcare settings. species specifically is increasingly becoming resistant to most antimicrobial agents recommended for treatment. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of species isolated from patients in Kenyatta National Hospital.

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Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and has resultant important economic and societal costs underscoring the need for accurate surveillance. In recent years, prevalence rates reported in East Africa have been inconsistent, sparking controversy and raising concern.

Methods: We described antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Staphylococcus aureus isolates cultured from patients within the Internal Medicine department of the largest public healthcare facility in East and Central Africa- the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi, Kenya.

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Bombali virus (genus Ebolavirus) was identified in organs and excreta of an Angolan free-tailed bat (Mops condylurus) in Kenya. Complete genome analysis revealed 98% nucleotide sequence similarity to the prototype virus from Sierra Leone. No Ebola virus-specific RNA or antibodies were detected from febrile humans in the area who reported contact with bats.

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Background: There is worldwide concern of rapidly increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, there is paucity of resistance surveillance data and updated antibiograms in Africa in general. This study was undertaken in Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) -the largest public tertiary referral centre in East & Central Africa-to help bridge existing AMR knowledge and practice gaps.

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Objective: To determine the difference in infection rate between 24h versus five days of prophylactic antibiotic use in management of Gustilo II open tibia fractures.

Design: Unblinded randomized control trial.

Setting: Accident and Emergency, orthopedic wards and outpatient clinics at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).

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Introduction: Mobile phone penetration has increased exponentially over the last decade as has its application in nearly all spheres of life including health and medical education. This study aimed at assessing the use of mobile learning technology and its challenges among final year undergraduate students in the College of Health sciences, University of Nairobi.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among final year undergraduate students at the University of Nairobi, College of Health Sciences.

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Background: Vaccines against human papillomavirus (HPV) infection have the potential to reduce the burden of cervical cancer. School-based delivery of HPV vaccines is cost-effective and successful uptake depends on school teachers' knowledge and acceptability of the vaccine. The aim of this study is to assess primary school teachers' knowledge and acceptability of HPV vaccine and to explore facilitators and barriers of an ongoing Gavi Alliance-supported vaccination program in Kitui County, Kenya.

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