The non-cyclic trypanosomiasis (surra), caused by Trypanosoma evansi, and mechanically transmitted by biting flies, hinders camel productivity in Kenya. Trypanocides are the most commonly used drugs to control surra. However, emergence of drug resistance by the parasites is a major limitation to control efforts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHuman African trypanosomiasis (HAT) develops in two stages namely early stage when trypanosomes are found in the blood and late stage when trypanosomes are found in the central nervous system (CNS). The two environments are different with CNS environment reported as being hostile to the trypanosomes than the blood environment. The clinical symptoms manifested by the disease in the two environments are different.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Parasitol Res
April 2023
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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDuring the late stage of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), there is severe cytokine-driven inflammation, oxidative stress and organ damage. Controlling inflammation and oxidative damage presents unique therapeutic opportunities to improve treatment outcome. The current study sought to determine the putative impact of Coenzyme-Q10 (Co-Q), a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, on adverse inflammatory and oxidative events during (T.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTrypanocidal 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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a toxic fungal metabolite associated with human and animal diseases, is a natural contaminant encountered in agricultural commodities, food and feed. Heterogeneity of AFB1 makes risk estimation a challenge. To overcome this, novel sample selection, preparation and extraction steps were designed for representative sampling of chicken feed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe 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).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe evaluated Mastomys natelensis rat as an animal model for Rhodesian sleeping sickness. Parasitaemia, clinical and pathological characteristics induced by T. b.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThere are no oral drugs for human African trypanosomiasis (HAT, sleeping sickness). A successful oral drug would have the potential to reduce or eliminate the need for patient hospitalization, thus reducing healthcare costs of HAT. The development of oral medications is a key objective of the Consortium for Parasitic Drug Development (CPDD).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNovel drugs to treat human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) are still urgently needed despite the recent addition of nifurtimox-eflornithine combination therapy (NECT) to WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines against second stage HAT, where parasites have invaded the central nervous system (CNS). The pharmacology of a potential orally available lead compound, N-methoxy-6-{5-[4-(N-methoxyamidino) phenyl]-furan-2-yl}-nicotinamidine (DB844), was evaluated in a vervet monkey model of second stage HAT, following promising results in mice. DB844 was administered orally to vervet monkeys, beginning 28 days post infection (DPI) with Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense KETRI 2537.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiminazene aceturate has remained a very important therapeutic drug for trypanosomosis in cattle, sheep and goats since its introduction into the market in 1955. Despite its continued use, the methods available for its detection in body fluids are lengthy and inefficient for routine monitoring of drug levels in treated animals. A competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has now been developed and optimized for the detection of diminazene in bovine serum.
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