Salmonella Typhi genotypic diversity, cluster identification and antimicrobial resistance determinants in Mukuru settlement, Nairobi Kenya.

Background: Understanding the source of typhoid infections and the genetic relatedness of Salmonella Typhi (S. Typhi) by cluster identification in endemic settings is critical for establishing coordinated public health responses for typhoid fever management. This study investigated the genotypic diversity, antibiotic resistance mechanisms, and clustering of 35 S.

PrEP Method Switching: Will it Yield Greater Coverage of HIV Protection? Applying Lessons Learned from Family Planning to Guide Future Research in the Context of PrEP Choice.

Purpose Of Review: Despite the growing availability of oral PrEP, coverage remains suboptimal. Through the introduction of additional PrEP methods, including vaginal rings and long-acting injectable formulations, health systems globally are on the cusp of offering PrEP methods that vary by route of administration, efficacy, and frequency of use. With PrEP choice, it will be important to explore PrEP use patterns to better understand how the ability to choose and switch products affects coverage and continuation.

The appropriateness of empirical antibiotic therapy in the management of symptomatic urinary tract infection patients-a cross-sectional study in Nairobi County, Kenya.

Background: In low- and middle-income countries, symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) patients are often prescribed antibiotics without microbiological confirmation. UTIs caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria are increasingly common, and this heightens the risk of empirical treatment failure. This study evaluates the appropriateness of empirical antibiotic therapy to UTI patients in Nairobi County, Kenya.

Subjects' Sociodemographics Influence the Transmission Patterns of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli Pathotypes among Children under 5 Years in Nakuru County.

Background: Diarrheagenic Escherichiacoli (DEC) infections constitute the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, little has so far been done to properly reveal the pathogenic endowments of DEC in these populations.

Aims And Objectives: We evaluated 4 DEC strains among children under 5 years.

Endophytic and epiphytic metabarcoding reveals fungal communities on cashew phyllosphere in Kenya.

Plants intimately coexist with diverse taxonomically structured microbial communities that influence host health and productivity. The coexistence of plant microbes in the phyllosphere benefits biodiversity maintenance, ecosystem function, and community stability. However, differences in community composition and network structures of phyllosphere epiphytic and endophytic fungi are widely unknown.

Phytochemical analysis, and study of antiproliferative activity of ethyl acetate fraction of (Hochst. ex Oliv. & Hiern) C. Jeffrey against human cervical cancer cell line.

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women globally due to the limitation of current treatment methods and their associated adverse side effects. is used as traditional medicine for the treatment of a variety of diseases including cancer. However, there is no scientific validation on the antiproliferative activity of against cervical cancer.

Bacterial vaginosis-driven changes in vaginal T cell phenotypes and their implications for HIV susceptibility.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiome that is prevalent in reproductive-age women worldwide. Adverse outcomes associated with BV include an increased risk of sexually acquired Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), yet the immunological mechanisms underlying this association are not well understood. To investigate BV driven changes to cervicovaginal tract (CVT) and circulating T cell phenotypes, participants with or without BV provided vaginal tract (VT) and ectocervical (CX) tissue biopsies and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).

The contribution of commonly consumed edible insects to nutrition security in the Eastern D.R. Congo.

Edible insects are perceived as an incredible opportunity to mitigate the major challenge of sustainably producing healthy foods for a growing world population in the face of climate change uncertainties over the coming decade. In this study, we assessed the nutrient composition and sensory properties of Acheta domesticus, Apis mellifera, Gnathocera trivittata, Gryllotalpa africana, Imbrasia epimethea, Imbrasia oyemensis, Locusta migratoria, Macrotermes subhylanus, Nomadacris septemfasciata, Rhyncophorus phoenicis, Ruspolia differens and Rhynchophorus ferrugineus consumed in Eastern D. R.

Spatial occurrence and variation of the active pharmaceutical compounds in rivers and groundwater systems in Arusha City, Tanzania.

This study investigated the occurrence of 11 pharmaceutical compounds in the rivers and groundwater systems of Arusha City, Tanzania. Each suspected individual residue of active pharmaceutical compounds in water matrices, was pre-concentrated using solid-phase extraction techniques and, then quantified using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). The concentrations varied across the assessed rivers and groundwater systems.

Establishing African genomics and bioinformatics programs through annual regional workshops.

The African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) Open Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics aims to overcome barriers to capacity building through its distributed African regional workshops and prioritizes the exchange of grassroots knowledge and innovation in biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics. In 2023, we implemented 28 workshops on biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics, covering 11 African countries across the 5 African geographical regions. These regional workshops trained 408 African scientists in hands-on molecular biology, genomics and bioinformatics techniques as well as the ethical, legal and social issues associated with acquiring genetic resources.

Study of Pathogenicity Test, Antifungal Activity, and Secondary Metabolites of spp. from Lake Bogoria as Biocontrol of Kühn in s L.

The common bean ( L.) is a yearly herbaceous plant grown for its edible dry seeds. Despite that, pests and diseases have contributed to the decline of common bean production in Kenya.

Treatment outcomes and challenges of treating tuberculosis in children in a nomadic pastoralist community in Kenya.

Background: Tuberculosis in children has remained a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality, especially in the developing countries where it has been associated with marginalization, vulnerability and poverty.

Study Objectives: To evaluate treatment outcomes and determine the challenges experienced by health providers while treating tuberculosis in children in a nomadic pastoralist community in Kenya.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study design utilizing mixed methods, conducted at Lodwar County Referral Hospital in Turkana County- Kenya.

Key gene modules and hub genes associated with pyrethroid and organophosphate resistance in Anopheles mosquitoes: a systems biology approach.

Indoor residual spraying (IRS) and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are the main methods used to control mosquito populations for malaria prevention. The efficacy of these strategies is threatened by the spread of insecticide resistance (IR), limiting the success of malaria control. Studies of the genetic evolution leading to insecticide resistance could enable the identification of molecular markers that can be used for IR surveillance and an improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with IR.

Physicochemical properties of edible cricket oils: Implications for use in pharmaceutical and food industries.

The prevailing global market demands locally produced, sustainable oils for biomedical applications. This study focused on evaluating the quality of cricket-derived oils and meals from Hugel, Tanga, and De Geer common delicacy in Africa, following standard methods for physicochemical properties, fatty acid composition, and phytochemicals (oxalates, phytates, tannins, and polyphenols). The cricket oils physicochemical properties aligned with Codex Alimentarius standards for edible oils, including low solidification temperature (< 2 °C), a high refractive index (1.

Immunoinformatics-Based Designing of Novel and Potent Multi-Epitope PSA D15 and Cag11 Immunogens for Helicobacter pylori Immunodiagnostic Assay Development.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) strain is the most genetically diverse pathogenic bacterium and now alarming serious human health concern ranging from chronic gastritis to gastric cancer and human death all over the world. Currently, the majority of commercially available diagnostic assays for H.

Isolation and Growth Kinetics of Bogoria Virus from Phlebotomine Sandflies Sampled in Baringo, Kenya.

Phleboviruses are an emerging threat to public health. Recent surveillance efforts in Kenya have unveiled novel phleboviruses. Despite these efforts, there remain knowledge gaps.

Maize yield prediction and condition monitoring at the sub-county scale in Kenya: synthesis of remote sensing information and crop modeling.

Agricultural production assessments are crucial for formulating strategies for closing yield gaps and enhancing production efficiencies. While in situ crop yield measurements can provide valuable and accurate information, such approaches are costly and lack scalability for large-scale assessments. Therefore, crop modeling and remote sensing (RS) technologies are essential for assessing crop conditions and predicting yields at larger scales.

Investigating potato flour processing methods and ratios for noodle production.

A partial substitution of wheat flour with potato flour processed by various procedures was used to determine an optimal potato pretreatment method for noodle processing. Wheat flour was substituted with 10%, 30%, and 50% potato flour. Potato flour (PF) was processed using two different methods, including freeze-drying (FD) and low-temperature blanching, then oven drying (LTB_OD).

A reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for quick detection of tomato mosaic virus.

Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV), an economically important virus that affects a wide range of crops, is highly contagious, and its transmission is mediated by mechanical means, and through contaminated seeds or planting materials, making its management challenging. To contain its wide distribution, early and accurate detection of infection is required. A survey was conducted between January and May, 2023 in major tomato growing counties in Kenya, namely, Baringo, Kajiado, Kirinyaga and Laikipia, to establish ToMV disease incidence and to collect samples for optimization of the reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay (RT-LAMP) assay.

On bootstrap based variance estimation under fine stratification.

The primary focus of all sample surveys is on providing point estimates for the parameters of primary interest, and also estimating the variance associated with those point estimates to quantify the uncertainty. Larger samples and important measurement tools can help to reduce the point estimates' uncertainty. Numerous effective stratification criteria may be used in survey to reduce variance within stratum.

Establishing adherence-concentration-efficacy thresholds of TDF-FTC pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention in African women: a protocol for the Women TDF-FTC Benchmark Study.

Background: Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) using co-formulated emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is a potent HIV prevention method for men and women, with its efficacy highly dependent on adherence. A pivotal HIV efficacy study combined with a directly observed pharmacological study defined the thresholds for HIV protection in men who have sex with men (MSM), which are the keys to PrEP promotion and development of new PrEP agents. For African women at risk for HIV and belonging to a priority group considered due to disproportionately high incident HIV infections, the variable adherence in PrEP clinical trials and the limited pharmacologic data have resulted in a lack of clarity about the PrEP adherence required for HIV protection.

Corrigendum: Translation and adaptation of the stroke-specific quality of life scale into Swahili.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.4102/sajp.v79i1.