Abstract/Overview Ticks harbor multiple pathogens, most of which can be transmitted to hu mans. The ensuing zoonoses display non-specific symptoms that make defin itive diagnosis difficult. We report here the development and evaluation of multiplex real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays for eight tick-borne zoonoses (TBZ). The assays were organized in duo formats of 4-plex each. Format 1 was optimized for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Coxiella burnetii, Borrelia burgdoferi and Ehr...
Abstract/Overview Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a major source of carbohydrates, calcium, vitamins (B and C), and essential minerals and isthe third most important source of calories in the tropics. However, it is not clear if the traditional processing methods expose the products to microbial contamination. )is study assessed the levels of fungi and aflatoxin contamination in traditionally processed cassava products (Akuoga and Abeta). A total of 38 samples were collected from th...
Abstract/Overview Ever since the first case report of HIV infection approximately twenty years ago, enormous human and material resources have been put in place to assist in the control and management of the scourge. With an increase in number of cases of immunosuppression came an increase in the number of microbial organisms, which were previously unknown. Some, which have existed albeit at an equilibrium with the human immune system and by extension the body’s defence mechanism have f...
Abstract/Overview Background: Due to the difficulty in implementing microscopy-based definitive diagnosis of malaria especially in resource-poor areas, rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits as alternatives have been developed by different companies. Kits from different companies may differ in sensitivity and specificity. It is therefore imperative to conduct field evaluation of kits from different manufacturers before they are recommended for widespread use in diagnosis of malaria. The present...
Abstract/Overview ApolipoproteinL1 (APOL1) protects humans and some primates against several African trypanosomes. APOL1 genetic variants strongly associated with kidney disease in African Americans have additional trypanolytic activity against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, the cause of acute African sleeping sickness. We combined genetic, physiological, and biochemical studies to explore coevolution between the APOL1 gene and trypanosomes. We analyzed the APOL1 sequence in modern and a...
Abstract Purpose: Ready-to-eat fast food vending outlets provide a cheap and readily available food. Foodborne diseases have been previously reported in Embu, Kenya, but data on the prokaryotic metagenome in vended foods is scanty. This study aimed to determine the prokaryotic diversity in fruits, vegetable salad, African sausage, chips (potato fries), fried fish, roasted beef (meat), smokies, samosa, soil, and water collected from food vendors and the surrounding environment in Embu Town an...
Abstract Background: Fungus-cultivating termites make use of an obligate mutualism with fungi from the genus Termitomyces, which are acquired through either vertical transmission via reproductive alates or horizontally transmitted during the formation of new mounds. Termitomyces taxonomy, and thus estimating diversity and host specificity of these fungi, is challenging because fruiting bodies are rarely found. Molecular techniques can be applied but need not necessarily yield the same outcom...
Abstract Culture-independent studies show that soda lake environments harbour diverse groups of bacteria and archaea. In this study different enrichment and isolation media were used in an attempt to isolate novel groups of bacteria from Lake Elmenteita. Different media were prepared using filter-sterilised water from the lake. The isolates recovered were purified on tryptic soy agar supplemented with 1% sodium carbonate and 4% sodium chloride. Phylogenetic analysis of 181 partial 16S rRNA g...
Abstract Fluviicola taffensis O'Sullivan et al. 2005 belongs to the monotypic genus Fluviicola within the family Cryomorphaceae. The species is of interest because of its isolated phylogenetic lo-cation in the genome-sequenced fraction of the tree of life. Strain RW262T forms a monophy-letic lineage with uncultivated bacteria represented in freshwater 16S rRNA gene libraries. A similar phylogenetic differentiation occurs between freshwater and marine bacteria in the family Flavobacteriaceae,...
Abstract/Overview Increased human population has led to increased vulnerabilities to hunger and reduced sources of affordable food. Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is a root vegetable with large, starchy, tuberous roots, consumed worldwide. It is a potential food security crop, with high nutritional and economic value. Production of sweet potatoes in Kenya is low due to disease constraints such as sweet potato leaf spot (SPLS). Fungal SPLS results in reduced tuber yield, since the patho...
Abstract Bacteremia is a leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa where childhood mortality rates are the highest in the world. The early diagnosis of bacteremia and initiation of treatment saves lives, especially in high-disease burden areas. However, diagnosing bacteremia is challenging for clinicians, especially in children presenting with co-infections such as malaria and HIV. There is an urgent need for a rapid method for detecting bacteremia in pediatric patients with co-morbiditie...
Abstract We report here the genome sequence of a Staphylococcus xylosus clinical isolate, strain SMA0341-04 (UGA5), which contains one chromosome and at least one plasmid. Notably, strain SMA0341-04 (UGA5) contains the tetracycline efflux major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporter (tetK) gene.
Abstract Here, we report the genome sequences of a Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolate, strain SMA0034-04 (UGA22), which contains one chromosome and one plasmid. We also reveal that isolate SMA0034-04 (UGA22) contains loci in the genome that encode multiple exotoxins.
Abstract Here, we report the sequence of a Staphylococcus pettenkoferi clinical isolate, strain SMA0010-04 (UGA20), which contains the PC1 beta-lactamase (blaZ) gene.
Abstract Background: Total community rDNA was used to determine the diversity of bacteria and archaea from water, wet sediment and microbial mats samples of hot springs in the Eastern lowlands of Eritrea. The temperatures of the springs range from 49.5 °C to 100 °C while pH levels varied from 6.97 to 7.54. Akwar and Maiwooi have high carbonate levels. The springs near the seashore, Garbanabra and Gelti, are more saline with higher levels of sodium and chlorides. Elegedi, situated in the Al...