Browsing by Author "Gicheru, Michael"

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    Effects of HIV-Intestinal Parasites Co-Infection on Selected Hematological Parameters among Pregnant Women in Selected Health Facilities in Nyeri County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2014-10-09) Nyambura, Anthony Wanjohi; Kabiru, Ephantus W.; Gicheru, Michael
    Pregnancy places extreme stress on the haematological system and understanding of the physiological changes that result is obligatory in order to interpret any need for therapeutic intervention. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia in pregnancy. Intestinal parasitic infections increase anaemia in pregnant women. The results are low pregnancy weight gain and intra uterine development retardation (IUDR), followed by low birth weight (LBW), with its associated greater risk of infection and higher perinatal mortality rates. On the other hand HIV and AIDS is one of leading cause of mortality worldwide. HIV damage a person's body by destroying specific blood cells including CD4 T cells which are crucial to helping the body fight diseases resulting to AIDS. Sub-Saharan Africa is the region most affected by both HIV and intestinal parasites disease burdens. In Kenya, HIV infection remains a major public health problem where women are most affected. Studies have documented the effects of parasite infection on haemoglobin among pregnant women. Effects of HIV infection on haemoglobin level have been documented as well. However, there is paucity of data on effect of HIV - Intestinal parasite co-infection on haematological changes among pregnant women in Kenya. The co-infection is likely to aggravate the haematological changes. Therefore, this study aims to establish the prevalence of co-infection with HIV and intestinal parasites, the effect of HIV -Intestinal parasites co-infection on haemoglobin, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and CD4 cells; management practices of the co-infection and challenges encountered by health facilities during management. A cross sectional study will be conducted where a sample population of 344 pregnant women in selected health facilities in Nyeri County will participate. Structured interviewer administered questionnaires will be used to collect quantitative data. Qualitative data will be collected using six focused group discussions among pregnant women and key informant interviews among health care providers. Stool and blood samples will be analysed in the laboratory using standard procedures. The data collected will be managed and analysed using SPSS for windows (version 20). The information generated will inform policy development to address the problem of HIV and intestinal parasites co-infection among pregnant women.
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    Soluble Leishmania Antigens Plus Pristane Adjuvant Induce Partial Cross-protection Against Leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice
    (2025-04) Wabwoba, Byrum; Matoke-Muhia, Damaris; Ingonga, Johnston; Lusweti, Japheth; Gicheru, Michael
    Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease of global concern. The disease is currently controlled by vector management and treatment of infected individuals as there is no approved vaccine. This study evaluated the safety, immunopotency and cross-immunity in BALB/c mice vaccinated with soluble Leishmania major or L. donovani antigens co-administered with 2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane (pristane) and challenged with either L major or L.donovani virulent parasites. Safety was assessed by establishing dose-dependent blood-cell and platelet counts at 28 days post-injection, immunopotency was determined by measurement of interferon-gamma (IFN-ɣ) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) production, and disease progression by measurement either footpad lesion and parasite load in case of L.major challenge or spleen parasite loads for L.donovani challenge at 45 days post-infection. There was no significant effect by pristane on blood cell and platelet counts, indicating that at 20ug/mL, pristane was safe to use as an adjuvant in mice. Mice vaccinated with soluble L. donovani antigens plus pristane and challenged with L. major had smaller infected footpad lesions and lower parasite loads compared to BCG-vaccinated and unvaccinated mice. Similarly, mice vaccinated with soluble L. major antigens plus pristane and challenged with L. donovani had lower splenic parasite loads than unvaccinated mice. These corresponded with increased production of IFN-ɣ and suppressed production of IL-10 in each of the vaccinated groups, suggesting an up-regulated protective T helper 1 (Th1) response. The results indicated that vaccination of BALB/c mice with pristane adjuvant co-administered with soluble Leishmania antigens promotes Th1 response that confers partial cross-immunity against infection with heterologous Leishmania parasites. Further investigations on the safety of pristane in the longer term as well as other factors other than Th1 cytokines production up-regulation that may influence cross-protection in Leishmania infections need to be investigated
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    Soluble Leishmania Antigens Plus Pristane Adjuvant Induce Partial Cross-protection Against Leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice
    (American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, 2025-04-11) Wabwoba, Byrum; Matoke-Muhia, Damaris; Ingonga, Johnston; Lusweti, Japheth; Gicheru, Michael
    Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease of global concern. The disease is currently controlled by vector management and treatment of infected individuals as there is no approved vaccine. This study evaluated the safety, immunopotency and cross-immunity in BALB/c mice vaccinated with soluble Leishmania major or L. donovani antigens co-administered with 2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane (pristane) and challenged with either L major or L.donovani virulent parasites. Safety was assessed by establishing dose-dependent blood-cell and platelet counts at 28 days post-injection, immunopotency was determined by measurement of interferon-gamma (IFN-ɣ) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) production, and disease progression by measurement either footpad lesion and parasite load in case of L.major challenge or spleen parasite loads for L.donovani challenge at 45 days post-infection. There was no significant effect by pristane on blood cell and platelet counts, indicating that at 20ug/mL, pristane was safe to use as an adjuvant in mice. Mice vaccinated with soluble L. donovani antigens plus pristane and challenged with L. major had smaller infected footpad lesions and lower parasite loads compared to BCG-vaccinated and unvaccinated mice. Similarly, mice vaccinated with soluble L. major antigens plus pristane and challenged with L. donovani had lower splenic parasite loads than unvaccinated mice. These corresponded with increased production of IFN-ɣ and suppressed production of IL-10 in each of the vaccinated groups, suggesting an up-regulated protective T helper 1 (Th1) response. The results indicated that vaccination of BALB/c mice with pristane adjuvant co-administered with soluble Leishmania antigens promotes Th1 response that confers partial cross-immunity against infection with heterologous Leishmania parasites. Further investigations on the safety of pristane in the longer term as well as other factors other than Th1 cytokines production up-regulation that may influence cross-protection in Leishmania infections need to be investigated