Browsing by Author "Mwangi, Jamleck N."

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    Characterization of Tunga penetrans antigens in selected epidemic areas in Murang’a County in Kenya
    (Public Library of Science, 2015-03-20) Mwangi, Jamleck N.; Ozwara, Hastings S.; Motiso, Joshua M.; Gicheru, M. M.
    Tunga penetrans are fleas that cause tungiasis, a condition characterized by high transmission rate due to poor housing conditions, social neglect and inadequate health care in economically disadvantaged communities in developing countries. This study therefore aimed at characterizing jiggers antigens to identify immunodominant ones to help understand immunological behavior of the parasite that would otherwise be important in future control of the parasite. Samples were gravid fleas and blood samples from infested individuals in Kahuro and Murang’a East district in Murang’a County. Freeze and thaw was used to extract soluble proteins from the fleas. Ouchterlony Double immunodiffusion was used to assess antigen-antibody reactions between extracted soluble protein and the serum from immunized rats, Rattus norvegicus prior to analysis of human sera. These results were comparable to results of immunoelectrphoresis. Jigger protein isolates were analyzed in Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis technique (SDS—PAGE), against Pharmacia standard protein markers. Further analysis of jigger antigens against pooled human sera from infested victims in Western blot revealed three immunodominant antigens. Using simple regression analysis molecular weights of the three immunodominant antigens were estimated as 51.795, 23.395 and 15.38 kDa respectively. These results are important since they would help understand immunological behavior of the parasites. This would help to create basis for designing and improving approaches against jiggers such as development of immune prophylaxis to complement social science approaches that is mainly concerned with maintenance of high standards of hygiene.
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    Epidemiology of tunga penetrans infestation in selected areas in Kiharu constituency, Murang’a County, Kenya
    (BioMed Central, 2015) Mwangi, Jamleck N.; Ozwara, Hastings S.; Gicheru, M. M.
    Background: Tungiasis is a parasitic skin disease brought about by female Tunga penetrans when they burrow into the skin of their hosts. It is a disease that has largely been ignored. Epidemiology of tungiasis has not been widely studied in Kenya which could negatively affect effective intervention strategies. This study therefore sought to investigate epidemiology of tungiasis in selected areas in Kiharu constituency, Murang’a County in Kenya. Methods: The study population comprised of public primary school pupils, the most vulnerable age group (n = 508) in Gaturi, Kimathi, Kahuhia and Mugoiri in Kiharu constituency. Public primary school pupils in the study area were randomly sampled. Through questionnaires and observations, data was collected. Results: The overall prevalence of tungiasis in pupils in the study area was 19.1 %. In multinomial logistic regression analysis some factors were identified to be associated with tungiasis such as lack of regular use of closed foot ware (Adjusted odds ratio = 10.45; 95 % Confidence Interval; 1.49–73.23), living in earthen mud walled houses (aOR = 13.78; 95 % CI = 3.127–60.69), sharing living quarters with domestic animals (aOR = 3.1; 95 % CI = 0.003–.046) and learning in classrooms with dusty floors (aOR = 14.657; 95 % CI = 2.262–94.95). Treatment of tungiasis was found to be mainly through mechanical removal of embedded T. penetrans. Conclusion: This study shows that tungiasis in the selected study areas of Kiharu constituency is a disease of significant health concern. Factors associated with tungiasis were identified that should be the focus of sustainable and effective control measures.