Distribution of Biomphalaria Snails in Associated Vegetations and Schistosome Infection Prevalence Along the Shores of Lake Victoria in Mbita, Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Schistosomiasis due to Schistosoma mansoni remains a major public health problem and cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa despite the implementation of control programmes. More than 6 million Kenyans are at risk of infection. Regarding control measures, Biomphalaria snail species, which are the obligatory intermediate hosts for transmission of S. mansoni, have been neglected. Mbita subcounty in Homa Bay County, western Kenya, along Lake Victoria basin, has a high prevalence of S. mansoni infection despite mass drug administration. This study aimed to determine the abundance of Biomphalaria, with their associated vegetation and schistosome infection rates, along Mbita shoreline.   Methods: Sixteen purposively selected sites along the Mbita shoreline were sampled for Biomphalaria snails using a 30-minute scooping technique. Global positioning system technology was used to map selected sites. The associated vegetation at sampling sites were collected and identified. Schistosome infection status among the snails was determined via the detection of cercaria shedding.   Results: A total of 3,135 Biomphalaria sudanica snails were collected. The number of snails collected differed significantly between the 16 sites (F=11.735; degrees of freedom [df]=15.836; P<.001). Significant mean differences (MD) were also observed in terms of the number of snails collected per vegetation type (F=7.899; df=5.846; P<.001). The mean number of snails collected from Cyprus gracilis was significantly higher than that from Enydra fluactuants (MD= 2.03; P<.001), Eichhornia crassipes (MD=4.15; P<.010), and E. fluactuants mixed with E. crassipes (MD=2.516; P<.010). A total of 21 (0.67%) snails shed human cercariae, while 27 (0.86%) snails shed nonhuman cercariae, despite 14 sites having human faeces contamination.   Conclusion: Although the schistosome infection prevalence among the snails was low, these sites may still be important exposure sites. C. gracilis is the main vegetation type associated with a high abundance of Biomphalaria snails. Molecular techniques are necessary for verification of schistosome positivity among the snails

2020-04-16 DAILY UNM GLOBAL HEALTH COVID-19 BRIEFING

Executive Summary: Daily NM recap. Public Catholic masses resume. Chaplains stand down. Food delivered to tribal communities. Governors order face coverings use. Campfires restricted. NY hospitalizations fall. Nursing home probe in NJ. GOP call WHO Chief resignation. Africa cases up 51% and deaths up 60%. Sub-Saharan Africa prediction. Resurgence in Japan. UK conditions to reopen. France deaths up. UNMH protests over PPE. Med center financial stress. Hospitals bailout insufficient. 55% US healthcare worker cases hospital spread. Cruise ship transmission. Essential contact tracing. JAMA editors discuss policy. Guideline updates: treatment, emergency dep, ophthalmology, cath lab, telemedicine, liver disease, caregiver, health care facilities, FEMA, homeless services. Calcium channel blocker reduces fatality. Interferon lambda treatment. No benefit for lopinavir/ritonavir or arbidol in RCT. Donate plasma. Mixed results for antivirals on clearance. 37 new trials. Population-scale testing proposed. New rapid assay. Serology + RT-PCR needed. Hemoglobin monitoring. Co-infection of SARS-CoV-2. Urine glucose and proteinuria predict severity. Use damp cloth covers

2020-05-11 DAILY UNM GLOBAL HEALTH COVID-19 BRIEFING

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2020-05-04 DAILY UNM GLOBAL HEALTH COVID-19 BRIEFING

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Haplotype of non-synonymous mutations within IL-23R is associated with susceptibility to severe malaria anemia in a P. falciparum holoendemic transmission area of Kenya

Abstract Background Improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in pediatric severe malarial anemia (SMA) pathogenesis is a crucial step in the design of novel therapeutics. Identification of host genetic susceptibility factors in immune regulatory genes offers an important tool for deciphering malaria pathogenesis. The IL-23/IL-17 immune pathway is important for both immunity and erythropoiesis via its effects through IL-23 receptors (IL-23R). However, the impact of IL-23R variants on SMA has not been fully elucidated. Methods Since variation within the coding region of IL-23R may influence the pathogenesis of SMA, the association between IL-23R rs1884444 (G/T), rs7530511 (C/T), and SMA (Hb < 6.0 g/dL) was examined in children (n = 369, aged 6–36 months) with P. falciparum malaria in a holoendemic P. falciparum transmission area. Results Logistic regression analysis, controlling for confounding factor of anemia, revealed that individual genotypes of IL-23R rs1884444 (G/T) [GT; OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 0.78–2.31, P = 0.304 and TT; OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 0.53–7.74, P = 0.286] and IL-23R rs7530511 (C/T) [CT; OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 0.59–11.86, P = 0.202 and TT; OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 0.84–3.27, P = 0.142] were not associated with susceptibility to SMA. However, carriage of IL-23R rs1884444T/rs7530511T (TT) haplotype, consisting of both mutant alleles, was associated with increased susceptibility to SMA (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.07–4.19, P = 0.030). Conclusion Results presented here demonstrate that a haplotype of non-synonymous IL-23R variants increase susceptibility to SMA in children of a holoendemic P. falciparum transmission area

Additional file 1: of Haplotype of non-synonymous mutations within IL-23R is associated with susceptibility to severe malaria anemia in a P. falciparum holoendemic transmission area of Kenya

These are details of the raw data for the study participants (N = 369) used in the analyses of results presented in the current paper. (XLS 384 kb

Additional file 1: of Haplotype of non-synonymous mutations within IL-23R is associated with susceptibility to severe malaria anemia in a P. falciparum holoendemic transmission area of Kenya

These are details of the raw data for the study participants (N = 369) used in the analyses of results presented in the current paper. (XLS 384 kb

Additional file 1: of Association between Fcγ receptor IIA, IIIA and IIIB genetic polymorphisms and susceptibility to severe malaria anemia in children in western Kenya

These are details of the raw data for the study participants (N=274) used in the analyses of results presented in the current paper. (XLS 222 kb