Browsing by Author "Odari, Eddy"

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    Human Immunodeficiency Virus -1 and Hepatitis B Virus Co-Infections among Injecting Drug Users in Malindi, Kenya
    (IISTE, 2015-12) Budambula, Nancy; Kerosi, Danvas O.; Odari, Eddy; Lihana, Raphael; Osman, Saida; Omire, Agnes; Langat, Hillary; Aman, Rashid; Lwembe, Raphael
    Currently no published data addressing the burden of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) co-infection among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Kenya exists. These two viruses share similar routes of transmission, with illicit drug use by injection being the major route of infection. Injecting drug use is a rapidly growing problem in coastal towns of Kenya and the problem is aggravated by sex tourism.This study aimed at determining the prevalence of HBV in HIV positive IDUs and correlating the findings with sociodemographic factors of the study population.A cross-sectional study was conducted using structured questionnaires and laboratory testing of blood samples. Surface antigens for HBV (HBsAg) and anti-HIV antibodies were screened using rapid kits followed by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent assay tests on positive samples using Hepanostika and Vironostika test kits, for HIV and HBV, respectively. The CD4+ T-cell count was determined by flow cytometry.The prevalence of HIV/HBV co-infection was 14.3% (13/91) with a mean age of 33.2 (SD ± 8.1) years. The mean CD4+ cell count in the HIV/HBV co-infected individuals was significantly lower than HIV mono-infection. Needle sharing and duration of active injection of drugs were significantly associated with HIV/HBV co-infections.This study concludes a potentially high prevalence of HBV/ HIV co-infection in injecting drug users in Malindi, Kenya. With limited evidence on IDU prevalence and its consequences in sub-Saharan Africa, the results of this study highlight the need for a more refined policy on HIV treatment strategy among IDUs. There is a further need for triple testing for HIV, HBV and HCV among suspected IDUs and other associated risk groups like the commercial sex workers before commencement of treatment.
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    Phenomic characterization of Crotalaria germplasm for crop improvement
    (Cabi, 2021-03) Muli, Joshua Kiilu; Neondo, Johnstone O.; Kamau, Peter K.; Odari, Eddy; Budambula, Nancy
    Background: Diversifcation of global food systems through exploration of traditional varieties and wild edible plant species is a focal mitigation strategy for food security worldwide. The present study determined the phenomic diversity of locally available, afordable and climate-resilient cultivated and wild Crotalaria species for breeding purposes. Methods: Seed samples were collected from diferent administrative counties in Kenya spanning diferent climatic zones. Other seeds were provided by the Genetic Resources Research Institute of Kenya. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used for agro-morphological evaluation of the 83 accessions used in this study. Data on quantitative and qualitative traits was collected. Cluster analysis on R and R-studio was used to generate a dendrogram by the Euclidian genetic distance and dissimilarity indices while the non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) method was used to determine the spatial interrelationship between the accessions. The Pearson’s correlation coefcients were used to determine the relationships between qualitative and quantitative traits while the principal component analysis was used to discriminate the accessions. Results: Three edible species (C. brevidens Benth., C. ochroleuca G.Don, C. trichotoma Bojer.) were found to be cultivated by Kenyan farmers and a signifcant variation (p<0.0001) for all parameters under study was recorded. Agglomerative hierarchical clustering grouped the accessions into 8 major clusters. The NMDS ordination formed 15 and 6 groups based on counties and regions respectively. Conclusions: This study forms the basis for exploring novel breeding strategies among cultivated species, between wild and cultivated Crotalaria species as well as determining molecular markers linked to phenomic traits.