Browsing by Author "Kimani, Gachuhi"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    PublicationOpen Access
    Antischistosomal Activity of Azadirachta indica and Ekebergia capensis in Mice Infected with Schistosoma mansoni
    (European Journal of Medicinal Plants, 2015-01-06) Musili, Rael; Muriu, David; Rewa, Linus M’; Kamau, Timothy; Menaine, Antony; Mwatha, Joseph; Muregi, Francis; Thiong’o, Joseph; Ng’ang’a, Zipporrah; Kimani, Gachuhi
    Aims: Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease of great socio-economic and public health importance in tropical and sub-tropical countries. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the drug of choice for treatment of schistosomiasis since it is effective against all species of schistosomes. However, PZQ is less efficacious against larval stages of the parasite and there are recent concerns that long term mass drug treatment could lead to development of drug resistant strains thus prompting the need for alternative antischistosomal drugs. Plants have over the years provided a rich source of novel drugs for a wide range of diseases afflicting man and domestic animals. Study Design: Swiss albino mice were infected and randomized into groups of five for plant extract treated groups, positive control groups treated with conventional drugs PZQ and artemether, as well as infected but untreated (negative control) groups. Place and Duration of Study: The study was done at the Animal Facility in the Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute from July 2013 to July 2014. Methodology: Swiss albino mice were infected with 90 cercariae each and treated orally with varying doses of aqueous extracts of Ekebergia capensis and Azadirachta indica at doses of 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg at 2 weeks (juvenile worms), 4 weeks (immature worms) and 7 weeks (adult worms) post infection. PZQ and artemether were used as positive controls while infected untreated group was used as negative controls. Total reduction of worm load as well as egg load in the liver and intestine was used as an indicator of drug activity, relative to the infected but untreated control groups.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    PublicationMetadata only
    Infectious diarrhoea in antiretroviral therapy-naïve HIV/AIDS patients in Kenya
    (RSTMH, 2013-10-01) Wanyiri, Jane W.; Kanyi, Henry; Maina, Samuel; Wang, David E.; Ngugi, Paul; O'Connor, Roberta; Kamau, Timothy; Waithera, Tabitha; Kimani, Gachuhi; Wamae, Claire N.
    Background: Diarrhoea is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. The objectives of this study were to investigate the aetiological agents, risk factors and clinical features associated with diarrhoea in HIV/AIDS patients in Kenya. Methods Sociodemographic, epidemiological and clinical data were obtained for 164 HIV/AIDS patients (70 with and 94 without diarrhoea) recruited from Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya. Stool samples were examined for enteric pathogens by microscopy and bacteriology. Results Intestinal protozoa and fungi were identified in 70% of patients, more frequently in those with diarrhoea (p<0.001). Helminths were detected in 25.6% of patients overall, and bacterial pathogens were identified in 51% of patients with diarrhoea. Polyparasitism was more common in patients with diarrhoea than those without (p<0.0001). Higher CD4+ T-cell count (OR = 0.995, 95% CI 0.992–0.998) and water treatment (OR = 0.231, 95% CI 0.126–0.830) were associated with a lower risk of diarrhoea, while close contact with cows (OR = 3.200, 95% CI 1.26–8.13) or pigs (OR = 11.176, 95% CI 3.76–43.56) were associated with a higher risk of diarrhoea. Conclusions Multiple enteric pathogens that are causative agents of diarrhoea were isolated from stools of antiretroviral therapy-naïve HIV/AIDS patients, indicating a need for surveillance, treatment and promotion of hygienic practices.