Browsing by Author "Osborne,Ashley"

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    PublicationOpen Access
    Characterizing the genomic variation and population dynamics of Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites in and around Lake Victoria, Kenya
    (Scientific Reports, 2021-10-06) Campino, Susana; Kagaya,Wataru; Chan, Chim; Ngara,Mtakai; Kaneko, Akira; Takeda, Mika; Manko,Emilia; Osborne,Ashley; Kongere, James; Kita, Kiyoshi; Gitaka,Jesse
    Characterising the genomic variation and population dynamics of Plasmodium falciparum parasites in high transmission regions of Sub-Saharan Africa is crucial to the long-term efficacy of regional malaria elimination campaigns and eradication. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) technologies can contribute towards understanding the epidemiology and structural variation landscape of P. falciparum populations, including those within the Lake Victoria basin, a region of intense transmission. Here we provide a baseline assessment of the genomic diversity of P. falciparum isolates in the Lake region of Kenya, which has sparse genetic data. Lake region isolates are placed within the context of African-wide populations using Illumina WGS data and population genomic analyses. Our analysis revealed that P. falciparum isolates from Lake Victoria form a cluster within the East African parasite population. These isolates also appear to have distinct ancestral origins, containing genome-wide signatures from both Central and East African lineages. Known drug resistance biomarkers were observed at similar frequencies to those of East African parasite populations, including the S160N/T mutation in the pfap2mu gene, which has been associated with delayed clearance by artemisinin-based combination therapy. Overall, our work provides a first assessment of P. falciparum genetic diversity within the Lake Victoria basin, a region targeting malaria elimination.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    Evaluation of the protective efficacy of Olyset®Plus ceiling net on reducing malaria prevalence in children in Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya: study protocol for a cluster-randomized controlled trial
    (BMC, 2023-05-25) Kaneko, Akira; Kongere,James; Chan,Chim W.; Kagaya,Wataru; Kanoi,Bernard N.; Ngara, Mtakai; Omondi,Protus; Osborne,Ashley; Barbieri, Laura; Kc,Achyut; Gitaka, Jesse
    In the Lake Victoria Basin of western Kenya, malaria remains highly endemic despite high coverage of interventions such as insecticide-impregnated long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN). The malaria-protective effect of LLINs is hampered by insecticide resistance in Anopheles vectors and its repurposing by the community. Ceiling nets and LLIN with synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO-LLIN) are novel tools that can overcome the problems of behavioral variation of net use and metabolic resistance to insecticide, respectively. The two have been shown to reduce malaria prevalence when used independently. Integration of these two tools (i.e., ceiling nets made with PBO-LLIN or Olyset®Plus ceiling nets) appears promising in further reducing the malaria burden. Methods A cluster-randomized controlled trial is designed to assess the effect of Olyset®Plus ceiling nets on reducing malaria prevalence in children on Mfangano Island in Homa Bay County, where malaria transmission is moderate. Olyset®Plus ceiling nets will be installed in 1315 residential structures. Malaria parasitological, entomological, and serological indicators will be measured for 12 months to compare the effectiveness of this new intervention against conventional LLIN in the control arm. Discussion Wider adoption of Olyset®Plus ceiling nets to complement existing interventions may benefit other malaria-endemic counties and be incorporated as part of Kenya’s national malaria elimination strategy. Trial registration UMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000045079. Registered on 4 August 2021.