Student Short Biography:
I am a senior research scientist at the Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). I hold a M.Sc. degree in Biochemistry from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) and aB.Sc. degree from Kenyatta University.
I began my research career as a research associate at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and later joined KEMRI. My research interests span across diseasesurveillance and diagnostics, One Health and molecular epidemiology of emerging and re-emerging zoonotic parasitic diseases. My research has focused on molecular epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, amoebiasis, and cystic echinococcosis in humans, domestic and wild animals.
I have participated in more than 10 research projects at KEMRI and have been an author and co-authorin 22 research articles in peer-review journals. I have also published more than 20 abstracts and presented my research findings in local and international conferences. I played a key role in the implementation of a research projecton “Epidemiology and clinical implications of the genetic diversity of Echinococcus species in Kenya”, under which I trained and mentored 10 M.Sc. students undertaking their research projects. I participated in the training of foreign students and scientists from Uganda, Burundi and Zambia.
I have participated in the development of policy guidelines for the Ministry of Health (MoH) under zoonotic disease unit (ZDU)for cystic echinococcosisand also serve in the technical advisory group for Echinococcosis under the ZDU, MoH.I have received recognition from the World Association of Echinococcosis for my contribution in Echinococcosis research.
Project Summary
Dogs are reservoirs and hosts for several zoonotic parasites of public health significance worldwide. This study established the prevalence and distribution of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, Taenia species and other zoonotic intestinal parasites in dogs from cystic echinococcosis endemic areas of Kenya.
Dog faecal samples collected from the environment in Turkana, Meru, Isiolo and Narokcounties were microscopically examined for the presenceof intestinal parasites. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and DNA sequencing were used to genotype hookworms, Echinococcus and Taenia spp.Of the 1,621 faecal samples, 43.24%contained at least one parasite and 11 parasites genera were identified. Ancylostoma caninum (n = 59), A. braziliense (n = 10) and A. cf. duodenale (n = 1) were detected in 70 faecal samples containing hookworm eggs. Eleven percent of faecal samples had taeniid eggs, 4.4% were Echinococcus spp. eggs. Four Echinococcus spp. were identified with E. granulosus sensu stricto and E. canadensis (G6/7) detected in 51 and 23 faecal samples, respectively. E. ortleppi and E. felidis were rare and only detected in 5 and 2 faecal samples respectively. Overall 4.9% faecal samples contained eggs of Taenia or Hydatigera. Taenia hydatigena and T. multiceps were the most frequent, found in 36 and 15 samples, respectively. Other eggs detected in the faecal samples belonged to T. serialis, T. madoquae, T. ovis, T. saginata and Hydatigera taeniaeformis.
This study identified zoonotic parasites in dogs that pose potential public health risk to humans and emphasizes the need toimplement public health control measures.