Student Short Biography:
Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O. Box 54840-00200 City Square, NAIROBI; Phone: +254-723722762,
E-mail: mmutuku@kemri.org; mwmutuku81@gmail.com
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
Doctor of Philosophy (Applied Parasitology) 2020, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Master of Science (Medical Parasitology & Entomology) 2015, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya.
Bachelor of Science (1st Class Honors) Medical Microbiology, 2011, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya.
EMPLOYMENT
Senior Research Scientist, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development
RESEARCH INTEREST
Transmission dynamics of schistosomiasis in relation to intermediate host snails vectorial competence and impact of praziquantel chemotherapy on epidemiology of schistosomiasis.
MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
American Society of Parasitologists
Project Summary
Thesis / Project Title: Compatibility of Schistosoma mansoni and its intermediate host snails (Biomphalaria spp) in relation to transmission of intestinal schistosomiasis in Kenya
Thesis / Project Abstract
Schistosomiasis afflicts an estimated 240 million people worldwide, with majority of the cases occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. In Kenya, Schistosoma mansoni, isthe most widespread among the Schistosoma spp and depends on the freshwater snails in the genus Biomphalaria for its transmission. In this study compatibility and vectorial competencies of 3 Biomphalariaspp were examined.
Reciprocal cross infection experiment using field derived B. pfeifferi from Kirinyaga county and B. sudanica from Kisumu county in 3 categories based on age/size was done using sympatric and allopatric S. mansoni and then, using lab-raised F1 generation of Lake Victoria derived B. sudanica and B. choanomphala snails with sympatric and allopatric combinations of S. mansoni in 3 different miracidia dose (1, 5 and 10). Abundance of B. sudanica and B. choanomphala, prevalence of S. mansoni in snail population, hyacinth intrusion, and acquisition of S. mansoni worms by sentinel mice were determined.
It was observed that S. mansoni had higher infection rates in B. pfeifferi (39.6-80.7%) than in B. sudanica (2.4-21.5%) regardless of parasite source or snail size/age. Cercariae production was greater for B. pfeifferi compared to B. sudanica. B. choanomphala was more susceptible to S. mansoni than B. sudanica (12.7 - 80.8% versus 5.2 – 18.6%). B. sudanica did not differ in relative abundance or prevalence of S. mansoni infections between persistent hotspot and responding villages (P>0.05). B. choanomphala, was significantly more abundant in the persistent hotspot villages than in responding villages (P<0.05).