Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kelly Broen, Joey Dickens, Rob Trangucci, Martin D. Ogwang, Constance N. Tenge, Nestory Masalu, Steven J. Reynolds, Esther Kawira, Patrick Kerchan, Pamela A. Were, Robert T. Kuremu, Walter N. Wekesa, Tobias Kinyera, Isaac Otim, Ismail D. Legason, Hadija Nabalende, Ian D. Buller, Leona W. Ayers, Kishor Bhatia, Robert J. Biggar, James J. Goedert, Mark L. Wilson, Sam M. Mbulaiteye, Jon Zelner
Summary: Endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL) is a pediatric cancer coendemic with malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, with evidence supporting a causal relationship between them. Spatially detailed data from the EMBLEM study showed that eBL incidence increased with cumulative exposure to Plasmodium falciparum malaria and peaked among children aged 5 to 11. Alternative models using recent cross-sectional exposure were inconclusive, suggesting that cumulative exposure is more important in eBL risk.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Nobuko Arisue, George Chagaluka, Nirianne Marie Q. Palacpac, W. Thomas Johnston, Nora Mutalima, Sally Peprah, Kishor Bhatia, Eric Borgstein, George N. Liomba, Steve Kamiza, Nyengo Mkandawire, Collins Mitambo, James J. Goedert, Elizabeth M. Molyneux, Robert Newton, Toshihiro Horii, Sam M. Mbulaiteye
Summary: The study found that multiple variants of the malaria parasite protein were associated with an increased risk of endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL) in children, but no specific type of variant was linked to the risk. Quantifying malaria parasite variants may provide new insights into the role of malaria infection in eBL.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Antoine Dara, Sunil Kumar Dogga, Jesse Rop, Dinkorma Ouologuem, Fatalmoudou Tandina, Arthur M. Talman, Abdoulaye Djimde, Mara K. N. Lawniczak
Summary: Studying malaria transmission biology through scRNA-sequencing is important for understanding strain diversity and transcriptional states within the host. This article provides insights into the collaborative efforts and challenges encountered in establishing single-cell capabilities in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Mali's endemic setting.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Mary Lopez-Perez, Firmine Viwami, Zakaria Seidu, Anja T. R. Jensen, Justin Doritchamou, Nicaise Tuikue Ndam, Lars Hviid
Summary: The study found that HbAS does not provide protection against placental malaria infection in pregnant women, and the immune levels to specific PfEMP1 variants were similar in HbAS and HbAA women. Women with placental malaria had lower levels of anti-VAR2CSA specific IgG.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Hyokyoung G. Hong, Mateus H. Gouveia, Martin D. Ogwang, Patrick Kerchan, Steven J. Reynolds, Constance N. Tenge, Pamela A. Were, Robert T. Kuremu, Walter N. Wekesa, Nestory Masalu, Esther Kawira, Tobias Kinyera, Xunde Wang, Jiefu Zhou, Thiago Peixoto Leal, Isaac Otim, Ismail D. Legason, Hadijah Nabalende, Herry Dhudha, Mediatrix Mumia, Francine S. Baker, Temiloluwa Okusolubo, Leona W. Ayers, Kishor Bhatia, James J. Goedert, Joshua Woo, Michelle Manning, Nathan Cole, Wen Luo, Belynda Hicks, George Chagaluka, W. Thomas Johnston, Nora Mutalima, Eric Borgstein, George N. Liomba, Steve Kamiza, Nyengo Mkandawire, Collins Mitambo, Elizabeth M. Molyneux, Robert Newton, Amy Hutchinson, Meredith Yeager, Adebowale A. Adeyemo, Swee Lay Thein, Charles N. Rotimi, Stephen J. Chanock, Ludmila Prokunina-Olsson, Sam M. Mbulaiteye
Summary: This study investigated the association between Plasmodium falciparum infection and Burkitt lymphoma (BL) risk. The results showed that the HBB-rs334(T) variant, which protects against malaria, was associated with lower risk of both P. falciparum infection and BL. The ABO-rs8176703(T) variant was associated with decreased risk of BL but not P. falciparum infection. These findings increase support for the etiological correlation between P. falciparum and BL risk.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Benyl M. Ondeto, Xiaoming Wang, Harrysone Atieli, Daibin Zhong, Guofa Zhou, Ming-Chieh Lee, Pauline Winnie Orondo, Kevin O. Ochwedo, Collince J. Omondi, Simon M. Muriu, David O. Odongo, Horace Ochanda, James Kazura, Andrew K. Githeko, Guiyun Yan
Summary: Despite initial reductions in asymptomatic malaria parasite prevalence among school children from 2005 to 2008 in all sites, a resurgence of parasite prevalence by over 40% has been observed in Kombewa and Marani since 2011. The study also found that Kombewa had a higher risk of infection compared to Iguhu and Marani.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Brian R. Omondi, Michelle K. Muthui, William Muasya, Benedict Orindi, Ramadhan S. Mwakubambanya, Teun Bousema, Chris Drakeley, Kevin Marsh, Philip Bejon, Melissa C. Kapulu
Summary: The study found that IgG responses to crude gametocyte extract may not be an independent predictor of gametocyte carriage after adjusting for AMA1 responses, but they could predict gametocyte carriage as a proxy marker of exposure to parasites. Serological responses to AMA1 or gametocyte extract may help identify individuals in populations who contribute to malaria transmission and support the implementation of transmission-blocking interventions.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
DeAnna J. Friedman-Klabanoff, Mark A. Travassos, Olukemi O. Ifeonu, Sonia Agrawal, Amed Ouattara, Andrew Pike, Jason A. Bailey, Matthew Adams, Drissa Coulibaly, Kirsten E. Lyke, Matthew B. Laurens, Shannon Takala-Harrison, Bourema Kouriba, Abdoulaye K. Kone, Ogobara K. Doumbo, Jigar J. Patel, Mahamadou A. Thera, Philip L. Felgner, John C. Tan, Christopher Plowe, Andrea A. Berry
Summary: In a study conducted in Mali, it was found that adults had stronger antibody responses to circumsporozoite protein (CSP) compared to children, and responded to more variants near the central repeat region. Children acquired short-lived immunity to an epitope proximal to the central repeat region, but not to the central repeat region itself. This approach has the potential to differentiate immunodominant from protective epitope-specific responses when combined with longitudinal infection data.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Huan Cao, Aristotelis Antonopoulos, Sadie Henderson, Heather Wassall, John Brewin, Alanna Masson, Jenna Shepherd, Gabriela Konieczny, Bhinal Patel, Maria-Louise Williams, Adam Davie, Megan A. Forrester, Lindsay Hall, Beverley Minter, Dimitris Tampakis, Michael Moss, Charlotte Lennon, Wendy Pickford, Lars Erwig, Beverley Robertson, Anne Dell, Gordon D. Brown, Heather M. Wilson, David C. Rees, Stuart M. Haslam, J. Alexandra Rowe, Robert N. Barker, Mark A. Vickers
Summary: The surface-exposed high mannose N-glycans on diseased or oxidized red blood cells bind to mannose receptor CD206 on phagocytes, mediating phagocytosis in sickle cell disease and malaria. This recognition of surface N-linked high mannose glycans as a response to cellular stress is a common molecular mechanism in the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease and resistance to severe malaria in individuals with sickle cell trait.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Margaux Chauvet, Cerina Chhuon, Joanna Lipecka, Sebastien Dechavanne, Celia Dechavanne, Murielle Lohezic, Margherita Ortalli, Damien Pineau, Jean-Antoine Ribeil, Sandra Manceau, Caroline Le Van Kim, Adrian J. F. Luty, Florence Migot-Nabias, Slim Azouzi, Ida Chiara Guerrera, Anais Merckx
Summary: This passage discusses the possible reasons for the high prevalence of sickle cell disease in certain populations may be related to the protective effect of HbS against severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. By studying protein phosphorylation, it reveals the impact of HbS heterozygous carriage on the phosphorylation of proteins in red blood cell membranes and skeletal proteins, as well as parasite proteins during infection with malaria, which may lead to a less severe manifestation of malaria symptoms.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Sally Peprah, Martin D. Ogwang, Patrick Kerchan, Steven J. Reynolds, Constance N. Tenge, Pamela A. Were, Robert T. Kuremu, Walter N. Wekesa, Nestory Masalu, Esther Kawira, Isaac Otim, Ismail D. Legason, Leona W. Ayers, Kishor Bhatia, James J. Goedert, Ruth M. Pfeiffer, Sam M. Mbulaiteye
Summary: The prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection is lower in endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL) patients compared to community controls, especially in children under 5 years old and those over 10 years old. This difference remains significant even after adjusting for pre-enrollment factors, suggesting alternative immunology-based hypotheses may explain the lower falciparum prevalence in eBL cases.
INFECTIOUS AGENTS AND CANCER
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Victor Osoti, Mercy Akinyi, Kevin Wamae, Kelvin M. Kimenyi, Zaydah de Laurent, Leonard Ndwiga, Paul Gichuki, Collins Okoyo, Stella Kepha, Charles Mwandawiro, Regina Kandie, Philip Bejon, Robert W. Snow, Lynette Isabella Ochola-Oyier
Summary: Molecular surveillance is crucial for tracking antimalarial resistance, and this study revealed new mutations and resistance trends in Plasmodium falciparum parasites in Kenya. The research provides valuable insights into drug sensitivity and resistance patterns.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Gladys C. Chemwor, Ben M. Andagalu, Irene A. Onyango, Benjamin H. Opot, Raphael O. Okoth, Redemptah A. Yedah, Jackline A. Juma, Edwin W. Mwakio, Dancan M. Wakoli, Joseph G. Amwoma, Agnes C. Cheruiyot, Dennis W. Juma, Bernhards R. Ogutu, Timothy E. Egbo, Eric C. Garges, Amanda L. Roth, Edwin Kamau, Oliver J. Watson, Hoseah M. Akala
Summary: This study compared the treatment response of mixed and single-species Plasmodium falciparum infections to artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). The findings showed no differences in clearance rates between mixed and single infections, but individuals treated with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine had longer durations of reinfection protection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alaijah Bashi, Cecilia Lekpor, Joshua L. Hood, Winston E. Thompson, Jonathan K. Stiles, Adel Driss, Tamas Visnovitz
Summary: Hemolytic disorders are a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The study reveals that miRNA-loaded liposomes can reduce heme-induced inflammation and modulate inflammatory pathways in diseases such as malaria and sickle cell disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Maryam Akaberi, Zahra Tayarani Najaran, Narjes Azizi, Seyed Ahmad Emami
Summary: Tropical diseases like leishmaniosis pose a major health concern in developing countries, with pathogens developing multiresistance to classic antibiotics, driving the urgent need for new antibiotics. The study focuses on the beneficial effects of Helichrysum spp., comparing their anti-protozoal activities and phytochemical components to tackle infectious diseases in an ongoing project.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Maria del Pilar Quintana, Cecilia Smith-Togobo, Ann Moormann, Lars Hviid
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Peter N. Lokamar, Moses A. Kutwah, Harrysone Atieli, Sussy Gumo, Collins Ouma
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Peter O. Oluoch, Cliff I. Oduor, Catherine S. Forconi, John M. Ong'echa, Christian Munz, Dirk P. Dittmer, Jeffrey A. Bailey, Ann M. Moormann
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Charles O. Opiyo, David Omondi Okeyo, Sussy Gumo, Elly O. Munde, Zablon O. Omungo, Maureen Olyaro, Rachel K. Ndirangu, Nanlop Ogbureke, Sophie Efange, Collins Ouma
Article
Veterinary Sciences
James Akoko, Roger Pelle, Velma Kivali, Esther Schelling, Gabriel Shirima, Eunice Machuka, Coletha Mathew, Eric M. Fevre, Victoria Kyallo, Laura C. Falzon, AbdulHamid S. Lukambagire, Jo E. B. Halliday, Bassirou Bonfoh, Rudovick Kazwala, Collins Ouma
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Catherine S. Forconi, Cliff Oduor, Peter O. Oluoch, John M. Ong'echa, Christian Muenz, Jeffrey A. Bailey, Ann M. Moormann
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Gabriela M. Escalante, Joslyn Foley, Lorraine Z. Mutsvunguma, Esther Rodriguez, David H. Mulama, Murali Muniraju, Peng Ye, Anne K. Barasa, Javier Gordon Ogembo
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jafaralli Sande Ahmed, Bernard Guyah, David Sang', Mark Kilongosi Webale, Nathan Shaviya Mufyongo, Elly Munde, Collins Ouma
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Elkanah O. Orang'o, Jordan P. Emont, Aaron C. Ermel, Tao Liu, Victor Omodi, Yan Tong, Peter M. Itsura, Philip K. Tonui, Titus Maina, John M. Ong'echa, Kapten Muthoka, Stephen Kiptoo, Ann Moormann, Joseph Hogan, Patrick J. Loehrer, Darron Brown, Susan Cu-Uvin
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS
(2020)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Paul Kosiyo, Walter Otieno, Jesse Gitaka, Elly O. Munde, Collins Ouma
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jew Ochola Ouma, David H. Mulama, Lucas Otieno, John Owuoth, Bernhards Ogutu, Janet Oyieko, Jackson C. Korir, Peter Sifuna, Valentine Singoei, Victorine Owira, Stacey Maureen Okallo Gondii, Ben Andagalu, Walter Otieno
Summary: This study aimed to establish local laboratory hematological reference values for infants aged 1 month to 17 months in Kisumu, Kenya, and found significant differences in various blood parameters across different age groups. The hematological reference ranges in Kisumu were observed to be higher compared to other regions and showed variations from values in the US/Europe.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
John P. Haran, Evan Bradley, Abigail L. Zeamer, Lindsey Cincotta, Marie-Claire Salive, Protiva Dutta, Shafik Mutaawe, Otuwe Anya, Mario Meza-Segura, Ann M. Moormann, Doyle Ward, Beth A. McCormick, Vanni Bucci
Summary: In a study, it was found that patients with long COVID had higher abundance of bacteria in the oral microbiome that can induce inflammation, such as Prevotella and Veillonella genera. These microbes may be related to the development of ongoing symptoms in patients, and the oral microbiome of long COVID patients resembled that of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Peter O. Oluoch, Catherine S. Forconi, Cliff I. Oduor, Dominic A. Ritacco, Hoseah M. Akala, Jeffrey A. Bailey, Jonathan J. Juliano, John M. Ong'echa, Christian Munz, Ann M. Moormann
Summary: The prevalence of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and the occurrence of endemic Kaposi sarcoma (KS) are higher in regions with malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. A study examined KSHV serological profiles and viral loads in children with acute malaria and healthy children from high and low malaria regions. The results showed that KSHV seroprevalence was significantly associated with malaria endemicity, and acute malaria episodes disrupted KSHV latency in seropositive children.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Katherine A. Willard, Ashley P. Barry, Cliff I. Oduor, John Michael Ong'echa, Jeffrey A. Bailey, Ann M. Moormann, Micah A. Luftig
Summary: In this study, we describe an unusual spontaneous lytic phenotype in EBV strains isolated from Kenyan endemic Burkitt lymphoma patients. These findings provide insight into viral and host factors involved in this process and the potential contribution of promiscuous lytic activity to the formation of EBV-associated diseases.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Linet M. Angwa, Collins Ouma, Peter Okoth, Rachel Nyamai, Nyawira G. Kamau, Kennedy Mutai, Maricianah A. Onono