Browsing by Author "Kazwala, R"

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African pouched rats for the detection of pulmonary tuberculosis in sputum samples
Weetjens, B.J; Mgode, G.F.; Machang’u, R.S; Kazwala, R; Mfi nanga, G; Lwilla, F; Cox, C; Jubitana, M; Kanyagha, H; Mtandu, R; Kahwa, A; Mwessongo, J; Makingi, G; Mfaume, S; Steenberge, J.V; Beyene, N.W; Billet, M; Verhagen, R
APOPO’s tuberculosis research agenda: achievements, challenges and prospects
Beyene, N; Mahoney, A; Cox, C; Weetjens, B; Making, G; Mgode, G; Durgin, A; Kuipers, D; Jubitana, M; Egwaga, S; Kamala, D; Lwila, F; Mfinanga, S; Kahwa, A; Machangu, R; Kazwala, R; Reither, K; Kaufmann, S; Poling, A
APOPO’s tuberculosis research agenda: achievements, challenges and prospects
(2012-04) Beyene, N; Mahoney, A; Cox, C; Weetjens, B; Making, G; Mgode, G; Durgin, A; Kuipers, D; Jubitana, M; Egwaga, S; Kamala, D; Lwila, F; Mfinanga, S; Kahwa, A; Machangu, R; Kazwala, R; Reither, K; Kaufmann, S; Poling, A
This article describes Anti-Persoonsmijnen Ontmijnende Product Ontwikkeling (APOPO) recent use of specially trained African giant pouched rats as detectors of pulmonary tuberculosis in people living in Tanzania. It summarizes the achievements and challenges encountered over the years and outlines future prospects. Since 2008, second-line screening by the rats has identified more than 2000 tuberculosis-positive patients who were missed by microscopy at Direct Observation of Treatment – Short Course centres in Tanzania. Moreover, data that are reviewed herein have been collected with respect to the rats’ sensitivity and specificity in detecting tuberculosis. Findings strongly suggest that scent-detecting rats offer a quick and practical tool for detecting pulmonary tuberculosis and within the year APOPO’s tuberculosis-detection project will be extended to Mozambique. As part of its local capacity building effort, APOPO hires and trains Tanzanians to play many important roles in its TB detection project and provides research and training opportunities for Tanzanian students.
Molecular epidemiology of Brucella species in mixed livestock-human ecosystems in Kenya
(Nature scientific Report) Akoko, JM; Pelle, R; Lukambagire, AS; Machuka, EM; Nthiw, D; Mathew, C; Fèvre, EM; Bett, B; Cook, EAJ; Othero, D; Bonfoh, B; Kazwala, R; Shirima, G; Schelling, E; Halliday, JEB; Ouma, C
Molecular epidemiology of Brucella species in mixed livestock-human ecosystems in Kenya
(Nature scientific Report, 2021) Akoko, JM; Pelle, R; Lukambagire, AS; Machuka, EM; Nthiw, D; Mathew, C; Fèvre, EM; Bett, B; Cook, EAJ; Othero, D; Bonfoh, B; Kazwala, R; Shirima, G; Schelling, E; Halliday, JEB; Ouma, C
Brucellosis, caused by several species of the genus Brucella, is a zoonotic disease that affects humans and animal species worldwide. Information on the Brucella species circulating in different hosts in Kenya is largely unknown, thus limiting the adoption of targeted control strategies. This study was conducted in multi-host livestock populations in Kenya to detect the circulating Brucella species and assess evidence of host–pathogen associations. Serum samples were collected from 228 cattle, 162 goats, 158 sheep, 49 camels, and 257 humans from Narok and Marsabit counties in Kenya. Information on age, location and history of abortion or retained placenta were obtained for sampled livestock. Data on age, gender and location of residence were also collected for human participants. All samples were tested using genus level real-time PCR assays with primers specific for IS711 and bcsp31 targets for the detection of Brucella. All genus positive samples (positive for both targets) were further tested with a speciation assay for AlkB and BMEI1162 targets, specific for B. abortus and B. melitensis, respectively. Samples with adequate quantities aggregating to 577 were also tested with the Rose Bengal Test (RBT). A total of 199 (33.3%) livestock and 99 (38.5%) human samples tested positive for genus Brucella. Animal Brucella PCR positive status was positively predicted by RBT positive results (OR = 8.3, 95% CI 4.0–17.1). Humans aged 21–40 years had higher odds (OR = 2.8, 95% CI 1.2–6.6) of being Brucella PCR positive compared to the other age categories. The data on detection of different Brucella species indicates that B. abortus was detected more often in cattle (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.1–4.6) and camels (OR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.3–6.3), while B. melitensis was detected more in sheep (OR = 3.6, 95% CI 2.0–6.7) and goats (OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.0–3.1). Both B. abortus and B. melitensis DNA were detected in humans and in multiple livestock host species, suggesting cross-transmission of these species among the different hosts. The detection of these two zoonotic Brucella species in humans further underpins the importance of One Health prevention strategies that target multiple host species, especially in the multi-host livestock populations.
Serological and molecular evidence of brucella species in the rapidly growing pig sector in Kenya
(BMC Veterinary Research) Akoko, J; Pelle, R; Kivali, V; Schelling, E; Shirima, G; Mathew, C; Kyallo, V; Bonfoh, B; Kazwala, R; Ouma, C; Machuka, E. M.; Fèvre, E. M.; Falzon, L. C.; Lukambagire, A. S.; Halliday, J. E. B.
Using giant African pouched rats to detect tuberculosis in human sputum samples: 2010 findings
Mahoney, A.M; Weetjens, B.J; Cox, C; Beyene, N; Mgode, G; Jubitana, M; Kuiper, D; Kazwala, R; Mfinanga, G.S; Durgin, A; Poling, A
Using giant African pouched rats to detect tuberculosis in human sputum samples: 2010 findings
(2011-07-17) Mahoney, A.M; Weetjens, B.J; Cox, C; Beyene, N; Mgode, G; Jubitana, M; Kuiper, D; Kazwala, R; Mfinanga, G.S; Durgin, A; Poling, A
Giant African pouched rats previously have detected tuberculosis (TB) in human sputum samples in which the presence of TB was not initially detected by smear microscopy. Operant conditioning principles were used to train these rats to indicate TB-positive samples. In 2010, rats trained in this way evaluated 26,665 sputum samples from 12,329 patients. Microscopy performed at DOTS centers found 1,671 (13.6%) of these patients to be TB-positive. Detection rats identified 716 additional TB-positive patients, a 42.8% increase in new-case detection. These previously unreported data, which extend to over 20,000 the number of patients evaluated by pouched rats in simulated second-line screening, suggest that the rats can be highly valuable in that capacity.