SHS Publications 2018

Distribution of the cytochrome P450 CYP2C8*2 allele in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT

Distribution of the cytochrome P450 CYP2C8*2 allele in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo Peko, S. M; Ntoumi, F; Vouvoungui, C; Nderu, DF; Kobawila, S. C; Velavan, T. P; Koukouikila-Koussounda Background: Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are essential in the metabolism of most drugs used today. Single nucleotide polymorphism(s) occurring in CYP genes can adversely affect drug pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety. Individuals carrying the CYP2C8*2 c.805A > T (CYP2C8*2; rs11572103) allele have impaired amodiaquine metabolism, increased risk of amodiaquine-related adverse events, and may promote the selection of drug-resistant parasite strains. This study investigated the distribution of the CYP2C8*2 allele in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, where artesunate + amodiaquine is used as the second-line treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Methods: A total of 285 febrile children visiting the Marien Ngouabi paediatric hospital were genotyped for CYP2C8*2 using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The allele frequencies and genotype distribution were determined. Results: The CYP2C8*2 allele was successfully genotyped in 75% (213/285) of the study participants. The CYP2C8*2A allele had a frequency of 63%, whereas the CYP2C8*2T allele had a frequency of 37%. Genotypes CYP2C8*2AA (rapid metabolizer), CYP2C8*2AT (intermediate metabolizer), and CYP2C8*2TT (poor metabolizer) were observed in 44%, 38%, and 18% of the investigated participants, respectively. Conclusions: This study gives the first description of CYP2C8*2 allele distribution in the Republic of Congo and highlights the potential risk of amodiaquine-related adverse events. Information from this study will be beneficial during pharmacovigilance investigations.

Genetic diversity and population structure of Plasmodium falciparum in kenyan–ugandan border areas.

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Genetic diversity and population structure of Plasmodium falciparum in kenyan–ugandan border areas. Nderu, D; Kimani, F; Karanja, E; Thiong'o, K; Akinyi, M; Too, E; Chege, W; NamMbati, E; Wangai, L.N.; Meyer, C.G.; Vela Kenya has, in the last decade, made tremendous progress in the fight against malaria. Nevertheless, continued surveillance of the genetic diversity and population structure of Plasmodium falciparum is required to refine malaria control and to adapt and improve elimination strategies. Twelve neutral microsatellite loci were genotyped in 201 P. falciparum isolates obtained from the Kenyan-Ugandan border (Busia) and from two inland malaria-endemic sites situated in western (Nyando) and coastal (Msambweni) Kenya. Analyses were done to assess the genetic diversity (allelic richness and expected heterozygosity, [He ]), multilocus linkage disequilibrium ( IAS ) and population structure. A similarly high degree of genetic diversity was observed among the three parasite populations surveyed (mean He = 0.76; P > 0.05). Except in Msambweni, random association of microsatellite loci was observed, indicating high parasite out-breeding. Low to moderate genetic structure (FST = 0.022-0.076; P < 0.0001) was observed with only 5% variance in allele frequencies observed among the populations. This study shows that the genetic diversity of P. falciparum populations at the Kenyan-Ugandan border is comparable to the parasite populations from inland Kenya. In addition, high genetic diversity, panmixia and weak population structure in this study highlight the fitness of Kenyan P. falciparum populations to successfully withstand malaria control interventions.

Origin and spread of antimalarial resistance in Africa.

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Origin and spread of antimalarial resistance in Africa. Laura, N he Western Cambodia region is infamous for its malaria parasites. Twice already in the 1950s and the 1960s they have developed resistance to key drugs, and the underlying mutations spread inevitably around the world, forcing public health sector to nd new ways to contain the disease. It is now happening again. Over the years, artemisinin, the most powerful drug available for management of malaria, has reported in a substantial number of individuals in Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, and border regions of Thailand. Researchers and public health experts worry that history may repeat itself and the resistant parasites spread globally. Recent discovery of drug resistance-associated genes, pfcrt, pfmdr1, dhfr, dhps, and k13 and applications of microsatellite markers anking the genes have revealed of the evolution of resistant parasites to all classes of antimalarials and the geographical distribution of drug resistance. Here, we review our recent knowledge of the Origin and spread of parasite resistance to the previously used drugs (chloroquine, sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine) and artemisinin combination therapy. Though efforts to prevent and eliminate resistance so far are still unsuccessful, but, new advances into the genes other than the threat insight should help scientists identify and track resistant parasites including nding better ways to contain them

Analysis of Tobacco Smoking Patterns in Relation to Age and Employment Status: A Case Study of Kirinyaga Central Constituency

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Analysis of Tobacco Smoking Patterns in Relation to Age and Employment Status: A Case Study of Kirinyaga Central Constituency Munyiri, LM; Gachoki, PK; Gitonga, JN International Research Journal of Advanced Engineering and ScienceISSN (Online): 2455-9024474Munyiri LM, GachokiPK, and Gitonga JN, “Analysis of Tobacco Smoking Patterns in Relation to Age and Employment Status: A Case Study of Kirinyaga Central Constituency,”International Research Journal of Advanced Engineering and Science, Volume 4, Issue 2, pp. 474-477, 2019.Analysis of Tobacco Smoking Patterns in Relation to Age and Employment Status: A Case Study of Kirinyaga Central ConstituencyMunyiri LM1, GachokiPK2,Gitonga JN31, 3Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kirinyaga University, P.O Box 143-10300, Kerugoya, Kenya2Department of Physical Sciences, Chuka University, P.O Box 109-60400, Chuka, KenyaCorresponding authors’ email; 1lucasmunyiri@gmail.com; 2pkgachoki@gmail.comAbstract—Tobacco is dried leaves of the plant Nicotina tabacum. It contains the drug nicotine for the effects of which it’s smoked, chewed or inhaled as powder, smoking being the most common method of consuming tobacco. Tobacco smoking originated among Native Americans in Eastern North America where tobacco is native. Tobacco smoking may be influenced by various factors which may include: individual level factors such as (age, gender, and social-class). A country’s national economic development or its implementation on tobacco control policies may adhere to tobacco smoking. The general objective of this study was to examine if there exist a relationship between smoking, age and employment status. This study took into account the following variables; tobacco smoking as the dependent variable, age and employment status as the independent variable. The scope of the study was Kirinyaga Central Constituency, samples taken from its four wards. Stratified sampling was used, the target sample was 100. The study had a response rate of 97%. The main instrument of data collection was questionnaires; the data gathered was both qualitative and quantitative. Data was keyed in using epi-data software and analysed using SPSS. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analysis. The study also consisted of 3 hypotheses testing which were validated using Chi-Square tests of independence. The results revealed that employment status influences tobacco smoking from the multiple logistic regression analysis. The conclusion from this study was that there exists a relationship between employment status and tobacco smoking in Kirinyaga Central Constituency